Last month I wrote about the power of music.  This month I would like to write about the power of your performance.  I was thinking about some performances I have seen and how the people put so much into it that you just leave feeling, WOW!  One such person I have seen is Bruce Springsteen.  I never really understood what everyone saw in him from listening to his songs, but when I went to see him live at Hersey Stadium the way he just belted out song after song and put so much into it I left a believer. Then there was Bo Bice who placed second to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol. I interviewed and attended one of his gigs years ago and again he was a performer that put out more than 100 percent and I was left thinking what a great show.  Recently, I went to see the Meat Puppets play in Philly, now mind you I have always liked their lyrics, but it was always the mystic of Nirvana covering some of their songs and them also playing on MTV with Nirvana that got my interest up.  After seeing them live I have nothing but respect for them and would see them again and again just for their great energy and great musicianship.

   So what it is that I am getting at is, if you really put your all into your performance you can win people over even if they aren’t really into your material, they will come to love you as a performer. It’s about your energy and releasing that energy to the audience.

   Not too long ago I ran into Richie Scarlet, who is another superb performer and lead guitarist who has played with Ace Frehley, and just did some guitar work on the Misfits newest tracks.  We talked about what Jerry Only of the Misfits had said to both of us.  Jerry will tell you the best part of his performing is putting out his energy to the crowd and feeling it coming back multiplied.  So the next time you are performing or even practicing for your next performance keep in mind that just like everything in life to truly get returns you need to put yourself out there.  To find your true potential you have to push yourself not hold back or coast.

 

December 2011

Sane Advice

by John Kerecz