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Audiences: Brilliant or Ignorant?

The truth is – both! The people you play for are brilliant about some things, but not knowledgeable (at all) about others. Now before I get into trouble, let me explain that when I say your audience is ignorant, I’m not criticizing them. I just mean that most of them don’t know much about music. […]

When Fear Comes Calling

So many of us experience fear when we step onstage. It comes to each person in varying degrees – from normal run-of-the-mill nerves to all out panic attacks. But where is it really coming from? At the base, we want people to like us of course, and the fear of rejection or not being liked […]

What Springsteen Says

In an interview, Bruce Springsteen commented on his live shows and why he’s had such success. He said “record sales go up and down… we tour a lot and we’ve had a pretty consistent audience.” So the question is, why has he had a consistent audience? Well, Springsteen says “in the end, music is an […]

Billy Joel Takes a Chance

You may have seen a recent clip making the rounds, of Billy Joel speaking to students at Vanderbilt University, here in Nashville. The well-known artist was headliner recently for what Vandy called “An Evening of Questions and Answers and a Little Bit of Music.” As he takes questions from the audience, one student asks if […]

A Risk Worth Taking

In my Live Music Method, I use the analogy of building your show like building a house. And one of the things you need (a very important thing!) is a solid foundation. For your house it may mean choosing between a basement, slab, or crawl space; and you’ll choose the one that will give the […]

SERIOUS Stage Fright!

I get asked all the time how to overcome stage fright. Or, as one artist put it, “like serrrrious stage fright!” When I was in a band, I came to understand that at the root of my nervousness was my need for people to like me. And I realized that, although I’m a likable enough […]

Stop Thinking

Stop thinking when you’re on the stage! I mean it. If you’re standing onstage and thinking about what you’re going to say, where you’re going to move, what notes you’re trying to sing, what the lyrics are, how do you look…. or here’s another one, there’s another singer or player in the audience, so you’re singing or playing to them, or there’s a promoter in the audience, so you’re thinking about how they like what you’re doing…. well, if you’re thinking onstage, then you’ve already lost.

Here’s the problem with “thinking” onstage…

All Because I Wanted Their Picture

I remember the feeling. Too amazing for words really. Our band was invited to play in Sao Paulo, Brazil at a huge festival. The driver threaded his way from our hotel past scores of buses that lined the streets for miles leading up to and around the soccer stadium. People had come from all across […]

Own It or Lose It

I was pumped. This had all the makings of a great show. Well-known stellar players, a powerful and authoritative lead singer, great songs – all the pieces were there. The band definitely had a good sound, BUT… Instead of “giving it to me” – making eye contact, watching to see how I (the audience) was […]

The Opening Act

Ah yes. You’re opening the show. First up. The warm-up for the “real thing.” The audience is thinking they might as well show up late and spare themselves the second-rate talent. After all, an opener can’t be any good, can they? The only reason people are here this early is to get a good seat… […]