Follow the Music….Setting the Stage

Follow the Music—Setting the Stage

If you follow my blog “Perfectly Imperfect” you are probably very familiar with my stories….…the trials and tribulations of a 41 year-old single gal dating in San Diego, my continued journey overcoming a lifelong battle with Ed (eating disorders), adventures with my friends and family, hijinks and antics raising three beagles, and all of my other expeditions to becoming the fun-loving, independent, successful, strong, healthy, perfectly imperfect woman I have become. 

In my journey of recovery and learning how to be a happy single woman I discovered the enjoyment and pleasure listening to live music throughout San Diego.  After months of reading my Facebook posts about the various concerts and events I was attending one of my friends suggested I start a music blog and share my experiences.  I immediately grasped onto the concept, but became so enveloped in the events I was attending I got behind and let the idea slip to the back burner for a bit.  Now that it’s a new year and I have a new beginning I am going to give this one more try. 

I feel it’s important to provide a little background or for the lack of a better term set the stage for this blog. Specifically,  how I developed my interest in listening to independent musicians, as well as what this blog is and what it isn’t. 

I have always loved music.  I remember as a child listening to 45s, 8 track tapes and then cassettes in my room.  Gordon Lightfoot’s “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown,” Goffin and King’s “The Loco-Motion” and Donny Osmond’s “Puppy Love” automatically come to mind.  [Yes, I am old].  Then and even now music provides laughter and joy and even at times an escape. Music  gives me an understanding of things I can’t quite untangle in my mind and it also offers motivation and inspiration, hope, peace and relief.  As I sit here and write this piece I am listening to my quiet the mind playlist, a compilation of Michele McLaughlin, Scott Davis and Chad Lawson playing solo piano. 

While I always loved listening to music I never really attended concerts or other live music events. I vaguely remember being excited to hear Box Car Willie sing in the small town Eldon where I went to school.  It was a big deal he was coming to our town of 2000 people, but if my memory is correct we were all left disappointed because the event was rained out. 

After that I attended a few concerts here and there.  Even then I was only aware of top 40s  and big commercial label artists.  It wasn’t until my mid 30s when I discovered the rare gemstones of independent musicians through my dear friend Jen. She introduced me to Steve Poltz, Cowboy Mouth, Tim Flannery, Aslyn, Zac Brown (before they became mainstream), Lee Couter, Randi Driscoll, Gaelic Storm, Scott Munns, Steven Kellogg, Tristan Prettyman, Pat McGee Band and so many more.   She took me to the Belly Up,  Anthology, the Rock Boat cruise, and other venues around San Diego.  Then my friend Lori introduced me to house concerts and the Eve Selis band, Berkley Hart and Lisa Sanders.  You can see the ripple effect and the path that has led to this blog.  I transformed from the girl who never went to concerts to the girl who attended 39 musical events during the period of August through December 2013. 

Now onto the purpose of this blog.  I should start by stating what it is not:

1. I am not a critic and I am not proclaiming to be a music expert. 
2.  I am not seeking to become a musician.  I played the flute in my junior high and high school bands.  I even recenlty bought a new flute and have started  dabbling around with it every now and then, but I am not naturally gifted and you definitely do not want to hear me sing.   I enjoy playing in the privacy of my own home, but I am not a performer nor am I seeking to perform.  I am just an avid fan who enjoys listening to the musicians I have become so fond of and discovering new musicians whether they are new to me or freshly entering the field. 
3. This is not a business nor would I want it to be.  I am a community college educator by day; I do not receive monetary funds or perks from the venues or the musicians. 

So you are probably wondering what is the purpose of this blog.  This is my place to share the music, celebrate and thank the musicians, tell you about the venues, events, and my experiences.  I will primarily focus on San Diego independent musicians, but I will also introduce others along with some of mainstream favorites. 

I hope you will join me and “Follow the Music”