Acoustically Challenged...

Last week, I was given the opportunity to return to a stage where I haven’t performed in quite some time.  Not much had changed at the Universal Bar and Grill.  The regulars surrounded the bar, downing beers and joking with one another the way that barstool friends usually do.  The stage was still in the corner, with a TV hanging above the performance space, a small PA and a lighting system that always defies logic.

This little stage is where I had my first solo acoustic show back in 2008, and it’s where I’ve worked out a number of my songs over the years.  So, naturally, I loved the chance to get back in there and play.  

The set started out as many before it have…just chatting with those in the room, drinking a beer, and strumming a chord or two.  The mic failed, so we switched it out.  The guitar cable popped, so we switched it out.  It was like being back home.  

For about 30 minutes, I played and joked and sang with everyone.  Of course, as it always does, the time came for the final song of the set.  So, naturally, I gave everyone the closer I’ve been delivering since that first show, a song I wrote back in 2004.  I brought forth The Lawn Boy.  

This is a song I’ve performed countless times over the years.  I’ve recorded it.  I’ve sat with it for hours while putting together a video.  Oh, not to mention the fact that I wrote it.  Still, somehow, as I performed it last Friday night, I somehow forgot the second verse.  It just fell directly out of my brain.  I attempted to laugh it off and come back around to it…but I couldn’t find it.  I made jokes from the stage, and even asked a friend if he knew what the verse was.  He didn’t.  So, I just kept playing the chords and talking.  And eventually, I gave in..and skipped the verse.  But Naturally, I did it in my own way.  After enough tension had built up, and I had explained how important it was that they heard the WHOLE story, because it’s a story song, and if you missed pieces, you’d miss the point.  Well…after enough of that, I started the third verse with the words, as written in 2004, “By now you’re wondering what happened that day…” 

It was the first time that line had brought forth laughter, and it was awesome.  

It was real, it was in the moment.  It was a screw-up of the highest level, and it was great.  

I remember a few years ago a bunch of folks made a big deal about the fact that Brad Paisley temporarily forgot a lyric in one of his songs.   

Guess I’m no better than Brad Paisley.  I’ll take it.

Yeahcomeon