Thursday, March 04, 2010
Reminder - who I am (the songwriter side)
Dear coffee shop or cafe owner,
Here’s a reply I sent to a coffee shop looking for performers on Craig’s List. It’s good to write stuff like this occasionally to remind myself, and you, who I am. If you own or manage a venue with live music, please consider it written to you.
Hi,
I am a purely amateur, I’ll-keep-my-other-job musician, but I do play coffee-shop gigs and open mics when I can and am serious about getting the songs I’ve written heard by more people. When I do get out and play, folks seem to enjoy it. Of course I’d like to be paid for it, but your offer of tips and coffee is enough for the stage I’m at. I live in [northwest Houston], so [your shop] is not that much of a trip for me.
I’m a solo act, myself and one or two keyboards. An acoustic piano and microphone setup would suit me fine too. I have a keyboard amp, microphones, and a small mixer if there’s not a house PA available. My songs are ALL-ORIGINAL, NO COVERS; a mix of pop, country, blues, Southern rock, Gospel, a little jazz and humor. My pet peeve with songwriters is pretentiousness - I play music to have fun. If you want it on Sundays, though, I can deliver the message of the Gospel in song - my better songs - for as long as my voice holds out. Or I can have fun playing purely secular, non-religious sets. Sundays are the best day for me to play, Saturdays OK but frequently busy, and I do work so I’d have to keep weeknights fairly early or arrange time off.
I do have some home-studio recordings that give you a rough idea of what I sound like, but I don’t think they’re the best I can sound, and I’d prefer a chance to audition in person. I’d encourage you to read through some of the lyrics on my website in addition to listening to what I’ve got recorded. I’ve been working out of town and overtime a lot for the last two months - that project’s winding down, but it has kept me from being “practiced-up” to my normal standards right at the moment, so I’d appreciate a few days notice to audition. Please [email] me.
Brent