Howdy Music Officianadoes!!! 2016 has ushered itself in without much hullabullooo musically ... at least in my neck of the woods ... Wasn't able to get out and play during January and February. When I was called to fill in for a gig last weekend, I was a bit nervous, (nothing new) but i was also out of shape. LOL !!! about 1/2 hour before the gig, i realized i didn't have my mic stand! ruh roh Shaggy!! but a nearby friend and drummer was kind enough to let me borrow his mic stand! Oh I love it when people help each other out, collaborate equally, focus on their own strengths and developing those assets, instead of pointing out other people's weaknesses and faults. I believe that is what makes a great team! and what makes Great, unforgettable, timeless legendary music? A great Team!! Even a solo artist needs support...no body makes fabulous music all by themselves. Yes, Some Prolific writers DO all the songwriting, but they also need behind the scenes support. They need someone to hit the "record" button when trying to put something on tape lol. They need radio stations, airtime, venues, audiences, etc. I say all this because, before i studied music, i had NO idea how much blood, sweat, tears, time, heart and soul that goes into producing great music (or even not so great music). a song could be penned in 5 minutes, but may take years and years to get recorded, if ever, and then it needs a chance to be heard. With all the competition in the music world, who really knows what song is gonna be a hit? what song is gonna touch hearts, improve attitudes, inspire hope or solutions, make us feel a little less alone, a little more understood, a true connection? ... I believe Music writes itself, the musician is merely a conduit, a vessel, a messenger that the universe uses vibrations to speak through. NOW ... about my first studio recording experience ... It is a dream come true!! i am a starving artist lol. barely eking out a living. I found a home studio nearby and the guy is charging per song, instead of per hour. That's just what i was looking for!!! His equipment is top of the line! but we work in a bedroom turned into a studio, and i sing into a very expensive microphone, while being in the closet and surrounded by dress shirts, and slacks on hangers all around me. it's unbelievably cozy, safe, warm and i love the unique circumstances! in the upcoming months, i will be recording all my finished songs ... and hopefully finishing up the undone ones. =) loving life lately and thanking the universe for vibrating so beautifully =) Thank You Silence! Without Silence, there would be no sound =) Now, a little more babble about me, me, me LOL =) my songwriting is a hobby or an obsession that seems to seek me out. playing music was never a realistic career path for me. my dad taught me a few chords, my friends taught me a few more,as well as youtube. i was 25 when, i started playing guitar. i strummed the six string, so i could put the lyrics to music (the lyrics are the voices in my head lol) I had to let them out for fresh air, more important, to make room for better, more productive thoughts ... so i started out strumming and humming...with all my silly poem/lyrics/jotting downs on napkins, etc. =) always afraid to expose myself, no one heard these songs. i never thought they were good enough. my new perspective is this: i am not really writing anything, i am merely observing the words and vibrations constantly moving in, throughout and around me. it seems i can no longer deny the writer inside me. then moved on to some of my fave songs so i could go to jam night and play with the band. I get stage fright really bad, but it goes away after i start singing the first song and make it past the chorus lol. after that, i wanna stay on stage and sing every song i have ever known lol ... fast forward a decade or two lol, and that siren "Music" is still calling out to me, louder than ever. when i get frustrated and swear to never pursue music again ... that's when someone comes along and invites me to join them musically. why say no? so here i am, a late bloomer as usual, fearlessly facing the risk of NOT being liked LOL. oh well, my people pleasing days are behind me. i am what i am. =) Cheers!