Thoughts on Rejection

Buckle up, this one's gonna be a rambler...

I hate rejection. I suppose we all do. Any kind mostly sucks... friends, jobs, lovers, even strangers! As a musician, rejection is going to be staring me in the face for the rest of my days. Or however long I decide to pursue things in this musical world. Yeah, that really sucks.

A few years ago, when I first really dipped into the performance level of music, rejection was my biggest nightmare. I constantly worried that no one would like me, my style, my songs. And that made things so much worse on stage. I felt I HAD to be perfect and I NEVER was. I wanted everyone to be my biggest fan. Ha, the idea now makes me chuckle. But, it was a very good lesson. And one that has taken me years to learn.

So, finally (FINALLY!!) this week my lesson in rejection came to an end. In the past 4 months, I have been given some wonderful opportunities in the Austin music scene and am SO thankful for all of those. NOT ONCE have I felt rejected here. Funny huh...you would think it would lie around waiting for every musician to capture. But it's not what this town is about. Austin is about chances and the people that are here to take theirs.

This is the lesson: Rejection only comes to those who anticipate it. Sure, people say no, but it just means your knocking on the wrong door. Or, you've been visiting the wrong "house" for way too long.

So I say F' it. I no longer want to hear the word, I no longer want to feel it. And I most certainly no longer want to feel less worthy because of it. Music is the path I've chosen, so yes, I will be growing some thicker skin, but that other part? It's no longer part of the equation. Tell it to go knock on someone else's door (okay, hopefully not yours). ;)

NEW Neko

Ahh. It's the sound of another new release for 2009. They are piling up! Here's a sneak peak at Neko Case's latest album (release date 3.3.09), Middle Cyclone. The current single is "People Got A Lotta Nerve" and you are listening in thanks to Neko's peeps.

People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case

Neko and her folks are making cash contributions to Best Friends Animal Society for every music blog post with the single. Gotta love those artists with good hearts ;). Looking forward to FINALLY seeing Neko when she comes to Stubb's in Austin in March.

This is WAYYY too much fun

You should do yourself a favor and head over to Obamicon.Me. This is great!

From the Vault

The sounds that could melt any guy's heart...Bonnie Raitt wailing on slide guitar and vocals.


Oh Bonnie, do you think I could get a few pointers?

Words of Wisdom from Ryan Adams

A few days ago Ryan Adams "announced" via the Cardinals blog that he was quitting the music scene for a bit. The blog entry has since been removed, so I think it may have been a quickie rant at the state of things. But, who knows??

Anyhow, after reading the entry there was one part in particular that struck a chord with me. I wanted to share a bit of that and say - "hell ya, don't let'm bring ya down." Some good stuff...

"never become that if you choose this path- if you go this route with your art. never listen to those loud dissatisfied bystanders who only want to see you fail because that will be entertaining for that moment. hold fast to your dreams, hold faster to your heart and never step out of the light of that love that made you whole. i did. and i know better now. and better late than never i suppose." - Ryan Adams

If Ryan is actually quitting music, then so be it - whatever makes you happy, that's what you have to follow. If not, I'll be standing in line for the next album and tour :).

JH Gondola Concert...

From the 2008 Jackson Hole Music Festival...The Avett Brothers with "St. Joseph's" on the JH Gondola. What a fun seven minutes that must have been! You JH'rs will get a kick out of this. I love this song because they mention Lake Junaluska, which is very near and dear to my Haywood county heart.

Ego Boost

Oh man, I am doubled over in chuckles right now and all my beer is spewing out of my nose. Yes, it's that funny.

I have a new piece of advise for an easy ego boost for any of my fellow musicians out there: watch the American Idol audition special. Holy crap! Do those people even THINK they can sing? I guess one could be nervous and screw things up a bit (I do know ALL about that - hello 5th grade solo), but really....

I just had to post an entry on that. Of course, this will be the last episode of that shit-tastic show that I watch this season b/c it's the only one worth watching. The other karaoke stuff blows...but seriously, in chuckles right now....hehe