Flatwoods Rambler

Now it is quite right to say that there is a lack of country artist representation in the LGBTQ community. To be fair though, that road goes both ways. It's not like the Country Music Awards are drowning in rainbow flags and Subarus. Besides for Orville Peck, and that one Chapelle Roan song, where are queer folks supposed to go? I my self am not queer, but as I heard on the internet I'm like a good sports bra. Not queer necessarily, but very supportive. And thats the short version of why I ended up performing at a Drag Show last week

I was originally supposed to be supporting a drag artist by the name of Banna Meanshot, but unfortunately, they were not able to make it due to a family emergency. Either that or they were embarrassed by my straightness in the space and could not be seen with me. Both are very likely. The show must go on however, and I had two slots to fill on the call sheet. What is a lonely straight boy to do? I dug down as far as I could into my knowledge of country and blues and I believe I found just the thing. 

Some may know that anyone that goes around saying “I wish artists were modest like in the good ole' days” clearly did not get around much in the good ole' days. Blues, country, jazz music used to be filled to the brim with tunes that would make any mother clutch their pearls. Once you tap into this store of raunchy goodness though, it doesn't matter how good you play the song people are going to be screaming and shouting along with you. Everyone enjoyed it. Even though they were not expecting a country music act, or my amp didn't work, and played most of the chords wrong, I had plenty of folks who grew up on country approaching me thanking me for making a space for them to enjoy it. So if you ever are lookin to make friends and neighbors, falling back on old blues about screwin' and selling peanuts is always a good bet. 

Maybe this is a bit on the dramatic side for the start of the year, but I recently had a major falling out that I thought would never occur. You would honestly think some relationships can weather any storm, but its even worse when it wasn’t any singular thing that led to the parting ways. No huge argument, blow up, thrown plate or nothin. Just a gradual fade away that you don’t realize till one of your lifes loves is far into the sunset.  

And the worst part…. The very worst part of all this drama… is that its not a person, an artist or place I’ve fallen out of love with and am feeling this melancholy for…. Its just a guitar pick…

Yep. A simple guitar pick. The guitar pick that I’ve been playing for over 6 years now, but still just a guitar pick. Just last week I came to the realization that I don’t like playing with this type of pick anymore. I had moved onto another style. I have easily put in $100 into this type of pick in the last decade. It has never failed me. Always been by my side from show to show. But I just found I couldn’t create the music that was calling to me anymore through it. It wasn’t the tool for the job anymore. Though I will always have it in my guitar case (and not a few forgotten pockets) I do mourn for this trusty tool that has always seen me through, but that I have developed past.

Maybe a bit dramatic…. but its good to show appreciation to those who have influenced you so much. Even if it is just a $5 guitar pick. 

With the winding down of the year, there is a lot to look back on. This year has been everything I wanted and more when it comes to music. The band I play with, Chicken Coop Willaye, has never been happier. We've finally started to see dividends from all the work we've put in, including an increased amount of shows, increased pay for performances, and having fans. REAL FANS! People who came all the way out to the venue just to see us in a basement bar on a Thursday night….. well how about that. It really makes a man pause and think about what he's grateful for. 

Its not all been roses and skipping hand in hand with opportunity though. No sir. We've put in a lot of work and arguments to get to where we are today. There has been a lot of growth within ourselves, without ourselves, and between ourselves that has made it happen. I, for one, started this year ROUGH. Barely holding myself together in my work. Not putting in the effort where it was needed. Trying to hide my problems under the rock of hobbies and opportunities. Opportunities wither and dry up if you don't plant them in good solid soil and tend them so they don't get crowded out by the opportunities that aren't fruitful. Or are distracting. 

So keep tending the garden. Pull your weeds. Water them when it's dry. Take time to practice your craft and become efficient in the chores that make opportunity flourish. 

But also… take time to rest and appreciate what you've built. What is a garden if you don't get to enjoy the crops of your labor or the dazzling bouquet of living color you've made? Busy season will come and call you to work again. You will fret, you will cry, you will strain. So rest. Rest and enjoy the progress you've made. 

-Woodford Pines-