My First Writer's Round...

When I began planning my Nashville trip a few months ago, I decided that I was coming to town to party. I was in the mood to cut loose and get wild, spending every night on Broadway, and every day in recovery. I planned on getting a tattoo, dancing with the cowboys, and hanging out with my main man, Jack. As the days leading up to the trip drug on, I fantasized about the neon lights and the loud music. I was pumped.

But then, as I pulled into town...the writer in me came out. There's just something about the atmosphere down here that brings out that side of me. My plans of going downtown were quickly replaced by plans of swinging by The Commodore to listen to other writers, and to sign up for the open round. 

Sitting there, listening to all the other amazing writers, I knew I was waaay out of my league. During the second round, I seriously debated crossing my name off the list and leaving. I was shaking in my boots, on the verge of a breakdown. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a performer. At all. Period. That's why I like writing songs for other people, so they can get up on stage and I can sit in the crowd. But....I stayed in my seat until it was time to tune up. Went to the lobby, got ready, and made my way up to the stage. Listening to the two gentlemen on my left, I was blown away by their musicianship. I was so focused on them, that suddenly it was my turn. Cue the deer in the headlights look!!! I stumbled a bit, and totally messed up both of my songs, but I made it through the round. As I quickly walked off stage, thanking the people who told me "good job" on my way to grab my case, I just wanted to get out of there. I raced to the lobby to throw my Taylor back in its case, but as I put my strap away, it hit me. I just played a writer's round. My first writer's round ever...was in Nashville...at the Commodore. In Nashville...at the Commodore. Now, I know this is no big deal for anyone who is in the music business...but I'm not in the music business. I'm just a girl from Indiana who dreams about being a songwriter someday. Even though nobody from the Commodore will remember who I was, or what I played....I'll remember staring out into the crowd thinking "Oh my God....I'm about to play in Nashville". I won't lie, I was half-tempted to take a selfie on stage...but I had a feeling that would've been frowned upon. For 30 minutes, I sat on the stage that many of my writing idols play on. For 30 minutes...I felt like I was a step closer to my dream.
So I'd like to thank everyone who sat there, and clapped even though my songs were not really worth an applause. I'd like to thank Mr. Stewart for letting me sign up. I'd like to thank the one guy who played in our open round who hung out to talk to me during the last set of the night. You all made this Nashville trip one to remember!