100 Virtual Shows

My goodness, we have been locked up a long time, haven’t we? I was just sitting here planning the songs I’ll be playing for next week’s show, and the little chart that I use to make sure that I mix things up song-wise also helps me to track how many shows I’ve played and where. Turns out this coming Friday’s appearance at the Eagles Nest Revisited Open Mic will be my one hundredth virtual appearance since we went into lockdown last March.

I miss people. And by that, I mean specifically that I miss the company of friends, and I really miss both hearing and playing live music. I miss playing along with other people. I am counting the days until I can find out when I can have the vaccine. Both of my parents have already gotten their first dose, so there are definitely signs of a sunrise on the horizon. 

But wow, this has been long. 

Of course, so many people have done so much to give people a place to play and listen to music, and I am so incredibly thankful for the community of people that I have met even during the lockdown. Linda Marks, who I met at an open mic in person in December 2019, introduced me to the Apocalyptic Open Mic and CJ Jewer. Through that experience, I got to meet Jay Singing Spirit Cunningham, and then Ric Page, Art Grossman, Richard Hopkinson, and a whole other slew of musicians I would not otherwise have run into.

And of course through the Virtual Necessity Open Mic I started up in March I’ve also spent more time online with my dear friends and compatriots Bob Greenman, Andrew Geano, Danielle Pinals, Terrance Reeves, Audrey Rose Hughes, Kat Brooks, Miriam B-A, Tim Ko, Ethan Mackler, Sara Beth, and more. 

We’ve been able to support each other, push each other in our songwriting and performance, share technology tricks, and teach each other how to wrestle zoom into doing what we want it to do. 

Along the way, these fine people also introduced me to John McArthur and Brad Myrick of the Greenhouse recording studio. John and Brad have been fabulous about coaching me on performance and on putting on a good show. They are also helping me with strategies for getting some of my recorded music out to you.

Never waste a good crisis, they say. While the opportunity has not been wasted, I miss you all very very much. Join me Friday for virtual show 100, and maybe we’ll talk about it a little bit and dream about what we will do next. 

-Chris