First off I'd like to say that this trip has been pretty sweet. Coming back to New Orleans for a second time left me wondering how on earth this trip could match the last. After completing a good portion of it I'm glad to say it has :)
That being said, the whole reason I'm giving up my chill time to sit on a computer and type something is for reasons that no one expected. I, John Newsome, played and sang at "Snug Harbor", a famous jazz club on the outskirts of the French quarter.
Sitting at our work site, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and talking to a good group of 6 or 7 people, I mentioned the fact that I know how to play guitar. All of a sudden our site leader got all excited, and talked about a jazz club that our entire group should go to. Anyone who wanted to perform could get in free. After much arguing and a few black eyes (just kidding), we decided that me and Lee would go.
Walking into this place I did now know what to expect. I was told that I would be called to the stage. Suspense, anybody? We took a seat in the upper level and sipped on a cold delicious sprite as we watched the band play the blues. To put it bluntly, they were REALLY GOOD. I won't lie, I was feeling a little nervous. My last coffeeshop show drew 26 people, and I stopped counting at 100. Still, I was excited to go up there and do what I love.
"Is there a John in the house? A John in the house?" I stood up and walked to the stage. The band was all positive energy, and I knew right when I got up there that it was gonna be a fun time. Something just crept into me and I couldn't help but joke around with the audience a little before taking the guitar from the lead guitar player, "Detroit". "Take over for me, man" he said.
I went up and started playing a chord progression I had written last fall. The band joined in (making me sound better than I ever have before" and being in this confident state decided to sing a song I had written to these chords, called "When You Smile". The crowd was cheering and loving it. Afterwards I asked if I could do one more. This time I played a clever little song, but halfway through I forgot the words! I started making some up, and the crowd loved it. Leaving the stage I only wished I could have played an entire set. Like Lee said, "It'll be a long time before you play with a band this good again".
Not only have I gotten to rebuild New Orleans, but I've gotten to share my music. I think I can leave this week feeling complete.
~JNEW
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2 comments:
That is a great story, John, about your willingness to go for it and be open to possibilities!
Hey, John, I'm reading this in Dunn Bros. sipping a smoothie; our computer is in the shop; hopefully it will be back tomorrow, too. You should be proud of yourself; I know I'm proud of you.
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