'Debut at The Golden State Theater - Monterey" is a recording of a solo performance in November 2019 as the opening act for The Robert Cray Band. I set the hand recorder, a "Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder", a few feet in front of my mic stand toward the edge of the stage.

The unique beauty of this gig was how comfortable I felt in front of the audience - the exchange of energy. The proximity of the Zoom recorder serves to enhance and lift the energy of this moment. That I was performing solo and that they liked what they were hearing perhaps afforded a connection that the audience knew I was clearly hearing them without their having to raise their voices (i.e. "I am too" while introducing the second song "So Glad I'm Here").

This performance was one of my best of all time. I had a strict 30 minute set/opportunity to play four songs in front of a packed audience that surely had never heard of me. I felt at home and sincerely welcomed on that stage on that night from my spontaneous 'ice-breaking" comment as soon as I walked on to enthusiastic cheers, plugged in and stated "Just so you know, I am NOT Robert Cray", with true concern that they might think I was. That elicited a room full of laughter and we were off, together, for a half hour of magic.

This one will never happen again, obviously. What I proved to myself in those 30 minutes is that I don't need to feel like an imposter. Let your ears get used to the sound recording "as it is" and it will all be fine, if not great!

And finally: I had completely forgotten that I had recorded this performance and happened upon it looking for things to purge from my iMac desktop computer as I prepared for my move to Hungary and new beginnings. This recording is a self-reminder of why I have worked so many years to get better as a performing artist. It is my gift that I am meant to share.

With LOVE in all caps,

Garrick