This show business stuff ain’t easy. And it’s especially hard for a person who is naturally shy and humble like myself. I know some of you are laughing. “You shy? – yeah right!” Well, it’s my shyness that has kept me from putting myself out there enough to make the big time. Can I mention that maybe I’m too old to be trying to do anything? To be the center of attention can be most gratifying if you are pleasing people and making them feel good and they shower you with praise (which you never feel you fully deserve) but it is not my nature all the time. Sometimes I just want to sit back and be in the shadows with no spot light on me. Sometimes I just “vant to be alone….” Well, Tough titty! This is my business and my life and … dare I say it?… my art. OY, such a grand expression! I come from stock that was too practical and grounded to be so grandiose, yet I am the progeny of an old school Baptist Preacher who had a chauffeur. You can’t get more rock star than that!
The Recession is still wreaking havoc upon me but gigs have to be booked and I must pay the guys even when the budget does not exist. It is my commitment as leader. But it sure ain’t easy these days. Oh well, that’s show biz. I still have a pretty good life. I have my share of stresses and screw ups but ultimately my job is great. Things are going well when everyone is dancing or clapping or both – not a bad thing at all.
Tonight we play The Cubby Bear Lounge post game show which means that immediately after the Cubs game we start playing to a crowd of upwards of a couple thousand drunken, celebrating Cub Fans. I can not wait! The General Manager of the Cubby Bear is a friend and long time fan, so he knows we will rock the place. That’s what I’m hoping anyway.
Next, we play the House of Blues – Chicago (always a good surprise because you never know who is gonna be there) and then we have two crazy events at the same location!! The first event is a VIP State Department thing including a hundred foreign ambassadors to the United States and possibly Secretary of State Hilary Clinton!
Saturday sees us back at the Green Dolphin Street which happens to be one of my favorite venues.
Next week: I will be singing with the Million Dollar Quartet.
Then before I know it -The Drake Hotel Time. Starting again in July, I will host the Chicago Cabaret Project’s Cabaret Tuesday nights at Hydrate Night Club. That’ll give me two regulars in July: Tuesdays with the CCP and Fridays at the Palm Court at the Drake Hotel.
We did a wonderful wedding this past weekend. The wedding party and families had been through a lot and when it came time to dance, they let it all hang out! The groom’s mother died at his brother’s wedding reception just a few months ago. Can you imagine? Such a tragedy often brings a group together in a loving party setting such as this and man, did they party! I met the couple beforehand and I fell in love with them. I come across so many great couples. Two people in love really do become an entity – a life force. Sigh.
Personally – outside of singing – my life is terrific. I have many great friends who I adore and who adore me. My professional life is so tied into me that it really is my personal life. How well I do in my singing life is how well I am personally and everything I do to better myself affects my career. To be physically fit is to be a better performer: more endurance, more action and dancing and then of course I will sing better. And the more I sing, the more I push, the more chance for income – which I need right now. The next gig, the next level – that is all I think of – in between a good movie and fun with my cluster of close friends.
Isn’t this the time that “Love comes to town?” – when you ain’t looking for it? I’m just saying…
I noted while reading my career related blog posts from a couple of years ago that I use to wonder if I would “stay the course.” Oddly, enough, that is not a concern right now. Now, I am trying to plot the course. I actually feel like I’ve grown. Growth is good.
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