WHAT A WEEKEND!!!

What a weekend!! Actually, the whole week was great. Haven’t said that in a long time. Getting more private students, as well as more students between the two stores where I teach. Oh and I did two gigs this weekend…

Let’s recap!

Friday night was the gig with Supernova at Black River Barn. I’ve played with this band quite a few times since 2022, and played in this room about 4 or 5 times. But this past gig was one for the books. Totally insane! PACKED room, wall to wall, people singing and dancing all night long. The vibes were phenomenal; the band was the best it ever sounded (at least with me filling in) and the energy from the crowd was thunderous. Even our Ozzy tribute with “Mama I’m Coming Home” got the whole place singing along and waving their phones in the air. Before I knew it, the show was over, felt like we only played for 20 minutes. It was that much fun!!

Supernova asked for my availability, and I said my schedule is wide open. So, they will get a list of dates to me. As of now, I only have the October 24 gig with them at Lentini Farms in Newton, NJ. But if more gigs happen before and after, great! I really enjoy playing with this band, as you can tell.

Onto today’s gig with Vinyl Renegades, my first time subbing with them. Met the band, got to chatting about gear and how nice the weather is. Decent turnout, great food (that’s always a plus) and the band were impressed with how well I did my homework, so to speak. Got to do songs by Joe Cocker, Blondie, Hall & Oates, and some slightly harder rock as well.

Was really great being on stage (well, the lawn) with Deb Tote Harvey again after a couple of years. Yes she will sing a song or two with Supernova here and there but we hadn’t done a full show together since July 2022. Her boyfriend Tony filled in on bass (he is in Supernova too). After we played, the band asked me for my availability as well! I had fun with them, and again if more gigs come about, then cool.

*Oh and I got to play with a violinist today for the very first time. It was SO cool!!!!

Now here’s the kicker: I play better than ever and am way more relaxed because I let go of needing validation from people. My friends have expressed this after seeing me perform, saying that I look more chill and more focused. That’s always a good thing. No, that doesn’t mean I am ready to get a live band going to do my music, far from it. I want to do one more album but that’s it! I don’t want to sell tickets anymore, don’t miss stressing and freaking over such trivial nonsense. In the words of the late great TM Stevens: “You have to sell TICKETS? You’re a musician, not goddamn Ticketron!”

But it feels good to strut my stuff, even if it’s with covers. I am grateful for any opportunities that come my way. And I will do my best to be as pro as possible.

Even if my sneakers are pink.