It's not that there isn't a lot happening. In fact I've been feeling overwhelmed by activity over the past couple of weeks. But this time of reflection and sharing is important for me, and there is lots to share, after all.
First of all, we had a really nice gig at The Annex Live last Saturday night, April 10. I debuted some new tunes and some new band members. Les Hoffman added his amazing guitar parts and excitement, and even pulled out a banjo for one tune (Sing for Your Supper). Ed Ham was excellent on the drums and vocals, and the energy was there with everyone including Dave McManus on bass and Shira Gellman on trombone vocals, and a little set of her tunes on guitar and vocals. And each of the other members did a tune, including a swinging Django Reinhart tune from Les that allowed be to pull out the fiddle for some gypsy licks, which is a lot of fun for me.
And it was a very good turnout too! I sense momentum building in my humble offerings, and it is gratifying to have so many friends show up and enjoy the music. I reconnected with a couple of people from my youth who came - I hadn't seen them in over thirty-five years! And this is happening more and more. In the past week I have reconnected with at least four people from high school days, and it feels like a flow is happening in this direction, which leads to more and more connections and so on. Great stuff! And the people who came represented four generations, from Muriel Silverman at 88 years old to my cousin Hanlan who is 11. She loves my CD, and I watched her singing along to A Love Like Yours. How great is that? Thanks to everyone who comes out to share this music! I truly appreciate your support, and your enjoyment sparks my enjoyment even more.
It is a creative time for me. I wasn't too worried about not writing songs all through last year. There were ideas, a couple of instrumentals, but the words got stuck. (See my blog post of Nov 10 called "Song trapped in my heart".) Through this period I remembered that creativity takes many forms, and that at the right time, the words will flow. And so they are. I am currently completing two new songs and a third is started, plus a new instrumental.
I am also growing this music coaching practice. I have a few students now, and am really enjoying this work. I am also offering group Music Workshops to put people together to play and learn music, so slowly slowly this is gaining momentum as well. And I am staying focused on music as my work, which is great in every way except financial. And I believe that this too will come! I am trying to remember to create and coach and perform and give and give and give, and not be too concerned about results and receiving. As we give, we receive, and the universe will provide.
Lastly, I am finally getting out of lone wolf mode and starting to connect with like-minded people involved with music, like my friend Andy Frank and my new friend Dave Newland of Roots Music Canada. These guys are true champions of Canadian independent music and musicians, and have created presence for us all through their web site, their wonderful video work and social networking expertise. I have met with them a couple of times now, and we are looking at developing a deeper working relationship, where I can offer them my services in a sales and marketing role in exchange for their help in video, social networking, and so on. Stay tuned. I am excited about this opportunity! These are "real" people who are doing it for the love of music and musicians, and support for their work is definitely growing. Check out http://www.rootsmusic.ca/.
Back at you soon! ~P
