Working and learning and playing

So, before coming over I thought: Gotta check in with the man. How does it feel to know that of all the people in this world, you da man. Pretty important, eh?

It sounds like I'm your parole officer.

Well, you are, in a way. Right?

No. You're your own man, You don't have to answer to me. But I do have a question: How was the gig this afternoon?

That's what I wanted to tell you. It was good. People liked me, I generally played and sang well, and money was made for the non-profit. I gotta change my strings the day before the gig, though. I changed them just a couple hours before and it was, like, whoa dude! I was fiddlin' with the tuning the whole fuckin' show.

But all in all, you know, it was good, a good audience and I think they really enjoyed it.

And you were there! So I've been in suspense...

farmboy, you know what I think. You're my favorite songwriter. I love seeing you perform, I truly thought you were great.

Wow! Really, man?

Yes, really. But I think the main question is: What do you think?

It was good. I was good. But I see so many places where I could be better. So I'm just gonna keep working and learning and playing and thinking and experiencing life. And the songs will reflect that.

They already do. Congratulations, farmboy.

Ah shucks, It was fuckin' nothin'.

Tomorrow's gig

Haven't seen you around the last couple of days, farmboy. What's up?

I've been so fuckin' busy, man, with tomorrow's gig.

Are you nervous?

Not really. Had some good practice sessions, had a great rehearsal with the folks that are playing with me on a couple songs, I've had the set lists done since Wednesday morning. I've got new strings to put on the guitar, and...well, I'm hoping for a good show. I mean, I'm thinking it's gonna be a good show. I like the set lists, it's going to be pretty intimate since it's a house show.

Are you doing all your own songs?

All but one. I'm doing a song by a friend of my mine who passed away in, like, 2002, name Dave Carter. He was a brilliant songwriter. We shared the songwriters' stage at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado. We were both competing in the Telluride Troubadour contest is 1996. Neither one of us won. The next year, however, he and his partner Tracy Grammer became real popular in the folk music world, and for good reason. They really were spectacular. Dave's songs will always be spectacular and Tracy is still spectacular. She's an amazing singer.

The song I'm doing of Dave's is "Cowboy Singer." Great tune.

So I'll come see you after the concert tomorrow, okay?

Hey, break a leg farmboy.

Well, maybe I won't go that far. But I am planning to have fun.

Writing as an obsession does pay off!

So I'm playing Sunday at a benefit house concert. (sheepishly) I'm the headliner.

Good for you, farmboy! Congratulations!

I'm just hoping there are people there. I made out the set lists today during a teacher training we were having at my job. Your tax dollars at work, man.

That's a lot of work.

You ain't fuckin' kidding, man. So I'm going over stuff, playing, drilling. It's good for me, I guess. I mean, it is a privilege to perform for people who are listening to you for an hour and a half.

An hour and a half?

Two 45-minute sets.

You'll have no problem filling that, farmboy.

Yeah. I'm actually aware of that. So writing as an obsession does pay off! Who woulda thunk it?

I'm going to a rehearsal tomorrow night and I'm taking Monday off work. This is important to me, but not in any kind of "nervous" way. It's just gonna be a relaxed, fun time. I don't want it to feel like I'm going in unprepared to a final exam. I hate that feeling. Like you're being sent to the guillotine or something. That just sucks, you know?

I'm looking forward to seeing you perform Sunday, farmboy.

You're gonna come? Hey, let me put you on the guest list, man.

It's a benefit. I want to pay.

Well...thanks, man. I hope you enjoy it. And if you don't...

Yes?

...just fuckin' lie to me.

I'm fuckin' tired

Man, I am so tired. I wanted to say hi, you know.

Hi, farmboy.

Hey. How you doin', man?

I'm fine. You?

I'm fuckin' tired.

Oh yeah. You told me.

Hey farmboy?

Yeah?

Eat something and go to bed. Good night.

Thanks, man. Good night.

Surprise. Serendipity.

Listen to this song. (turns up the radio) I like this: jangly guitar, scruffy kind of voice, harmonies.

Who is it?

I have no idea. We're gonna have to wait until the DJ comes on and hope he back-announces.

It's nice to hear something that you instantly like that's a surprise, eh, farmboy?

Oh, yeah, man, fuckin' A. I love that. Surprise. Serendipity. Something unexpected/ Yeah, yeah, I love that. I live for things like that.

Hey, I have a new addition to my little family.

Yeah? What's that, farmboy?

I'm buying a tenor ukulele for $60. $10 a month. Cool, huh?

Very cool. Are you enjoying it?

It's fun. I feel like such a cliche, playing the uke, because so many of the hipsters here in town play it. It's kinda become this hip thing, but that doesn't mean that it's not fun.

Hey, I think the radio announcer's about to talk.

(they listen)

The Parson Red Heads. Have you ever hear them before?

Not to my knowledge. Have you?

No, I haven't. I've heard that name, though. I think they might be local. I hope so, 'cause then that means I can maybe go see them.

You'll have to look them up on the internet.

That's exactly what I'm gonna do.

Actually, artistically speaking

Hey farmboy, just thought I'd drop by. Are you doing anything?

You know, man, I'm actually working on a song. If you wait around...

I'll drop by later.

Aw, man, I'm sorry.

Why are you apologizing, farmboy?

Because I asked you to wait...

farmboy, it's no problem.

It's a fuckin' problem to me, man.

Well, don't let it be. You've got work to do. That song's not gonna write itself.

Actually, artistically speaking, the kind of do write themselves sometimes.

You're still needed for it. I'll call later.

Thanks, man.

One of the regular folks

Man, I am so tired. I want it to be Friday bad.

Too bad it's only Wednesday.

You're telling me. Maybe it's because I was busy all last weekend. I am so fuckin' tired.

So what are you going to do about it?

I'm thinking I'm gonna eat some healthy soup, surf the internet, and then go to be. Then wake up, go to work, come home, play guitar, get stoned, play guitar, surf internet. It's what I do during the work week. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. What do most people do.

Watch TV?

Yeah, that's seems about right. I hope to afford to buy a TV one day. I want to be one of the regular folks.

Seriously, farmboy?

I would like a TV. It's just not high on my list of priorities, you know.

What would be on your list?

Number one? A car stereo. I miss driving to music like you would not believe. I'd like to get one with a way to listen to my iPod too.

Anyway, pal, I'm gonna go eat soup and fall asleep.

Hopefully not both at the same time.

Har, har. Funny guy.