Posted by Mike McClure on www.mikemcclureband.com on November 8, 2010
I’ve been waiting to play shows
like the ones I’ve been playing lately
my whole life
one of the reasons I quit the Great Divide
was that I felt like the music was just a
background noise for a “scene” that was
going on and it was a place to be
I would look out and see a handful of
people that were really standing
there listening to the songs
and relating
I’ve always wanted to play for
those people and not have to
deal with obnoxious drunks
(and I admit I used to be el obnoxiouso uno)
or people that would pay ten bucks
at the door and talk to their friend
loudly all night
I never understood that
and I always wished they would just leave
but here lately,
it seems as though I’ve weeded
most of those people out
because every show the crowd has
been getting quieter and quieter
that might sound like it’s a bad thing
but it is the greatest thing in the world
it is a bit unnerving though
I’ll have to admit
I never wanted to be a front man
but I always wanted my songs to be heard
I used to drink a lot to try to feel
comfortable in that role
I did that until it became a jeckle/hyde
scenario and I had to step away
from the bottle
“sir, put the bottle down and STEP away.”
When I first went solo
it wasn’t anything like I thought it would be
it’s been a long, long, LONG
road to where I am now
and I’m proud to have made it
this far
I’ve been more proud of the
last few shows than anything
I have ever been a part of
thanks to those who listen
and feel it
and send it right back to me
I’ve put up with too much bullshit
on my path not to honestly and fully
appreciate it
Now back to the chicken pen…
“If I only had a dollar
for every song I sung
every time I had to play
while people sat there drunk.” – John Fogerty
