When I first began to play in public I was terrified. I had to stand because if I sat, which prefered at that time, my right leg would bounce me and the chair across the stage. I tried a trick I's heard about some place. I did the mic check as if it were a set. Nobody but me in the and the sound guy and a girl friend were in the room at the time. I just spent a lot of time setting balances and doing whole songs. As this process was going on the room slowly filled with strangers. One at a time and one more wouldn't make a difference would it? So by the time i was suppose to start, I was warmed up. I was comfortable with the crowd, and they with me. I just continued on.

I suggest that what ever you do, make your first song a song you know so cold you can't screw it up. I always use Paxton's "Natural Girl For Me", that way I start with them laughing and they know that I am many things but polically correct isn't one of them.

Don