I cancelled my participation in events at the Lone Horse Saloon tonight after witnessing another example of poor venue management.  The ass clown performing in the 5pm slot shows up 20 minutes late and proceeds to barrel through my 6pm start time as if he is entitled to do so.  This being the 3rd time he had run over, I politely asked management to intervene to which they responded, "He was late arriving."  How is that MY problem?  I had an audience of my own waiting to hear my set and they are expected to wait another 20 minutes beyond the top of the hour?

I simply told management I was leaving and that I would not be back.  My apologies to those expecting an hour of "Home Cooked Country Music" tonight, but I'd rather find a more professionally managed venue to play at then put up with crap like that.  I make a point of giving a minimum of 24 hours notice if I can't keep a time slot - typically at least 48 hrs.  I don't arrive late and I don't run over.  I expect others to be reasonably professional in their conduct - maybe that's my shortcoming, but ... It Is What It Is.

It's been said that the best things in life are free ...

 

I'm just sayin' ....

I've been "in-world" at Second Life for a few months now performing at a variety of different live music venues playing hour long sets of my "Home Cooked Country Music" to mostly appreciative audiences.  My "Real Life" ("RL") friends scoff at the idea of broadcasting from home as if it were somehow less "authentic" than performing live at a local coffee shop for a largely disinterested audience.  As for me, I prefer investing 90 minutes of my time to perform a sixty minute set of maybe 15 original songs played to an audience in attendance because they want to hear what I have to play, accompanied either by my guitar or my "full band" (via "tracks" that I have pre-recorded) as opposed to investing three hours of my time to maybe get in 3 songs in an environment where the music is largely forced upon the unsuspecting "audience."

But that's just me ...

Hosted the "Songwriters Renaissance Showcase" last night and - wow! - what a great bunch of performers!  I was joined on stage by Bobbo and Tracy Byrnes and Chuck Roberts.  The three of them were fantastic!  We then enjoyed a set of music performed by Kurt Hunter, Eileen Carey, Pi Jacobs, and Ron Hall.  The four of them were brilliant and the entire evening was a real pleasure.  An excellent crowd was on hand to appreciate the talents of all of our songwriters.  I think it is safe to say a good time was had by all!

 In the time honored tradition of classic country artists, SNGWRTR'S John Tolley was a "No Show" at a prior scheduled performance at Father's Pub & Grub on March 22nd.  When asked, John cited an "unanticipated opportunity to provide aid and assistance to an out of state family member" as the cause requiring a change in plans.  There are plans to drop in on the folks at Fathers Pub & Grub again in the near future!

Had ourselves a real nice time at the Songwriters Renaissance Showcase in Dana Point last night.  Great performances by James Grey, Beth Fitchet Wood, Benjamin Myers, Denise Rosier, John Tolley, John Stowers, Kelly Fitzgerald, and Kevin Fisher!  Our venue, the Renaissance Dana Point, is a great site for such an event.