Day 8 - Lompoc, CA.

I’ve been up here for business (day job stuff) for the past few days, and also quietly checking out the local music scene. It’s a big change from the craziness that is L.A. Yeah, I’m back in small-town America and it’s awfully refreshing. Reminds me of home.

I played one of the most *interesting* open mics of my life tonight at a little Coffee Shop called Sugar Magnolias.

Let’s just say it’s a totally different world than the cutthroat L.A. I’ve become jaded with. I’m not used to this “laid-back countryfolk” stuff, man. Some guy sang some original “sea chanties” acapella-style with his kids. A girl did some karaoke tunes (karaoke at open mic??). Someone sang their own rendition of “Oh my darlin’ Clementine.” I’m serious.

And then I played my first show in months. Wow, am I green. I think music is more like speaking a foreign language than riding a bike. You gotta use it or you lose it. And there IS a difference between practice and playing live. Even old tunes of mine were rusty.

SETLIST:

1. One For Me
2. Moving Higher
3. Can’t Say I Love You Anymore

So Pep, you’re right. More practice is needed. Much more.

All is not a loss though. I booked a full show there on Aug 10. So if you’re up in the Lompoc/Santa Barbara/Santa Maria/San Luis Obispo area, check it out. Nice folks and gourmet coffee, locally grown. Should be hip. I’m gonna be there.
It’s a start anyway…