On Being Fearless: Singers, Artists and Creative Types

Yesterday I had a very long telephone interview with jazz historian, writer and all-around groovy guy Scott Yanow, who is writing my new bio and the liner notes for the upcoming CD release. (Hint for you singers and musicians out there – Hire Scott to write for you!! Even though I’ve been writing for years, it is much easier to have someone else write your history. I tried writing my own bio but got so bogged down and oh man I don’t even want to write about my inability to write!! Fagetaboutit, already!!!)

ANYWAY – the interview brought up so many memories – experiences and people I haven’t thought of for years – that I told Scott when he finished interviewing me: “This is better than therapy! You should charge me for a psychiatry session!” In fact, I’ve been up since 3:30 this morning (it’s 5:30 a.m. right now), unable to sleep with all these memories and thoughts “swirling ’round in my brain like the bubbles in a glass of champagne…” It really went to my head!

And something occurred to me that I wanted to pass on to you other singers, musicians and artists who are struggling with your own creative processes. The thought is this: Become fearless again. Wow…pretty deep, huh? But really -

I was fearless when I began this musical journey at twelve years of age – I sang in front of large audiences, small audiences, performed in plays and musicals, played my guitar and sang, wrote songs, and sang with professional bands – and never once feared what anyone would think of my performance, or whether they ‘liked’ me. Of course, I had the usual stage fright, but really it was more excitement than fear. I loved the MUSIC so much, and was so focused on the actual mechanics of singing in tune, and getting inside the lyrics and the images in my head as I sang, that there was no room for fear. Just the joy of singing.

Now, as I finish up my third jazz CD, and begin the marketing process, and work on the many methods required for actually “selling” this project – an entire repertoire of fears, insecurities, worries has begun – a veritable symphony of uncertainties! And it’s messin’ with my head, man, and my creative process!

WAIT – no!!! It was messin’ with my head – but no longer!!

It’s the fear that prevents us from pushing ourselves, from taking chances, from moving forward. And the thing is, that fear is totally self-manufactured! We create that fear with our thoughts, our worries – and put so much energy into the fear – that we manifest exactly what it is we feared in the first place! I do believe our thoughts create our reality, so…..the moment I have that feeling of fear, I literally say, out loud: “Stop!! Get that fear out of my head!!” and I visualize that I am actually kicking, physically, that little fear monster right out the door. It works!

Not only that – I then have forced myself to really look back at my past, my history of work, hard work in music and the music business, and replace the fear with a big pat on the back. Look at how far we’ve come together, Music and I!! Every goal I have set for myself I actually achieved, so what the heck am I afraid of??? What a waste of time!!!

So – it requires constant vigilance to not get drawn into the vicious cycle of fear, which leads to a lack of confidence, which creates a lack of action, and leaves you stuck – remember how exciting music was when you first started? You know how you just jumped right in, took lessons, practiced, researched, listened to everything you could get your hands on?? You were FEARLESS then, I was fearless then….and I’m fearless once again!!! Woo hoo!!! I’m free of the fear!!!! for today, anyway.