datamusicata

So this weekend was an interesting one. I had planned to perform Friday in San Luis Obispo and Saturday in the Carmel Valley. Driving up Thursday and driving back to Los Angeles on Sunday. Less that two weeks ago, the fellow with whom I had done several dates thru the years (and consequently and unprofessionally, didn’t send a contract) cancelled the date on me in SLO. Suddenly I had to drive all the way to the Monterey Bay to perform in a place I’d never performed in for no guarantee. I had just figured that if I was going two hundred miles north, I could certainly go another hundred miles and play the Saturday night as well.

I was disappointed and inconvenienced by the SLO promoter who had essentially stolen a night from me; a Friday night where I usually can make some respectable money. I don’t burn any bridges, but I will only work for this character again under two circumstanes. One, that we have a contract and two, that the contract includes a non refundable deposit. That way if he continues to be the unprofessional concert promoter, that his lack of integrity won’t cost me too much money.

Be that as it may, I had already made a commitment to perform for Kiki Wow (no that’s not her real name, but that is her website (www.kikiwow.com check her out) . She’s a total delight. And if I make a commitment to perform, that’s what I do. Otherwise, I’m the same as the bozo in the previous paragraph. So I showed up at Rosie’s Cracker Barrel in Carmel Valley (www.rosiescrackerbarrel.com) . The place was charming, but I thought as I entered the place that last time I played a place this intimate, the three of us were naked. But I digress...

This show, due to zoning laws in the Carmel Valley, was to begin at 5 pm and end at 7 pm. I haven’ done a show at that time ever, so I wasn’t expecting much. But the local papers, the Carmel Pinecone and the Monterey Peninsula Herald, were very kind to me with pictures and recommendations, so I thought, hmm, perhaps someone will actually show up.

When I got to the club, I was disappointed by the size and location as well as the modest sound system. I just figured that I had spent my weekend making no money and doing a show for probably no one.

However, I like to think that I’m a pro, so I set my stuff up and did a sound check. One of the benefits of working with the RE-20 Roland Looping Station is that you can play something into it and then walk out into the room and hear how you sound. I did that first and then fine tuned the amp and the eq til I thought it sounded pretty good, then I had a cup of coffee and waited. I decided that all I could do was to be as great as I possibly could so that at least my artistic nature would be satisfied, no matter who, if anyone, showed up.

Much to my surprize, the room filled up very fast and soon we had a capacity crowd and then more and more people came. They were outside and inside and in line and hanging around hoping that someone would leave so that they could get in. I was amazed.

I started my set and the room became pin drop quiet. And except for the laughter at my stories and asides and the banter between us, stayed that way for over two hours. The audience was so into what I was doing that I felt utterly compelled to give that same respect back to them. I had one of the best nights.

My voice was completely at my command. Very gratifying to be able to call upon your voice to do anything and for it to deliver. It just felt great to be me. And I realized that it was my attitude that allowed me to be in that space.

If I had been petulant about the room or the sound system or whatever, I would have simply hurt myself. The only person that I compete with is myself, and I don’t need an audience to do that, so my commitment to the evening was to be as great as I could be. To sing and play with focus and commitment and joy and let what I have become as an artist just shine through...to not get in it’s way.

And the audience not only inspired me to do that, they encouraged me to do that. It was an enormously rewarding evening as an artist and I also ended up selling a lot of CD’s and being invited back to open the big room that they were constructing.

And the room had the biggest night that they’ve ever had and everyone had a great time.

It’s attitude. You can colour every situation you are in, so don’t shoot yourself in the foot. No matter what the circumstances, remember your commitment to your art. Remember that you are in competition with no one but yourself and derive satisfaction from not only not letting yourself down, but challenging your self; and living up to that challeng.

Okay, on Monday I'll be back in Los Angeles and I’ll get back to the tale of Tom Robbins and I in Cuba. Have a great rest of your weekend.