Sound Traveler has just completed a coast to coast music trip! Well, maybe it is not quite as impressive as it might first sound. We traveled from Cape Canaveral all the way to the Tampa/ St. Pete area to participate and teach in The Sunshine State Acoustic Music Camp. Technically Cape Canaveral and Tampa Bay are located on opposite coasts, so we’re not really lying.

Patty had attended the camp several times as a student, but this was her first visit as an instructor. On the way back home, we talked about how it felt to change places – from the audience to the stage. She will have to tell you of her experience, but I shared what it felt like the first time I performed on the stage at the huge Singing on the Mountain Festival at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

Many very big names in gospel and Christian music have performed on that stage, and on one chill June morning I did as well. I was performing in the musical group Crossties. We were excited and a little nervous as we made sure we were in tune and ready. When the time came, we were swept onto the stage and found ourselves staring at thousands of people. It was a short set, but for the next thirty minutes or so we belted our contribution to the spiritual welfare of all mankind as we knew it.

As I look back now, I realize that I really felt no different before or after. It was something I had wanted to do, and I’m glad I got the chance. However after the performance, I was still the same guy I was before – just an average person trying to get closer to God and get better at music. And now, if I did’’t remind myself, I’d almost forget that I had ever played there.

Shakespeare wrote that “All the world’s a stage,” and I agree. Each of us constantly finds ourselves presenting our lines and listening to others present theirs. The fact is we all share this human condition, and we all must find ways to celebrate it together. So, for us the living, On with the Show!

Write in and share your experience of changing places and being what you never thought you would be. — Bob Tatum

3 Comments to “SongTravelin’: 11.15.10 – How Does it feel to Change Places?”

• November 15, 2010 at 12:21 pm
  Laurence says:

  I think you kind-of have to focus on the day. Ya can’t think too much about the past or the future.
• November 15, 2010 at 3:29 pm
  Roger says:

  Right on. It was good to see y’all this weekend too!
• November 15, 2010 at 9:09 pm
  Patty says:

  It’s hard to believe that around six short years ago, I took my very basic guitar skills to the Will McLean Folk Festival and found myself sitting in a late-night jam circle. Feeling quite confused and uncertain of what to do at a jam, I turned to the kind gentleman seated next to me for guidance. Turns out he was not just any festival guest. Charley Groth, a full-time old-fashioned troubador, is somewhat of a musical legend in the Florida folk world. Through the years, he has become my “Uncle Charley,” one of my music business mentors, and my friend.

  Charley runs the wonderful Sunshine State Acoustic Music Camp in St. Petersburg every 2nd weekend in November. It is the place for musicians to be, and I have been a student at Charley’s camp every year since 2005…until this year. This year was different. Charley took a chance on Sound Traveler and hired us to be instructors at camp, teaching ensemble classes such as group playing and mentored jamming. I got a promotion! How cool is that.

  When Bob & I were sitting on the stage playing our set at the annual instructors’ concert, I looked out at the audience. It just wasn’t that long ago that I was sitting in that audience in amazement, thinking that I would never be skilled enough to be one of those people on that stage. It’s still so hard to believe that I was up there giving it my best, and it definitely felt surreal, in a good way.

  Every time I take the stage, no matter where Sound Traveler ends up going next, I’ll be giving it my best. And whether it’s my turn to be a teacher or a student, I’ll do what I can to make the most of it. Thanks, Uncle Charley, for believing in me and playing a part in helping me on my journey.