Friday morning, I got up early and started getting ready to go to the Kansas Prairie Picker's bluegrass festival by Holton. I decided to update my notebook with some new songs that I had written. I placed about twenty songs in my notebook so I would have lyrics. (sometimes I forget my own lyrics)
I stopped by McDonald's and got two McDoubles and a small tea for the forty-five minute drive to the festival. I arrived at the festival around one o'clock and set up my music stand, and aqua green four legged stool. The same stool that I sit on when I play in my music room. I opened up my notebook and started playing my originals. After playing for about twenty minutes I saw Ron and said, “Hi '”
He is one of the main organizers of the three day festival. He asked, “ If I would want to play the five o'clock show on the main stage? ” I told him, “ I would love to.” I asked, “How long of a set are you looking for? “He said, ”Forty five minutes." I said, ”I can do that." He told me that his five o'clock band had backed out at the last minute.
He said, “ You can bring up other musicians to play with you if you want.” I said, “ It will be just me. I will be doing my own material and nobody else knows my songs” He was good with that answer and it was time for me to start preparing for my next gig inabout three hours.
So I spent the time going over my songs, getting a set list together, and rememorizing a few lines I couldn't recall. Also, I played some of my songs with three fiddle players. We also played Soldiers Joy and another bluegrass classic that I don't remember or know the title.
Why am I telling you my story? Maybe you are songwriter, singer songwriter, artist, baseball player, or your goal could be anything. It doesn't matter. Here are the steps in my journey that could help you on your journey.
1. Know what you want to do. - I wanted to play on stage at the Prairie Lake Bluegrass Festival.That was the goal.
A) I wanted to play my music. Originals. Songs I had written. I didn't want to play somebody else's songs.
B) I wanted to play solo. Why solo? I don't have the free time to be in a band and practice. If I did, it would take away from my songwriting. Writing my own songs is what I want to do. Playing my own songs is what I want to do. You need to be specific and what you want to do.
2. Be prepared. What would of happened if I was asked to play and I said, I can't because I don't know the songs, I can't play the guitar, or any other number of excuses. Nothing! Nothing would of happened. I would not have a story to tell about playing on stage at a bluegrass festival.
3. Enjoy the journey. It was great to see all of this play out. Let me be more specific. It was great to see God work all of this out. I'm not taking credit for all that he did. All I did was my little part. I knew what I wanted to do. (Play on the main stage) I knew what music I wanted to play. (Originals. My songs.) I knew how I wanted to do it. (Solo) I knew if I wanted to do all the things I wanted to do that I had to do my part. My part is to be prepared. God provided the opportunity. My part is to be prepared.
I don't know what goal or dream you are chasing or hoping to achieve. You need to know that but you need to be prepared. So go get your guitar, learn how to play that B minor chord that you struggle with, memorized your lyrics, go to the festival you want to play at, or ask to play.
Would I have gotten the chance if I wasn't sitting at the entrance playing my songs? No. Do you think the promoter asked other people? What was their excuse? I haven't practiced, I'm not ready. I need more time. Who do they have to blame for not being prepared? Themselves.
I was so blessed to get this opportunity. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. I enjoyed every minute of it. I hope there is something in this that helps you on your journey. Enjoy the ride.