Wow, it's been a while.

Since I only ever post about music or books, this time it's music.

Lessons have been going well. Lately, there's been a lot of struggling with ear training, especially on how to pick up on chord changes as they're coming so that I don't get out of tune with the rest of the band.

The big news, however, on the music front is that I've been playing out about once a month or so. The founder of the school where I take my lessons has put together a band to play a couple times a month out at a barbecue joint, the Cele Store. At this point I think I've played there 4 times or so.

We mostly play country, which I would have never imagined that I'd be playing, but I'm having fun doing it. Before I played with the rest of the band, I'd never even met most of them, so playing with a bunch of strangers was a challenge. But since I've been playing I've noticed a few changes for the good. The first time out I was nervous as all get out. Before our latest gig last Friday, I hardly had any nerves at all. I'm amazed that I'm not really nervous any more about playing (and potentially screwing up) in front of people. I also seem to be a bit more confident about playing with other people.

It's still not perfect. I notice screw-ups that I make, but the audience seems to be having fun and no one throws beer bottles at us, so it can't be that bad. (In fact, I think there's more and more people showing up every time we play.)

In case you hadn't seem them, I've even got a few pictures from the first show, and I only look like I'm going to puke because of stage fright in a couple of them. I'll try and remember to post here when we're playing, and maybe you could come out and see us.

Well, I  finally did it. I had my Austin debut, playing with the Blues Specialists (warning: sound) at the Continental Club. It was one song that went by in a blur. I think it went ok. I didn't pass out or throw up or anything like that. So I'll have to try it again, and when I do, I'll give you all some advance notice.