Comanche
I know..11 days.
It's been an eventful week and a half.. ups and downs for sure. Not the usual ups and downs..but the real deal.
In our profession, we have the absolute honor to sing for special occasions. This year alone we have played for many birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, wedding rehearsal parties and retirement celebrations. We also have the blessing of singing for fundraisers, house parties and family gatherings. Sometimes it's the whole band..other times it's just Walt and me. Always different..beautiful and fulfilling.
We are friends with our fans. We are fans of our fans. U2 played for 100,000 people in Pasadena the other night. 100,000 fans. It is hard to imagine foraging a connection with a choice few out of the masses. I always thought that that is what I wanted in my career. Ok, maybe not 100,000, but I thought my life's dream would carry me to at least a couple of thousands. I thought that is what I needed to consider myself successful. Record sales, tons of people at concerts, travel around the world.
Then I moved to Texas.
The people who drive hours to hear their favorite music..the friends who go to festivals year after year to be in the camaraderie of the like minded..the fans who take their vacations to see/hear music. That's me. That is what I would do if I wasn't a performer. Hell..that is what we do do. We have not had a real vacation..ever. I mean one that entails no gig..where we arrange everything..and most importantly, where we pay for everything. We are truly blessed to travel and sing for a living..and have it paid for. Mercy. But those folks who work jobs..take care of family..and then decide to drive to see us..when they could go to the beach..or to a casino..or to a movie..is truly humbling.
So I will take those people over my tired dream of 100,000. I love the feeling of seeing the familiar faces of our New Braunfels friends..Fort Worth..Dallas..Houston..Beaumont..Caldwell..Austin..Hill Country and Comanche. Comanche. Walt and I drove to Comanche yesterday. I did not realize how far it was from Austin. I thought maybe an hour at the most..but it was really 2 hours, driving through beautiful central Texas country.
So this made it more the meaningful when I realized exactly how long it would take for our friends Doug and Karen to come and hear us. They would show up at random places though out the years and sit quietly and smile..cry sometimes..and listen. Just listen..to us. Man..to us. How amazing is that? They would come to hear us at The Crossings, a show we did for 4 years this year, every other Sunday. A beautiful resort in the "hills" of Austin. The show was from 7-9. We would usually play the 1st half and the 2nd half we would feature a guest performer. We would usually finish a little after 9. That means that Doug and Karen would drive home 2 hours.
So our drive to Comanche yesterday was the least we could do to honor our friend and yes, I guess, fan..Karen. We had the blessed opportunity to sing for her one more time. Karen passed away Sunday night from heart complications. We did not know how ill Karen was. She always looked radiant, smiling and put together. She always said she was doing great. Doug told us that this was a challenge in her life for 15 years. Of course we didn't know it. We only knew that she loved her family. She and Doug loved music too. We were lucky to be in their club. They kind of adopted a few of us musicians along the way, honoring us with their presence at many, many gigs.
Things are so raw lately. I don't think it's age...but I really can't explain it either. Why do things ache more lately? Even the good stuff aches..in a beautiful way. Watching my son sleep. Laying with my husband. Time with family, friends. A sweet ache. When sickness or death happens in our little circle..it makes us more present perhaps.
I will miss Karen. I will miss her quiet strentgh, her bright blonde hair and her gentle smile. I know that we will probably not see Doug at a show for a while, so I will miss him too. They were such a beautiful couple. What a blessing to be a singer in their world. I am again, truly humbled.
Thursday
11:45pm
It's been an eventful week and a half.. ups and downs for sure. Not the usual ups and downs..but the real deal.
In our profession, we have the absolute honor to sing for special occasions. This year alone we have played for many birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, wedding rehearsal parties and retirement celebrations. We also have the blessing of singing for fundraisers, house parties and family gatherings. Sometimes it's the whole band..other times it's just Walt and me. Always different..beautiful and fulfilling.
We are friends with our fans. We are fans of our fans. U2 played for 100,000 people in Pasadena the other night. 100,000 fans. It is hard to imagine foraging a connection with a choice few out of the masses. I always thought that that is what I wanted in my career. Ok, maybe not 100,000, but I thought my life's dream would carry me to at least a couple of thousands. I thought that is what I needed to consider myself successful. Record sales, tons of people at concerts, travel around the world.
Then I moved to Texas.
The people who drive hours to hear their favorite music..the friends who go to festivals year after year to be in the camaraderie of the like minded..the fans who take their vacations to see/hear music. That's me. That is what I would do if I wasn't a performer. Hell..that is what we do do. We have not had a real vacation..ever. I mean one that entails no gig..where we arrange everything..and most importantly, where we pay for everything. We are truly blessed to travel and sing for a living..and have it paid for. Mercy. But those folks who work jobs..take care of family..and then decide to drive to see us..when they could go to the beach..or to a casino..or to a movie..is truly humbling.
So I will take those people over my tired dream of 100,000. I love the feeling of seeing the familiar faces of our New Braunfels friends..Fort Worth..Dallas..Houston..Beaumont..Caldwell..Austin..Hill Country and Comanche. Comanche. Walt and I drove to Comanche yesterday. I did not realize how far it was from Austin. I thought maybe an hour at the most..but it was really 2 hours, driving through beautiful central Texas country.
So this made it more the meaningful when I realized exactly how long it would take for our friends Doug and Karen to come and hear us. They would show up at random places though out the years and sit quietly and smile..cry sometimes..and listen. Just listen..to us. Man..to us. How amazing is that? They would come to hear us at The Crossings, a show we did for 4 years this year, every other Sunday. A beautiful resort in the "hills" of Austin. The show was from 7-9. We would usually play the 1st half and the 2nd half we would feature a guest performer. We would usually finish a little after 9. That means that Doug and Karen would drive home 2 hours.
So our drive to Comanche yesterday was the least we could do to honor our friend and yes, I guess, fan..Karen. We had the blessed opportunity to sing for her one more time. Karen passed away Sunday night from heart complications. We did not know how ill Karen was. She always looked radiant, smiling and put together. She always said she was doing great. Doug told us that this was a challenge in her life for 15 years. Of course we didn't know it. We only knew that she loved her family. She and Doug loved music too. We were lucky to be in their club. They kind of adopted a few of us musicians along the way, honoring us with their presence at many, many gigs.
Things are so raw lately. I don't think it's age...but I really can't explain it either. Why do things ache more lately? Even the good stuff aches..in a beautiful way. Watching my son sleep. Laying with my husband. Time with family, friends. A sweet ache. When sickness or death happens in our little circle..it makes us more present perhaps.
I will miss Karen. I will miss her quiet strentgh, her bright blonde hair and her gentle smile. I know that we will probably not see Doug at a show for a while, so I will miss him too. They were such a beautiful couple. What a blessing to be a singer in their world. I am again, truly humbled.
Thursday
11:45pm
What a beautiful tribute to Karen.
ReplyDeleteThe things that you and Walt do are simply amazing.....the love, the talent and the charity are all awe inspiring. I have seen you and Walt play your heart and souls out for 100 friends--those 100 friends told 100 friends about you..those original 100 will replay that show over and over again in their minds, remembering every song and every word. 100,000 is nothing when you create a million memories for 100 friends and fans...
ReplyDeleteWe love you both....
Brad....
I couldn't imagine living anywhere else! There is no such thing as a musician/fan relationship here. We're all one big happy family!
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget the first time I met you and Walt. It was after the Crossroads Americana concert almost 2 years ago & yall had just played. I have this thing about getting pictures w/ my favorite "celebrities" so I was determined to somehow get one with you guys that day. But I admittedly thought "No way...they're going to play their show, then head straight to the bus & get the heck outta dodge before they get bombarded." Not 5 minutes later, I see Walt over by the stage, cracking open a beer & watching the show. Jackpot! I had my chance & took it. I'm honored to say that I not only met two of my favorite "celebrities"....I made two new friends that day! :)
God bless you guys for remaining true to who you are :) What a blessing that must have been to Karen! I'm sure she was smiling down from heaven :)
Been out of town, just caught up with your blogs.. as usual G R E A T!! Look forward to seeing you .. I loved the one about Karen, what a wonderful person.. the good ones are most always the Quiet laid back sweet people who touch us in a special way if only for a short time, and stay in our hearts for our lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThe football game whew did that also, but mine was HOMECOMING that was a trip. It was the GREEN SIDE. only ours was Red White and Blue, and you could not "even" move through them... Like you with head down and a real purpose I managed to find a seat. Only to have the G kid want a picture with her GUY meet me at the Concession stand Nan.... so I fought up and the down, and kept thinking what are you doing ..is this worth it. YEAH.. it's a moment in life that will pass and never be again. Bless you Tina, take care will see you for sure SOON.. Pat.