Just before New Years, I reconnected with Travis, band leader and lead guitarist for the TRU worship band. Travis has played with Midwest Meets Manhattan, Praisefest, and for us lots of times. He told me that he has a 90’s cover band and that his lead singer was not coming through. He said he has a female singer he was talking to. My heart jumped. I began to dream and hope that I could sing with them.
New Years Eve, Travis and his family came over. He played me some of the songs. Many I didn’t know, I listened to Christian music in the 90’s. But I do know the 80’s music and love singing it in the car. We got to see Heart in person a few years ago. I love to sing to Heart, Pat Benetar, Stevie Nicks.
Monday, Dave texted and said he wanted us to sing a couple of Midwest Meets Manhattan songs at Erin’s birthday party on Saturday. We got together and sang here at the house to rehearse Fountain of Youth and Defining Moment. It felt so amazing to sing together again and even without Chad, it sounded good.
On Friday, scrolling through social media, I saw that Travis’ lead singer had covid and she wasn’t going to be able to sing with the band at the party. I texted Travis that I was open to trying some songs. He immediately asked if he could call. Initially, he was talking about a bunch of songs, Zepplin and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Yikes. But he mentioned Pat Benetar Heart Breaker and Heart Baracuda. I knew I could do those. Travis was excited. I was ecstatic.
I started practicing right away. I listened and sang along to you tube with the artists. It was apparent that both songs are super hard vocally and that the Heart song is a really challenging rhythm. I wasn’t phased. Thankfully, there are karaoke versions of both songs. I sang a bunch in the car. I sang them for Scott. He said I was straining. Well, of course, they can’t be sung without straining unless you are actually Pat Benetar or Ann Wilson.
Friday night I had my doubts. But Saturday morning, I sang them on the way to 9 Rounds and I knew i could do it. I made up a cheat sheet of how many time the band played phrases before I came in and sort of mapped out the beats and the rhythm. Seriously, try to sing that song without the artist. Nearly impossible.
Saturday all day I was excited. My body was having nervous reactions but my excitement outweighed any anxiety. I even napped.
I grabbed mics and Scott and I took separate cars. At the venue, with about 10 people there, I ran through the songs. The bass guitarist turned to me after Heartbreaker and told me I rocked it. Erin was impressed. The run through for Baracuda was a little rougher. Dave told me I was scream singing out of concern for my voice. Well, tough.
Singing our Midwest Meets Manhattan songs felt like home. Easy peasy. Flowed like a river. We had trouble with Scott’s mic but oh well. I knew this was a casual gig.
I just got more and more excited. And got as much liquid courage into me without filling up my stomach. Then it was time.
I loved it. People cheered after Travis invited me on the stage. I got the mic and the music stand and the band started playing the intro. People pumped up recognizing the song. Then I belted it. “Your love is like a tidal wave, spinning over my head…”. Yeah, I was straining and scream singing but I had to to hit the notes and hear myself over the band. We didn’t have the type of equipment to hone the sound system. I couldn’t hear my voice on the monitor at all on Baracuda. None of that mattered. I had a blast.
After the songs, so many people gave me positive feedback. I loved every minute of it. I loved watching the videos. I looked comfortable up there and didn’t sound awful.
I hope I get more opportunities. I think more doors are open now. I’ve waited so long.
dianegclark 