I’ve been touring for more than 30 years.
I’ve learned a thing or two in my time.
Play to the people who are there, not the people who aren’t. (Arlo Guthrie taught me that).
Only pack as much as you can carry from your car to to your hotel room in one trip, (Ray Bonneville taught me that).
No matter how bad your travel day was, how cranky you are, how bad the sound is, or how many miles you’re going to have to drive afterward, when you get onstage, just be present, be open, be in the songs. That’s where the magic happens, and that’s why you took on this sometimes perilous journey to begin with. (Figured this one out myself).
But the most important thing I’ve learned is that if I show up and give y’all what’s in my heart, it comes back to me tenfold. It’s a miracle of humanity that we each have something to give - something imperfect, something built mostly of hope, something we paint in our minds, but something that in the right conditions can be made real, if only for a moment. I’ve learned that when we give this thing to whatever stranger or friend is willing to open their hand, their ears, their heart, something transforms. Someone is moved, some need is fulfilled. The slate is clean, and we can all go about our lives with a little more lightness.
I am forever grateful to those of you who show up with those open ears. I don’t know why you do it, I’m just so thankful you do.
Thought I’d share an unreleased demo today.
I wrote it about a year and a half ago. I was at Folk Alliance International, a big annual music conference full of artists and music industry folks. It’s a 5 day marathon of music in every corner of whatever hotel/conference center is chosen that year. 10 am to 3 am: live music in the halls, the hotel rooms, the elevators, the meeting rooms, the lobby - you get the picture. It’s beautiful, full of old friends connecting and new ones being made.
And for anyone with a sensitive nervous system, it’s also a lot.
That year I had several late night showcases, and by the end of the 2nd night of no sleep, mediocre hotel food and overstimulation, I was spent. I had had some business meetings which didn’t seem that fruitful. I wasn’t feeling very inspired but I was trying to talk myself up to get back out there and play in another half-empty hotel room at midnight. I looked at the remains of my dinner - a wilted room service salad and some beef jerky wrappers. I thought about the 100’s of other songwriters at the conference - many were younger, cuter, better known.
For not the first time in my career I thought, “What the hell am I doing with my life?”
I sat down on the bed, my guitar and notebook next to me on the diamond pattern bedspread. Not really a blanket, so don’t get too comfy. I started to cry.
“Why?” I said to God, or whoever was listening. It was a real pity party.
But fuck if a voice didn’t come back and say, “You’re in it for the love”. And fuck if that wasn’t enough.
I scribbled down everything I could around that line, and made a scratchy voice memo of a new song on my phone.
Here’s a less congested rough demo.
**If you signed up for this newsletter in the last couple weeks, thank you! You already received this demo as a welcome gift, but I realized most folks here hadn’t, so wanted to share again.
THANK YOU for showing up all these years, friends. I’m so grateful for the magic we create together.
xo
Jess
This Sunday 8/17 is our 3rd Sunday Salon! The theme is “Songs of Families”*
Join me on zoom as we talk “Songs of Families” and co-create a playlist together!
We’ll discuss:
Your top three songs about families
Any songs that remind you of your family, growing up, parents, etc.
*This topic was originally on the schedule back in April, but because it was Easter it never happened.
Paid subscribers can join me through the link below!
Upcoming Shows:
8/12 Woodshed Arts, Chapel Hill, NC
8/28 The Martha Bassett Show, On the Road, Boone, NC
9/7 The Back Table, Greensboro, NC - tickets coming soon!
9/11-9/13 Antlers & Acorns Songwriter Festival, Boone, NC
9/27 Soundspace @ Captain Quacks, Austin, TX
9/28 Cantina Sound, Wimberley, TX
10/12 *JUST ANNOUNCED* Live at Ted’s, Wilmington, NC
10/16 Eastlake House Concert, Columbia, MO - please email for info/reservations
10/18 Progressive Voices, Des Moines, IA
10/19 Byron’s, Pomeroy, IA
11/15 Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
11/16 Portsmouth Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH - tickets coming soon!
11/21 3rd Street Coffeehouse, Roanoke, VA
11/22 The Lucky Penny, Washington, DC
12/4 Birds Nest, Dunn, NC
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