Blog Outta Nowhere

by Christine Kane
www.christinekane.com

So, this is a new page on my site. I used to have a “Notes From the Road” page. I got tired of writing “Notes from the Road.” Performers and songwriters and bands (oh my?) all seem to have them. And you get the basic idea… life on the road is zany, tiring, tedious, draining, fun, and filled with bad meals and very scary truck stop bathroom floors. I wasn’t often moved to write about the road — which is why the last time I had written was in the summer of 2004.

So welcome to my blog. The word blog opens the doors so I can write whatever I want about whatever and wherever I want. Besides, I’m taking more time off this year and I won’t be on the road as much to document the latest Taco Bell burrito lunch.

So, here’s the deal: I’m not a coach. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not certified in any way. Of course, I know a few psychologists who have never gone to therapy. Zoinks. Isn’t that a little bit like going to see a priest about your marital problems? If someone hasn’t lived it, I don’t have any desire to hear him pontificate about it. I’ve lived what I’m writing about here. Which is why I don’t write anything about, say, venture capital. This is a “What I’ve learned from thirteen years as a singer, songwriter, performer, artist, writer, business owner, employer, traveler, manager, managee, occasional drama queen, and wannabe mystic” blog. I truly hope that it helps anyone who visits this site.

I used to think I was the poster child for moving ahead in spite of fear. I wasn’t encouraged to play music professionally. I was so terrified at my first open mic that I left the club without even getting onto the stage. I was equally as terrified at my first paying gig. I’m pretty clear that this path I’ve taken has been more about challenging me to play a bigger game than I ever believed possible than about anything else. Because of that history, and because at some point I left behind a lot of those old tapes playing in my head, I wanted to help other people do just that. I have mentored beginning artists of all types. I’ve taught many workshops. And I facilitate a retreat for women (non-artist-types, and artist-types alike) twice a year. These writings are largely about the kind of things I talk about in these scenarios.

I went from being an unhappy administrative assistant at a PR firm who had just graduated from college with debt, an eating disorder, and more depression than I care to remember — to living in a city I adore, playing music professionally, running my own business, writing songs alone and with other writers, dealing with good reviews, bad reviews and an occasional stalker-type, finding my way through cities and towns and mapquest, and really opening up to happiness and purpose. In other words, I got a life. It has taken a long time, a lot of work, and lots of commitment. My perspective has expanded enormously. Not just on music and performing. This is about living consciously and taking full responsibility for the shape and scope of my life.

I’ve been encouraged by people (who seemed to like the Notes from the Road idea) to write a book of essays. Rather than do that, I want to do this. I am so passionate about the things I’m writing about that I’d rather just let you read it on line and hear back from you. When I asked myself about writing a book, it just didn’t feel right yet.

Let me know your thoughts, either on the comments link or at christine@christinekane.com. This year, I am taking a lot more time off from touring so that I can write songs (and blogs!) and see what’s next, so I’ll be able to respond a little more promptly than I have in the past.

Tagged as: Intro to this Blog

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