STUFF I WROTE IN AN OLD BOOK

Yesterday Misty was sorting through things
and found our old appointment book dated 1982.
In the back of it I had scribbled down a lot of little “life tips”
that I’d learned over the years.
Misty and I think they helped us, so I pass a few on to you.

Be careful of other people’s pride, even when they are acting stupid.
Give them a graceful way out. Let them save face.
They could turn out to be friends if you get past the first collision.

ON STAGE:
Never audition for an audience.Don’t put yourself on trial.
Be in gentle control. Confidence without arrogance.
Hold some of yourself back. Let your talent come as a surprise.
Be unpredictable.
Cue the audience as to what they like. Laugh tracks do this on TV.
Bring them into the process.
Tell them the story behind the song or something about your life.

Speak more slowly that you may be used to.
Avoid precise speech. Maybe slur a little. Appear relaxed.
Don’t come off as hip or intellectual.
Don’t be slick. Don’t be a threat.
Be likable, pleasant, earthy. Be loose.
Look like you belong wherever you are.
Good posture and walk. Natural gestures.
Develop style… the recognition factor.
Desperation shows.

Inflate the audience. Make them feel good about themselves.
No inside jokes or private laughs with the band.
Do it all over the microphone. Don’t leave them out.

LIFE IN GENERAL:
Don’t let the competition see you as a rival.

Learn from the past but don’t feel guilty about it.
Think about your goals. Picture them.

In a negotiation, the first one to mention money loses.

Experiments have proven that children learn better and faster
surrounded by mirrors and pictures of themselves.
Many entertainers and musicians practice in front of a mirror.

Sometimes it helps to pose your material as socially relevant.

Everybody who ever does anything makes mistakes.
Stupidity is no reason not to be a success. Everybody has it.

Naturally, we couldn’t think of all these things at any one time,
but we drilled them into our brains until it became automatic.

There are more suggestions in the old book,
but I’ll save them for later.

Jack Blanchard