My second REAL gig!

Subject: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:09 PM

I played dulcimer at a local shop last November. Now, I've been asked to play on July 8th at my another of my fav. shops. Yippee! I can play anything I'd like, including the *intuitive* pieces that come to me, for as long as I like, AND sell my book, WindWords of Wyoming, too, and get paid for playing! The owner is sending out invites to about 2,000 loyal customers, so it could get full and busy. Wish me luck? LOL!

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: MMario
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:11 PM

HUZZAH!

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: webfolk
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:15 PM

Hope it goes well, if you want some help from a budding signer songwriter in the UK, just cover my expenses. lol

geoff

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Don Firth
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:21 PM

As Tony the Tiger would say, "GRRRRREAT!!!"

(Careful, Kat. It can get addictive!)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: fat B****rd
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:25 PM

Lovely, Kat.Keep on keeping on.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 06:28 PM

Break a Leg Kat !!

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 06:40 PM

Congrats Kat! You go girl! You'll do great.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 07:59 PM

yay

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 08:02 PM

LUCK!
But mostly, enjoy it!
And bring your dulcimer to the Getaway.
No excuses.
Love you,
SINS

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 08:15 PM

Good for you. Just make sure to come back and tell us how it went.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Mooh
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 08:24 PM

Good luck! That is pretty cool.

I started gigging as a teenager, and used to keep a list of my gigs, now long since lost. I would so much like to know where and when I've played over the years. The early dance band, rock band, folk revival, and church gigs are largely forgotten. Once in a while though I play some place and it stirs a memory of having played there in the distant past with some band or another. And sometimes someone will mention a gig and I'll not have any recollection of it at all.

Keep a record, you might appreciate it later.

Again, good luck!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 08:29 PM

Mooh is right. Do you have a playlist yet? I found one from my college aged coffee house days - it was a great reminder of who I was and what my interests were back then. Also if you play this same venue again you'll want to be able to play a different set then your previous appearance. Our AR {anal retentive} banjo player keeps a list of what we play and where we played it. It's a big help.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 09:07 PM

More *#@$ shameless self-promotion....: )
Enjoy, Ms.Kitty; good for you!

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 09:11 PM

Same MO.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 10:42 PM

LOL, frogprince! Thanks, fellahs and gals!! I had a set list, I think on an old thread. I'll go hunt it up. But, I do more of what comes to me, the intuitive thing, than anything else. Last time, they blended well and the storefolks and customers liked it, or so they kindly said. I think the intuitive stuff has been coming to me as I would like to wind up playing for folks who are crossing over. I cannot tell you what I have played after a tune is done. I just let it flow and out it comes. It feels natural and good.

I'll let ya'll know how it goes and thanks for all of the advice!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 12:17 AM

Good going Kat have a geat time.
Barry

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 12:25 AM

I recently re-entered the Merry Go Round as a single after playing in a band for 18 years.

I loved it. I know the exhileration you are feeling. My best advice is this.

Print the set list in a type face and font size you can read. try Ariel at 36 font.

Enjoy it and have fun.

Don

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 01:09 AM

Leadfingers, you should know better.

You don't say 'Break a leg', to a musician - that's for actors.

You say 'Break a finger!'

Break a finger, Kat, and welcome to the solo performing world!

Seamus

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 12:02 PM

By the way - your "intuitive" stuff sounds like it might be a lot like NEW AGE music. Be careful - or at least light up some insence.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 12:19 PM

Performing is a drug. This is your second fix. Be very careful Kat or you could become an addict for life :-).

Good luck and Enjoy

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: jeffp
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 03:41 PM

Congratulations, kat! I know you'll be fine. About the "intuitive" stuff, I usually call it improvisational. Just plug in to the muse and let it flow through you. It's a wonderful thing when it happens.

Jeff

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 04:45 PM

Thanks, so much, you folks! I think it depends on the audience about the intuitive stuff, but yeah, Jeff, could call it improv and it is wonderful! It's almost as though *Peaches* just says "play THIS" and I do. I used to make jewellrey with semi-precious stones, glass, etc. Each piece was for a specific client whom I took the time to get to know, to get a *feel* for. It seems as though that has transfer over to the improv stuff that comes out with my dulcimer. So far, folks have really liked it. I'll still do my set list, too, but the improv is what I love best.:-)

Wesley...I'll come in in a cloud of swirling incense and think of you!**bg**

Spot, I already am addicted to getting up in front of people and reciting/reading my writings or telling stories, so I doubt there's any hope for me. Even if there was a "Ham Actors Anon." I wouldn't join!

Seamus, I think I already have a broken foot, does that count?! Hope to get off the crutches/cane by next week!

Thanks, again, to you all!

kat

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Big Mick
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 06:14 PM

Whatever you do, keep your grandson away from the performance. This must be done at all costs. If you don't, he may decide he wants to play music, and then another one will be lost to the dark side.

Congrats, baby. I know you will do really well. Know that the old Mick is rooting for you from the sunny South of Jersey.

Break a leg, break a finger, break anything but a string. Cause if you break a string, folks here will start a thread that will get about a 1000 posts. LOL.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 06 - 08:17 PM

Alas, Mickdarlin'...he's already a goner. Drags my bartione uke down and plunks on it, sits at the piano and sing-songs while plunking on it; already bored with the plucked psaltery; still dinks around on the elctronic keyboard, BUT BEGS me to let him stand, back against me, and play a bit on teh fiddle everytime I get it out. Probably have to start looking for a 1/2 size in the next year or so! Of course, you know this all stems back to that day in New Castle when he was jist a wee lad at the knee of a Big Mick playing his guitar and melting the hearts of everyone within hearing, so it's on your shoulders, too! Thanks, sweetie!

To clarify, I meant to say the gemstones would *tell* me which combos and designs for each person. I guess I did tune in as one client ordered over 30 pairs of necklaces and earrings from me over about 5 years. The dulcimer seems to be carrying on that tradition, which will be really helpful if I do get into thanatology.

PLEASE, no more broken parts wishes! I am off to dream the drug-ed sleep with at least a couple of metatarsils(sp) which really are broken!**bg**

luvyakat

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 12:10 PM

Go and give them a good stompin'..........uh, no............well have some fun anyway. Glad we talked yesterday.

If y'all didn't know this already........she's really GREAT!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 12:20 PM

Go for it Kat.

Although I am shocked you let your grandson anywhere near a baritone ukelele.

I will be playing a swell outdoor gig that very afternoon myself so I'll try to send performance vibes to you if you'll do the same for us...

And bring spare strings.

love
Bill

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Alba
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 12:21 PM

Kat Darlin...Most Excellent News.
Go get em Babe.
Just let go and let it flow...**Big Grin**

(just keep up "poor" folks in mind when You make Your first million would ya huh!)

Never doubted you for a minute.
A STAR IS BORN
LovesYaBunches,
Judi

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Jun 06 - 05:28 PM

Been offline with puder in the shop-- or I'd have wished you BEST LUCK sooner!

~Susan

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 02:40 PM

Thanks, Bill! SO good to see you again!! I listen for those vibes!

Alba, down darlin' gyrl, down!**BG** Doncha know that'll swell me head?LOL!

Susan, thanks and congrats on getting your computer back!

I did a trial run at the bookstore, today. The owner didn't know what a dulcimer was, but now she's talking about getting one and learning how to play! The BEST and most frequent comments I got were how peaceful it sounded, which I love as that is what I'd like for it to be, esp. for thanatology. I feel so honoured to be able to bring that to folks.

This is going to be so much fun! I had a low, old oak sewing rocker to sit on; the parakeet, Punchberry, Employee of the Month and Security Guard in Training, LOVED it and sang harmony with me, in between muttering the verses, I am sure; and, it was quite comfortable. She's invited over 2,000 people, will have thirty pizzas, free chair massages, and buy-one-get-one free special on books, so how could I go wrong!?

Thanks, again, to you all and to Mudcat for introducing ME to dulcimers!! I've even got a new tune to post. One rare one I felt worthy of being written down - a Cuckoo Song!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 02:43 PM

Hope it's a good craic! Enjoy yourself.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 04:15 PM

Go girl go!

~S~

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: harpmolly
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 11:45 AM

Bonne chance Kat! :)

I forget, do you play hammered or mountain dulcimer? Not that it matters, I'm also hopelessly addicted to both. *grin*

I had fallen in love with ANOTHER mountain dulcimer at the shop this week and had almost convinced myself to buy it...and then I sold it to a lovely man yesterday. Once again the universe stepped in to save me from myself. ;)

Molly

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: frogprince
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 02:25 PM

the parakeet, Punchberry.... LOVED it and sang harmony with me,... She's invited over 2,000 people,...

Kat, that's gotta be one extraordinary bird!!   : )

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 07:23 PM

He's a Doll, frogprince. I'll bet if I kissed him, he could be a Prince, too!:-)

harpmolly...oh, I'd be in trouble if I worked in a store of dulcimers for sale! I play lap/mountain dulcimer. I really want a baritone one, but I also want a lap harp. My sister is getting a great kit to put together one. I'm letting her try it. You know? The guinea pig? She spends her money, gets out all of the kinks, then shares her experience with me?LOL! Then maybe, someday, I'll be able to do the same.

Thanks a bunch, everyone. One week from today and it's going to be much fun. I have a takeaway to design this week. It will have info on dulcimers, my contact info, and be used to let folks know I am available for helping people cross over, etc.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 04:32 PM

Two takeaways done and printing as I type; one for my book and one for what I am calling "Intuitive Music on Dulcimer." I just phoned the store owner; not sure it was a good idea to do that the day before! Wish me luck?! Here's what she told me:

She not only sent flyers to 2500 via email and snailmail, she also handed them out at the Friday night Farmer's Market (with "Live Music by Kat LaFrance" on them, AND at a couple of other functions. She said she's been getting phone calls all day, people coming in, trying to hide books they want to buy during the sale, etc. It's going to be BUSY! I hope they like my playing. Some guy came in who was so excited to hear there was someone else who played dulcimer, he almost cancelled his planned weekend to go to a Bluegrass Fest.! He's got my number so I'll probably hear from him. It'd be nice to have someone to jam with, finally.

Anyhow...830am set-up and we open the doors at 9a. She said these customers will be lined up. Maybe my playing will keep them from a feeding frenzy.:-)

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: kendall
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 04:45 PM

Go for it Luv!

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Wesley S
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 04:53 PM

Someone to"play with" ?? That's the best way to get better on your instrument.

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 05:34 PM

Waiting with the taste of crickets and earthworms in my mouth....bated breath and all that ya' know?

Spaw

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 04:05 PM

Well, I guess just the taste is okay, but if ya had the whole worm in there it'd be a bit ugh!:-)

I am back. Had a very good time; lots and lots of very nice comments...lovely, beautiful, peaceful, so nice, what is it?,etc. some giggles when I decided I would NOT play Polly Wally Doodle again. What was really neat were some women in line who said they really loved it and were surprised when they found I had interspersed improv tunes amongst familiar ones. They really liked it all, very much.

Four hours was a bit much, though I took several breaks AND was the second one of the day to get a mini-massage in a chair. THAT was a nice way to start out.

It was really fun when the little kids came up with their big eyes and were thrilled when I let them strum it; even a little two-year old got a good strum out of it; his eyes just lit up with a big smile. One very gentlmanly(sp) older fellow said it reminded him of the music he used to hear in fancy "tearooms."

I did break a melody string in the last hour; rather than adding a new one, I just used the remaining one. THANKS, Spaw, for recommending a four string!

Of course it was a bookstore, so of course I had to put a stack of books aside to purchase when I left. Nice surprise was she said they were "already paid for, i.e. free to me, so I got about $70 worth of books! It was a BYGOF, so that gets halved, but it was still more than I expected. I was doing it for her b-day and for the exposure.

Anyhow, thanks so much for your support and encouragement. I met a couple of other people who either have dulcimers or are interested, so it looks as though I may have a little circle to play with, soon. OH, AND, I found out there's a drum circle every week at Farmer's Market!!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 04:07 PM

I think I hear purring.

~S~

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Alba
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 08:04 PM

4 hours of playing...phew, I would have sang while sitting being massaged in that Massage Chair the whole time me self Kat **BG**

So glad to hear you touched the Hearts of the Big and Small people there.
Paid with BOOKS too ta Boot..............way cool.
Ok now, what's next?

Seriously, as the saying goes,
Fair Play to ye Darlin:)

Love and Light,
Jude

Subject: RE: My second REAL gig!
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 02:02 PM

I guess I missed this one - I'm glad to hear everything went well. It's not too late to say "well done" is it?? Have you had a chance to get together with any of the other dulcimer players?