I, naturally, was nervous as all hell.

As a drummer, I was used to being in the back, head down, doing my thing. But I was the frontman for this band — up front and center. Singing, playing guitar, and playing harmonica. Nothing to hide behind. It was a good “out of my comfort zone” experience, but also…holy shit. With almost 2,000 people there, the show was sold out.

We came out, introduced ourselves, and started playing. 

A few minutes in, the first of 8 songs was done. No major trainwrecks, but it was clear that I wasn’t “inside” yet. Nerves were getting the best of me.

Like I usually do, I turned to look at Chris, the drummer. Thinking it would calm me down a little. It helped, but I had a long way to go. The second song went well, too. Solid. No trainwrecks. I’ll count it.

It usually only took me a minute or two to get over nerves, but this night was different. Seeing almost 2,000 faces was different. I was still out of it.

I took a step back from the mic to collect myself a little bit, and noticed both Eric (lead guitar) and Dave (bass) approach me. They sensed it. I needed to calm down.

Then, Dave said something that I will never, ever, ever forget:

“I just burped and it tasted like chocolate doughnuts.”

It was somehow the dumbest and smartest thing he’s ever said.

What he was able to do was make me laugh. Genuinely. In front of a lot of people that were no doubt wondering what the hell we were doing and what was so funny.

From that instant on, I was loose. I was “inside.” And we had what might have been one of the better sets we ever played. It was, at the very least, one of the most fun. One that we could enjoy and savor as chances playing that kind of gig didn’t come by too often for local bands.

Dave knew what he was doing, and he executed it perfectly.

I think about that moment a lot because it crystallizes how important it is to not take things too seriously. We all have those times that are difficult — where our emotions get the best of us. When “fun” isn’t the natural, instinctive feeling.

But that moment on stage is a good reminder that having fun can be a decision that is made.

Making those decisions is easier when you’re lucky enough to have a goofball bass player next to you. Fact. But when situations can’t be controlled, how you react to them sometimes can be.

People have enough “serious” in their lives, I think.

Brands that can add value are the ones that are able to make a difference, and sometimes that value is to just be an escape from all the “serious” that is out there today.

#bewhatyoumake