Street Performer Gets A Big Break part 2
posted by Steven Bacon on Monday, October 20, 2008
Part 2
After fumbling through my guitar case to find my Harmonica and capo, I approach the mic, and the crowd is going wild. In a fog akin to deer in the headlights syndrome I say something, to the crowd, probably something I would regret if I could remember what it was... I do remember saying, "Ok I'll stop talking and make this quick... you guys didn't pay to see me." That went over well. Hmmm... maybe a little too well. But seriously folks...
As I struggle to get my heart rate back under 300 bpm, I play the opening chords of my song "Charlie Wants To Run." Charlie is a metaphorical reference to the subway in Boston, aka the Charlie train. I play the intro with guitar and harmonica. I think after I played the progression through the first time I got big cheers, maybe because people were happy after all the buildup of this moment that I didn't totally suck. I sing the first note and realize... uh-oh my voice is gone from my 6 hours of busking in the cold today... still can't feel my hands... DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! Then I get a hold of myself and start to relax and take in the moment. I notice that everyone is clapping to the beat. I realize how to connect with the audience halfway through my song and I start to make eye contact one by one with everyone who is close enough for me to see. Each person I look at seems to get that I'm looking at them and we smile at each other, having meaningful and happy, albiet brief, exchanges. I can see how inspired they are by this moment and how excited they are for me. I've never felt more love and support in a performance setting in my life. I know that feeling will stay with me always.
At this point I realize I've gotten lost in the crowd and my song structure has flown south for the winter. I realize I've sang the chorus 3 or more times in a row. Time to stop! I somehow manage to end the tune as thousands of Swell Season fans rise to their feet to give me a standing ovation. Glen runs up to me and gives me a big hug and says to the audience "That was F---ing Great!"
On the way off stage I get to thank each member of the Frames and Marketa. Big giant security guard gives me a hug. Everybody wants to shake my hand as I wander, lost-dazed and confused, trying to find my seat, and process what I'm pretty sure has just happened.
Afterward, I signed autographs for the first time in my life and set up my gear outside the Arena and played outside until 2am. This time I didn't even notice the cold. I stopped when my amp died in a horrible barking way that only busker's amps can die. I think I might have fried it, but perhaps I can fix it. If you see me busking in Park Street or Davis station Wednesday afternoon then you'll know the amp made it through another round of meatball surgery.
If you would like to be involved in the upcoming chapters of this story, please help me make the most of this big break by forwarding this email to your friends, your press contacts (Newspaper, Magazine, TV, Radio, the Web), anyone you know who you think might be interested in booking me at their venue or house concert, any songwriter agents, recording industry types, ...etc!!! I have never asked anything of the sort in the past, but I believe this story can inspire others to go for their dreams and I am excited to share it and see how it all plays out.
As I struggle to get my heart rate back under 300 bpm, I play the opening chords of my song "Charlie Wants To Run." Charlie is a metaphorical reference to the subway in Boston, aka the Charlie train. I play the intro with guitar and harmonica. I think after I played the progression through the first time I got big cheers, maybe because people were happy after all the buildup of this moment that I didn't totally suck. I sing the first note and realize... uh-oh my voice is gone from my 6 hours of busking in the cold today... still can't feel my hands... DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! Then I get a hold of myself and start to relax and take in the moment. I notice that everyone is clapping to the beat. I realize how to connect with the audience halfway through my song and I start to make eye contact one by one with everyone who is close enough for me to see. Each person I look at seems to get that I'm looking at them and we smile at each other, having meaningful and happy, albiet brief, exchanges. I can see how inspired they are by this moment and how excited they are for me. I've never felt more love and support in a performance setting in my life. I know that feeling will stay with me always.
At this point I realize I've gotten lost in the crowd and my song structure has flown south for the winter. I realize I've sang the chorus 3 or more times in a row. Time to stop! I somehow manage to end the tune as thousands of Swell Season fans rise to their feet to give me a standing ovation. Glen runs up to me and gives me a big hug and says to the audience "That was F---ing Great!"
On the way off stage I get to thank each member of the Frames and Marketa. Big giant security guard gives me a hug. Everybody wants to shake my hand as I wander, lost-dazed and confused, trying to find my seat, and process what I'm pretty sure has just happened.
Afterward, I signed autographs for the first time in my life and set up my gear outside the Arena and played outside until 2am. This time I didn't even notice the cold. I stopped when my amp died in a horrible barking way that only busker's amps can die. I think I might have fried it, but perhaps I can fix it. If you see me busking in Park Street or Davis station Wednesday afternoon then you'll know the amp made it through another round of meatball surgery.
If you would like to be involved in the upcoming chapters of this story, please help me make the most of this big break by forwarding this email to your friends, your press contacts (Newspaper, Magazine, TV, Radio, the Web), anyone you know who you think might be interested in booking me at their venue or house concert, any songwriter agents, recording industry types, ...etc!!! I have never asked anything of the sort in the past, but I believe this story can inspire others to go for their dreams and I am excited to share it and see how it all plays out.
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