Live Video: (New Song) First Step to Starlight

This is the live video from the Open Mic Rancho San Diego at Starbuck's in El Cajon from this past Saturday.  I wrote this new song, "First Step to Starlight," at noon, just as I finished putting new strings on my guitar.  I rehearsed it a few times, and figured, what the heck, I'll bring the lyric sheets and play it at the open mic.

Huge thanks to John "J-Rod" Rodriguez for playing bass, Dave Farrell for playing drums, Paul Grinvalsky for setting up the sound and especially to the darling angel of this open mic, Teri Hoffman, for filming this and uploading it to YouTube.  This is a tremendous service Teri does for all the musicians and their fans, and I am deeply grateful to her for it.  If you'd like to see more great videos from other performers at this weekly open mic, subscribe to Teri's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/tieresa1.

Went to Lestat's West last night and struck the jackpot!  My name got picked FIRST in the drawing to determine who gets to perform.  I chose the 9:00PM PT slot.  I learned "First Step to Starlight" yesterday afternoon, so I could play it at Lestat's without the lyric sheets.  So I started with that one, and then finished with "Pretty Blade Trickster."  "First Step to Starlight" went really well to my ear...I found myself less able to connect with the audience, as I was so focused on remembering all the words.  That's fairly typical for an early performance of a new song.  That will shift as I play it live more often, and get it into my blood and bones.  I've played "Pretty Blade Trickster" many times live now, and last night it just RIPPED.  I felt SO comfortable with it, I was really connected to the emotions of it, and could really just let go and have fun with it.

Thanks so much to my friends John and Renee for coming out to see me play last night - you're the best!  Thanks also to Chad, Chris C., Lou and Miguel, who do an amazing job every Monday night putting that open mic on.  And thanks to everyone in the audience who watched me perform.  I am humbled by how large and attentive these open mic audiences can be, it's such a gift as a performer.

Playing the Rebecca's open mic tonight, which starts at 7:00PM PT.  My exact performing time won't be known until the sign-up sheet is complete, between 6:45 and 7:00.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog here, watching the video and reading.  I truly appreciate it.

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