Wow...I haven't blogged on this site in a couple of years. Time flies when you're having fun.
Thought I'd bring everyone up to date with my musical endeavors. I'm performing more gigs this year than in the past, but my Danthemusicman act has taken a back seat. I've picked up a lot more work with the Exit 40 band, Southwest Surfers and Timeless Melodies. I've given up the Open Mic recently, and handed it down to some talented open mikers. Kenny Love and Rockerfellas is pretty much faded away, but we are still on good terms.
Just finshed a PRO quality video infommercial for the Southwest Surfers, hoping it will launch us into the bigger venues, festivals and higher paying gigs. The Exit 40 band is the busiest band I work with. Jay Farris keeps finding dance events for us to play for. Not sure what Timeless Melodies will do this summer...but I've learned to expect the unexpected from Dave Webb, and the man has connections.
This Christmas season has put me in some unlikely places and I've been running into old musician friends. Most of them I've known for more that 20 years and played gigs with them in my younger days. It’s been great to catch up and hear their stories. In many ways I'm jealous and that I didn't continue to pursue my passion of playing music as they have. But when I was younger, I was blest to be surrounded by some incredibly talented people. Musicians that had more God given musical gift in their little finger than I had in my whole body, and it made me aware of my level of musical talent. I came to the conclusion that I would never be the same caliber of player, nor did I have the focus or drive to become a great musician. These guys always made it look so easy!
Now that I'm older and wiser I know I made the right decisions. Developing a good occupation, raising my family, and playing music part time was the better road for me. I'm still excited about every gig I play...I've never suffered from burn out, and it’s still my favorite pastime!
Last week I had a Pastor ask me what would make this Christmas season extra special for me. I think I've found the answer, it's pretty simple. Just visiting with old friends and realizing, I've been extremely blest. That the roads I've followed were the right one's for me and to find solace, knowing I'm doing just fine according to God's plan.
Was just looking over my November schedule. Two retirement home gigs, two Moonlighter's band gigs and two Timeless Melodies gigs. Wow...I'm all over the board. I've always been a firm believer in the "the more you can do, the more you work". Its been a blessing and a curse. Playing multiple instruments is a great thing, as long as you play them well. Lately I've been practicing a lot of Ukulele and upright bass - they need the most attention. Uke is easy and its more fun than anything, upright bass is a seriously challenging instrument, and it will always be a work in progress. Sure some guys fake it pretty good, but real upright players are serious dudes! Right now I'm still in the fake it mode. its fun, but it makes my fingers sore - need to build up the callouses. I worked up a pretty good blister over this past weekend. But that's a good thing.
