Good morning, blues people ! Today, I was thinking back to where it all began – my first paid gig.
My first attempt at making money with music was as a street performer in downtown Huntsville AL. Picture this: me, my guitar, and the open air. But, alas, the streets were quiet, and there weren't enough people around to make it worthwhile. I soon realized that downtown Huntsville wasn't bustling enough for a street musician to survive. So, I left that scene behind.
Years went by, and opportunities in Huntsville were still scarce. Then, I joined a small acoustic trio with two fantastic musicians – Greg Sanders, who played pop music, and Jimmy Henderson, a Delta-style bluesman. Together, we combined our sounds into something unique, blending pop, Delta blues, and a touch of Motown and soul music. We called ourselves JRG, and we played at local coffee houses around town.
But, as often happens, the trio eventually fell apart. We had a gig lined up at a local coffee house, and the owner was counting on us. When I told her the trio was no longer together, she was worried. "Somebody has to play," she said. “I've invited people.”
I took a deep breath and asked, "If I come and play by myself, would you pay me as if I were the whole band?" To my surprise , she agreed. That night, I stepped into the spotlight alone, a bit nervous but excited. As I played, something magical happened. The crowd sang along, clapped, and had a great time. I had a ball too!
When the night ended, the owner asked, "Will you come again next week?" Her request blew my mind. She wanted me back, solo! So, I returned, again and again. Eventually, I started playing at other places too. This was the beginning of my journey as an independent solo artist. It was around 1995, and those early gigs taught me so much about performing and entertaining a crowd on my own.
From that point on, my shows evolved. Sometimes I worked with bands, and sometimes I performed solo. But that first solo gig was a turning point. It proved to me that I could hold an audience's attention and deliver an entertaining show all by myself.
So, there it is – the story of my first paid gig. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected situations. Keep playing, keep pushing, and you never know where the music will take you.
Do you ever play solo ?