Just a quick note of thanks to Laura Heim who took the time to post the following to my Facebook page today : “I LOVE these guys! And I am impressed – not only by their music-which is phenomenal , but also by the influence and encouragement given to the HUNDREDS of kids and local musicians who were able to have opportunities to “play out” and develop their music, stage presence and confidence. Thank you all, ilyAIMY- I don’t think that you realize the impact that you had on so, so many people. People who might never have uncovered their musical potential without you. To a group of great contributors of self valuation of (mostly local) and most especially all the kids – thank you again, and big kudos to, for, and at y’all!!! Love.”
Being a touring singer/songwriter is very, very hard – and it’s often thankless for long periods of time. Those of us who are lucky enough to see some semblance of success at it still go from an amazing show one day to abject indifference the next. The high of playing Falcon Ridge Folk Festival was immediately followed by a swath of the most miserably thankless shows I’ve played in a long time. You HAVE to be self-motivated to a great extent – but those moments of praise can carry you a good long way – and that probably goes just about double for being an open mic host.
As the host of many open mics over the years, watching performers show up and move on, it’s easy to believe that people don’t care who’s behind the scenes, that its location, that it’s social grouping, that it’s that hot girl who brings all her friends or that one cool guy that people cluster towards…. I should TOTALLY be that cool guy, but generally I’m more and more that OLD guy who’s always telling people what they can and can’t do.
Getting a note that says that I’m doing something good, that reflects a little bit of what I’m TRYING to do… that’ll keep me going for a LITTLE while longer at least. Thanks Laura – we miss you!
Below, my brother and I explore Houston, TX.
