"The audience buzzes aren't what they used to be."

Is it that the audiences aren't what they used to be - or the buzz no longer lifts the hairs on your neck?

I first plucked up the courage to play & sing in public 15 years ago (after learning guitar and practicing at home for 20 years). I started going to folk clubs 35 years ago and thought I'd love to be like one of the many guest performers I admired.

For several years I played a number of gigs without having to venture far, and got enormous pleasure from playing to the folk audiences. Now though I get just as much pleasure (if not more) playing regular gigs in local pubs - for peanuts, financially speaking. The drive's still there, but has shifted ground.

I love playing ad hoc acoustic sessions with a wide variety of musicians, and get a buzz from the challenges of playing "off the cuff". The desire to be like those guest performers has gone now - maybe I'm in a comfort zone.