"I've never met a microphone I didn't like." When she said that to me, it did not compute. The words hit a brick wall around my brain. I could not process what that may be like. I didn't understand how that was possible. This person must be alien, truly. How does one's heartrate not triple and hands shake and make you just want to turn around and walk out before its your time to get up on stage? Which I have done. More than once. Creating excuses that I had to be somewhere else. Not mentioning to anyone there that the "somewhere else" was anywhere there wasn't a microphone, but most preferably just at home reading a book.
But I'm trying. After I walked out of the last open mic, I signed up for a songwriters showcase. It happens this afternoon. I and expected, my name is already inked into the list. People are relying on me to be there and if I don't show or if a back out, then I may not get the chance again. This group, however, is super supportive. I have met with them at a private location where we share stories and songs and they are ever-encouraging. Im learning, Im growing. I dont expect that I'll ever not be nervous as hell before going on stage, but I do think that I will eventually be able to not walk out and perhaps even enjoy being on stage once I'm up there. Goals.
Stage Fright by The Band 1970:
Now Deep In The Heart Of A Lonely Kid
Who Suffered So Much For What He Did,
They Gave This Ploughboy His Fortune And Fame,
Since That Day He Ain't Been The Same.
See The Man With The Stage Fright
Just Standin' Up There To Give It All His Might.
And He Got Caught In The Spotlight,
But When We Get To The End
He Wants To Start All Over Again.
I've Got Fire Water Right On My Breath
And The Doctor Warned Me I Might Catch A Death.
Said, You Can Make It In Your Disguise,
Just Never Show The Fear That's In Your Eyes.
See The Man With The Stage Fright,
Just Standin' Up There To Give It All His Might.
He Got Caught In The Spotlight,
But When We Get To The End
He Wants To Start All Over Again.
Now If He Says That He's Afraid,
Take Him At His Word.
And For The Price That The Poor Boy Has Paid,
He Gets To Sing Just Like A Bird, Oh, Ooh Ooh Ooh.
Your Brow Is Sweatin' And Your Mouth Gets Dry,
Fancy People Go Driftin' By.
The Moment Of Truth Is Right At Hand,
Just One More Nightmare You Can Stand.
See The Man With The Stage Fright
Just Standin' Up There To Give It All His Might.
And He Got Caught In The Spotlight,
But When We Get To The End
He Wants To Start All Over Again, Hmm Hmm,
You Wanna Try It Once Again, Hmm Hmm,
Please Don't Make Him Stop, Hmm Hmm,
Let Him Take It From The Top, Hmm Hmm,
Let Him Start All Over Again.
Songwriters: Robbie Robertson
Stage Fright lyrics © Universal Music Corp., Canaan Music, Inc., Pw Arrangements, Canaan Music Inc.
