Howdy Friends: 31,000 Miles & 234 Gigs and I never left Texas

That's right. This year, 2007 I have played 235 gigs and driven 31,000 miles and never left the great state of Texas. For the most part they have been really good gigs, some better some worse, but i played one this week that took the cake for "bad".

I booked it through an on line booking agency. It read really nicely on the description . It was in a region of the state where I have limited exposure and where i am looking for more opportunities to perform. They paid pretty well.

It was suppose to be a "listening" room, which most songwriters really look forward to. I drove 330 miles one way to play. The venue was in the bar of a Hilton Hotel . It was during Happy Hour and was advertised as an all original music series for the "music" appreciator. It was a 2 hour gig..a very, very, long 2 hours.. I was set up in a room.. There were nice sofas and chairs....

but no one came into the room where i was playing. Everyone sat at the bar in the other room and watched TV while i played to "no one".. and when i say no one i mean no one. They had paid me up front and then.. they totally ignored me for the full two hours. Nobody said anything to me and no one applauded..not a sound came from the bar. I played two hours and not one person spoke to me or looked me in the eye.

The restroom was just outside the door from where i was playing. They had to walk within two foot of me to go to the restroom. They would walk past me and look into the empty room or look at their feet. It was one of the weirdest gigs that i have ever played and i drove (round trip) 660 miles. I played two hours with out a break just so i could leave as soon as possible. Since i didn't take a break I quit 20 minutes early. I broke down my equipment (I had to set up my own Sound system), loaded up my van and left. No one said anything to me.

I played good and pretended there were people in the room who where listening. Maybe everyone at the bar just figured i was crazy, since i was talking to an empty room. Anyway, it made me appreciate all the really good gigs that i am fortunate to play on an almost daily basis, where people listen and pay attention and respond and buy CD's and let you know they like ya..Man what a night.

I will not forget it for sure. I also won't be playing there again anytime soon. Now go out and see and hear one of your favorite artist and let them know you appreciate them, cause trust me, after a night like i just had, I really appreciate being appreciated. Claude"Butch'Morgan