I don’t think you feel as good as you want to when you walk off stage.
I think you act like you feel great but really you have a lot of mixed emotions and thoughts about what just happened…about what you just did on stage.
Was it good? Was I good? Did they like me? Maybe I should have…? Maybe I shouldn’t have…? Why did the audience…? Why didn’t the audience…? Do I even care? Is it ok to care? Where’s the beer and bbq?
You want to believe the show was good because that’s what you just spent your time doing…So you act like you believe it was. You hide the second guessing and the subtle (or very apparent) let down of the show.
I’ve been there a million times, and you have too. Now is just the first time we’re telling each other.
I think you want your show to be great.
And it isn’t.
Or maybe it is but you don’t truly believe it is.
In both cases, when you walk off stage night after night after night, there’s a lot of internal questioning and doubting going on when you walk off stage.
Oh yes you experience the post-show adrenaline buzz and all the pats on the back, and it’s all smiles and good times for a minute. But that voice is still doubting and wondering, and getting louder.
I want you to walk off stage every night thinking, feeling, knowing and believing “I did it”.
I’m going to say that again…
I want you to walk off stage every night in the most bold and humble way, thinking, feeling, knowing and believing I DID IT.
Most of your self doubt and fake confidence about your live show has come from a lack of definition for the word “it”.
So I can help you with that. I want to help you and I’m willing to help you. I’m the guy.
Email me. Call me. Send me a postcard, drop me a line.
It’s about to be winter which usually means a lot less touring. A perfect time to re-tool and re-define.
I hope your walk off stage will become a victorious one, fulfilling and meaningful.
p.s. I’ve observed and experienced this post-show internal confusion in artists playing bar gigs, clubs, theaters and arenas. It has absolutely nothing to do with the size of the crowd or the size of the paycheck.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com