Last week, before leaving Kanarraville, Utah, we visited Zion National Park. What beauty! It’s a statement of the grand, the magnificent, the glorious. There were so many snapshots I took in ~ not with a camera but with my being. That’s how I do it. I visually take in this beautiful earth and somewhere down the road it materializes into song that is then expressed before audiences…and on CD.

Breathtaking Zion

There really is so much to see outside of our neighborhood. I’m one of those folks who lived pretty much within in the confines of my town ~ not straying too much into the unknown territories. But in leaving the “comfort zone” I am expanding my person, my character, my being and doing in the bigger world.

Magnificent Zion

I like that I/we’re being expanded. I like that we’re meeting lots of new folks and experiencing kindnesses we would not otherwise know. We will carry forward these experiences since they’ve become part of our being and, perhaps like the movie ‘Pay It Forward‘, we’ll redisplay the kindnesses in one way or another to those we meet along the journey ~ known as Life.

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I had a couple more open air Market performances the past weekend.

I performed at the Thanksgiving Point Market in Lehi, Utah. You can see our little helper to my left. And in the next picture there she is overseeing the CD sales table. She does draw a lot of folks to the table, but her sales have to pick up or we’ll need to let her move on to other duties.

Then onto Park City a couple days later for their Silly Sunday Market (a second time). There’s the *little helper* on the stage making sure all is good. “How’s the sound level Asia?” However, although she drew in the people, she’ll not return to the stage as this proved counter to my performance.

Thanksgiving Point Performance

Our *little helper* at the CD table.

Park Silly Sunday Market

The finish of another nice week along this new path.

Kanarraville Farm House

We were here in Kanarraville, Utah. This is a picture of a farm house across the street from where our trailer was parked. What a backdrop to this farm, huh?

The RV park we stayed at for the first week of the tour, is Red Ledge. Such a nifty little place…about 15 spots in all. And it also has the only store in this town of about 350 folks. Yep, that’s right. No gas stations, no markets, no restaurants. We loved it!

We would have liked to stay longer but I’ve got a couple performances up Provo way so we had to leave this wonderful little town today. We’ll be back though.

Our home on the road ~ beautiful spot at Red Ledge RV Park.

The Grind Coffee House ~ Site of first tour performance.

What a nice spot we had. Huge shade trees overhanging our home. Yes, it is “home” to us now…and we like it. It’s amazing to realize that one can actually get along with much less “stuff” than what was previously a part of life. We’ve borrowed a credo from Derek Sivers (founder of CD Baby) which he stated in his blog “Ah, to own nothing!”. That is: Every item is now judged harshly as a major burden that better have a damn good explanation why we should carry it around with us everywhere as we travel.

Now, to the left you see a picture of The Grind Coffee House. This is the site of my first performance on the Western Region Tour. What a great place this is too! The owner, A.J., has done a wonderful job at making this coffee house a real performance/listening venue. When Susan and I walked in we could hardly believe what we saw. A huge stage and an awesome sound system. Before the show started that evening chairs were set out for the audience. This created an environment like that of a house concert or small auditorium. It made my performance an event rather than just some guy playing music over in the corner. Kudos to A.J. and the crew for making The Grind…awesome!

Performing at Park Silly Sunday Market

And here I am performing at Park Silly Sunday Market in Park City, Utah. This gig came about quickly because another musician had canceled. Although it took five hours to get there I felt it was a good opportunity. Good enough to get invited back the following week! And if we hadn’t gone then the CD’s that sold, the people that signed up for the mailing list, the folks that took business cards and flyers about house concerts wouldn’t have happened ~ because nothing else was planned for that day.

All in all . . . a wonderful experience for this 50 year old guy who is just starting out on pursuit of a music career.

It’s the day before we leave for my “Western Region Tour”. Most all available dates are booked though I think I’d like even more, especially this first time out. I’d like to play anywhere ~ anytime…with exceptions of course…like, a laundromat at 3:00 AM. Know what though, if there were someone to listen I’d probably play.

It’s been so hectic up to this day and will continue to be as I’ve got to hitch up the trailer and get tanks drained for traveling. I’ve got to load up the truck with gear. I’ve got to…the story goes on…and on. I guess we’ll be able to rest a bit this evening. Then it’s up bright and early for take off which will include a somewhat official bon-voyage, the ship being christened with froo-froo coffee.

And up to this day I’ve been wondering what might happen, both on the road and with things left behind, like our as-of-yet unsold house. I really thought it’d be sold by now ~ it’s been on the market for almost a year. Yes, the market is slow(er) but it’s such a great house ~ everything but the kitchen has been upgraded. Buyer, where are you?!

The sale of the house was to provide the $$$ for travel expenses and largely to be a means of financial support for at least two years. Tomorrow we hit the road without this “safety net”. Aaahhh! What to do?! Well, I don’t have an answer other than this: we’re doing what we know to do. Nothing inside either of us knows to do anything else. No other direction is being given but…go. Yes, there’s a route planned out, city’s to stop in for performances, places to park the trailer. But how about the money to pay for it? We’ve got some. But the rest? Who knows!

I have to admit there is some disappointment in starting out this way. But then there’s some excitement too. The excitement is in not knowing what will happen out there in the bigger world Susan and I have yet to explore and know. The disappointment is in having a glass that is nearly empty ~ but then that too is kind of exciting. I’m not sure how to explain what I mean by that. Maybe this will: Woohoo! It’s what you say when you’re both excited and scared as the wild ride roller coaster takes off.

So the new CD, ‘2nd Groove’, is done and ready for pressing. This recording has been the most challenging to complete. It was in the recording process for about two years. I started it before I recorded and released ‘The View From Here‘. But it wasn’t going to be finished in time for my own self imposed release schedule of one CD each year. I restarted the project after promoting TVFH for a while. It took about six months to finish all the tracking. Then another four months for post-production activities. Whew! It’s a good album though, worth the wait. Now I’ve run into a new delay for ‘2nd Groove’ ~ the money needed to get the disc pressed. I ask myself “how hard is it going to be to get this disc finished?!” Well, I don’t know. I do know that I’ve sure had to press hard on this one ~ to keep going when moving on to a different recording might be easier. It’ll happen though ~ I still hold out hope.

Now on to the rest of this busy day.

Currently I’m working on setting performance dates for my Western Region Tour ~ my first (ad)venture outside of my local home town as a solo artist. The fun begins on August 5th. This is part of the process of starting into music as a career. Wow…it’s a lot of work! Anyone out there a booking agent?

List of tour dates.

Something I’m really looking forward to along this tour route is being in new places, meeting new people, seeing beautiful new landscape. New…that’s what I’m anticipating. I plan on taking photos of the adventure and putting them up here on my blog. I will also (promise, promise, promise!) blog much more often. I’ve been so busy preparing that by the end of the day I’ve not made time to come here and write something.

So, we’re still waiting for - and wanting - our house to sell. Do you know of anyone looking for a real nice house for a real nice price? We’ve dropped it by $40,000. Yep, that’s right! If you do then please contact me at michael at michael mucklow dot com. I thought it’d be sold by now but I’m not the Master planner. I think sometimes patience requires patience. Know what I mean?

It has felt like we cannot leave on this tour prior to our house selling. But I’ve decided otherwise. Tour dates are set and those cannot be easily canceled. So we’re heading out regardless of the sale of the house. (Yes, above I mentioned “patience requires patience”). But I’m not hanging around to wait for that. Let’s get this show on the road! Sometimes we have to move first, then the “other” will move to accommodate us. That’s probably a good way to define faith.

For those of you who haven’t received an Guitar Stylings e-newsletter from me in a while it’s because a few email programs have failed me. I’m going to start using Gmail since I send out a text based newsletter anyway. And Gmail let me BCC so no one’s email addy is exposed. If you’re not on my mailing list and would like to be then please send an email to guitar stylings at michael mucklow dot com.

That’s it for today. I will return before another month is up.

~Michael

Here I am hanging out in an RV park, diligently working on establishing a music career. Slipping down into the jacuzzi then sipping down coolers at the pool. It’s hard work!

OK, reality check. It’s not a rock-n-roll life style I’m now living. Hardly. I don’t want that anyway…pursuing a career in music now, at age ‘50 something’ really is much more enjoyable. I’m pretty sure I’m past the material stage, where the only reason I want to be a full-time musician is to acquire material possessions. The monetary wealth side of it wouldn’t be bad, but that’s not so important to me either.

There’s a lot of work ahead though. An indie artist cannot always afford the team of folks behind the scenes that help the career along. So one becomes their own booking agent, manager, publicist, and so on. That’s in addition to being the musician who needs to write new songs, practice, perform, do interviews, stay in touch with fans, etc. Whew!

Know what though? I don’t mind it! Yeah, it can get overwhelming sometimes but I’m working hard for the very thing I love doing most…music. I may only ever make the same amount of money I made working a day job, but that’s OK. The possibility is, however, that I’ll earn more because I’m doing what I love. The other thing is, if you’re doing something that other people truly enjoy also, then folks come along who want to help you further your endeavor. (Well, OK, these ‘helpers’ might want to get paid for what they do…that’s alright.) Good attracts good.

Here I am hanging out in our travel trailer writing this blog. We gave up our house, the car, the day-jobs, and all the extraneous possessions. We’re down to 240 square feet of living space and one truck. Only the clothing that will fit in the wardrobe. Interestingly, we like it! Neither of us had imagined we’d be here…and perhaps that’s a good thing. We probably would have tried to shape this future, now present, had we known it was coming.

OK, back to work now. Hmm. Actually, writing this blog would be considered work. After all, it’s letting you folks know what’s up with this ‘50-something-starting-a-music-career-for-the-first-time-in-his-life’ musician. See there…it’s work but it’s something I love to do!

When I retired from the “day-job” at the end of April I figured I’d be writing new entries into my Weblog just about every day. What’s happened?! How have I let time slip by so fast as to miss 15 days worth of entries?

Well, I kind of get tunnel vision when recording/mixing my albums…and that’s what I’m presently doing. ‘2nd Groove’ is in the final stages of production and will be sent out for manufacturing on June 2. So that’s where my primary focus has been…and the blog unattended for a while. Sorry about that.

Since the last entry (on May 1) we went to New Mexico to attend the burial and memorial of another family member; this time my brother-in-law Mark. He was only 52. It was just six months ago that my wife’s mother passed away - and now her brother which truly was sudden. I really liked Mark, his heart, his spirit. It may be a while before I’m fully settled with his passing, before all the (associated) sadness has gone away.

Driving to New Mexico from Joshua Tree is such a beautiful trek. Sometimes I think about pulling over, getting out my guitar, and writing a new song influenced by the surroundings. But I don’t…never have. And sometimes I’ve wondered why - because I know other musicians that do. However, I think I’m OK with this now - as I told my wife - all this beauty I take in while we’re driving eventually comes out in my music. That’s partly why I’m anxious for traveling around the country (and world?). I’m anticipating writing much more music than I ever have; music that will come from all the experiences of our travels. I’ve already titled the album I’ll release in 2009…’Silent Voices’.

Day 17, and this 50 year old, first time full-time musician is enjoying life - and it’s the first time I’ve ever felt fully confident in the life I’m living.

And so this day - the first as a full-time professional musician - comes to a close. Was it eventful? Well, it was full of events. Was it all about music? Not really, nothing too musical other than buying a new set of headphones to use in mixing my third album, ‘2nd Groove’.

Even with the preparation for the arrival of today there were still *normal* things needing to be done. Gas up the truck; move the trailer to a new RV park; get some new supplies; go to the bank, etc. So, the first day of my music career was…kinda like any other day. I’m not disappointed though, after all I’m retired from the *day-job* and that’s not such a bad thing.

Tomorrow however will more officially kick off the career…for about the next week or so I will be laying down the final guitar tracks on the new album. Then it goes into mixing mode, then the final process of mastering. I will wrap up the project by the end of May and have a CD release party on June 21, 2008. Yeah!

Three CD’s in three years. I didn’t know this would come about. Once I left my last band I figured that was the end - maybe I’d play guitar around the house - but no more musical adventures. I had never performed or even thought of myself as a solo artist…I had always been in a band. On with the “real” job I ordered to myself! A few years passed. Then it began to happen. During my times of *tinkering* around on guitar started coming this music that would eventually become my first album as a solo performer, ‘Clearly’. It was unexpected.

Truthfully, I like it that way. I’d rather not know what’s coming next. If I knew of future details I’d just mess ‘em up - I’d get in the way by acting on what I think is supposed to happen. Ha! Yeah, that would backfire miserably! But, then again, it would aid in the process of ensuring I remain a humbled musician.

I think I’m going to enjoy this adventure. I anxiously await every opportunity and will do my best with each one. Though ultimately I must rely upon my own inner knowings, the response from family, friends and former co-workers regarding this all-out pursuit of music has been quite encouraging. Taking this step at 20 years of age is normal. Taking this step at 50…not so normal, and questionable for some folks. I’m thankful for all the good words spoken to me because it helps me know there is value to the expression that I am. Even the comments questioning my sanity are beneficial for they too strengthen what I believe of myself.

Now onto day two!

Sometimes, things just seem tougher to do. Or maybe they’re just inflated, puffed up and ‘larger-than-life’. I’m getting through this month of April OK. My *day-job* ends with the end of the month. But some things that are usually normal seem…abnormally tough to do or be. Hmm.

My wife and I both feel this transition to a full-time music career should be smoother, less troublesome. You know, like we’ve payed our dues just getting to this place where the transition is actually occurring. Maybe there’s more to pay? Well, I sure hope it’s not a lot! Honestly!

I’m using up a few of my *sick* days since I don’t get to redeem them when the job ends. Got stuff to do, business to take care of. Selling the house…selling the (now) extra car…and going through all the *stuff* collected and stored in a 160sft shed. Yikes! But I’m glad we’re getting rid of what isn’t needed. And when you think about it, if it’s being stored in a shed, why are we keeping it in the first place? Hmm.

And dealing with the travel trailer we purchased late last year. We’re still having issues which are fortunately covered by the warranty. But you just don’t expect it - buy something new and it needs weekly repairs. We’ve got to get them done though so we can take off and travel. We did take a look at a couple of 5th wheels. Whoa! Have you seen (even) one of these? They really are like a home…well, to us they are.

So life continues in April, with it’s unexpected twists, turns and adventures. Yes, the more perfect way to perceive life is that it is an adventure. We’re ready for it!

On March 18, my wife’s birthday, I gave notice to my employer that I was resigning my position. Yeah! So as of May 1, 2008, I will be a full-time musician for the first time in my life.

Yikes! I’m 50 years old and am just now becoming a *full-time* professional musician! I guess a few folks would say “what are you doing?!” I’ve thought that myself actually. But on that Tuesday morning of March 18 I awoke knowing I no longer had enough faith to continue working in the *day-job* capacity. I knew I had enough faith to resign my position and move forward into what my wife (Susan) and I truly want to do now.

I’ve been part timing it as a musician for…oh, about…34 years. I thought I would remain in that station, and I was OK with that. Good paying job, home owner, family man, two cars in the yard, etc. I have several CD’s to my credit, the most recent ‘Clearly’ and ‘The View From Here’ a result of having become a solo artist in 2005. Still I was a part timer at music.

Then around this time last year my wife and I genuinely connected as a couple. I think that as a result of this occurrence we began to become who we really wanted to be all along, but needed to truly love one another and be each others best friend…and champion. So up from within started coming real life. And as we fell in love and shared our thoughts we discovered we agreed on our life’s direction. So here we go!

May 1, 2008, will be met with lots of excitement. Hopefully by then our house, extra car and lots of (now) unwanted *stuff* will be sold off. Maybe I’ll take a couple weeks to decompress from 34 years of working “for the man”…and…then…lots of work!

This time however the work will be to establish a foothold in music. Not to become a *star*, or famous, or rich, but to f-i-n-a-l-l-y earn a living from what I love doing most…music. I do believe that if you do what you love the money will follow. Yes, it will require much work - probably more than I’ve ever done on any one day-job. That’s OK though because I’m willing…whatever it takes.

I will maintain this blog so folks can keep up with what’s happing with this 50 year old instrumental guitarist who is just starting out. I’ll share our thoughts, experiences, life on the road, meanderings and such.

Stay tuned…

Michael