Decisions

So this next singing opportunity is one I am even MORE excited for.
Not only is it on the last day of Stampede, but that means it is also primarily country music, and a lot of preparation has gone into this.

The stage is pretty large... and last time it was so sunny that I had to sit further back on the stage to keep me and my equipment in the shade. I felt that visually I kind of got lost.
So how to I improve this?
Unfortunately, if the weather is just as beautiful, I am still going to have to try and stay within the shaded area. So how do I make a better visual impact??

The first step I took is to put my set list on three rings instead of a big binder.
Ideally I would love to have every single song memorized... but with chording mostly and a repertoire spanning nearly a thousand tunes, I don't think I could conceivably memorize every single chord progression without some type of visual aid. It's the frustrating truth. Of course I have many memorized, but not nearly enough. So I didn't want a huge binder in my face but needed the chords & lyrics, so I went with the three rings.

I have also been testing out levels of my keyboard stand. When I was well enough to perform on stage with the rock band, I stood for most of the performance. I can't exactly do that anymore. My Ankylosing Spondylitis and general lack of energy force me to sit for at least a portion of any gig... but because this is a much more lively country performance, I definitely don't want to be seated as low as last time, where I got lost.
These solo performances require a little more background planning.
So - I will be bringing one of our tall kitchen chairs and hopefully I will be able to alternate between standing and half-sitting. It'll make me a bigger presence on that amazing stage, without completely compromising my health.

I'm really excited to unveil the new songs (and hopefully come out with youtube videos of such songs at a later date), to sing out in the sunshine with Stampede going on, and to check out all of the popup shops and the food trucks. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and celebrating the new art gallery that will be opening up in the fall - The Painted Bottle.

Amazing.

I love My Musical Life.