Two Solo Shows

There is no way to accurately describe this past weekend. All the emotions that swirled within me- everything from fear to excitement and all that happens in between. It was wild.

I did my first two shows on my own in quite a while. It was nerve wracking to see if I still remembered what to do and how to do it. How to make the audience feel at peace because they know I am in control and it will all be ok. (At the end of the day, that is really what an entertainer is trying to do. Make people feel relaxed because they know the person on stage has got it covered.) Or if I would remember all those lyrics? An hour and fifteen minutes worth of lyrics is a lot folks!

Of course I had fear, but I also had excitement about breaking loose. There was part of me that couldn't wait to get on that stage and do MY thing.

So how did it turn out? Did I fall on my face or succeed? I killed it. (In a good way!) I don't say that to brag, and I don't say that to boast- or because I am full of myself, I am far from that! But I know that I did exactly what I needed to do.

In a way, it was the most comfortable I have ever felt on stage. I talked candidly with the audience and then sang some of my favorite songs. That's a pretty good day!

The first show I did was in Nashville, and I had so many friends come hang out for the occasion. Plus a few bigger names too! It was a really special night. Something that I won't forget for a long time. Because that night gave me my confidence back. I might have thought I could handle a show like that- but that night I proved to myself that without a doubt I could. That will always stay with me.

The second show was in Central City, Kentucky for the Everly Brothers' Rock'n'Roll Cruise In. The show was very successful. The sound system on stage left a lot to be desired... But that happens sometimes and you just have to keep plugging away and get through the show the best you can. And it was still a blast!

I have to also give a special thank you to the band. All of them were amazing, and I felt like they really had my back! Gabe- whom I have known for a long time now was there and put the band together and played drums, but all the other musicians were actually strangers to me until the day before the first show when we had a rehearsal. (Yes, I know, cutting it close! But that's how it goes in Nashville!) Yet, I knew they were going to kill it, and if something went wrong we would all figure it out!

Now that a few days have passed and some of the stress is finally starting to fall off of me... (And I stress "some", because I still have plenty moving around in me!) But I can say that I am so thankful to everyone who came to the shows, who gave me a chance, who stood behind me, and who encouraged me.

And now? I can't wait for the next shows!