As I mentioned in my last “life/music update” blog, I will be travelling to Memphis, TN is one week to attend the Folk Alliance International Conference thanks to FACTOR and their “songwriter support grant”. I will be in Memphis for 6 days. I am both really excited to attend the conference, but also a little nervous about going alone and flying solo for six whole days…
For those who know me well, I’m known for filling my days and evenings with plans, plans, and more plans. I love to spend time with my husband, family, friends, fellow singer/songwriters and rarely spend much time by myself. Originally when I got my grant to attend the conference, Jered thought maybe he would tag along and we’d make a trip out of it. Being that we recently bought a catering company, and are in the new baby business stages we decided he would stay behind and cook instead. Besides I was planning on taking in every second of the conference, and while yes Jered is a passionate musician and would love to attend the conference WITH me, he didn’t get a scholarship like I did to cover the registration costs and what was a free trip for me would not be a free trip for him.
So here I am, attending alone, knowing not a soul in Memphis and now also performing at a private showcase. Although these are not all firsts, they are things I don’t do often. Don’t get me wrong, I am SUPER excited to go and be inspired and have only my own schedule and whims to answer to, but I am still a wee bit nervous. Will I be able to hack it by myself? Will I start to go squirelly spending so much time WITH myself? We will see! :o)
I will definitely blog while I’m there, given the fact I will have so much time to myself. Time for my “can’t help but be friendly and polite” Canadian gal side to shine through and make some new friends! I was happy and surprised to notice today that the same evening of my showcase I have three fellow Albertans sharing the “stage” – these showcases are in hotel rooms so perhaps stage isn’t the right descriptor. Doing the podcast has acquainted me with their music, and yet I have never met them. Here’s my chance!
Cheers!
-LNG