The Battle of Self Worth

A friend told me yesterday that I shouldn't say I wasn't special. In her opinion I was. But the ole self doubts are rampant today and I'm wondering at the practicality of this move and career choice so late in my life.

Starting out to make a career in folk music is a daunting task to say the least. Like I said in an earlier blog, there is no manual or set of instructions to follow to insure success. I've started trying to connect with other folks but it's seems slow going and a bit like pulling teeth.

Reflecting on my own talents, I wonder if I have enough of whatever it takes to make this choice work. It requires an unwavering belief in my own ability to survive and a hope that I will connect with the people I need to, to get seen.

Self worth is very important to making others believe I can deliver. But I'm not young anymore and I don't know what the value of my music is. Having never made a living off my music, I'm blind to what steps I need to take.

I've been contacting music venues to see if we can play. So far, I've played in a local coffeehouse for free and gave away CD's. I've contacted folks I know in Toronto to see if I can pick their brains. I think that's a good first step. Find out where the songwriters hang out. Find out who knows the business and buy them a coffee. Tell them your plans and see if they have any advice.

Any advice is good at this point. It helps to solidify the next moves. I can't do this alone or in isolation. Getting my face seen and recognized is important as is sharing my music and my ideas.

Spending time on the computer contacting various venues and folks is a thankless job but it is the one thing that will keep us moving forward. It's one step at a time, slow and painful in some ways, but at least a step.

Stay tuned...