The Pleasures of the Music Business

OK, I was tempted to leave this space blank--see, because that would be funny--but as luck would have it, I received some BMI checks today. Apparently an XM station is playing some of the old 5 Chinese Brothers' tracks. I won't be making a special trip to the bank on their account because the cost of the gasoline would put a serious dent in my windfall. But hey, next time I'm out and about anyway, I will certainly stop at the bank to cash these checks, and that will put a nice jingle in my pocket. My gum budget for 2006 is now officially covered. So there's a pleasure of the music business, and now I know that the pleasures of 'the biz' number at least one.

Speaking of music, I performed yesterday at the Carrboro Music Festival, and it was a great experience. I had a really wonderful crowd and I played pretty well, if I do say so myself. Plus I had a nice shvitz, as the owners of the room I was playing in had thoughtfully turned off the AC. At one point I asked whether someone from the audience wouldn't mind splashing some water on the rocks because the heat was getting a little dry. More funny!

I must admit that I'd forgotten how wearing it is to perform. I started the show determined to give my most committed performance, investing every note and lyric with just the right care and intensity. And I pulled it off to my own satisfaction for a few songs. But then I really started to wear down. It was like that old boxing video game where you'd take one punch to the head and all the sudden your energy level would go from full to almost empty. I finished fine but I definitely had to throw it into cruise control for some songs, which bothers me--I doubt the difference even registered with the audience, but I knew the difference, and it brought back unpleasant memories of tours in which I played the same set every night 5 or 6 nights a week, often in that same cruise-control mode. It takes a good bit of the fun and excitement out of performing if you can't stay 'in the moment.'

Anyway, thanks to everyone who turned out for making it such a great day. And thanks to the many fabulous performers Lisa and I have seen recently who never seem to wear down, who always keep it fresh, committed and intense. Folks like Glenn Tilbrook, Dave Alvin, Robbie Fulks and Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass Kicking Team, just to name a few: you guys are my rock and roll heroes.