Chris Brogan: Five Things You Could Learn From Bob LeDrew
Burt
· 1 year ago
Great post and it came at a most opportune time. I've been doing a lot of introspection over an upcoming radio show I am hosting and your post put it all in proper perspective. It is so easy to cling on to those self imperfections but what good is that but to feed your ego. I gotta get over it a just move on. Thanks!
Dubber
· 1 year ago
Hey Chris - sounds like you're talking about House Concerts, rather than house parties. A friend of mine, Fran Snyder, runs a site called Concerts in Your Home (http://concertsinyourhome.com), where he connects musicians like Bob with people willing to host a gig for their friends at their house.
It's a really good arrangement - great for the musician, and as you'd imagine, really rewarding for the hosts and their guests.
I think what you are addressing here is how people get outside their comfort zone. I'm an inherently shy person (really, I am!) and when I was younger (ok, let's say "less experienced") and I was faced with doing something where my first reaction was to run away and hide in the corner, I would just say to myself "suck it up and get over yourself" and just do it. The experience was never as bad as what I made up in my head.
Ironically, teaching, giving presentations, speaking in front of large groups, and even singing on stage - are all things I used to dread but love doing now. Even though that shy little girl inside would have never dreamed of it.
I have found that humour is definitely the best policy when dealing with inevitable goof ups. Make the crowd laugh and they'll soon forget you screwed anything up at all. Make them think it's part of your "schtick".
Great post! I will definitely be requesting a song from Bob next time I see him!
Lissa Boles
· 1 year ago
Nice post, and just as true in life as in social media, n'est pas?
Forget making anyone 'think' a thing. Just be real and at ease with yourself and the ups and downs of the process: real seems to do the job just fine...
Learning with and from each other through experimentation and collaboration - and serving as each other's (hopefully friendly) audience? How to listen and not just talk (great earlier post, Chris). How to view, seek and appreciate feedback. How to sift through 'the noise' for what's useful (and what's not). How to talk with and not talk at. How to develop and use new technology (and creative collaborative process) without using each other. How to cheer for without feeling less than? How to get what win/win really is.
How to loosen up and let it ride long enough to enjoy the ride (rather than lock up for fear of being taken for one)!
'We're just travellin' along, singin' a song - side by side...'
Eban Crawford
· 1 year ago
Great post Chris.
It is posts such as these that can shake out the cobwebs, and that is always a good thing. At one point or another, we all get caught in the trap of over thinking, stagnation, and self doubt. This type of reminder brings perspective back to the forefront.
I was once reading an article, and I wish I could remember where and by what author, that stuck with me. The main theme is somewhat similar, though not exactly, what you seem to be getting at here. In that article, the author talked about the "coolest" person he knows. He says the guy wears what he wants, not what fashion dictates is cool. He listens to music not considered cool. He watches no TV and is horribly out of touch with pop culture. He also never seemed to ever let an opportunity to start a new adventure, whether recreational or professional, pass him by.
At the end of the article, the author reveals that this guy has tons of friends, is reliable, healthy, and always has a sincere smile on his face. He is also very successful.
Sounds like Mr. LeDrew is cut from the same cloth, and maybe we should all strive to be a bit more like that as well.
The good thing is that living is in the journey as much as the destination, and we can all choose to alter the journey when needed.
Josh Klein
· 1 year ago
Bob did a great job befriending the crowd, but I wonder if he's ever had a heckler (Hi Bob - have you?). Those of us publishing content on the web know the heckler all too well :)
Chris makes the excellent point that you should surround yourself with a friendly audience. The only thing I'd add is that you should squash the little voice in your head that ignores the praise and focuses on the trolls. It's your natural inclination, and you should just push past it. It helps to have a thick skin (though things will get through anyway).
Lee
· 1 year ago
Chris, Great post and very applicable to my work as an administrator in education. I tend to over analyze my "performance" when in a meeting or presenting, or even in conversations and this is something I am really working on.
You've inspired me to write a post on my blog about this as well. I'll get right on it after I'm done obsessing about how it will turn out. :)
Thanks for such a thought provoking post.
Lee (aka @Teachakidd)
Tammy Lenski
· 1 year ago
Chris, this is helpful, straightforward and simple advice, and so much richer than "just pick yourself up and dust yourself off."
I kept coming back to your "complete the motion" section and finally figured out why: It's about follow-through, in the most fluid sense, on commitment. Thank you for the precious reminder.
davefleet
· 1 year ago
Great post Chris, and great to see both you and Bob this weekend... although I was disappointed not to hear you reprise your take on Enter Sandman!
Bob LeDrew
· 1 year ago
I have not had a heckler. Other than the one inside my head that won't shut up! ;-)
And I heartily endorse Sue's advice -- either for our shows or for others.
House concerts are PURE music. Most presenters (like us) give ALL proceeds to the performer. House concerts give audiences the most intimate musical experience of their lives, and give performers attentive and appreciative audiences. Whereever you are, there are likely house concerts going on. Check out sites like www.concertsinyourhome, www.houseconcerts.us, www.acousticroof.ca, or homeroutes.ca for information and listings.
Thanks, Chris.
Mark
· 1 year ago
"Finish Strong" is perhaps the most important point. Besides journalism, I also studied theater in college, and one of our professors/directors took extra time arranging the curtain call for that very reason.
If you can feel something might not be up to par while you're in the middle of it, take a breath, say to yourself "I can finish strong," and do it. You'll be surprised with how many compliments you get when you're expecting less than that.
Desiree
· 1 year ago
Great Post. While reading your post i realize alot of things. Like how important to be sorounded with a great people.(family, relatives, friends). I realized how blessed iam for having such a wonderful family and friends.
Having the best support group is like facing life without fears. And the best part of falling is we learn how to stand up and be strong.
Donna Papacosta
· 1 year ago
Nicely said, Chris. Wish I'd been at PAB to see you AND Bob again.
All Comments
It's a really good arrangement - great for the musician, and as you'd imagine, really rewarding for the hosts and their guests.
http://bobcathouseconcerts.com/
Ironically, teaching, giving presentations, speaking in front of large groups, and even singing on stage - are all things I used to dread but love doing now. Even though that shy little girl inside would have never dreamed of it.
I have found that humour is definitely the best policy when dealing with inevitable goof ups. Make the crowd laugh and they'll soon forget you screwed anything up at all. Make them think it's part of your "schtick".
Great post! I will definitely be requesting a song from Bob next time I see him!
Forget making anyone 'think' a thing. Just be real and at ease with yourself and the ups and downs of the process: real seems to do the job just fine...
Learning with and from each other through experimentation and collaboration - and serving as each other's (hopefully friendly) audience? How to listen and not just talk (great earlier post, Chris). How to view, seek and appreciate feedback. How to sift through 'the noise' for what's useful (and what's not). How to talk with and not talk at. How to develop and use new technology (and creative collaborative process) without using each other. How to cheer for without feeling less than? How to get what win/win really is.
How to loosen up and let it ride long enough to enjoy the ride (rather than lock up for fear of being taken for one)!
'We're just travellin' along, singin' a song - side by side...'
It is posts such as these that can shake out the cobwebs, and that is always a good thing. At one point or another, we all get caught in the trap of over thinking, stagnation, and self doubt. This type of reminder brings perspective back to the forefront.
I was once reading an article, and I wish I could remember where and by what author, that stuck with me. The main theme is somewhat similar, though not exactly, what you seem to be getting at here. In that article, the author talked about the "coolest" person he knows. He says the guy wears what he wants, not what fashion dictates is cool. He listens to music not considered cool. He watches no TV and is horribly out of touch with pop culture. He also never seemed to ever let an opportunity to start a new adventure, whether recreational or professional, pass him by.
At the end of the article, the author reveals that this guy has tons of friends, is reliable, healthy, and always has a sincere smile on his face. He is also very successful.
Sounds like Mr. LeDrew is cut from the same cloth, and maybe we should all strive to be a bit more like that as well.
The good thing is that living is in the journey as much as the destination, and we can all choose to alter the journey when needed.
Chris makes the excellent point that you should surround yourself with a friendly audience. The only thing I'd add is that you should squash the little voice in your head that ignores the praise and focuses on the trolls. It's your natural inclination, and you should just push past it. It helps to have a thick skin (though things will get through anyway).
Great post and very applicable to my work as an administrator in education. I tend to over analyze my "performance" when in a meeting or presenting, or even in conversations and this is something I am really working on.
You've inspired me to write a post on my blog about this as well. I'll get right on it after I'm done obsessing about how it will turn out. :)
Thanks for such a thought provoking post.
Lee (aka @Teachakidd)
I kept coming back to your "complete the motion" section and finally figured out why: It's about follow-through, in the most fluid sense, on commitment. Thank you for the precious reminder.
And I heartily endorse Sue's advice -- either for our shows or for others.
House concerts are PURE music. Most presenters (like us) give ALL proceeds to the performer. House concerts give audiences the most intimate musical experience of their lives, and give performers attentive and appreciative audiences. Whereever you are, there are likely house concerts going on. Check out sites like www.concertsinyourhome, www.houseconcerts.us, www.acousticroof.ca, or homeroutes.ca for information and listings.
Thanks, Chris.
If you can feel something might not be up to par while you're in the middle of it, take a breath, say to yourself "I can finish strong," and do it. You'll be surprised with how many compliments you get when you're expecting less than that.
Having the best support group is like facing life without fears. And the best part of falling is we learn how to stand up and be strong.