Best of Open Mic at the Lazy Dog

It's been awhile since I've posted.

On Friday, August 29, 2008, I was fortunate to perform about 50 minutes of my songs. I chose a mix of guitar and piano songs for this performance. The Lazy Dog Coffeehouse was filled and it was a great time. Many thanks to my friends, co-workers, family and the open mic friends who joined in the night. I shared the night with two other talented folks, John and Liz.

It was an outstanding night!!!! This was my second non-open mic experience where I could play more than three songs. This, by far, was so enjoyable and fun. I never felt a sense of nervousness or uncomfortable that friends and family were all eyes and ears before me.

I also just want to thank David, Denyse, Jim and all the folks at the Lazy Dog. Thanks for giving me the opportunity, for believing in me and supporting my original music. They've got a great place going there.

Thanks to my co-workers... for traveling the distance and the support.

I need another gig!

Hey! I get requests! (and it's not to leave)

Last night, I was at my favorite place to sing my songs, the Lazy Dog Cafe (or Coffeehouse) in Minersville, PA. I don't get to the open mic weekly, but i try to get there twice a month. Having just recovered from surgery, I was anxious to get back out singing, especially thankful for still having a voice, which was a risk of the surgery. I chose 3-4 songs to sing and was greeted again with the request to do "I Love My Truck"....OK, that wasn't on my list. I have a love hate relationship with that song. it's a corny song, it was a fun write, it's simple, it has that surprise factor in it and it has some sexual undertones... everywhere.

Reminds me of a story I heard on the radio about the Steve Miller Band (or someone like that). The hold a concert, have all this great new music and the crowd is yelling for all the old music that made them great.

I did my first two chosen songs and slipped into "I Love My Truck". Never announce the title to this... it gives away the line. Anyways, I sang it and enjoyed it immensely. In a venue that most of the singers sing cover songs, I've attained a place where someone or a few ask for one of my songs, something not on the radio. How cool is that? So, perhaps I'm doomed (said playfully) with that as a song that will follow me when I play. But the doom is a sweet welcome for this guy who used to be afraid to share his songs with anyone.

I followed one of my musician rules: Give the audience what they want whenever possible and play it the best you can.

In my little world of songwriting and performing, I had my smile. Just to be sure she understood, I thanked her later and said she can request it anytime.

Thanks for reading ;)
Dave


www.myspace.com/davidderbes
www.soundclick.com/davidderbes

Why I don't have good demo recordings

Almost two and a half years have passed since I began my semi-serious songwriting efforts. To date, I have over 35 songs written, none of which are recorded in a studio or even on a home computer. On the positive side, I did complete over 35 songs, which is a major feat for me, and each one is recorded in it's basic and simplest form.

My reasons for not having done any demo recordings include the cost of undertaking a project, not having the instruments (both of these are financial issues), my ongoing struggle as to what to record and the fact that any dollars spent towards this are probably unrecoupable (probably). If I had a few thousand or even a hundred dollars laying about, trust me, I would have a nice little home studio and a decent keyboard and software. It is a little frustrating.

While I may not have great sounding demos, I am fortunate enough to have the skill to play and sing my songs on either guitar or piano. My equipment consists of a small stereo cassette boom box that probably cost $20.00. It works….. kinda. Balance and gain are controlled by moving the recorder around the sound sources.

I hope that during 2008 I will be able to have a few simple demos completed and prepared to send to some publishers. Since I have probably 25 songs that I think are radio/artist capable, I'll just have to decide which songs are my best. Time will tell!

Dave

www.myspace.com/davidderbes

www.soundclick.com/davidderbes

www.davidderbes.blogspot.com

Open Mic at the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse

I never make New Year's resolutions. This year, I wanted to take my songwriting efforts live, to an open mic or other, similar event. Hey, I did it in January!!! Now I can coast through the year. Smiles.

The Lazy Dog Coffeehouse, Minersville, PA opened for business during 2007 (http://www.lazydogcoffeehouse.com/). I heard good things about this small place. It was amazing how they changed the outside of the building. The inside is even more dramatic. Not only did they offer live music during the weekend, but they began an open mic/karoke on Thursday's. In early January, I made a visit to my first open mic and told myself "I can do this." I spoke to the event leader, David, and planned to stop by the next Thursday.

My first night at the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse went pretty well. I played three songs and was incredibly nervous. I found it amazing that I was as I have played publicly for decades. I can only believe that my nervousness is because I was playing solo guitar and singing original music. The crowd was welcoming and applauding. The crowd is always like that. They're great and plentiful. There isn't much original music being done on Thursday's, often I am the only songwriter there. It makes for an interesting mix of karoke and original music.

I'm thankful I have this new opportunity nearby. All the staff and owners of the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse are wonderful and encouraging. They love music and are dedicated to ensuring there is an outlet for the music and arts. The open mic/karoke is hot right now and is drawing a variety of patrons and entertainers. I'm pleased to be a small part of it. I'm loving it. If you're in the Pottsville/Minersville area, check it out. Send me an email or message to ask if I plan on playing that week.

www.myspace.com/davidderbes

www.soundclick.com/davidderbes

daderbes@yahoo.com