July 15th 2023 - first ever public gig, Rudry Festival. Thank you to my friend Brenda for her encouragement and enthusiasm. What a gig it was. The backdrop, black with my white logo, made of ‘non-crease’ vinyl looked very creased on the videos. Soon to be replaced. But the energy I got through just getting up there, holding attention for thirty minutes, and trying out presentation of material and me for the first time. It was pretty gruelling, but so much fun. I remember the sheer relief when I came off. I just wanted to do it all again.
I discovered the joy of interacting with an audience and making them smile.
So, it's only three years. What a ride. Met so many fabulous people, learned so much, about people and about me, about audiences and about venues.
And, as someone wiser than me once said, if they're not listening, you just have to plough on like the orchestra on the Titanic. Weirdly, even if some are not listening, the number of times someone comes up afterwards and says they enjoyed the set or a particular song.
So, although Rich and Famous is the song I have been paid for most by performance, courtesy of the PRS, neither is likely, certainly not rich. I must have spent a small fortune on kit, travel and strings and so far grossed a couple of thousand back. In three years! But it's not about money, it's about communication, and the interaction between an audience who is enjoying, and the performer, is the honey every performer wants on his bread.
So here's to the next thirty years. Keep smiling, everyone.