P is for Pardon My French . . .

Pardon my French but,

it feels good to know that

I am a troubadour of the world!

And so, I try to put my whole heart into every performance whether I am happy or with a broken spirit. The stage gives me a reason to feel optimistic. I can declutter my mind for a moment as I box out my troubles with a song.

I release infectious laughter at the end because the joy that took over made me feel really good. I may worry or climb over familiar hurdles every time before I take the stage but the music clamors for my attention and then my focus turns to the song, the lyrics, the notes, the key signature and the audience. And so my alter ego thrives in full immersion.

I am no longer who I was a second ago and the sound art breaks the cycle of who I was and I become who I am in the moment. The doubtful whispers cease and I feel as if the music and I, become one before a score of people.  

I guess this is why my heart rattles like thunder for it. I am psyched with each opportunity to release the passion within. Even on my worst of days or when I am completely exhausted, I get on stage and my day changes into a masterpiece. I get this energy that is unreal and I experience this maniacal grin because I still don’t quite understand it; you’d think exhaustion would pose as a challenge and instead, my alter ego reboots me and I’m with a full battery.

Like for instance, a year ago this week, I was on my way to an exciting performance that I was supposed to do. My friend William Rivers invited me and my band to be on his television show, “Showcased Talent.” And so, I got all dressed up, into my car and was driving on the highway. The highway had a crazy merge from about 10 lanes to one and while merging, a coach bus hit my car. I had to sit waiting for cops to come and attend to us for two hours just to tell my side of the story and fill out a report. I was late to the television studio and still wanted to go do the performance though I was not under the best condition, being stressed and waiting out in the cold for all that time. I still can’t believe I did not cancel after all of that but, it was one of those experiences I will never forget. Check out one of the many songs JNote Band and I did that night together here: https://youtu.be/z7BZHMjQdFk

I try to maintain a thankful spirit. It's no easy street to be a singer with an instrument inside the body that you need to preserve through weather and sickness and drama-filled days and emotions and tiredness. But singing is one of the most delightful things that I do and I am happy with each opportunity to face the toil of what is required to simply vocalize. I have genuine affection for the work because I genuinely love to do it.

Pardon my French but,

it feels good to know that

I am a troubadour of the world!