NSAI/Border's Songwriter Showcase

Date: Saturday, December 27, 2003
Location: Borders Books and Music Stonecrest, Charlotte, NC
Purpose: Borders/NSAI December Songwriter Showcase

Well, I've played my first Border's Songwriter Showcase! This monthly event at Border's Books and music in Stonecrest in Charlotte, NC is sponsored by Border's and NSAI. NSAI (the Nashville Songwriter's Association International) is the world's largest songwriting organization. I'm a member of the very active Charlotte chapter...and, as such, I help organize the Border's songwriter showcase every month. December marks our third month, and I volunteered to play.

The rules work like this: NSAI selects the performers; Borders supplies the PA. Each performer plays a 1/2 hr uninterrupted set. Each showcase features 3 performers. All showcases occur on the last Saturday of the month at 3 pm. It's a really cool event and...best of all...it's FREE!!

Anyway, I performed first this month...followed by Lucy Allen and then J.C. Honeycutt. We had a decent, but slightly smaller crowd this month...probably because the showcase was two days after Christmas. I had several of my friends and fans tell me that they would be out of town...I hate that, because it was a unique opportunity to hear the songs from my new CD performed acoustically.

If I remember correctly, I played about 5 songs....it might have been six. Anyway, the crowd was a bit shocked at first...probably because many of them hadn't heard funk and roll music played on an acoustic guitar before...especially in a coffeeshop setting. I always enjoy seeing that "Oh My God What is this" look on a few faces. After a couple of songs, however, I think they started to catch on...I spotted a friend and former drummer of mine, Mike Pressely, in the crowd. It was really comforting to see him bobbing his head and singing along. (Thanks Mike!) It made me feel much more at home.

In fact, I returned the favor later that night when Tracey and I headed to Rock Hill to see Mike's new band, WithStand rock the Money!

Anyway, the Border's gig was fun...and I even had a couple of 8-year old girls smiling and giggling in the front row. They seemed to really enjoy the music...so maybe I'll have to investigate playing the elementary school circuit...I'll have to make sure it's a morning gig, however...that way, they can spent their lunch money on CDs!!

;)

Listen to Brian's music now!