Don’s Gig Journal

Friday, February 25, 2011
WDVX’s Blue Plate Special
Knoxville, TN

Appearing on the Blue Plate Special was something I never really thought would happen. The Blue Plate Special is a folk/americana radio show in Knoxville, TN that has featured some of my favorite and influential musicians. Acts like The Two Man Gentleman Band, Tony Joe White and David Grisman have all appeared on this show so to be considered good enough to be featured on this show is one of the highlights of my life. Upon getting the Knoxville Visitors Center, I was greeted and felt completely welcomed. I was asked to sign a consent form and then next was soundcheck. It was all a surreal moment for me as I stood on stage looking out at the empty room. I was curious as to how many folks would show up but again, I could care less. I was just really happy to be there and I was feeling really nervous. After all, the world would be tuning in!

I shared the stage with a Nashville group called Scissormen. They were a really cool and super nice blues trio and we spent some time getting acquainted, talking about music and trading notes about our hometowns and cool places to play. Before I knew it, I was told to take my place on stage and get ready to go live. My heart was pounding in my throat and I could feel my hands just get clammy and start trembling. Honestly, I love that feeling. When I feel that way, it’s real. It reminds me that this is still exciting to me and that I truly love and anticipate performing live. The room was full with about 40 people sitting and standing. All eyes were on me as the announcer announced my name and the rest was a blur.

As cheesy as it seems, performing sometimes to me is kind of like a meditative, out of body type experience. It’s like I know what I’m doing and what I’m playing but it’s like it just flows out of me and takes over. Opening with “Brother & Sister” was a good way to ease into the performance so once I got through that and everyone applauded, I felt at home and comfy. “Another Rainy Night In GA” and “Why I Sing About The Rain” both got outstanding responses but it was closing with “Fart Proudly” that I was totally nervous about. My buddy Bert told me once, “Funny is hard man. Funny is only funny if other people find it funny.” As I introduced this song about “a feeling that comes from deep down”, I felt really nervous. What if they don’t get? I threw it to the wind (no pun intended). The first verse started out with everyone fixated on me and as soon as I sang the words “Fart Proudly”, everyone just looked completely off guard and shocked! ELEMENT OF SURPRISE! I had ‘em. No body laughed until the 2nd verse when they finally realized what was hitting them. I loved this as it was pretty hilarious from my end to see everyone so surprised and then suddenly entertained and laughing.

The response from the people was overwhelming after the show. People lined up to shake my hand, thank me for coming to play and that they loved my set. I had a great conversation with a man (a writer) who found a connection with my lyrics and was not shy to tell me so. I also met an awesome family with an Autistic son who took a liking to my songs. After talking with them I gave him a guitar pick and he was so excited. His mother emailed me to tell me that he talked about “Fart Proudly” all the way home and won’t let go of my guitar picks. It made me feel like a million bucks and lemme tell ya, you just can’t put a price on how this made me feel.

The people of Knoxville were so awesome to me and it was almost as if I’d found me a brand new musical home. They want me to come back and do it again and I totally will. The people, the food, the shops… EVERYTHING. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget and I’m already looking forward to the next time. This whole experience reminded me of why I love to play music and what I want out of playing music. I just want to engage, entertain and connect with people. For whatever amount of time they are watching me, I want to take them away from their troubles and invite them on a journey with me. That connection was made and I can’t even begin to tell you how priceless this was to me. I am inspired and re-energized. Knoxville, thank you all!

Saturday February 5, 2011
Hungry Ear Coffeehouse
Sandy Springs, GA

So just how folked up can a bunch of Unitarians get?  Well, more than you’d think.  I’ll be honest.  When I first got booked at this Univeralist Unitarian Coffeehouse, I was a bit nervous.  Here’s me, an athiest folksinger with a potty mouth performing for some church folk.  Well, in all honesty, it couldn’t have gone better.  Right off the bat I was blown away by how many people were there and just how attentive they were.

Opening with “Wish For Rain” was comfortable to me and got a chuckle out of the audience as it has been the “winter of rain and snow.”  They listened so attentively that it literally made me feel a bit uneasy.  I am not used to playing to a room full of people focusing and attentively listening to my songs.  It was such a pleasant surprise and they really reacted to each and every song.  Some songs got  a better reaction than others but what I loved so much was playing to an audience of people that truly had an interest in what I was singing.  This wasn’t a trendy place full of trendsters and college students.  This was a roomful of people who came out to hear an evening of music.  I was both honored and pleased to have had such a great audience.

I closed the night out with “Fart Proudly” which I was a bit nervous about.  I knew this crowd had been a great one but just how would they take to my ode to flatulence?  Well, they took to it with smiles, laughs, clapping in time and even singing along.  I was so floored.  After my set, many people came up to me thanking me for performing and that they really liked my songs.  Ya know, I was loving it and it’s shows like this that remind me just why I love playing music.  All I ever want to be for my listeners is what my favorite musicians are for me.  A temporary escape from all the bullshit of the world and life for just 45 minutes.  I want to take them on journeys, tell them stories, make them laugh and engage them.  I feel like I am still growing with every show even after doing this for nearly 15 years.  How exciting is it to feel that there is always someplace to grow into as an artist?  This night was a truly great night for me and a much needed boost and reminder of just why I do what I do.