The joy I get from playing live is another aspect of my need to share the things I love. 

I’ve always assumed the audience will enjoy what I’m doing as much as I do! Whether I’m performing my own music or someone else's, my relationship to what I’m doing is mostly objective. The songs are a third thing. Of course, I can’t help to bring my emotional life into what I’m doing, nor would I want it any other way, but it’s always been more about the song. Does the song hold up? Does it communicate to the audience my intentions? Can we step back from the song together and respond to similar things in a similar way?

Performing allows me the opportunity to be singer, musician, actor (and often comedian); to wear different masks, transcend my selfish ego, and meld with the shared human experience of the moment.

I’ve learned over the years the audience’s need for structure-a performance narrative that has a beginning, middle, and end. And how an audience will be forgiving as long as you are emotionally honest about what you’re doing.

While recorded music has become less of a shared experience, the live show thrives. As long as I can find things I’m excited about, my passion for sharing with others will make the planes, trains, automobiles, and hotels worth it. Well, mostly.

https://www.steveleslie.com