stuff that means something...

it was interesting... last night my partner and i attended a long-time dear friend's 65th birthday celebration... and i was asked to bring my guitar... my friend was really hoping i would play for her and her friends... i, of course said i would... and when i said yes... an immediate feeling comes up where i feel that i just don't want to and am very reluctant... and then i wonder why i feel this way as i also know that sharing my music would be a wonderful gift for my friend...

this often happens when i'm invited to play at small gatherings like this... first, i think it's my immense shyness that pops up and then i also know from my experience that "parties" aren't usually the funnest place to play... mostly becuz i don't play songs or the party tunes that people know and don't play alot of the "upbeat" stuff that folk usually shout out to request either... and i really don't know how the evening is going to go once the alcohol starts to flow and folk get into talking loudly, visiting and basically not listening...

i know why i don't play in lounges and bars anymore... i won't compete with the relentless noise, wide-screen tv's and the dishonouring of who i am as a musician... i'm really an old "folkie" from way back... and that's what i do... i play stuff that means something and i hope has some heart...

but as reluctant as i was, i packed up my guitar, my songbook and tucked a pick into my pocket anyway and off we went to the party...

and it was a wonderful, warm-filled evening... we had a wonderful meal and i had a good catch-up with a friend i hadn't seen in a long while and then... after dinner a couple of folk shared their upbeat show tunes and fun stuff... where my friend even got up and sang one of her favourite songs... and after cake, i was invited to share my music which was very warmly received... and i was honoured that i got to play some stuff that meant something... a gift of heart for my dear friend's birthday...

weaver (((o)))