When I released my first album in 2009, I was living up in Summit County near Breckenridge. I felt a part of the community after living and working there for the past six years, and I was pleased to receive a write-up on the album release party in the local paper. The release party itself was a hit - nearly sold-out, standing ovation, and I was just certain that I was well on my way to achieving mythic rockstar status.
Fast-forward fourteen years and three more albums later, and I laugh at what a “rising star” I am still considered in the Colorado music community. Ok, fine. So I haven’t played Red Rocks yet. Or the Fillmore or the Gothic, or even Boulder’s Fox Theater. And while I am reticent to admit it, I used to spend a fair amount of time focused on that list of theaters I had not yet played instead of focusing on and feeling ever so grateful for every wonderful venue I have indeed played, and there have been many.
But I learn as I go, and this being human thing continues to be interesting to me. Of course I still dream of playing Red Rocks, and touring with Gregory Alan Isakov or Hozier. But the thing I’ve been realizing lately is that it’s the connections I’m making in my own back yard that matter most to me.
In the past year I joined a group of songwriters who came together from all walks of life and with a wide range of both years on the planet as well as hours in the saddle, so to speak. Some were just learning their instruments, others were working on their sixth album. The group has pushed me to write at least one new song per month, where we then get together and share what we’ve written, giving and receiving feedback.
I have certainly grown as a songwriter, and I’m enjoying being the gray-haired member of the group, and dispensing whatever passes for wisdom to these up-and-coming songwriters on the Boulder scene. From Megan Burtt and Joel Ansett to Anna Cutler and Pamela Machala, the Colorado songwriter scene is vibrant and evolving quickly. Two of those four are playing a wondering MXMENTS show in Denver tomorrow, and that’s where you can find me.
In the meantime, I’ll be busy focusing on those things I’d like to grow. I’m building wider circles, meeting more songwriters, honing my craft, and working my way one step at a time to Red Rocks.