The maiden and the gig

Subject: The maiden and the gig
From: CupOfTea
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 09:15 PM

Well TECHNICALLY I'm not a maiden, but it was a gig with a paycheck and all: This old widow lady had her first experience of singing AND playing in public as an official performer. Where I've gotten munificent remuneration of $3, $5, or sometimes $8 for playing for a dance, this was a new experience entire, with a group of guys who let me join their band this fall, so this was my maiden gig in a group.

I've so envied younger folks who just up and DO this, respected many friends who are professional musicians doing it for years, while harboring in my heart a desire to be a part of a group that performs in public. Song circles, open mics, singing in church, have all been richly enjoyable experiences that will continue to enhance my life, but the working out of songs, stretching musical muscles, challenging myself has become every bit as hard and fun and complex as I'd hoped.

The band lead singer is the youngest of us, and weirdly, comes not from the folk world, but Rock and Heavy Metal, but got inspired by Clancy & Makem and the craic of the sorts of concerts they did. ("Liam Clancy's guitar work was just so percussive...") The rest of us are middle aged to older folkies, but all we were doing today was playing traditional Christmas carols & songs, both inside and out (43° but clear) for a weekend celebration at an historic village. My heavy duty autoharp stayed in tune through the first set, waffled by the second location, after which I just stayed with the concertina.

That last is as much brag as statement. Not only was I able to play AND sing at the same time with the Concertina, I had been working on the music enough that I could play melody lines & some chords on all of them. This is a BIG deal for me, though paper trained, some I did by ear. I find it extraordinary how much my playing has improved from playing with these guys (singer, guitar player, hammer dulcimer/recorder)Our fearless leader says "It's supposed to be FUN!" and has a great rapport with audiences, tries to get them involved and sing along (it's how I met the guys in the first place,this summer, singing along on every song they did in a 90 min set) His energy is contagious, and I'm grinning all over, even while glad to be inside.

Those who have been doing this for years, I hope you won't laugh at my enthusing here, but the rush of doing this at 61 instead of 20 is still a rush! Cathy Barton, Caroline Paton, Margaret Nelson, and all the other first class folkie friends who've guided & encouraged me over the years can get some of the credit for that rush; wish I could adequately say how grateful I am.

Joanne, thawing out in Cleveland

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: frogprince
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 09:37 PM

OLD lady...61...uh-uh. But obviously a happy grown-up lady. Wishing you lots more of such satisfaction.

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 09:46 PM

Glad for you - A friend of mine started singing in my club well after retiring ! She has a lovely voice , and would have been an asset to the club thirty years ago - what a waste of thirty years !

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 09:55 PM

Congratulations, Joanne! The thrill of performing is one of the best highs to be had without violating the Controlled Substances Act. May you experience it many more times!

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 10:49 PM

Glad you had a good time. That's what it's about, your fearless leader was right.

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Dec 16 - 12:09 AM

good onya!

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Dec 16 - 08:23 PM

Wow, wonderful. You must be grinning from ear to ear!

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: Hollowfox
Date: 06 Dec 16 - 01:55 PM

Oh, yeah, it feels good doesn't it?

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 06 Dec 16 - 03:05 PM

Congratulations!!!!

Oh, and BTW:

You're 61. I, too, am 61.

We ain't old!!


Jay

Subject: RE: The maiden and the gig
From: CupOfTea
Date: 06 Dec 16 - 07:59 PM

I'm playing the old lady card as much as I can! There are times when the arthritis kicks in with pain and a limp that make me feel fragile. So many musicians I picture as the young lads and lasses they were when we first met are now white haired parents or grandparents.

I don't look my age, and appreciate that I have many vital, active sharp friends in their 80s and 90s, yet my penchant for trad, and number of years being on the organizational side of folk music makes me "old" within my community. Many of the younger folkies I spend time with remind me of how old they were when I talk about last century's fun, yanno? I know they are the strength and future for the music, and I want to encourage 'em, so I try not to trot out my stories every time they come to mind. When it's relevant I don't hesitate.

Thank you all for the words of congrats and encouragement. Mudcat is so full of interesting folks who share their knowledge so graciously, and I have benefited hugely from what I learn here.

Yep, I'm still smiling.
Joanne in Cleveland HEIGHTS ( to be geographically accurate)