Originally Posted by chip

Hi redshift,

There's been lots of good things written here so far. I'm a former gigging musician.

My drinking and drug use seemed to go hand in hand with the lifestyle I thought I wanted. I slowly became a "chronic" pot smoker because I felt it helped me be creative and write music. I was very comfortable as an alcoholic playing in bars as the booze made me feel more confident etc...

Eventually, I couldn't write any more decent music. I began to have difficulty playing live as well. Gigs became a struggle for me to stay sober enough to play and drive home afterward. I was always the one who kept going and going at the post gig party.....often my post gigs parties were one man parties.

I've never played a gig sober. I can't imagine getting up on stage without drinking.....it's a fear thing for me.

My music career ended before I began recovery. I got worse with my problem once my music career ended. Eventually I sobered up, and became focused on my family & job.

I think it's important to note that I found a new creative outlet. I think creative people need to express themselves in some way... I found a new voice in woodworking. Instead of expressing myself in a nightclub, I now do it in my garage. It seems to go better with my sobriety.

This works for me. I know a couple of guys from AA who are sober and play in a band. They are amazing muscians. I am not envious because I have my own creative outlet, and I've outgrown the desire to gig.

I think if I were still gigging, and I wanted to start recovery, I would try to keep an open mind to do whatever I needed to do to recover. If it meant taking a break, I'd take a break. If it means bringing a sober friend to the gig, I'd do it.

I wish you all the best in your own journey.


chip

Originally Posted by Cubile75

It was a few months before I picked my guitar up.

I will say that I react emotionally a bit more, especially to a new song I'm learning... This weekend will be a test... Memorial Day weekend means some whitewater canoe camping and a lot of guitar playing... sometimes we get to jam with other groups on the river... in the past, our audience is usually pretty well pickled... I am interested to see how I am able to jam with others stone cold sober... I'll let you know

If that goes well, there is an awesome bluegrass festival in these parts and it is all about picking and partying... But, I am optimistic, and since it's close, I can just pack up and go home if I'm not happy. Plus, a bet there are a few sober groups there...

I guess to your original question as I understand it.... I notice a slightly more relaxed flow of rhythm and a clearer voice. My picking, I think is more accurate and detailed, I don't get all caught up in the song... Not the urgency... maybe it translates into a better performance...

Mark