SINGER/SONGWRITER NIGHT

Okay, so I haven't played music in front of anyone in a really long time. I used to do it a lot. And when I say in front of people, I don't mean like over at their house or out on somebody's back porch. I mean somewhere with a stage, microphones, maybe a light or two and a little beer. I would say that my musical stylings haven't really changed that much over the years, it's just that I choose to let more of certain types out than others and sometimes that tends to change. So if you knew me and the music I was making 5 years ago you would be a little surprised at what I'm writing these days. But understand that it has all always been there, I'm just letting a different type out now. To me it's roots music. For two reasons. First of all it's based on and influenced by the original types of American music that were at the beginning of modern music in this country. Taking the simplest parts from that style and incorporating them into something that is modern and relevant but also holds the structure and stylings of the older traditional sounds. And secondly, it's the kind of music I grew up on. It's where I came from. It's me. So that's what I've been playing.

As I said earlier, I haven't played in front of anyone in a long time so when I heard about a singer/songwriter competition that was being hosted by 95.3 The Range here in Dallas I decided I would give it a go. If nothing else it would give me a deadline to finish a few songs I've been working on for a while. So I went out about a month ago to play and it went really well. I played one song and then was asked to come back and play one more before they made a final decision. I was then asked to come back for the semifinal round several weeks later. And if you were wondering ... it looked a little something like this.
















So I went back lastnight for the seminfinals. I had a great crowd of family and friends that came out for support. I found out I would be going on first and right before that one of the judges would be playing a few songs. His name was Daryl Lee Rush and he is a very well known Americana/Country musician in the area. He won the Shiner Rising Star competition a few years ago and has a great record out called "Llano Avenue". Point being, not an easy act to follow. I really like that guy's music though so it was great to hear him play.

Anyways, long story short, I thought I played a couple of pretty good songs but I didn't win so we gave them all the double birds and went across the street for burgers and beer at Kellers. Honestly, it wasn't a big deal. The competitive side of me will always want to win, but the rest of me realizes that music competitions are not the best thing in the world. I heard someone talking about this on the radio a while back and they made the point that Bob Dylan would have never made it on American Idol. At the end of the day it was great to be back in front of people playing music. It's makes you very vulnerable to be all alone in front of a crowd. Especially when you're singing your very own thoughts and musings. It's a good feeling to put that stuff out there and I appreciate all of you who came out to listen. I'm hoping to get the opportunity to play every now and then so stay tuned. Until then ...