Topic: Chucked in the deep end.
So I was invited to a braai ( South African version of a barbecue ) last weekend by a neighbor whom I hardly know.Not wanting to be rude I say sure, I will pop over for a while.
So the hour of the braai comes and I arrive at the guy's house.
There were about 20 people there and I didn't know anybody except the owner.
Thinking that this sucks I start preparing my excuse to leave.
Just to make an effort at small talk while I guzzle my beer I ask the dude next to me from where does he know Rupert ( the owner ).O, he says, we play in a band together.
He ( Nico ) plays guitar and Rupert plays drums, the lady in the red sweater plays keyboard.
Cool I say and then like a fool I pipe up, I play guitar too.
Polite smiles from the 3 of them, thats nice they say and we start chatting.
Later after the food has been devoured and we are sitting around the fire Rupert goes inside and returns with a Cort acoustic guitar.Thinking it's time to leave before they make me try play the damn thing I stand up to prepare to leave.Too late - I am trapped.
Nico starts playing and plays very well. Problem is that it is all lead guitar stuff, very showy and technical but the people don't seem impressed.Maybe they have heard it all before.
The guitar is passed to Rupert who plays some nice simple Bob Dylan and the people actually clap when he is done.
The instrument of humiliation is then passed to me. Deep breath and in I go.
I start with Have you ever seen the rain, one of the few songs that I can start and finish.
I recently learned the riffs and think I will do ok.
About halfway through the chorus I am totally shocked to see some people tapping their feet to the rhythm and singing along with me .Trying to be a total pro I don't let the fact that the audience is actually enjoying what I am doing put me off.
I finish the song and people clap, WOW , all the hours put in and sacrifices now seem worth it.
My turn comes around again and I play The House of the Rising Sun and I start enjoying myself, all thoughts of leaving early vanish and new friends made.
Ain't music wonderful.
Jamie R
