So here I am, over a year and a half into my return to self-employment as a musician. To say I'm thankful for the way things have gone would be an understatement. I've been blessed with the freedom, and financial provision, to work at what I love, and I don't take it lightly. I had, of course, hoped and prayed things would turn out, but this summer has been CRAZY beyond expectation! I played 18 shows in July and am booked for 18 this month (August). I'm getting to travel to all sorts of different places and have met so many great people along the way. I've not had to rob my savings account for several months, and my bills are all paid (except for a chunk I still owe the IRS... boo, hiss:) Of course, living in Minnesota, many gigs are seasonal... bar & restaurant patios, music fests, outdoor parties, etc... so winter can be tough. I've been focusing (or trying to focus, busy as I am) on more writing and recording in my home studio, and submitting material to music libraries, who provide songs for movies, TV, advertising, etc. I recently had 4 of my tunes licensed, which is exciting, though for these particular uses I won't see royalties until next year. Yes, there were times I doubted that this would work... and I still have to be careful of letting doubt creep in... but mostly, I live in the expectation that God is going to take care of me no matter what. If it all ends tomorrow, if I have to go back to a corporate job, I won't like it, but I'll have no regrets... only gratefulness for the time I was able to spend making a living sharing my gifts and talents with whoever was listening. My sincere thanks to every one of you who has come to a show, bought my music or merchandise, befriended me and/or encouraged me in some way along the way... or hired me to play! God bless you!
