survived first gig
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 80
survived first gig
I am a musician - and I bartend during the day - basically I earn my money in a bar and usually spend it there that night too. Tonight was my first gig where I did not have a drink all night! I had major anxiety and waiting to get on stage was horrible but once I got up there I felt great. I did it - its only been 2 days but I am proud 
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 155
My first gigs sober were at AA and NA dances but still, it was during our breaks that I didn't know what to do with myself. I was so used to getting high and downing a few during breaks but I had a blast playing. Those kinds of gigs are great because people got up and danced right away whereas bars it seems people need to get loosened up with their beverage to get started dancin'. I'm glad you had a good time and kudos for stayin' sober. :-)
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 89
Benny...that's great that you were able to stay sober!
I am going to see Kid Rock next week and I am a little nervous. I've never been sober at a concert. I considered not going but then figured I have to learn to go to a concert and not drink sooner or later because I am not going to stop going to concerts!
I am going to see Kid Rock next week and I am a little nervous. I've never been sober at a concert. I considered not going but then figured I have to learn to go to a concert and not drink sooner or later because I am not going to stop going to concerts!
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: my room in ct.
Posts: 58,110
playing music sober is one of the biggest blessings of recovery
good for you BB
just try not to get to cocky,
and you do have a double whammy, working in a bar taboot
as alcoholism is truly cunning, baffling, and powerfull
you made it through this one,
it's always the next gig we have to be on our toes
me, i waited over a year before picking up the sticks in a club
good for you BB
just try not to get to cocky,
and you do have a double whammy, working in a bar taboot
as alcoholism is truly cunning, baffling, and powerfull
you made it through this one,
it's always the next gig we have to be on our toes
me, i waited over a year before picking up the sticks in a club
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 80
Thanks for all the support! I hear you rusty zipper - I need to stay on my game and not get too cocky. Right now I feel like it is a routine I need to re-write. Like JimE said - it is the waiting time or in between sets that is the worst. So I just need to continue with not drinking during those times and hopefully this will become routine as time goes on. It is day 3 and Im not feeling cocky today - I feel proud of yesterday but am craving a drink as it is my day off. Im just gonna consume myself in jazz studies for upcoming gigs. Thanks for listening and being there...
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 443
Good for you benny!
I was gigging full time in the 80s when I quit smoking. I really wanted to stop cigarettes (I was going to be a father) and I realized booze was making it tough, so I stopped drinking for a while (I think about six weeks or so). Man, was it scary getting onstage sober. I mentioned in another thread, that I am blind without my glasses, which I never wore onstage, that saved me - not being able to see.
I don't know about you, but all I had ever wanted since I was a little kid was to be onstage performing and once I was up there sober I was scared s...less!
Again, good for you. And, by the way have you noticed how much better you play sober? Might not take as many chances right now, but that will come in time.
I was gigging full time in the 80s when I quit smoking. I really wanted to stop cigarettes (I was going to be a father) and I realized booze was making it tough, so I stopped drinking for a while (I think about six weeks or so). Man, was it scary getting onstage sober. I mentioned in another thread, that I am blind without my glasses, which I never wore onstage, that saved me - not being able to see.
I don't know about you, but all I had ever wanted since I was a little kid was to be onstage performing and once I was up there sober I was scared s...less!
Again, good for you. And, by the way have you noticed how much better you play sober? Might not take as many chances right now, but that will come in time.
keep it up
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