| Volume 2 #9 | June 2007                          

Show Up And Smile

Since moving to Nashville, I've been slowly getting to know the Nashville music community. I've been networking here and there and have now been getting lots of invitations to various events. Recently I went to a songwriters gathering which happens every month. You can read more about that in a new blog I've started called Wendy V's Nashville Blend.

That afternoon took me back to when I first started my efforts to encourage local coffeehouse musicians in St. Paul and Minneapolis.  I wasn't a musician, booking agent or manager, so I couldn't offer any support that way. I was someone writing a newsletter and had a website, and just wanted to hear the music and let the musicians know someone was listening and the music was appreciated. At times in the Twin Cities coffeehouses, it was a challenge. In some spots it would be a very small crowd and the closest tables were taken up by people who were not paying attention to the music--they were talking, reading, playing games (and in one instance I recall, a couple doing nothing but kissing!)--hardly even applauding after a song. So, no matter where I happened to be sitting, I was going to make sure the artists knew they had my attention and I was listening. I was just going to sit and smile and perhaps be that friendly face the people on stage could focus on. What I learned over the years was that very simple gesture worked and it meant a lot to the artists to know that someone was noticing their efforts.

At this Nashville gathering, the songwriters ranged from the accomplished to the just starting out. I unfortunately don't have much of the gift of songwriting. So, when I sat in on a couple of rounds to listen, I didn't have a song or any craft expertise to offer...but I did offer my attention, applause and encouragement as a listener. Now, at first I didn't know if that would help as it did in the Twin Cities. After all, this was Nashville, Music City...I wondered if people here were so confident in their abilities that they wouldn't need my kind of support.  But the e-mails and comments I received afterward told me that they did need encouragement and that it was noticed and appreciated. 

What I'm saying here is--it doesn't matter who you are or where you are. Encouragement is important, and it's needed. And, it's simple for anyone to do. It's as easy as showing up, paying attention, and smiling. Go out there and support your local talent and give it a try.

Be an encourager...and be encouraged!

---Wendy V

The three part series on embracing encouragement is now available on my podcast, called "Wendy V's Ponder Cast". 

Go to www.wendyv.com/pondercast.htm and you will find the link where you can subscribe to the podcast through ITunes, or just listen on the Cyberears.com site. 

All original written material ©2005-2007 Wendy Vickers. All Rights Reserved.

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