ALL MOVED IN...

And the new place is nice. Still needs furniture, which I’ll retrieve from home; mostly tables—one for the studio equipment (currently nestled in one corner), one by the bed, one in the kitchen, one for the printer. A filing cabinet wouldn’t hurt. Lamps, and chairs in case somebody else ever comes to visit. Thrift store TV, and maybe another desk—one can never have too many desks. Still waiting on the Internet.

Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s gigs were all good. Johnny B.’s in Medford had a cover charge with me on the agenda, and still drew a crowd. And I showed I could hold their attention for almost an hour and have not one person get bored. The Lions Club variety show in Grants Pass was a whole different audience in a whole different place—Lions Club members from all across two counties.

And Sunday night’s audience at the Wild Goose got treated to the first-ever live performance of “Dirty Deeds Done to Sheep.” And yes, it was a hit. They also got “Hank’s Song,” which many of ‘em had heard before in other places—I’ve been playing it a lot this month, since Sept. 17 was Hank Williams’ birthday—and a bunch of folks sang along. Didn’t expect that (and I haven’t noticed it happening with other performers). I’m not sure why people here like that song, but they do.

Another lesson: Play everywhere you can. Everything is potential gig material. Johnny now knows I can draw a crowd, for instance, and he’ll tell others. I may even get to perform with his band, if they get the idea that I’m a good draw--but it would be okay if they decided that MY MATERIAL was a good draw, no matter who’s playing it. Remember the Goal—it’s to get attention as a WRITER. Performing is secondary. It’s just how one has to get exposure for the material. The more people performing it, the wider—and better—the exposure.

Tuesday—my birthday—I plan to go to Rogue River and play lead guitar for their
weekly country dance. Couldn’t think of a better birthday present. I can maybe round up another half-dozen CDs to take to the League of Oregon Cities conference later in the week for just-in-case sales or promos; one of these years, I or a band I’m in will be the entertainment.