“It’s like wrangling cats.” – Matt Perrine from Treme on HBO when asked about being a leader of his own group.

I love musicians. I love their energy, their passion, their drive. Every person is unique, but musicians have a certain something special that makes them just downright strange. I definitely put myself in this category as I have always marched to the beat of my own drummer. Sometimes, there is no drum. This strangeness is what makes musicians so wonderful, and also so frustrating with whom to work.
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As a music teacher, I get asked this question often by my students. The general public has a stereotype of what a musician looks like, acts like, and “does” for a living. When asked, “What do you do for a living?” and my short reply is “I’m a professional musician,” I can see their faces and their minds immediately reverting to their stereotype of a starving artist with often ditzy behaviour. 99 times out of a hundred I have to explain further, then their expression turns into surprise and smiles. It is as if they have never actually encountered someone who is not super famous who actually makes a pretty decent living as a musician. But what exactly is a “musician?”
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A musician’s life is not the easiest one, but it sure can be the most fun! I get to go places and do things people can only dream about, and I get paid to do it! It is not uncommon to receive a phone call and have to be somewhere within a few hours to perform without even having had the chance to practice the music. Or when you’re on a gig, realize someone didn’t learn something and you have to cover that part instantly during the show. Yes, years of training and practicing prepare you to be able to perform in those moments, but it’s the mental preparation for the constant element of surprise that seems to be the item you can never learn or teach. It just has to be there.
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There is an old saying about March: “In like a lamb, out like a lion.”

That is indeed true today! Tornado watches, warnings, thunderstorm warnings – they are all bouncing all over the place. I know we needed the rain, but this is crazy weather. It reminds of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Some days I think we all feel like that, and it is just natural.
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It’s springtime in Florida, complete with rain showers, flowers and allergies. Fortunately, I think many of my allergies were quelled while in China by a reflexologist. I can neither prove nor disprove the reasons, but I can say that I was suffering terribly, and within an hour, I was breathing normally. No problems since then, either, in spite of the orange blossoms and loads of yellow pollen covering vehicles.

Speaking of China, things are starting to move along nicely for a return visit. Negotiations are happening, programs are being set, and travels are on the horizon. Such wonderful opportunities are happening! It’s very exciting, and I just hope I can keep the momentum going. I think that requires a bit more coffee today.

Outdoor weddings. 84 degrees. Wearing all black in the sun, it feels much hotter with no breeze and no shade. Strange requests included “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” and “Whole Lotta Love.” *Sigh* I did bear through it with lots of laughter since the guests were so nice. Still, I immediately came home and showered. Much better now!

Even with the oddities that occur, I still absolutely LOVE what I do for my career! How many people can say this?

Now to change things up a bit with full-on classical concert tomorrow night, then switching again to rock music for Sunday and Monday. Variety is the spice of life!

Rehearsal complete. New charts read and tweaked a bit. We have some prospects for new keyboard/programmers. I am hoping that we get this nailed down this week. It’s hard having things up in the air and using temporary players.

I spent the weekend gigging and watching two completely different shows. Friday was rehearsal with pops orchestra, followed by Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” with CAL at Hard Rock Live. That was a chillin’ kind of show (I suppose I can use this language. It’s my blog, I can use whatever I want, right?) I could sit back, enjoy the vibe, relax and sway with the music. Saturday was the pops concert, followed by Stained Angel, then Apocalyptica at House of Blues. Heavy metal, all the way! Head banging, fist pumping, need earplugs kind of music. But what a show! High energy ran throughout the entire night. I completely forgot I had been standing for over four hours until it was time to leave. The music was infectious, and the whole venue was electrified with the music and lights. I loved every minute of it!

I cannot wait to create more charts, more sounds. I’m ready to take this to the next level.

So I’ve been home just over two weeks. Between laundry, phone calls, gigs, students, chores, errands, practicing, and life’s general responsibilities, I am finally posting again. Who knew a guy can create so much laundry while I only created 1 load while I was gone 3 weeks? Time to simplify life again. Downsize. Donate rarely used clothes. Get rid of the unnecessary items in a house that just clutter it. Now I just need a week off to do this. But that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Taking it one day at a time.

Tonight, I heard a bunch of auditions of varying instruments. All the musicians were very talented, and so different. Many different styles, genres, instruments, etc. I loved it! I feel like I was completely entertained all evening. I can already see where I can use some of the performers, and wish I knew where to use the others. So much talent in Orlando! It was wonderful!

Now, it’s time to move forward with creating more job opportunities for musicians. Need to create more gigs. For me, it’s not about finding gigs – it’s about creating them. Filling a need where no one realized there was a need. THIS is what I do, and I love it. I’m not out there stealing work – I’m creating it. Too many contractors are underbidding each other to get the work, forgetting that this is hurting themselves, as well as EVERY musician they hire. Don’t get me wrong – I love competition, but I don’t like stabbing others in the back to get the job. That’s not my style. I see a void, and I fill it. I see an opportunity, and I take it.

Speaking of opportunities, it’s time. Time to go forward, again.

Playing Classic Vinyl tunes with Classic Albums Live, Violectric and many other groups.