On the Road Again...

I'm back in Santa Barbara after rockin' with The Edge Effect on a rooftop in Denver, CO last night. It got off to a sketchy start as I could feel every bit of the 'mile high atmosphere'. lol, pretty sure the first word out of my mouth after just the first 20 minute set was "sh*********t" I try to keep it clean but it took me a minute to adjust to the altitude, haha. 

We totally got rained out and everyone was forced to stand under this overhang conVENiently next to all the food and drinks ;-) Food + Drink + Standing Crowd = Dance Party. The rest of the night was awesome. Danced like the world was ending, haha. Adrenaline will dance you through any altitude. Goooood tiiiiiimes. 

Now I'm here in Santa barbara getting ready to work with my favorite PVAC kids. I missed their performance of 'Footloose' last night but at least I made in time to get them ready for their Fiesta Parade performance ;-D So much going on... I'll have to catch the Olympics on YouTube. While I'm on the subject, let me just say the '92 U.S. Dream Team (featuring 11 NBA Hall of Fame(ers)) could take these new kids any day. That's all I'm saying about THAT.

The air is sweet here between the mountain and the ocean... Loving life #grateful

Bonus: Check out this video with one of my current favorite Superstars, Stefanie Clouse

Showing Up is 1/2 the Battle

In a city that basically begs you to perform, it's so important to force yourself out the apartment door and into someone's Cabaret, Piano Bar, or Open Mic (preferably 78 Below on Columbus).  I mean REALLY, it can only make you better. Raw performance ability is a big deal, so why not do everything in your power to make yourself a more desirable entertainer?

So many nights I've felt "OMG I DON'T WANNA DO ANYTHING!!" lol, but I drag my arse outta the room and into the subway, park, art galleries, auditions, and whatever other stages welcome me. There's NEVER a night you finish and think "hmm, coming to sing has made me worse, thus ruining my career indefinitely." What's more, every time I go out to sing I've been fortunate enough to be invited to songwriter circles, write with other artists or sing their material, perform duets with AMAZING singers & bands, and perform elsewhere (even if just another open mic, it's a plus... new potential fans). Along with game-changing constructive criticism, people will record you, forward your info and performance to other friends, and in the midst of ALL this... you JUST got better. Some might call that a "Win Win" scenario.

As a singer, I promise you'll feel a lot better about your life in general when you sing. Showing up with a business card never hurt anyone either ;-)

I spent a lot of the last few years feeling like I was playing catch up with people who have been performing since they were old enough to walk. I thought "oh this person is better on guitar... this person sings higher than me... that guy is a better dancer..." Then a friend of mine (Sarita Lilly) said, "So what? Maybe there are people better at all of those things... but when its time to step up, they might not show up."

"Faith without 'works' is dead" and showing up is half the battle. I'm so grateful for the doors opening here in this city and expecting even greater things to come :-D

www.SolomonJaye.com

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P.s. There's still free music to download on the homepage of my website. Take it all!... and sharing is caring ;-)