With a couple good nights’ sleep and the kind of love only family can provide, we were excited to play our second open mic in Fort Collins at Avogadro’s Number. Or as the locals know it, “Avo’s”. It was a completely different vibe from The Lyric, but we had reached out to this place a few months ago to try and get a gig there, but had not heard back, so I was eager to at least try and use this open mic as an audition of sorts. Unfortunately, the music booker had left early for the night.
The experience wasn’t totally for nothing though. Although it was a quiet and slow evening, that was actually good for us because we got to play four songs. We did “Balance”, “Heavy Love”, “Birdies”, and “That Girl”. It was enough to grab the attention of a local act, “Common Birds”, who we didn’t even meet. They just reached out later that night with some positive feedback and a lead on a venue that we should check out. After a bit of conversation back and forth, we might be sharing a bill with them (probably next year)!
That is so cool to me because they certainly didn’t have to reach out. We never me them, didn’t know they were even in the audience, and they could have just enjoyed it and not reached out. We would have been none the wiser. But they DID, and in this business, that is rare. So I truly hope to work with them in our future. Of course, my Uncle Dave wants us to skip all the shenanigans and just play Red Rocks already!!
Speaking of Uncle Dave and Aunt Tammy, These are the darling family members we were hanging with the past few days. Tammy and Dave used to take me for a bit of time here and there when I was young and love me and let me do crafts in their garage. Tammy would say, “Here’s a bunch of dried flowers, random bits and pieces, some wood or ceramic base, and a glue gun. Have fun!” There’s not a time when I’m crafting and I glue my fingers that I don’t think of those days in Tammy’s garage. Also, in the song “Take Me Down”, I reference a “three legged doggy’s smile”. That dog was none other than the very real spaniel, “Chelsea”, that belonged to my aunt and uncle. I remember being affected by her at a very young age. Her boundless energy and pure, unhinged, dog joy, even without a leg. It never left me.
Family that has known you your entire life is so important to connect with. You bet I’ve changed, but in some ways, some really fundamental and important ways, I am still the same. And during this very delicate and emotional time, I needed that reminder more than ever. After the open mic, we all came back to the house for some of the best tequila we’ve ever had, and played some cribbage on the coolest board we’ve ever seen.
My Uncle Dave and I were on a team and Tammy and Jared were partners. It’s really not important to now who won (Dave and me), or any other tiny details like that (twice). The point is, we all had a blast. We laughed so much and shared stories about deep stuff, goofy things, friends, music, movies, and there was an entire portion of the evening dedicated to quoting “What About Bob?”. It was one of those perfect nights that was healing and joyful and abundant with all the best feelings. Our most sincere thanks on so many levels to the wonderfully crazy humans who we would be friends with if we’d just met, but we’re luckier because they’re family.
Plus… DOGS!!! This is Moses the Rottweiler.
This baby girl, Maddie, and my husband were in competition for best chin hair. Although Jared Fredeen will always have dominant real estate in my heart, my vote is for this darling “puppy”.
The night was so cathartic and by the time we went to bed, we felt redeemed and solid in our purpose. This was the last thing I saw before I went to sleep. I ABSOLUTELY have the power, and we ABSOLUTELY will do it!!
A quick side note before I finish. I actually wrote something during this time of trial and, dare I say it, depression. It was chock full of all the best anger, sadness, resolve, desire to quit, you name it. I sent it to Jared and he was going to post it. But I asked him to wait. Not because I wanted to “hide” that part of me from any of our fans, but because I didn’t want to actually give that voice space. It was enough to write it and feel it. But at the end of each day, we must make those tough choices. “Will I let this win?”, “Does this get to be how I am seen or see myself?” If the answer is “yes”, then be proud of it and be ready to face whatever you might. But if the answer is “no”, then be willing to take a step back to breathe, reevaluate your position and refine your thoughts. Sometimes a full-blown tantrum is necessary. But more often than not, forging your true self and finding your deepest heart in the very fires and trials life gives you, make you a seasoned warrior, ready to march forward, stronger and wiser than ever before, steeled in purpose and armed with resolve. We are ready.
