- Alternative
- Rock
Performing on the streets is always fun. I remember playing in front of a liquor store in a blizzard, and people kept tipping cans of beer because I was a university area. I didn't mind it.
One time outside of Ribfest I learned my favorite pick up line/conversation starter when some guy walked up to me and goes "Hey there! don't suppose you know how much a polar bear weighs eh?" puzzled, I just kinda turned my head and looked at him.. without missing a beat he cracks a smile, sticks out his hand and says "Enough to break the ice! Hi my name's Jim" .. To be completely honest I couldn't remember the person's name, face, gender, or clothes to save my life.. but that line stuck with me.
Also outside a pawnshop one time, I met a great dude that actually ended up showing up the next day with his own guitar. We jammed, then formed a band for a bit named Harmony. I don't hear from him too much but the videos of us jamming and vibing still exist, so I'm happy. Hope to meet him again one day.
I'm sure we've all done it before.. but I totally plugged into the headphone jack on my amp and sat there like why isn't this working. Did that at an open mic.
Garage Jam/BBQ and we got decent in size jam band formed. But two acoustic guitars mic'd up caused so much feedback because they were standing in front of the amps.. then my mic started to squeal.. so much squealing at full volume.. poor neighbors.. I'm still really regretful. It was non stop terrible.
In front of an idol not so much, but definitely while teaching. Teaching is like one nonstop embarrassment. If you get a student who actually wants to learn it's a blessing and so fun to teach them but danngg there's some brats that can just make your life hell.
I used to live stream a bunch on younow and to be honest, the trolls really got to me after a while. I could handle them at first, but this one.. I knew he played guitar because of how perfectly he picked apart everything I did. I was shook.. but the show must go on.
That first guitar I ever got, the acoustic my Grandpa bought me at age 10 was an Oscar Schmidt. I left it with my parents when I moved out at 16, got it back when I was 19, left it behind when I was 20.
I've always had a problem with restarting my life after dropping everything. My current acoustic is the only exception due to the fact that I got it to play a song for my Grandmother's funeral. I named my guitar after her initials - HAML. I hope she can forever stay with me, and I can keep spreading her message of acceptance & love in the world to stop needless negativity.
I don't have a favorite electric guitar. I have always insisted they be under 100 bucks though. My preference has always been to have a cheap guitar so i don't feel bad beating it up by playing too hard, selling it or leaving it behind.. but I think it's time to get serious and set some roots, maybe stop running and finally stand tall and proud. I will play my heart out and pour my soul all over my guitar's frets.