Tuesday feels a little late for Sunday gratitude, but I’m just getting settled after a couple of days on the road to and from the inaugural Delaware Beaches Songwriters Festival. (There’s a whole lot of content on the DBSF Instagram account, so check that out, too)
I was so pleased at the turnout for the Writers Rounds that I took part in at the Sussex Tavern in Lewes, DE on Sunday. As a presenter, I know first-hand how difficult it is to get folks to come out for these shows, and my attendance expectations were low going into it. Wow, the tavern was full, and even spilled out into the yard!
I don’t know if most people realize how much courage it takes to abandon the safety of playing recognizable cover songs, and instead expose yourself to what can sometimes be a very discerning listening audience. Add to that the risk of putting your skill on full display alongside colleagues–whom you’ve never met before–and it can be very stressful.
Speaking for myself, when the proverbial curtain goes up, I can only take a couple of deep breaths and give it my best shot. Because you have to take your shot! You never know who’s in the audience, who’s gonna upload that video to the internet, who’s scouting talent for their venue, or whatever. All of that was happening on Sunday, and holy moly it was a good time!
My deepest gratitude goes out to Director Steve for taking the time to actually talk to me on the phone after I inquired about being included in the Writers Round. He put me in two time slots, which was more than I imagined. And I’m telling you, this was not amateur hour. I was paired up with some real heavy-hitters, who welcomed a bit of backing vocal and harmonica sparkle!
I take none of this lightly, and I recognize that my collaboration with some of the very finest artists in our Lehigh Valley music community have informed and influenced all that I bring to the stage.
Just to wrap things up, I enjoyed a home-cooked meal and good night’s sleep on Sunday night, plus a butt-kicking ten-mile bike ride along the Cape Henlopen trail on Monday, which ended with afternoon Margaritas and Nachos in town (thanks to a couple of my dearest life-long friends) before heading home to Gail–and my own very bed.
DINA HALL 