Do you ever have that moment when you realize things have come full circle? I recently did. And to be honest I think I am living inside of the circle. Let me tell you a story.
When I first began performing music I used to frequent an open mic in Southern Pines, North Carolina. The place was called the Picnic Basket. My friend, an awesome musician, Laura Vincent introduced me to the place. At first I came along just to accompany her on guitar. Play a lead part here and come up with a cool lick there. No singing and I definitely wasn’t gonna play one of my songs. But after a few weeks of going I got the courage to break out and attempt some things on my own. I wanted to sing my songs(this is something I have know since I as 12 when I only knew 2 chords on the guitar. My first song ‘Sticks and Stones’ was written with those two chords. I still remember the chorus to this day. It is a bad song. But a start).
And so I started doing songs by myself. I would mix in an original and then play a song from my current favorite album ‘Recovering The Satellites’ by Counting Crows. **Editors note. This is still my favorite album by them. Dark, gloomy and full of all the right emotions in stellar songs. I don’t think the audience liked my renditions too much. I was encouraged to just play guitar for my friend. Now these people were not like the Brooklyn Open Mic going hipsters. These were older retirees who wanted to hear the pretty girl with the pretty voice sing. I didn’t listen. And week after week I would drive 45 mins to show up at that open mic to play my three songs generally consisting of an Oasis tune, an original, and a Counting Crows songs. Some weeks I would get skipped. On purpose perhaps. But the next week I would be back again. To try again. This is what I want to do. And if it takes getting knocked down and told ‘no’ then I am not going to listen to anyone or anything but my gut.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. Adam Duritz of Counting Crows is doing an interview on a great music blog where the first thing he mentions is how much he loves our album. He calls it ‘Killer’. I can’t believe what I am hearing. The musician whose songs I used to butcher when I was first learning to be on a stage thinks my album is ‘great’. This is blowing my mind. I can’t believe it. But it’s true. It says it right there in print. I read it with my own eyes. So I immediately tweet at him to say thank you for such high praise. And that coming from him it really means a lot. He responded by saying that all he did was listen. And he thanked me. And just this past weekend he was home and tweeted that he was listening to our album again and how great he thought it is. Unbelievable.
Now if I can only get him to produce our next album….
Hi – what a great story!
Am really pleased for you … I’ve only just discovered your music, and I also think it sounds great.
Just one thing though … you say you’d like Adam to produce your next album. But what about the producer of the album you’ve just done? He (I’m presuming) has obviously done such a great job that you’re getting brilliant reviews and love from Duritz and co.
If I were you I’d be thinking about carrying on that relationship, as it obviously works!
Just a thought.
All the best anyway