Success at The Derby!
Well guys, I had a great time at my show at The Derby last night! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to see me play. I again got to play for a big new audience and got to meet some truly lovely people. Here are some photos from the show:
The biggest success for me, though, was that I applied a lot of my learning from this tour to the show last night. This tour has reminded me of some of the things a musical road warrior needs to know. For example, it is crucial to be assertive and get what you need on stage so that you can perform well. It is also very important (and can be very challenging) to stay in your “zone” no matter what happens. This means that when people are rude or late, when the sound is bad (and you can’t hear yourself singing), when plans fall apart, or when you find yourself playing to a crowd whose fave music style is not what you play, you need to still BRING IT.
I am someone who is tremendously sensitive to my surroundings and the needs of people around me. So, it is very challenging for me to ignore all that, go inside and just pull out the best performance possible. But I was able to do that last night! And, do you know what? It gets easier the more I do it. In fact, I got a thrill from just doing my own thing and being confident in it. (And I LOVE it when I win people over—you know the kind that start off cold, maybe ignoring you or writing you off, and by the end they are absorbed in your show—ooooh that is a thrill.) Touring actually requires calling on one’s courage and detachment. And a little bit of sassy-ness as well—in my head I’m like, “Just do your thing, girl!” It is very good for me—it’s making me grow in new ways. So, success all around! I’m playing tonight (Friday) at the Borders in Glendale and Saturday night at The Zabee Theater in Elk River. More info here.
October 6th, 2007 at 8:25 am
these are awesome reflections, L. and learning that i think totally applies to many aspects of living. especially doing your thing no matter how other people react. that’s a tough one. i’m SUPER SUPER proud of you and happy for these hard-won victories!
October 7th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Thank you SO much, Ali! I really appreciate your encouragement and celebrating with me. SEE you soon!