Remember that songwriting contest I entered two weeks ago? Didn’t make the cut. It’s disappointing, and it stings a little, but it doesn’t change anything. I’ll keep on keepin’ on.
On the bright said, I saw Chris Smither perform at the Stougton Opera House last Thursday. It was the fifth or sixth time I’ve seen him, and he’s as good as ever; maybe better. He didn’t have an opening act, which was fine. I don’t think he ever has when I’ve seen him.
The first time I saw Chris, it was a moving experience. I called it spiritual, and this was similar. I was moved and glassy eyed during his first song (Open Up), and it happened several more times during the evening. It was a really great show, and he was full of energy, before and after - where he signed autographs and had a word with anyone who wanted one. The man is 74 now, and he was ALIVE.
The show reiterated a few things to me. First, I need to lose weight. Yes, I know it, and have known it for most of my adult life. But I’m almost 50, and you don’t see very many obese men in their 70s. I don’t know that I want to live that long, but if I do, I’d prefer not to be shell of my former self.
Next, I need to keep making music, and probably start gigging again. It’s still my goal to make my living with music, and not trying isn’t going to get it done. If I want to get to where he is now, and has been for at least the last 30 years, I need to work at it again. If I don’t make it, fine. But there are things I can do. I can keep releasing material. I just put out a new album and another is in the works. And, I can make my own videos - live and otherwise - and put them on youtube and wherever else. Maybe something catches fire. The point is to do things I love, and never mind if they make money (though it would be nice) or not. This includes doing my audio book so I can put “Eyes In My Dream” out there.
Finally, I need to find a job I actually enjoy. Making a living with music or writing is my first choice, but there are other ways of earning an income that have to be better than what I’m doing now. We’ll see where it goes.
I mentioned that I was toying with the idea of doing a video every week; to that end, I bought a webcam on Amazon. Yeah, I could just use my phone, but I’d rather have something hooked up to my Mac so I can use a decent microphone. I also plan to make concept videos like the one I did for “I Could Be Wrong.”
That’s it for now. Be good.