Like most any profession, anywhere in the world, I was going through one of those "slow times." Gigs were not coming through as often mainly due to the fact that the weather was changing. Colder weather means no backyard BBQs, weddings, parties or even patios at a regular bar. In the western suburbs of Chicago, it means about 50% of your business disappears as soon as it gets below 65 give or take, which in Chicago, can mean any time between August 15th to January 1st. It can change on a dime too, during the day it can be 70 and be snowing by the time the sun goes down. (Hence why I'm looking for warmer climates.)
So I did what I always do....I did what I had to. I took a job that was well beneath my average pay rate, during lunch hours, to an audience that literally did not care weather I was there or not. Driving to my first day I really thought how bad it was going to be. How people were going to complain or worse make requests that there's no possible way a solo guitarist can cover. Sad but true.
"You're too loud.", "Could you play some Taylor Swift", and as always, "FREEBIRD!"
That last one is expected at a bar when everyone is drinking but during the day, at lunch, at a sandwich shop, come on people!
But I tell ya, when I got there, it was a completely different story. The staff was more than friendly. They came and said hi to me and asked how long I'd been playing. Some favoring country while others favored Top 40 tunes. Everyone was sick of hearing the Beatles only because "everyone" covers the beatles all the time. That's according to the staff anyway.
After chatting with them for awhile I finally set up and starting playing what I always play. Tunes form the Eagles, and America,m so older tunes by Sinatra and some newer tunes from Lady GaGa and Michael Jackson. And everything was not only accepted but enjoyed. How do I know you ask? Applause or not, if your tip jar is full at the end of the day, you did a good job.
And so it went, I was playing there 4 days a week. I'd wake up and really, for the first time in my life, get excited about going to work. There was either a new song I wanted to try out, some joke to tell, new people I'd meet and talk about music with or what my next step is or if I could play their party that was coming up. But the real treat was watching all the kids come in and ask their parents,
"What's that man playing Daddy?" or "Does he know the Barney Song Mommy?"
They always cracked me up in the middle of a song, they'd be trying to sing along, making up their own words and melody half the time or dancing or whatever.
If you are a musician, you will be able to relate, if not, let me break it down for you. There's any number of reasons why a gig goes well or it becomes one of those horror stories you just can't shake. No one shows up to your gig, the manager doesn't want to pay you, the sound guy doesn't know what he's doing , someone charges $200 of drinks to the bands tab (yes that has happened to me.) Whatever the bad reasons I've had to deal with by playing at bars and clubs, they all disappeared when I started playing at Potbelly's.
I had a set schedule, set pay and no pressure to "bring a crowd." I played what I wanted, talked with the guests about whatever, joked with the staff, let people sit in with me or play a song or two. Nothing cooler than a 50 something guy in a suit playing some Bob Dylan at Potbelly's. It's a rare sight is all I'm saying. Not only all of those things but I was working and working everyday. I had a steady job in this economy and not only was I working but I was doing what I love. I was playing music for a living. Everyday I got to do what I loved and got payed for it. What more could I possibly ask for?
I'm glad you asked, as it turns out I'm leaving this Saturday for Rome to do the exact same thing on this wonderful ship....
It's a step up from playing at Potbelly's in downtown Naperville, no doubt about that. But, there are some things that won't change for me. I'm still going to be doing what I love. I'm still going to be playing the same music and I'm still going to playing because I love playing. I'm humbled and grateful that people like what I do. It hits me everyday that there people who would love to be doing what I am doing and for whatever reason fortunate enough to be doing it.
Even though I will be sailing on the high seas for the next few months, I will still say that Potbelly's is still and will always be one of my favorite gigs. Steady gigs for a musician is rare enough but once you throw in friendly people, a great staff, steady pay the opportunity to do what you love day in and day out and have people enjoy it, it quickly rises to the top of the list.
For those of you looking down your noses at playing a gig like potbelly's, all I can say is look where it can lead to.
I'll be in Rome Saturday with a whole new blog and pictures from the inside of the ship. See ya soon
