Playing at the Coffee House

Last night I did something  I have never done before.  I played guitar and sang in front of a group of strangers at a local church coffee house.  This seems like a really small thing but for me it is different.  This is something I have never done before. I have an irrational fear of performing in public.

Diane and I went with our friend, Monica.  She knows that I  play sometimes so, she talked me into it.  I can play OK and I sing well so I knew rationally that people would enjoy the song and would take the occasional flub in stride.  They did. 🙂

I am not naturally inclined to take “center stage” in a public setting. Perhaps, growing up in a household of 8 boys I have been scarred by the ridicule that kids put onto each other.  So, maybe it is not nature at all but nurture?? I don’t have a problem playing for friends and even at small gatherings of friends.  But playing in front of family is stressful and something I rarely do so I suspect that the source of nervousness is my upbringing.

Anyway, I played just fine and sang a couple of songs.  I did “Turn The Page” by Bob Seger and then “The Dance” by Garth Brooks.  Both are songs that I have played enough to memorize and felt the most comfortable performing.  I received lots of compliments and people want to make sure I come next month and do some more.  I am planning on it.

I have not been playing much these past few months so my fingers have not built up any calluses and were quite sore but I made it through.

Namaste