I went on an audition last night for a singer that has a couple of CDs out and has won some pretty prestigious awards. Country/blues/rock and roll, mix of originals and covers. I was auditioning for the guitar spot and although it was a stretch, I'm trying to get to the next level so I thought I'd go for it. I almost didn't audition after listening to the CDs and live shows on Youtube, I thought they were too far out of my league, but as my brother says, "Asking is free."
I had to take my brother to the hospital for some tests in the afternoon (he's fine) and wrestled with rush hour to get home in time to run over some of the trouble spots and try to relax before the audition. As usual life got in the way so I wasn't able to chill, I forgot the directions (which fortunately I had put in my iPhone), forgot my notes and forgot the list of tunes. Way to make a good first impression ... NOT.
I got to the audition still a bit flustered, got set up and when I took a few seconds to warm up it felt like my left hand had glue on it. Sticky fingers, and not the good Rolling Stones kind. I got through 3 or 4 tunes and I kept thinking they'd say, "Thanks for coming by, we'll give you a call" but they kept asking what else I'd learned. I'd give myself a solid D+ for my playing.
So I played everything I knew, I thanked them for their time and the opportunity to play with them, we exchanged a few pleasantries and I was told they'd be in touch. I came home and told my wife that the good news was that I didn't have to figure out how to juggle another band, that I'd stunk the joint up.
I wake up this morning to a very nice email asking me if I'd like to join the band.
All I can say is that if they liked that playing, they'll love me when I'm on. I'm usually pretty good at reading a room, but I missed that one by a mile.
I had to take my brother to the hospital for some tests in the afternoon (he's fine) and wrestled with rush hour to get home in time to run over some of the trouble spots and try to relax before the audition. As usual life got in the way so I wasn't able to chill, I forgot the directions (which fortunately I had put in my iPhone), forgot my notes and forgot the list of tunes. Way to make a good first impression ... NOT.
I got to the audition still a bit flustered, got set up and when I took a few seconds to warm up it felt like my left hand had glue on it. Sticky fingers, and not the good Rolling Stones kind. I got through 3 or 4 tunes and I kept thinking they'd say, "Thanks for coming by, we'll give you a call" but they kept asking what else I'd learned. I'd give myself a solid D+ for my playing.
So I played everything I knew, I thanked them for their time and the opportunity to play with them, we exchanged a few pleasantries and I was told they'd be in touch. I came home and told my wife that the good news was that I didn't have to figure out how to juggle another band, that I'd stunk the joint up.
I wake up this morning to a very nice email asking me if I'd like to join the band.
All I can say is that if they liked that playing, they'll love me when I'm on. I'm usually pretty good at reading a room, but I missed that one by a mile.
