Day 168 - August 26th 2009
Hump Day…lol
I rediscovered Pandora this afternoon. I made a Boy Wonder station while I was working at Drexel and I completely forgot about it. I like Pandora and maybe one day I can get my tunes on it. I added Bang Camaro to it this morning. I miss those guys sometimes, usually when I do interviews and they ask me about my experience on tour with them. There were times of personal struggle out there on the road but man did I have some unbelievable times. It wouldn’t be the last time I would think about them today.
Wednesdays means Lickety and tonight I felt like we were gonna do well. We had some powerhouses returning from earlier this summer, so I was happy about that along with some new faces. Ian Young would sing a song about his experiences touring. All I kept thinking was with the exception of Home Sweet Home there ain’t a better road song than Life is Hard on The Road. Katie Haire and Tophers Bossa Nova Brigade brought up the rear and did a great job.
As Topher’s band was playing I got a tap on my shoulder. “Hey aren’t you in Bang Camaro?” I turn around and politely answer him. He recognized me from the Jimmy Kimmel Show and asked a bunch of questions I didn’t know the answers to. Luckily there were some girls that I knew there that saved me from this conversation. He seemed like a nice enough guy.
Moving some of these acts to Friday nights is inevitable and logical. If people are hitting home runs on Wed Nights then presumably they are going to make more money on Friday nights. I worry about what that does to Wednesdays, I like seeing the house packed in the middle of the week. Hopefully that will continue as the school year starts. We’re adding a jam session starting next week so that should bolster the overall attendance.
After I was done I fell asleep with that new Taylor Swift Song stuck in my head. I’d heard it blasting out of a car on my way to Lickety Split and now it is the bane of my existence.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 168
Day 167 - August 25th 2009
Lessons today finally. I had spent the better part of the last month not teaching guitar, something I dig doing. More walking though, not good for my ankle. It’s more sore than anything else. I need to make it a point on Thursday to rest it.
The search for a new place to write begins today, it’s clear that I’m gonna be unable to write at home, the ringing phones and all the booking work is going to make that impossible. Rittenhouse Square has way too many people that I know wanting to talk to me and Washington Square park seems to be filled with Gawkers and tone def people on bikes that wanna sing with me in Spanish. So if any readers have any suggestions I’m willing to try anything.
I arrived at my first students apartment and she told me that today would be her last lesson. Her and her fiancé are saving up to buy a house and are now restricting themselves to a tight budget that doesn’t include guitar lessons. Hopefully I’ve given her enough for her to be bale to play kids songs with her students when the school year starts.
I did my second lesson and ended up going to McGillins for 25 cent wing night….my ankle has to heal soon I’m getting fat from the lack of exercise and all the tasty food I’ve been eating lately, I sound like a woman I should stop talking about my figure.
Upon arrival I was told that Duane Swierczynski Crime author and author of The Punisher was upstairs doing a singing. He’s a local guy that actually did a story ark that brought The Punisher to Philadelphia. I walk up the stairs and there he was. Had I known he was gonna be there I would have found my copies and had him sign them.
I walked over to the Tritone and hung out with Kelvin for a while before going to Lickety Split for a meeting. Turns out I get a call telling me the meeting’s someplace else a fancy spot downtown no less.
I get the address and head over.
I walk inside and I can smell the sophistication from the entranceway. The vastness and décor of the place is intimidating like something out of one of those sophisticated indy style dramas with an enseble cast and intertwining storylines, I can’t afford to walk inside this place. The 3 finely dressed hostesses should have been clue number 1. I can smell the money. The place is empty but I can almost hear the conversations that would take place here, big deals, big cases, marriage proposals. extramarital affairs, the place had a waterfall in it.
They walked me inside to find my party both sipping martini’s and talking business. A far cry from where I usually roam, a far cry from the place we’re trying to take to the next level. Things are changing, everyone all around is thinking of ways to change the place and make it better. They take me on a tour of this place, the views of the city are better than the place itself. An ideal place to take a date they say to me. Extremely trendy, not sure if it’s my style. I had a martini with them and came home, I’ll have to ask Nikki why she likes them so much.
I’ll be at Lickety tomorrow but for now I get some sleep.
Lessons today finally. I had spent the better part of the last month not teaching guitar, something I dig doing. More walking though, not good for my ankle. It’s more sore than anything else. I need to make it a point on Thursday to rest it.
The search for a new place to write begins today, it’s clear that I’m gonna be unable to write at home, the ringing phones and all the booking work is going to make that impossible. Rittenhouse Square has way too many people that I know wanting to talk to me and Washington Square park seems to be filled with Gawkers and tone def people on bikes that wanna sing with me in Spanish. So if any readers have any suggestions I’m willing to try anything.
I arrived at my first students apartment and she told me that today would be her last lesson. Her and her fiancé are saving up to buy a house and are now restricting themselves to a tight budget that doesn’t include guitar lessons. Hopefully I’ve given her enough for her to be bale to play kids songs with her students when the school year starts.
I did my second lesson and ended up going to McGillins for 25 cent wing night….my ankle has to heal soon I’m getting fat from the lack of exercise and all the tasty food I’ve been eating lately, I sound like a woman I should stop talking about my figure.
Upon arrival I was told that Duane Swierczynski Crime author and author of The Punisher was upstairs doing a singing. He’s a local guy that actually did a story ark that brought The Punisher to Philadelphia. I walk up the stairs and there he was. Had I known he was gonna be there I would have found my copies and had him sign them.
I walked over to the Tritone and hung out with Kelvin for a while before going to Lickety Split for a meeting. Turns out I get a call telling me the meeting’s someplace else a fancy spot downtown no less.
I get the address and head over.
I walk inside and I can smell the sophistication from the entranceway. The vastness and décor of the place is intimidating like something out of one of those sophisticated indy style dramas with an enseble cast and intertwining storylines, I can’t afford to walk inside this place. The 3 finely dressed hostesses should have been clue number 1. I can smell the money. The place is empty but I can almost hear the conversations that would take place here, big deals, big cases, marriage proposals. extramarital affairs, the place had a waterfall in it.
They walked me inside to find my party both sipping martini’s and talking business. A far cry from where I usually roam, a far cry from the place we’re trying to take to the next level. Things are changing, everyone all around is thinking of ways to change the place and make it better. They take me on a tour of this place, the views of the city are better than the place itself. An ideal place to take a date they say to me. Extremely trendy, not sure if it’s my style. I had a martini with them and came home, I’ll have to ask Nikki why she likes them so much.
I’ll be at Lickety tomorrow but for now I get some sleep.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 167
Day 166 - August 24th 2009
Back at Philly Rising
Everything I do on Monday’s before the open mic starts is basically background noise. For me it’s the best way to start the week. Music Music Music. I’m surprised I haven’t gotten sick of it yet. My ankles been killing me lately. Probably cause I haven’t really been off it in like two weeks. With 6 gigs on a 7 day stretch it’s hard to do the things that need to be done like rest my leg or rest period.
I wanted to work on some songs pretty bad today but I’ve been asked to take over Saturdays at Lickety, which puts me at three nights over there, which when you’re at a new place is extremely hard work. My stress level’s been up quite a bit lately since they’ve even been talking about me overseeing Tuesdays…yikes. My acting teachers in High School were right, the reward for work is more work.
It was pretty hot today. As is August in the illadelph. The beauty about this city is that no matter where you are in the city you can see the skyline. Nothing beats the sun resting over the Liberty Buildings in the afternoon. As I turn the corner onto Walnut Street and see the sign for World Café Live, my stress level falls away because whenever I’m there I know the place is going to be well run, top flight everything. All I ever have to focus on is my job. I don’t have to answer bar tender questions, I don’t have to field complaints about unrelated B.S., all I have to do is be entertaining.
I opened up with a short set and noticed something strange. There were an inordinate amount of kids there tonight, when I say kids I mean people under 16 years old. It was remarkable considering the musical prowess of these kids, particularly in the songwriting realm. To me that’s half the battle, things like stage presence and look and vocal and instrumental proficiency can be improved upon but if you can write decent songs at the age of 12 you are going to have quite a run in this business in my humble opinion. I peeped the swag of a lot of these kids, that’s also something that’s going to be useful to them.
The grown up acts were good as well, especially our winners City Line and Damien Anthony. It was one of those nights where you go “Man this City has so much talent” if I can be anything like Amos Lee (who has blown up but is always reaching back and helping out Philly Artists) I’d be ok with that. So many of these guys have bright futures. It’s extremely inspiring
We ran till about 11 and I was so pleased with the vibe and the energy of the crowd. It was an extremely warm crowd and it’s always a pleasure to help entertain them. If you were someone just dropping in tonight, you saw some really great artists/bands.
I have to start setting up for this Midwest trip we’re taking I’ve been so consumed with this promotion work that I have yet to turn the focus to my band…which is why I’m not working full time in the first place. Perhaps an examination and realignment of my priorities is in order.
Back at Philly Rising
Everything I do on Monday’s before the open mic starts is basically background noise. For me it’s the best way to start the week. Music Music Music. I’m surprised I haven’t gotten sick of it yet. My ankles been killing me lately. Probably cause I haven’t really been off it in like two weeks. With 6 gigs on a 7 day stretch it’s hard to do the things that need to be done like rest my leg or rest period.
I wanted to work on some songs pretty bad today but I’ve been asked to take over Saturdays at Lickety, which puts me at three nights over there, which when you’re at a new place is extremely hard work. My stress level’s been up quite a bit lately since they’ve even been talking about me overseeing Tuesdays…yikes. My acting teachers in High School were right, the reward for work is more work.
It was pretty hot today. As is August in the illadelph. The beauty about this city is that no matter where you are in the city you can see the skyline. Nothing beats the sun resting over the Liberty Buildings in the afternoon. As I turn the corner onto Walnut Street and see the sign for World Café Live, my stress level falls away because whenever I’m there I know the place is going to be well run, top flight everything. All I ever have to focus on is my job. I don’t have to answer bar tender questions, I don’t have to field complaints about unrelated B.S., all I have to do is be entertaining.
I opened up with a short set and noticed something strange. There were an inordinate amount of kids there tonight, when I say kids I mean people under 16 years old. It was remarkable considering the musical prowess of these kids, particularly in the songwriting realm. To me that’s half the battle, things like stage presence and look and vocal and instrumental proficiency can be improved upon but if you can write decent songs at the age of 12 you are going to have quite a run in this business in my humble opinion. I peeped the swag of a lot of these kids, that’s also something that’s going to be useful to them.
The grown up acts were good as well, especially our winners City Line and Damien Anthony. It was one of those nights where you go “Man this City has so much talent” if I can be anything like Amos Lee (who has blown up but is always reaching back and helping out Philly Artists) I’d be ok with that. So many of these guys have bright futures. It’s extremely inspiring
We ran till about 11 and I was so pleased with the vibe and the energy of the crowd. It was an extremely warm crowd and it’s always a pleasure to help entertain them. If you were someone just dropping in tonight, you saw some really great artists/bands.
I have to start setting up for this Midwest trip we’re taking I’ve been so consumed with this promotion work that I have yet to turn the focus to my band…which is why I’m not working full time in the first place. Perhaps an examination and realignment of my priorities is in order.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 166
Day 165 - August 23rd 2009
Kickin Back
I woke up at my sisters after a good night’s sleep. My Bro-In Law made Pancakes and bacon so we munched on that before watching Hamlet 2, a flick that I’ve got to get on DVD ASAP. I took a shower and he told me he was going back into the city.
I met up with Mom and Dad and we went to see District 9, kinda slow in the beginning but otherwise pretty cool. I came home checked out SummerSlam, wrote a chorus and went to bed.
Philly Rising’s tomorrow. Looking forward to being back after being off last week. No rest for the wicked, well at least there will be tonight.
Kickin Back
I woke up at my sisters after a good night’s sleep. My Bro-In Law made Pancakes and bacon so we munched on that before watching Hamlet 2, a flick that I’ve got to get on DVD ASAP. I took a shower and he told me he was going back into the city.
I met up with Mom and Dad and we went to see District 9, kinda slow in the beginning but otherwise pretty cool. I came home checked out SummerSlam, wrote a chorus and went to bed.
Philly Rising’s tomorrow. Looking forward to being back after being off last week. No rest for the wicked, well at least there will be tonight.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 165
Day 164 - August 22nd 2009
Relaxing
This is gonna be my last weekend off for a lil while so I figure I’d just sit back and enjoy my family. Went to the fortress in Jersey, watched a few movies and as I sit here typing this I am sipping on a Watermelon Martini my sister made for the four of us (Two sisters, Me and Bro-In Law) as we watch the dude from Soul Plane’s stand up special.
Again trying to keep off of my cell phone in terms of business stuff. I answer when I absolutely have to, but I need to have balance in my life for as long as I can. I’m gonna be busy these next few months playing shows and the like so I wanna have as much fun with these guys as humanly possible. They keep me grounded and it’s something I know that I need.
I’ve had more than my fair share of booze so I’ll likely be going to bed right after I finish this sentence.
Relaxing
This is gonna be my last weekend off for a lil while so I figure I’d just sit back and enjoy my family. Went to the fortress in Jersey, watched a few movies and as I sit here typing this I am sipping on a Watermelon Martini my sister made for the four of us (Two sisters, Me and Bro-In Law) as we watch the dude from Soul Plane’s stand up special.
Again trying to keep off of my cell phone in terms of business stuff. I answer when I absolutely have to, but I need to have balance in my life for as long as I can. I’m gonna be busy these next few months playing shows and the like so I wanna have as much fun with these guys as humanly possible. They keep me grounded and it’s something I know that I need.
I’ve had more than my fair share of booze so I’ll likely be going to bed right after I finish this sentence.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 164
Day 163 - August 21st 2009
Day 7 of my 7 Day Stretch …somebody please stop the humanity
I’m only joking, I am pretty tired though. The Gap show was draining but I got four pairs of jeans for free out of it, along with some CD sales and some tips, not to mention hanging out with Awesome Gap staff type people. I woke up later than usual, wondering how The Bang Camaro Show went the night before, but I was way to beat to call someone and ask.
Since pops got his new vehicle a few months back we’ve relegated equipment transport to the big blue van. So I had to load it into the Big Blue Van before I went down to Lickety Split, I had to be there early for happy hour and Dad was gonna drop it off.
As the day progressed and I was about to leave the sky started to open up. Rain…great. For a local music promoter, rain is the bane of their existence. Bands, who already have a problem getting people to come see them, have their crowds often obliterated due to rain. Generally people are on the fence about going and when they step outside they decide to stay home and watch Ghost Whisperer.
Other problem with rain is it generally slows people up. It made The Good News, our Happy Hour Band to show up about half an hour after they were scheduled to be there, not that it mattered rain was keeping everybody out of the bar anyway. They rocked it though and people started to come inside. I’m a big fan of this band and I see a bright future ahead for them as they try to build a fan base.
Next up was City Line a band that I’ve mentioned before. This would be the second show that they’ve done with me and they get better and better every time. They drew a pretty decent crowd and they played a sensational set. Mike’s singing and songwriting is gonna take the group to the top. As they were playing I got a call from Brue of Grey Matador> I met Brue while on tour with Bang Camaro in Minneapolis and then he and his wife had caught up with us in San Diego. That’s when he and I really started talking. It was the first time I’d really mentioned the band to any of the Camaro fans. So after checking out each other’s myspace and we decided to do the old fashioned gig swap.
They arrived around 8 and got all of their stuff in while City Line was playing. I’m always concerned when out of town bands come in. Often they don’t bring a crowd but the general hope is that they are good enough to keep the crowd there….and boy were they. All I was thinking the whole time was that this band was awesome, a mix between Seattle grunge and 80’s New Wave. It was pretty sweet. I can’t wait to play with them at full volume in Minneapolis in a few months.
Once they were done it was time to set up to play. 4 Sets…about 3.5 - 4 hours. These gigs are always tough. I looked up and saw a packed house which in the middle of a rain storm is a very good thing.
Set 1
Ain’t No Sunshine
Michelle
Always Givn Me The Blues
Daylight
Destiny
The first set was abbreviated. We started late and I wanted to make sure we were running on time. Vocally I didn’t have a lot of time to get goin. We played for about 30 minutes and then came off for a short break. People seemed to like us a whole bunch so I was in a rush to get back on stage. Always Givin me the Blues was probably the best song of the set.
Set 2
Electric Love
What's My name
I Wanna Be your Lover
Whiplash
Private School Girl
Bitch
Demolition Man
Beautiful
This was by far the heaviest of the four sets. Why I ended it with Beautiful (A spacey Love Ballad) I haven’t got a clue, it’s about midnight and people are still here. I am sweating my balls off in this small yet lovely spot. The City Line guys were sticking around which I really appreciate as well as The Grey Matador guys who appreciated the Prince Cover. I had to pee like nobody’s business so I spent some time greeting people as I ran to the bathroom.
Set 3
Wasted
Stranger
Love Affair
The Way You Make Me Feel
Body
Feels So Good
Baby One More Time
(I Think We Should) Breakup
We got a little jammy this time around. It was pretty tasty. Kinda weird opening with Wasted but I thought it was appropriate for that night, the alcohol was flowing pretty steadily. We got off pretty good here but I noticed that I was starting to lose my voice. Good thing that with the exception of Baby one More Time all the songs were easier on my voice. We started to tighten up really good, I still love the Samba Groove of Love Affair. The Bar starts Yelling for Dick in a Box
Set 4
Superhero
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
How Can This Be Love
Ain't no Way
Billie Jean
3000 Miles Away
Walking on the Moon
Dick in a Box
Leavin
Sunshine of Your Love
My voice was shot about halfway through. By the time we got to Billie Jean I was just about done problem is I had three more songs to play then I decided to appease the staff and play Dick in A Box. We need to learn Mother lover or something, the tune seems out of date. The guys and I are pretty sore and they still asked for an Encore so we ended up doing Sunshine of Your Love.
After a quick brew we bounced. I hit the bed around 3 thus ending my 7 day stretch. It was fun as balls being that busy. Shout out to The Good News, City Line, and Grey Matador for being awesome.
Day 7 of my 7 Day Stretch …somebody please stop the humanity
I’m only joking, I am pretty tired though. The Gap show was draining but I got four pairs of jeans for free out of it, along with some CD sales and some tips, not to mention hanging out with Awesome Gap staff type people. I woke up later than usual, wondering how The Bang Camaro Show went the night before, but I was way to beat to call someone and ask.
Since pops got his new vehicle a few months back we’ve relegated equipment transport to the big blue van. So I had to load it into the Big Blue Van before I went down to Lickety Split, I had to be there early for happy hour and Dad was gonna drop it off.
As the day progressed and I was about to leave the sky started to open up. Rain…great. For a local music promoter, rain is the bane of their existence. Bands, who already have a problem getting people to come see them, have their crowds often obliterated due to rain. Generally people are on the fence about going and when they step outside they decide to stay home and watch Ghost Whisperer.
Other problem with rain is it generally slows people up. It made The Good News, our Happy Hour Band to show up about half an hour after they were scheduled to be there, not that it mattered rain was keeping everybody out of the bar anyway. They rocked it though and people started to come inside. I’m a big fan of this band and I see a bright future ahead for them as they try to build a fan base.
Next up was City Line a band that I’ve mentioned before. This would be the second show that they’ve done with me and they get better and better every time. They drew a pretty decent crowd and they played a sensational set. Mike’s singing and songwriting is gonna take the group to the top. As they were playing I got a call from Brue of Grey Matador> I met Brue while on tour with Bang Camaro in Minneapolis and then he and his wife had caught up with us in San Diego. That’s when he and I really started talking. It was the first time I’d really mentioned the band to any of the Camaro fans. So after checking out each other’s myspace and we decided to do the old fashioned gig swap.
They arrived around 8 and got all of their stuff in while City Line was playing. I’m always concerned when out of town bands come in. Often they don’t bring a crowd but the general hope is that they are good enough to keep the crowd there….and boy were they. All I was thinking the whole time was that this band was awesome, a mix between Seattle grunge and 80’s New Wave. It was pretty sweet. I can’t wait to play with them at full volume in Minneapolis in a few months.
Once they were done it was time to set up to play. 4 Sets…about 3.5 - 4 hours. These gigs are always tough. I looked up and saw a packed house which in the middle of a rain storm is a very good thing.
Set 1
Ain’t No Sunshine
Michelle
Always Givn Me The Blues
Daylight
Destiny
The first set was abbreviated. We started late and I wanted to make sure we were running on time. Vocally I didn’t have a lot of time to get goin. We played for about 30 minutes and then came off for a short break. People seemed to like us a whole bunch so I was in a rush to get back on stage. Always Givin me the Blues was probably the best song of the set.
Set 2
Electric Love
What's My name
I Wanna Be your Lover
Whiplash
Private School Girl
Bitch
Demolition Man
Beautiful
This was by far the heaviest of the four sets. Why I ended it with Beautiful (A spacey Love Ballad) I haven’t got a clue, it’s about midnight and people are still here. I am sweating my balls off in this small yet lovely spot. The City Line guys were sticking around which I really appreciate as well as The Grey Matador guys who appreciated the Prince Cover. I had to pee like nobody’s business so I spent some time greeting people as I ran to the bathroom.
Set 3
Wasted
Stranger
Love Affair
The Way You Make Me Feel
Body
Feels So Good
Baby One More Time
(I Think We Should) Breakup
We got a little jammy this time around. It was pretty tasty. Kinda weird opening with Wasted but I thought it was appropriate for that night, the alcohol was flowing pretty steadily. We got off pretty good here but I noticed that I was starting to lose my voice. Good thing that with the exception of Baby one More Time all the songs were easier on my voice. We started to tighten up really good, I still love the Samba Groove of Love Affair. The Bar starts Yelling for Dick in a Box
Set 4
Superhero
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
How Can This Be Love
Ain't no Way
Billie Jean
3000 Miles Away
Walking on the Moon
Dick in a Box
Leavin
Sunshine of Your Love
My voice was shot about halfway through. By the time we got to Billie Jean I was just about done problem is I had three more songs to play then I decided to appease the staff and play Dick in A Box. We need to learn Mother lover or something, the tune seems out of date. The guys and I are pretty sore and they still asked for an Encore so we ended up doing Sunshine of Your Love.
After a quick brew we bounced. I hit the bed around 3 thus ending my 7 day stretch. It was fun as balls being that busy. Shout out to The Good News, City Line, and Grey Matador for being awesome.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 163
Day 162 - August 20th -2009
Day 6 of the 7 Day Stretch
I woke up realizing that I’d left my guitar at Lickety Split last night. On a bad night I try to rush out of there, to take my mind off of it, I don‘t like to dwell on failure (or success for that matter) for me it‘s always about what the next thing is. They locked it up for me. I knew I would have to pick it up before going to The Gap to play this evening, yes the clothing store.
I needed a break from the song I was writing, this particular one is driving me crazy. I wrestled with it for the better part of the day. As the day progressed I realized that I was gonna be riding solo tonight so I adjusted the set list accordingly. Fortunately for me Dad was coming home a little early so he picked me up and I rode with him downtown after I passed by Lickety Split to pick up my axe we went to my mom’s job where we would be leaving from.
As we were listening to KYW 1060 we discovered that some idiot jumped in front of the EL Train so that it could run him over, all I ever asked the suicidal is that if you are going to kill yourself, please do it in such a way that it doesn’t completely screw up Rush Hour. It’s inconsiderate to jump in front of a train full of people on their way home from work. So as we hit 76 we discovered that it was mad backed up. Dad decided to take West Chester Pike to get there, it’s a much longer way but at this point 76 is probably longer with the traffic. At this point my butt’s pretty tight. I hate being late to things
Today I was performing at The Gap in Exton Square Mall as a part of Gap’s nationwide born to play event. At 700+ Gap stores up and coming musicians would play in their stores. The whole event is to laung their new 1969 Line of Jeans and commemorate their 40th Year Anniversary.
I arrived at the Gap at 6:45 15 minutes before I was scheduled to start, and the weirdest gig I’ve ever had was about to commence.
I’m basically sitting in this department store with my acoustic guitar with no mic or PA. They sit me pretty much at the front of the store, I’m not sure if it’s to attract customers or what. All I know is I have two hours to fill so I better get started
Set List
Empty Arms
Destiny
Michelle
This isn’t going well so far. My voice (Which I didn’t get a chance to warm up) sounds like six sides of ass, and my guitar can’t seem to stay in tune and when I’m in the middle of Michelle…Pop is the sound I hear as my A String basically decided to die on me in the middle of a gig. I had just changed these strings Tuesday. I don’t have guitar strings AHHHHHHH
I search around the mall for a music store, I am currently a big ol bag of stress, lack of preparation on my part. You should always have a spare set in your case at all times. The mall has no music store, I head back to the Gap and they tell me that there’s one in a nearby strip mall. I decide that would be my break and that when I got back I would just play for an hour and a half.
Dad and I were able to find a store and I bought two sets and some loose strings just to be safe. I got a chance to warm up in the car, got back put the strings on and it was down to business.
Set list (Continued)
Ain’t No Sunshine
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
And as I hit the bridge of (Oh) I Wish I loved You…Pop My G decides it wants ot join my A in Heaven as I mutter to myself “This can’t be happening” Fortunately I was able to change the string promptly and finish the song.
Set List (Continued)
(Oh) I Wish I loved You
How Can This Be Love
Toxic
Feels So Good
I Think We Should Breakup
Wasted
Hangover
Little Red Corvette/Highway to Hell
El Train
Baby One More Time
Daylight
Bed’s Too Big Without You
3000 Miles Away
As my comfort level grew I saw people stop, leave money in my case, buy CD’s, even a girl or two stop to look and talk. Playing music is awesome. The cool part about it was I was able to do some tunes I don’t get a chance to do outside of Lickety and it gave em the chance to try my Little Red Corvette/Highway to Hell Medley and my cover of the Police’s Bed’s Too Big Without You. After Toxic one of the staff members requested Baby one More Time so I played it for him later. So many people walked up with words of encouragement telling me that they like it and for me to keep doing what I’m doing.
Basically I rocked the Gap and when I was done they gave me some free…in the form of Jeans. The people there were really nice. The Staff even bought discs from me. The weird gig turned out to be a cool one.
Tomorrow’s Lickety. Four hours on South Street with the guys, at least afterwards I‘ll get some rest.
Day 6 of the 7 Day Stretch
I woke up realizing that I’d left my guitar at Lickety Split last night. On a bad night I try to rush out of there, to take my mind off of it, I don‘t like to dwell on failure (or success for that matter) for me it‘s always about what the next thing is. They locked it up for me. I knew I would have to pick it up before going to The Gap to play this evening, yes the clothing store.
I needed a break from the song I was writing, this particular one is driving me crazy. I wrestled with it for the better part of the day. As the day progressed I realized that I was gonna be riding solo tonight so I adjusted the set list accordingly. Fortunately for me Dad was coming home a little early so he picked me up and I rode with him downtown after I passed by Lickety Split to pick up my axe we went to my mom’s job where we would be leaving from.
As we were listening to KYW 1060 we discovered that some idiot jumped in front of the EL Train so that it could run him over, all I ever asked the suicidal is that if you are going to kill yourself, please do it in such a way that it doesn’t completely screw up Rush Hour. It’s inconsiderate to jump in front of a train full of people on their way home from work. So as we hit 76 we discovered that it was mad backed up. Dad decided to take West Chester Pike to get there, it’s a much longer way but at this point 76 is probably longer with the traffic. At this point my butt’s pretty tight. I hate being late to things
Today I was performing at The Gap in Exton Square Mall as a part of Gap’s nationwide born to play event. At 700+ Gap stores up and coming musicians would play in their stores. The whole event is to laung their new 1969 Line of Jeans and commemorate their 40th Year Anniversary.
I arrived at the Gap at 6:45 15 minutes before I was scheduled to start, and the weirdest gig I’ve ever had was about to commence.
I’m basically sitting in this department store with my acoustic guitar with no mic or PA. They sit me pretty much at the front of the store, I’m not sure if it’s to attract customers or what. All I know is I have two hours to fill so I better get started
Set List
Empty Arms
Destiny
Michelle
This isn’t going well so far. My voice (Which I didn’t get a chance to warm up) sounds like six sides of ass, and my guitar can’t seem to stay in tune and when I’m in the middle of Michelle…Pop is the sound I hear as my A String basically decided to die on me in the middle of a gig. I had just changed these strings Tuesday. I don’t have guitar strings AHHHHHHH
I search around the mall for a music store, I am currently a big ol bag of stress, lack of preparation on my part. You should always have a spare set in your case at all times. The mall has no music store, I head back to the Gap and they tell me that there’s one in a nearby strip mall. I decide that would be my break and that when I got back I would just play for an hour and a half.
Dad and I were able to find a store and I bought two sets and some loose strings just to be safe. I got a chance to warm up in the car, got back put the strings on and it was down to business.
Set list (Continued)
Ain’t No Sunshine
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
And as I hit the bridge of (Oh) I Wish I loved You…Pop My G decides it wants ot join my A in Heaven as I mutter to myself “This can’t be happening” Fortunately I was able to change the string promptly and finish the song.
Set List (Continued)
(Oh) I Wish I loved You
How Can This Be Love
Toxic
Feels So Good
I Think We Should Breakup
Wasted
Hangover
Little Red Corvette/Highway to Hell
El Train
Baby One More Time
Daylight
Bed’s Too Big Without You
3000 Miles Away
As my comfort level grew I saw people stop, leave money in my case, buy CD’s, even a girl or two stop to look and talk. Playing music is awesome. The cool part about it was I was able to do some tunes I don’t get a chance to do outside of Lickety and it gave em the chance to try my Little Red Corvette/Highway to Hell Medley and my cover of the Police’s Bed’s Too Big Without You. After Toxic one of the staff members requested Baby one More Time so I played it for him later. So many people walked up with words of encouragement telling me that they like it and for me to keep doing what I’m doing.
Basically I rocked the Gap and when I was done they gave me some free…in the form of Jeans. The people there were really nice. The Staff even bought discs from me. The weird gig turned out to be a cool one.
Tomorrow’s Lickety. Four hours on South Street with the guys, at least afterwards I‘ll get some rest.
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