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Little Neo's First Debut
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Subject: Little Neo's First Debut From: Little Neophyte Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:07 AM Well guys I did my first real performance. I opened for the Charlie Sohmer band from Ottawa who do folk & roots music with a country twang. The evening went really well. Getting there was another story though. I was so distracted while driving there that I locked myself out of my car while it was running. It took me one hour to deal with that problem and get back on the road. Then I stopped for a coffee and as I backed out of the parking lot I accidentally drove over my very expensive Varnet sunglasses that had accidently fallen out out of the car. Well at least I had a good story to open up with. I was quite overwhelmed by the whole thing. So much so that I could barely get my foot a tapping. Half way through the songs my foot froze in mid air. If I had only known a friend of mine was tapping in the audience to keep me in pace it would have helped but I was too stunned to realize it. I played too fast. It was almost impossible for me to slow down. Just too much nervous energy. By the 5th song I saw a friend giving me the sign to slow down, which I did, but in the future I will focus on following someone tapping their foot to a slower beat so I can follow it like a metronome. Before the performance they had me sing into a microphone for what felt like a very, very long time to test the sound system but I have a feeling my friends were helping me warm up. I was taken good care of thats for sure. Spoon fed I would say. Friends of mine had organized this event and I was prepped as if I had personal coaches. I would say 1/3 of the audience were people I knew that came out to support me. About 60 people showed up. The entire community has to be one of the warmest loving bunch of folks I have ever met. Besides you guys. I played 6 songs and told stories in between. Funny stories too. I was up there for about 20 minutes so you can see I surely played these tunes way too fast! Opened up with Taking the Highroad Home to the tune of Boiling Down Cabbage (vocals) One of my own tunes Oh Suzanna(vocals) Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss (Susanna Gal) Shady Grove (vocals The Coo-Coo(vocals) It was pretty funny.....at one point, I introduced East Virginia, told everyone I learned it from Rick Fielding, gave some background history of the tune, when it was first recordings and such. Then I proceeded to play Shady Grove. They all cracked up. I got great feed back from the audience afterwards. I was told by the person who organizes these folk events that it was one of the best opening acts he has ever seen. I seemed to keep the audience in stitches from my stories and one woman said that having me up on stage was entertaining enough and that the banjo was just a bonus. Personally I think the evening went amazingly well and as for my playing I am surprised at how few mistakes I made. I seem to be able to roll with the problems that came up. No one noticed things going wrong and if I made a big error I made a joke about it and got them all laughing. I went home beaming with joy and overwhelmed by the loving support I received from everyone. Well thats the story, With the help of katlaughing soon I will have some pictures from my performance linked to this thread. Little Neo
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Bill in Alabama Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:11 AM Glad to hear that everything went well (except for the sunglasses). Now you are a seasoned performer. Congratulations! Bill |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:13 AM Well done, Bonnie! RtS |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Allan C. Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:15 AM Hooray for Bonnie!!! |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GUEST,Den at work Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:18 AM I always knew you had it in you Bonnie and all you had to do was let come out. You go girl. Den |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:19 AM Oh, how I envy you. You go gurl!
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: jeffp Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:19 AM Now you've gotten the hardest performance of your career out of the way and lived to tell the tale. It's really neat to have watched your progress here in the mudcat from a beginning student of Rick's to your first public performance. Rick has always been very complimentary about your playing and I would guess that you've just proven to yourself that he has been right all along. I hope you will have many more performance stories to tell as the years go by. Congratulations!!!!!!! jeffp |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Little Neophyte Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:19 AM Thanks guys. I think I can link one picture. Now lets see if this works......... Click here |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: black walnut Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:23 AM this is all so very cool... celebrate, neo....here, have a chocolate. ~'nut (case)
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Sorcha Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:32 AM Super cool, Bonnie! If you aren't careful, you'll get addicted to the adrenaline rush and want to perform all the time!! (your pic/click doesn't work) |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Willie-O Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:35 AM Way ta go, Bon! As for locking yourself outta the car, that's par for the course. (always happens just when you don't want to lose any time). At least nobody was able to break into your car and leave more banjoes there... Many more performances for ya! W-O |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:39 AM Hey Bonnie... Well done! Great stuff.. I am glad your gig went well too... I am sure they all enjoyed it... if you got feedback, then that's great too. Isn't it a great buzz - though handy to have friends in the audience. Don't know about you... but I am abslutely knackered and worn out still! and I thought I was accident prone - at the moment I am a running joke with the rest of the band, and I am sure they are running a book to see when I am next in casuality waiting to have yet another check up by some result of a bizarre accident. Here's to the next one's All the best Ella |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: katlaughing Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:40 AM Sorry, I overslept this morning, Bonnie! Your link worked for me, but I've put the other one in your message., so phoaks would see those pix first thing. Doesn't she look like a natural, phoaks? I just think she looks beautiful and as though she's been doing it all of her life! Rick told me about a year ago that it wouldn't take her but a few months to a year and she'd be ready to fly solo and knock their socks off. Can he pick 'em or what?!! Way to go, LilNeo. Be proud of yourself, you deserve it! luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Sorcha Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:44 AM kat, did you fix the link Neo put in? Now it works for me. The first time it said cookie error,,,,,,might have been my puter, I guess..Great pics!! |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Steve Latimer Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:48 AM Bonnie, Where were you performing? Let us know in advance when you'll be doing it again. Way to go.
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Amergin Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:52 AM Great Job, Bonnie!!! And those pics are great!! |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: katlaughing Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:54 AM Here's where she performed: "I am opening up for the Charlie Sohmer bluegrass band which is performing at the Haliburton Folk Society this Friday." Isn't this just grand!? Sorcha, I think it must've been your computer because I didn't do anything to her link; it worked for me first try.:-) |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Little Neophyte Date: 15 Jan 01 - 10:56 AM Thanks for adding the pictures Kat. I may look kind of starved in those photos. I couldn't eat all day before the performance. Drink yes, eat no. Ella, I am still plum tuckered. Would love to hear how things went with your performance. You will notice there are three banjos in the pictures. Kind of handy so I didn't have to fiddle with changing the tunings between songs. I did change the tuning once and made a joke about how the old time players look at my tuner as if it is some foreign object from outspace. My 'seasoned friends' tune by ear, something I am working on but I ain't going no where without my tuner for now. Little Neo
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Rick Fielding Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:13 AM Proud of ya M'dear. OK, down to some nuts and bolts... Start collecting the names and contact info of everyone who likes your music. A mailing list will become almost as precious as your new Bart Reiter banjo. Laugh at your mistakes and others will too. DON'T QUIT YER DAY JOB!!! I've LOVED performing for the past 13 years, but I grew to hate it for the previous 18 years when I had to be a "request machine" in bars and lounges. (did learn a lot of songs though) Teach others how to play. It's better than 20 years of therapy! Rick |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Mooh Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:29 AM So cool! I love hearing these stories. Congratulations Bonnie, I hope there are many, many more. Mike. |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Micca Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:50 AM Ah Bonnie, I knew you would be WONDERFUL, many congrats, and put my nakme on the llist for the First "Little Neo " CD!!!!! I am so happy for you, you deserve it... |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: dwditty Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:51 AM Way to go, Bonnie. Sounds like you definitely got bitten pretty hard by the performing bug your first time out. After my first gig, I would only play in my basement for years. How about a visit to Paltalk some evening? dw |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: kendall Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:56 AM It's a slippery slope, but,you could do worse than make people happy for a while. Keep us posted! |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Little Neophyte Date: 15 Jan 01 - 12:07 PM Thanks everybody Steve being that it was my first performance I found it easier for me to not mention it until after the fact. I was pretty nervous about the whole thing. I think it was a hidden blessing I didn't know about it until last Sunday night before. I knew it was coming up but made the mistake of marking it down in my calender for next month. So when it came up out of the blue I had little time to fret over it all. Some good advice there Rick. I surely do not want to give up my day job, as long as those people I privately counsel nutrition don't mind me closing off the therapy sessions with a tune or two. (just kidding) I must admit this has all been quite the 'high' kind of experience. I can also see how it could become addictive too. Bonnie
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: sophocleese Date: 15 Jan 01 - 12:08 PM Great Work Little Neo! Wish I could have been there to hear you. Let us know about future performances, please. |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Bill D Date: 15 Jan 01 - 12:38 PM you looked happy....and that's what is important--ENJOYING making the music!.(and though it ain't necessary to wear overalls to play banjo, it sure sets the mood..*wink*) Wish I could have been there! |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: thosp Date: 15 Jan 01 - 01:52 PM peace (Y) thosp |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Jon Freeman Date: 15 Jan 01 - 01:54 PM Great Bonnie! I am really pleased for you. Jon |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Amergin Date: 15 Jan 01 - 02:19 PM Hey, Bonnie, since this was your first debut.....does that mean there will be a second one? |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Mark Clark Date: 15 Jan 01 - 02:37 PM Congratulations, Bonnie. It sounds as though your debut was a big success all around. I hope this is just the beginning. - Mark |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Peter T. Date: 15 Jan 01 - 03:19 PM Great, great, Bonnie. And to think I knew you "when"....yours, Peter T. |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Jeri Date: 15 Jan 01 - 03:28 PM Bonnie, it sounds like you're off to a great start! How much do you want to bet your nervousness came across to the audience as excitement and energy? You sound like you and performing are going to have a long, happy relationship. You enjoy yourself and have fun despite being nervous, and the fun is more important to you than the nerves. You see the audience as friends. You can laugh at mistakes and not let them be a big deal, and I'll bet folks in the audience didn't think you seemed nervous at all. (She also smiles all the time, folks - a full-frontal-Bonnie-smile, not just a grin. It's hard not to like anyone who's giving you such a warm smile.) I really wish I could have been there. I hope I get the chance to hear you perform someday. When you're rich and famous, remember me. :-) |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GUEST,Pete peterson Date: 15 Jan 01 - 03:38 PM GREAT going Bonnie! It sounds like best of lal, you had fun. The idea of taking along a couple banjos, one for each thining you were using is also a good one (as Rick will tell you, that was the way Uncle Dave Macon used to do it, you are in good company) When are your going to organize a Stateside tour? Or do i have to come to Toronto to hear you? |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: mousethief Date: 15 Jan 01 - 03:40 PM You Go Girl! Hope this is the first of many successful performances! Alex |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Cap't Bob Date: 15 Jan 01 - 03:48 PM Bonnie ~~ Great story and great pictures, just wish I could have been there. I suppose you will be changing your MC name again??? Cap't Crunch |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: CarolC Date: 15 Jan 01 - 03:59 PM Congratulations, Little Neo! Carol |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 15 Jan 01 - 05:48 PM "First debut"? That's the BEST kind! Dave Oesterreich
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Little Neophyte Date: 15 Jan 01 - 06:05 PM Oh my goodness, you guys are making me feel like a millions dollars! I forgot to say I even got paid! That came as a real surprise. At the end of the evening, I was given a copy of the advertising poster and money 'to boot'. Major win fall in my eyes. Tonight I am going to take myself out for Thai food to celebrate (same place we went Jeri) and offer a toast to all you wonderful folks for the incredible loving support I find in your friendship. Capt Crunch, I think I'll keep my name Little Neophyte. Its a big world out there and the more exploring I do the bigger I realized it is. Bonnie
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: bseed(charleskratz) Date: 15 Jan 01 - 08:06 PM Li'l Niece Neo, Your Uncle Charles is very proud of you. Now if I could convince Rick to come to the Bay Area for a couple years' lessons, I might join you. Or maybe, as slowly as I learn, ten years. I finally saw the rest of your pictures on kat's site--looking good, hon. How about a sharing a small keg of Madeira to celebrate? Uncle Charles |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: catspaw49 Date: 15 Jan 01 - 08:26 PM Ah BonAmi.........I would love to have been the first to post on this thread, but I spent the day having a heart catheterization. Posting here is more fun and even better news!!! AND.....if I couldn't be the first, you should be honored to have a REAL SERIOUS BANJOMAN as the first, and Bill in Alabama is all of that! Thanks for the e-mail and the photos and I'm glad to see them on the thread. You look like a complete natural and even better, its obvious that you're having a good time (not a pun on the banjo either, though it could be). I'll just add my "WAY TO GO" here with everyone else and tell you how happy I am for you....and for those who got to hear you! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GutBucketeer Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:20 PM My Oh My! I take a little 12 hours off from Mudcat, and what I surprise! A Bonnie Debut! Looks like all that practicing is catching up to you. CONGRATULATIONS! I would have loved to have been there and seen/heard great stories, great singing, and great playing. The Cuckoo is one of my favorites, both Acapella , and with banjo. Keep it up, and see you on the great Mudcat Road Tour! JAB P.S. The pictures are great. I noticed that you were playing your Goodtime. Did you play your new banjo too? |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Alice Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:32 PM Way cool! Hurray for Bonnie. Neat photos, too. You look like it all came naturally. |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Little Neophyte Date: 15 Jan 01 - 11:44 PM Yes, I played my Bart Reiter tubaphone too. I would have rather play my Reiter banjo more but it is so new that I actually find it more comfortable to play on the Goodtime for now. I also figured it was best to have different banjos ready to go in different tunings rather than to start fiddling around changing the tunings. There is another older banjo you will see in one of the photos. That was Charlie Sohmer's banjo. The Coo-Coo Bird is a great song! I just got the Clarence Ashley recording of it with Doc Watson. When I was down in Connecticut visiting Guy Wolff I got to see the video of Clarence singing it. Just amazing! Guy Wolff does a great version of this song too. Thats who inspired me. Bonnie
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 16 Jan 01 - 05:06 AM Hey Bonnie... Well, just came down with a sore throat - I think I must be run down from the weekend. I was supposed to go and teach some kids locally last night as I do every week (music) I went along... but was really not in the mood. Managed to pull myself together long enough to teach them a little. THe gig went really well... in the end there must have been around 1000 people jammed into this big hall we were in. Us on a small stage, surrounded... it was scary! At one point the audience were singing along to some of our songs so loudly we couldn't hear what we were doing - a bit of a learning experience on that song. On the whole though, we all had a great laugh, enjoyed ourselves, and after we all got over our nerves we settled down and got to it. The audience was great, dancing around completely electric - we wound them all up, and when we left them the joint was hopping. At the end, a few people came up to thank us for doing particular songs, that must have been their favourite songs. And an old fella came up to me and said, well done girl... well done. I think he must have noticed how harrassed I looked to start off with. I felt really sick to start with. I played so much all day that my wrists are in agony, I have blisters and bruises like you wouldn't believe... Now I have played to such a big audience, I think I could do it again. We did the old.. stopping singing halfway thru a song to let the audience carry on - just to see if they did.. and they played along. It was great... such a buzz. We all went off after the gig to a quiet pub to relax... but some of the people who were at the gig turned up and asked us to play some more in a session... So... we ended up playing some more till the wee hours... until one by one we all gave in to our aches and went home. Great stuff... Have another smaller gig this week... hopefully I will not be so tired as I am now. well done Bonnie, it sounds like you had a good time too - congrats! All the best Ella |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: MMario Date: 16 Jan 01 - 11:27 AM Congrats to both of you. |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Little Neophyte Date: 16 Jan 01 - 02:14 PM Ella that is wonderful. Congratulations. Hope some of the suggestions offered up on your nervous thread were of some help. I find what helps me the most is sipping from a keg of Uncles Charle's special Madeira blend. Seems to keep me calm & content. After the performance that is. Bonnie
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GUEST Date: 16 Jan 01 - 02:21 PM ...it won't be long now, until you're up for the music awards - and a VH1 Behind The Music tribute to Li'l Neo, melodically filmed somewhere over eastern Europe.... You kinda got that high-cheekbone-Joni thing going in those photos.... |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: JenEllen Date: 16 Jan 01 - 06:51 PM Fantastic pictures Bonnie!! No wonder LittleRicky has a crush on you!! And despite locking the keys in the car, it sounds like you had a fabulous night. Loads of love and can't wait to hear ya' live. ~Luv, Jen |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: Guy Wolff Date: 16 Jan 01 - 07:26 PM Yay Bonnie!!!!! I just got back from Atlanta and hoped you had fun.. Guy's you got to hear her play and sing.. She's great and is a natural!! Getting faster during a peice is very traditional.. Getting faster during a set sets the tone of the grouping. Very profestional I say.. Tons of love and congratulations!!! Your buddy Guy |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: aussiebloke Date: 17 Jan 01 - 10:48 AM Good on you little Neo - it is bloody scary to get up there on yer hind legs - but you did it... |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GUEST,Russ Date: 17 Jan 01 - 11:13 AM Well done! So when's the CD coming out? |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: InOBU Date: 17 Jan 01 - 11:17 AM Ah Bonnie! Ye can just hear the music in that photo! Congrats from me and all the band - Lor |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GUEST Date: 17 Jan 01 - 12:34 PM ...oh, I forgot to add: in that last foto are you chording a C#mb5dim7#9add11? Just wondering... |
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Subject: RE: Little Neo's First Debut From: GUEST,Bear Date: 04 Feb 01 - 09:52 AM Hey Little Neo, As the promoter for your 'First Debut' here in Haliburton, it is heartwarming to share the experience here with all of your musical friends. Glad to hear you had as much fun as we did! Will she still remember her big break when she's a star??? Thanks for a wonderful evening, Bonnie Mae! luv Bear |
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