East London

I did some blues songs and I really belted ‘em out. The place went completely nuts. Everyone was rockin’ and yelling out “g-man! Yo da man!” I never felt as good as that moment before onstage. Afterwards everyone was shaking my hand and telling me how good I was. So began the growlin’ thing. I thought that I would never be able to top that moment. I didn’t want to go back the next week, because I knew it would be less. It turned out really well however.

Ballydoyle soundman Rick Sullivan gave me lots of good insight about how and when to back off on the MIC when belting out. He also gave me the suggestion for the Aphex Acoustic Xciter which I wouldn’t’ show up to a gig without. I can’t tell you how many people think that my guitar is the best that they’ve ever heard.

In the spring I had launched my Web Site “gmanblues.com” it was a huge milestone number 5 for me. It was like hanging an “Open for Business” shingle out for me. Things really seemed to be happening. The Web opens many doors, and has many paths to progress on. You should be exploring and leaving your name wherever you go; building your brand recognition.

One Saturday I got a last minute email from Ballydoyle Pub requesting me to play that night the regularly scheduled band couldn’t make it. I didn’t think that I was ready, but Carla insisted that I was. Ballydoyle on a Saturday night was a huge first gig for me. I was apprehensive for several reasons, the main one was that Rick Sullivan couldn’t make it and I didn’t know how to run the Bose. But I showed up with my tiny little PA and showed everyone a good time. This was Milestone number 6—paying gig.