I haven't really officially announced this and I'm not really sure that it needs a formal announcement but I have for the most part ended my career as a traveling singer-songwriter. The word career there is supposed to be funny. Perhaps a better way to say it is that this will now be a hobby that I spend less time on.
I had a great go at it really... I started working hard on it in the summer of 2005 when I recorded "Lower than the Angels". Between October of 2005 and now I have played over 100 concerts, put out 3 more CDs (The Bluegrass Service, Chase the Western Sky, and Thirty-Three), had a lot of fun, made a lot of friends, and come out just a little bit ahead financially. Fame and fortune never happened much to the chagrin of my wife and parents but honestly, that was never the point. I was just trying to be faithful with the gifts God gave me and I know that sounds trite but it's pretty much exactly how I felt and still feel.
I'm not hanging it up entirely... I'll still play shows if I'm invited. I'm just done inviting myself. Booking your own shows is really hard work, mostly consisting of calling up strangers or people you barely know and asking if you can come play at their church. Sometimes they are gracious and say yes... sometimes they are gracious and say no... sometimes they are... well, sometimes they just say no. Self-promotion is really, really hard for me and I was never any good at it at all. So, I'm letting that go. I'll still play a little bit from time to time I'm sure but my days of playing 3 or 4 shows a month are over.
With that said, I still have a garage full of CDs! I'd love to get rid of some of them so if you haven't picked up any of my Cds yet, now's a great time. I've cut the prices on my music website to only $8.00 per CD or all 4 for $25.00. You can also get both "Chase the Western Sky" and "Thirty-Three" for only $12.00 with an immediate download of 'Chase the Western Sky".
Here's a free MP3 of my favorite track from "Chase the Western Sky" for you. It's called "Further Up and Further In" and was inspired by the C.S. Lewis book "The Last Battle".
Retiring from your "music career" at such a young age is probably wise. You can recover from the wild rock and roll life style you have been living these last couple years and not have it take a permanent effect on your health (aka Ozzie Osborn, that dude is fried). You also have time to wait a couple years, release a compilation album, have a reunion tour and reap in the dough.
In all seriousness, I hope you do continue to play around the area periodically. God has given you a gift that you have been faithful to and with these last couple years and I hope he continues to lead you to use it periodically for his glory.
Posted by: James | April 10, 2008 at 12:50 PM
i love the look of your new blog! aaaand i'm excited to know that you didn't just decide to quit blogging!
Posted by: Betsy | April 10, 2008 at 01:10 PM
You and your music will always have a home on my iPod, and I'll always remember that opening show at Borders in Kennesaw.
(you'll probably always remember it, too, but maybe with enough drugs and alcohol, you might one day be able to forget) :)
Posted by: Ron Davis | April 10, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Ron,
I will never, ever forget about that first show at Borders. I mean, that was the day I was introduced to Elly the Elephant and life has never been the same.
Posted by: Greg | April 10, 2008 at 03:11 PM
"happy birthday, baby"
LOL.
Already your new blog is awesome.
Posted by: Ron Davis | April 10, 2008 at 04:47 PM