Sunday, October 17, 2010

'Closer'

So, several significant 'moments' happened since yesterday. Except for the two mile walk to the bus station with two heavy bags up hill, the moments were good ones. Last night, at the keynote dinner, I decided to approach Kathy Mattea at her V.I.P. table, which is ordinarily something I would never do, (or that anyone should do for that matter) however, this has been four days of approaching and connecting, and to be honest, she was the one person at this conference that I really felt compelled to approach, so I did. In one of those funny moments, when I approached the table, she quickly stood up and looked at me like we'd met before, and then she asked me if I was singing before her. I said, "No, but I will if you want me to… then I proceeded to go with the corny line that I refrained from singing her signature phrase, "Where've you been? I've looked for you forever and a day…" This did get a laugh, which helped the lump in my throat. At this point, I don't know everything that was said, but suffice to say, I had a 'moment' with Kathy Mattea, and it was memorable. For some reason, the conversation seemed natural and easy, and ended with me saying, (stupidly) that her food was getting cold. So, all this was before her keynote address, where she proceeded to go into a whole story about her mother who was stricken with Alzheimer's, and that even when her mother didn't know who she was, could still sing all of her songs. This was true of my dad, even when he would look at you as if he didn't know who you were, he never forgot one word, one lyric of any song. So, I couldn't resist going back and talking to her again about her mother and my father, and it was magical once again. She said, and I quote, "I hope you bring your show to Nashville, I would love to see it, let me know if I can help…" Of course, you don't ever know what this means, but I left that night believing that Kathy Mattea could help me do my show in Nashville. Of course, the morning comes, and reality slaps you in the back of the head.

So, I packed and readied myself for the twenty mile odyssey back to the airport in Seattle from Bellevue, and had my next moment crossing the street. A manager that I had 'pitched' to, stopped and waited for me on the other side of the street. (he was coming back to the hotel). He said, "Make sure you stay in touch with me, I AM interested in your show and your work. Write to me when you get home and send me the materials." Although I felt I had a good repoire with him, I certainly didn't expect him to say that. He runs an artists management company in Chicago, and so I felt that the time I had spent with him must have had some impact.

The third moment happened on the bus going back to the airport, where an agent from NYC and a manager from SF were on the bus talking back and forth. As I was having the 'rolling bold moves syndrome', I began chatting them up and must have done alright because they both wanted my information after the thirty minute ride to the airport. I'm getting there, folks, and like I've always thought, timing and being in a proximity for the timing to have an effect, I'm closer to my goal, which for now is procuring a manager to help with booking me a tour.

There were other great little moments, (Talking with 'Men of Worth', one of the premiere Celtic duos in the world, they love Hank Williams) to meeting a woman who is a concert pianist from Brazil who plays Latin Classical music. Stay with me folks, Although I'm broke all over aagain and don't know how I'll put gas in my truck to get back home to Boulder, I am almost there, (I've said that plenty of times before) but I am close, and the way to the next phase of this journey is closer, and your support has been invaluable. I can sometimes feel lately and acknowledge that in certain ways my family, my community, my friends and my enemies are feeling taxed from my prolonged state of artistic limbo poverty, (and I know several worry about what I will eat or if I will somehow die of my malady) I am almost there, at least close to finding the way to support myself, and it ain't been easy, but God willing, its close…

3 comments:

Jnet said...

It's all comin together! I can feel it! For you and me both!! Lots of pieces of the puzzle to put together and we continue to gather them! Got all the faith in the world in you! You're an amazing artist! - J

Gerry said...

Heck son, I just listened to a guy down in the patio who just had a heart attack and almost flatlined at 46, who can't pay the property tax on his house, as he had to use $300 of what he saved for it to buy his medicine, now can't pay his health insurance, and can go back to work but is probably only going to be making $200 a week on his cabinet finishing job which due to the economy, work has dropped way off, is wondering what is going to happen to him, but is thankful he is still alive! (after 2 stents) It is hard times and people are still going to go on helping you get where you need to go, somehow, and you don't have to feel ashamed now days of running out of money. I told the guy well, maybe you can go live in Cass (homeless shelter now getting publicity as bedbug ridden)But he is a very likable guy, so I am sure somebody is going to help him survive! Besides you bring people the story of your adventures. That's worth a lot!

kanyonland King 2.blogspot.com said...

I found your experience in Seattle very interesting. When you are trying to market yourself, it is endlessly trying and such a lot of work. Just keep believing that you can connect and actually get out there. I haven't even heard of a gathering of this sort. There is so much to learn. Keep believing in yourself and learn how to do it.