I’ve got at least 10 songs memorized finally (of the newer piano-based original attempts) and am making myself work toward a first live solo gig somewhere other than an open mic. The 10 songs have less to do with that and more to do with trying to put together a CD I could push when I play… but I’ve got enough originals for at least a three hour show which is probably more than needed. My goal, originally, was to have the normal four sets for a four hour gig – but as long as it’s solo, and I don’t have drums and bass backing me up, I doubt I’ll be doing the type of gig that wants four hours.

So, my efforts are split but stronger at the moment: 1) work on getting a disc recorded – not sure which way I want to go with that yet, doing it myself or paying someone else to get involved. 2) the first live solo gig. That’ll probably end up happening before a disc is ready, but nothing’s perfect.

The first CD, I think, will be called “The Drinker’s Hymnal”. The main song being “The Drinker’s Hymn”.

* * * * * * * *

Trying to act like there’s no punch line

to the way that my day’s gone

Is about as easy to pull off

as the happy mask that I’ve got on

But the worst day has an ending

a time when it gets left behind

I just gotta get through another hour or two

and everything will be fine

My bottle is half empty

But I don’t believe that hope is gone

‘Cause I can buy another bottle

And another when the other is done

I try to buy one for a stranger

and a couple for my friends

‘Cause it’s an empty space beside you

that matters at the day’s end

“Every cloud has a silver lining”

What the hell does that really mean?

If it were true I’d be a rich man

With all the clouds raining over me

I don’t believe that my perception

will give the sun it’s shine

‘Cause the world goes on without us

if we don’t catch up in time

My bottle is half empty

But I don’t believe that hope is gone

‘Cause I can buy another bottle

And another when the other is done

I try to buy one for a stranger

and a couple for my friends

‘Cause it’s an empty space beside you

that matters at the day’s end

It’s an empty space beside you

that matters at the day’s end

* * * * * * * *

Granted, Shakespeare it’s not… but then, he didn’t play piano very well either.