ok perverts, its not what you think… FOR SHAME!!!
I’ve entered a Talent show, and will be performing live in front of a crowd for the first time solo.
I’ll be singing and accompanying myself on Guitar.
The songs I’ll be performing are “Time of your Life” by Green Day
and “You do something to me” by Paul Weller.
I’m pretty nervous,
So wish me the best of Luck!!!
(I’ll not be able to check the boartds over the weekend, so, I’ll let you know on Monday.
Have a good weekend everyone!!!
Best of luck, I know you’ll knock 'em dead.
Break a leg, John! Quick tip: do NOT imagine the audience as naked. It will do nothing but make you unable to make yourself stop giggling. Trust me. And then your 6th grade teacher will approach you afterwards, and ask what was so funny, and that will set you off AGAIN and…oh, wait. That’s my life.
My improv soap opera opens in three weeks, at the coolest club in Burlington. I’m scared outta my mind. Not only because it’s impov, and therefore unscripted, but because I KNOW people who go to this club, dammit. On the other hand, the worst that can happen is that I end up looking silly, and since it’s comedy, that’s not a problem. Again, good luck, and remember: when channeling Billy Jo, think angst.
I don’t know SwimmingRiddles, I think a novel approach to a Green Day song would be light-hearted and whimsical.
Good luck JohnLarrigan! My advice: wear red, so that the splattering tomatoes won’t be too noticeable. 
Good Luck John!
Although I’ve never aspired to be a performer I’ve participated in a few talent shows in my life. The only times it has gone well is when I was so well prepared I could play the songs backwards and forwards in my sleep (too much work!) or when I didn’t care at all what the audience thought (almost no work at all). So guess what my advice is?
Maybe you should imagine SwimmingRiddles naked and see if that helps. It’s worth a try!
I’m pulling for you, John.
You’re gonna knock 'em out!
Remember, the people in the audiance are pond scum. They don’t have the talent to be up there. You do.
Show 'em who’s boss, Irish. 
pluto said:
Oh, sure, that would calm someone down. Yeesh.
Although, it is always worth a try.
Anyways, best of luck, John; just remember that you won’t make any mistakes- you’ll just have “your own distinct musical stylings.”
Go John…you’ll be good. Your doing something up there that 99% of the audience can’t do.
Good luck!
You know, I went to rehersal last night. This is the same group of people who started a conversation at one of our Murder Mysteries, easily heard by the guests, about my breasts while I was in the bathroom. I returned to the room, and one of the guests said “Do you KNOW what they’ve been talking about? YOUR BREASTS.” Wonderful.
Somehow during rehersal the subject of my breasts came up again. I shouted “WHY MUST WE ALWAYS COME BACK TO MY BREASTS?” And we all started laughing hysterically.
Now, on this message boards, my nudity has once again become a topic of conversation. And I haven’t even MET any of you. My life is wacked.
So how’d it go?
Hope you don’t have trouble with those songs, they’re pretty simple. The more you perform live the easier it becomes. If you make a little mistake just carry on chances are many people wont notice it. I’m one of those guitar showman. Playing impossible licks backwards, upside down, with my teeth, with my tounge…(this behavior gets you chicks) The more you play in front of an audience the more comfortable you get. From this you may deduce that I have played live many times-yes. It’s a little hard and nerveracking the first few times, but weather through it. Um K.
Update… Update…
Having forgotten completely about this thread… I thought that I should let you know what happened…
I whnt to the hall where the show was to be held, carrying a borrowed Semi-accoustic. I introduced myself to the commitee, tuned my guitar and had a sound check.
So far so good.
I went to the Bar, as I had about an hour to wait before the show started and my friends turned up. To steady my nerves, I thought that a drink would help. It did. In fact it helped so much I helped myself to another. And a Vodka for good luck.
As the show was about to start, I joined my friends in the hall. The backing band were doing the warmup and the after show entertainment. I chatted to my friens and tried not to show my nerves, which were now getting a bit better.
The draw was made to determine when the acts would appear, and I was drawn first. To start the contest. For my first time to play on my own.
I went backstage picked up my guitar and was introduced to the crowd. Although I know about the ill effects of imagining people naked, I tried my best to ignore this as a crowd of Grannies entered the hall. The backing band left the stage as I was doing this by myself.
With that sobering thought in my head, I greeted the audience, realizing then that the entire audience (barring my friends and a few more in the hall) were fairly mature.
I went through my act without a problem. I felt great leaving the stage and taking my seat.
I was bought a couple of drinks to celebrate, which I drank with great pleasure (hey, they were free!!)
(and no, I dont have a problem!!!)
The other acts consisted of a clearly 1980’s Standup Comedian, an Uilleann pipes player, 2 more singers and a Leisure-Suited Cabaret Singer. I swear, this guy was clearly frozen in Ice in 1971, and thawed out that morning, with the original greased back hair……
Anyway… the night continued… and the voting commenced. The vote is by the Audience, and I wasn’t worried where I came, I was just happy with what I did. The voting slips were handed up.
The top 2 acts were to go through to the grand final, and the rest of us got a pat on the back for our efforts.
I got third.
The Uillean piper, who I thought was absolutly amazing, came second. (he played a song called the Lonesome Boatman, which completely silenced the audience. I thought it was beautiful).
Sleezy McCabaret-Throwback came first. I was ill. I went to the bar while he was going up to collect his prize. His encore was “Don’t let the sun go down on me” in the style of George Michael with a cold.
I had a few people tell me that I did well, and realizing I couldn’t change the vote by being angry, I calmed down and sat down with my friends again. Being rather tipsy by this stage, I sat there in amused silence watching the act upon the stage. As the song reached the 3rd verse, I turned to my friends, and in my best english accident said to them
“Ladies and Gentlemen! MR. ELTON JOHN!!!”
My friends almost wet themselves laughing. So did the table beside us. And the table next to them. Apparently I don’t know my own vocal volume when I’m drunk.
I was getting the evil eye by the singer, who was trying his best to continue singing while the backing band fell about the place laughing while trying to back him up.
I took this as a great sign to relax and take heart in my nights performance.
Thanks for all the support guys…