Never Stop Writing

Find your voice and sing your heart out.

I went out last night with several friends from my office to celebrate a co-worker’s 50th birthday. We found a little joint not far from the office that had a swanky 70s- 80s-vibe to it. When we walked in, background music was playing and kicking out some wonderful, iconic music. You could look at the group and see a number of people singing along; good times.

After a couple of hours, a younger guy with long hair and a guitar case showed up and climbed onto the small stage in the corner of the venue. From there, he began to sing acoustical ballads of songs from the same era; Shook Me All Night Long, Hotel California, etc. It was the same music genre that we had been enjoying, just his take on the music.

The “birthday boy” (BB) turned to me and said, “This was panning out to be my new favorite bar until they killed the music and he started singing.” Harsh. I gave him a pass on the comment, after all, it was his birthday.

BB’s comment had me thinking about the singer and how he actually sounded. He wasn’t going to win America’s Got Talent, but he did perform well enough to serenade a crowd in a bar.

There were a number of people at the bar sitting close to the stage (more like a platform), cheering him on and suggesting music for his set. Our group even sang along to some of the songs, giving in to the overall frivolity.

Maybe I spend too much time on Medium, but I found myself drawing parallels to writing.

Singing on stage, to me, is much more vulnerable than writing and hitting publishing. Though isn’t it the same thing?

We have something to share with the world — in our case, it’s our writing — so we search for a venue to share. Within the venue, even the most talent-challenged of us can find a small group of people that appreciate our specific style, our sound, our voice. They even clap, digital faux claps of encouragement. How important is this small group of fans to us? It means the world. It verifies that someone is appreciating our passion, efforts, and even our vulnerabilities.

Would we prefer to be playing to a sold-out crowd at a stadium with thousands of followers? Uh, yeah! How often does this happen? Compared to the number of writers/singers out there, not too often. In fact, it is much more likely he/we never make it to the “Big Time.” Should this dissuade us? I genuinely hope not.

The few listening are enjoying the music/writing as much as the larger crowd. Perform for them.

I listen to the guy as he strums along and delivers “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Guns n Roses don’t have to worry, he’s treating the song with a sense of respect, drawing out the melody into a heartfelt bar-ballad. Not bad. His minuscule fanbase bobbing their heads, smiling and laughing, enjoying their night out.

He’s never going to make it to the stadium. He’s never going to sell a million songs or top the charts. He has to keep his day job. The crowds aren’t going to swell at his performances. He enjoys sharing his talent, the best he can, to those that appreciate it. This is as good as it gets for him.

Knowing all this, I reengage the music — my own head bobbing now — and quietly mutter, “Play brother, play your heart out.”