Open Mic Milestone

On Monday nights in Pittsburgh is the Acousticafe.



A bunch of GREAT artists get together at the Club Cafe in the South Side and plays their original music. You'll hear a cover song every once in a while but the rule is that you get 2 songs, and only one can be a cover.

I've gone to this open mic a couple of times but have never performed. It's so intimidating because almost everyone there is is amazing! There are professional musicians there every week who play to get exposure and "make it."

Um... I've never written a song. I'm not qualified to play and sing here, but it turns out that Joel Lindsey, who was my guitar teacher for a while was hosting the night. So he got me a time slot to play! Yikes!

When I got there, Joel and I talked and he asked what I was going to play. When I told him I had not one but two cover songs, he told me of the rule but then said it was OK because I had come once before but didn't get a time slot to play. After a bunch of thought (like 26 seconds or so) I decided that 1 cover song would be enough. Joel then offered his band if I wanted. his band is amazing. He seriously has the sickest Bassist I have ever heard. He's really unbelievable. When he offered the band, I said "Sure, whatever! That sounds cool!"

So my name gets called and I go up to play. I'm playing a new song, one that I've never played for anybody. "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake. I practiced a bunch and I felt like I had it all down. Little did I know that I would get ridiculously nervous, sing a little flat, and forget my lyrics. (luckily I had them up there with me) So it was a little difficult in the beginning, but then the band came up and it totally rocked! (in my opinion) I relaxed and sang with more confidence and things just sounded so much better. Joel announced that it was my first time ever playing the Acousticafe and the best part is that when I was finished the place went nuts! Well, maybe nuts is a bit of an exaggeration. They did clap and cheer for me and a bunch of people came up and said how great I did and that I should come back and keep playing. It was totally encouraging and awesome!

Courtney was there and she took some pics and video. So here it is... let me know what you think!

Cry Me a River - Acousticafe from Courtney Bowden on Vimeo.

Worked-OUT.

I went to Cross-fit.

I worked out.

I died.

The End.




P.S. I didn't really die. But I waaaaaaaaaaaaanted to. And still think it's a very real possibility.

2010 - Musical Resolutions

I hate making New Year's resolutions.

I hate them because I NEVER follow through with them. I make some good attempts, but nothing ever really seems to stick and I find myself making the same resolutions year after year.

Well I've said it before and I'll say it again. "This year is going to be different!"

My resolution for 2010 has 2 parts and they both involve music.

1.) Play songs at a bar or open mic with the true goal being to have my own set. Like a 30 minute set of me just playing and singing.

2.) Write a song. Just one. Then perform it.

So Courtney is preparing a plethora of posts to share with all of you about our recent vacation to St. John in the US Virgin Islands. It was an amazing trip... but you'll hear all about it later.

While we were there, we went to a little bar/restaurant called Island Blues for lunch and I read on their board that the next night was an open mic. So of course I made everyone go with the hopes that I could play.

We went and had a few drinks and the band that was hosting, called Rock Fish, was playing their set and it looked like there wasn't going to be much of an open mic. This really old guy who had brought his own beautiful hollowed body guitar decided to leave and just as he was the band stopped playing and started shouting, "Wait Bob don't leave! You're up! You're up!"

So Bob gets up there and is pretty much an amazing blues guitarist. He plays with the band and some other guy he knows and they rock the house! I mean ROCK THE HOUSE! It was incredible and I thought to myself "No way can I follow that up!"

Bob and the band finish their set and the lead singer/guitar player comes up to do some acoustic stuff while the band takes a break and that's when I seized my opportunity and went up and asked if I could play. The leader of the band said "Sure thing!" and then introduced me to the bar and disappeared. I played 2 songs. "Be With You" by Mr. Big and "In Your Eyes" as done by Jeffery Gaines. Both songs are main staples of mine. It was really fun and when the night was over the owner of the bar told me I did a great job and that I could play there any time I wanted if I come back! The leader of the band told me I did great too and said that I should go after my passion and do more with music. It was cool to have them say something like that because they aren't my friends or family, whio have to tell you you did great even if you sound like a cat being put in a microwave. Overall, it was a really cool night.

So I have played an open mic in 2010, but I still haven't reached my goal. Two songs is hardly a full set. Writing a song seems like a daunting task, but I have all year to do it. I'll keep you posted.

Aaaannnnddd... if you're wondering...yes, there is a video of me playing and yes it's below for your viewing pleasure. I'm only posting "Be With You" for right now and I will have to warn you... I don't think I sound that great. I also got a little nervous and forgot some of my lyrics. I worked it out though, with Courtney's help. Also, after my video is a video of Andrew Ripp singing his song "Losing Gravity." It's what I aspire to be.

So... let me know what you think about both videos. And tell me the truth.

The video is a little rough, but I'd love to hear what you think of it!

This guy is amazing!

One Liners

So it’s been a while...But I’m working on some big things. Resolution things. Vacation things. Style things. 

...but none of that is ready to share yet. So while I get my act together around here, I’ve been recording little thoughts here:


It’s a five year journal...There is a page for each day of the year, with 5 spaces to write. It’s only a tiny little space, so you can’t record much. Just enough room for a couple memories and feelings per day. 


I’m proud to say I’ve written in it every day so far (well sometimes I had to backlog...but I got it done!), and I hope to keep going. I love the idea of looking back in a few years....Like a time capsule for my thoughts.

It’s not too late to start your own!
Available on amazon.

Birthday Card

He waited patiently all night for me to open my present. Finally after dinner, it was gift time.

After complimenting the wrapping, I noticed there was something missing.
“Where’s my card? You know, the one that tells me your inner most feelings and thoughts about how much you love me?”
His response? “Um, I need to get that. Hmmm.”

But there was no time for that. So instead, I sat next to him with my hands held together like a pretend card.

He pointed to my hand, and he described the picture on the front...it was beautiful.
He told me the first line...it was funny.
He opened my hands to read the inside...it was loving.
And at the end, there was a kiss...it was my favorite.

I love that husband of mine.

Antsy

There are a couple folks in the Bowden household who can’t wait for vacation.....

In fact, last night they were so excited they couldn’t sleep.

After tossing and turning, they decided to try to pass the time with some of the locals.
...But they just didn’t quite fit in.

So they flipped and flopped downstairs to catch some reruns of Planet Earth.

But soon, all that ocean talk made them crave the feeling of waves on their fins.
...So they found the closest alternative.

Alas, it just wasn’t the same as the freedom of the great outdoors.
And before I could warn them, they had run outside to play...

....which for obvious reasons, didn’t last long.
Cold and dejected, they scuffled back inside.
To wait.....

Soon, little flippers.....soon.

C.B. Milligan

One of our good friends here in Pittsburgh, has decided to try his hand at designing, and has started a t-shirt line. He's dubbed it C.B. Milligan (I like to think that's it's in honor of my initials...but he'll have to explain the real roots...) and the first offering is “The Crest of Pittsburgh Tee”. It's only his first shirt, but I think I like where this is headed....

For those of you who are local, the line is available at Decade.
Or, you can buy online here....

Congrats Brad!

Resolve.

Got your resolutions ready?

I’m still working on mine....

if you need help- check out this site for some fun inspiration!