I had a fantastic weekend, and I want to share it with you before too much time goes by and I miss my chance.
On July 17, I opened the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival in Winthrop, WA. I am not an R&B artist… So I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t fit. However, I decided that I was going to make the most of the 15 minutes I’d have on a stage in front of a substantial audience.
We arrived at the field filled with campers, and were directed to the gate behind a big tent where two people were waiting to meet me. They gave me a lanyard that meant I could go anywhere. Nothing makes me feel like a VIP like a lanyard with a pass attached to it.
When the sound guys said it was time, I grabbed my guitar and joined them on the stage. I did a quick sound-check, was introduced by a radio announcer, then I started. The Carlton Complex Long Term Recovery Group got this opportunity for me–just another open door I wasn’t expecting, so the last song I sang was “Wildfire”. I’ve been playing for small audiences for the past few months, so I almost didn’t know what to do with hundreds of people hanging on my every word. I almost didn’t know what to do when people jumped to their feet, but it was amazing. The response was incredible. I left the stage feeling like a million bucks.
This was a small taste of the big leagues, my friends.
On July 18, I had my first live TV interview and later my first radio interview where I had the chance to play one of my new songs… live… on the radio! In the afternoon, I sang at the Apple Pie Jamboree in Pateros, WA. My favorite thing about playing there was watching people sing along to “Wildfire”. People asking me to sign their CDs and people singing along with my songs are two of my favorite things. Ever.
On July 19, I opened for Daniel Kirkpatrick and the Bayonets at Manson Summer Nights in Manson, WA. I was a late addition to the Manson Summer Nights roster, but I am so glad I had that opportunity. It was so much fun, and quite a lovely evening despite the 99 degree weather. It is a wonderful venue–you should check it out if you’re ever in the area!
I’m looking forward to many more full-of-music weekends in the near future…
-Brittany