MAB Q&A

Hello Everybody!!! 

Great co-write brother mab!

Just wanted to check in fill you in on whats going on with kid, but MAINLY to bow my head and admit something, I doubted MAB on secretly in the back of my mind on my last tour and to say these words...  "Errrr aghhh ummm.... *STRAINS* "The MAB really, really, IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!!!!!"

Now i rarely doubt the MAB, almost never to be more accurate. But on my last tour he told me flat out "Justin, get ready to start seeing venues close, even in Texas, they just aren't making the money." 

In the back of my mind I was saying "No, way! Never happen!" Well last month I attended our monthly NSAI Meeting at a huge beautiful venue we are blessed to have, and I spoke w/ the sound guy, as well as all the coordinators and the venue is not renewing it's lease, that was the word THEN, i went last week and they said it's still "up in the air" but FOR SURE NSAI is no longer going to be held there. Why??? Money. That establishment (while they still bring in big acts) just wasn't pulling it's weight. And our little NSAI group ordering iced teas, a drink or two with, with only few ordering meals, was just a handout for them.

Not to mention they have a HUGE, even larger venue about a 10 min. drive up the road...It's called Dosey Doe "The Big Barn" that is there money maker they are keeping... with bigger NATIONAL acts you pay about $130 for a ticket, dinner, desert, and a show. The sell out all the time. It seems the owner may have been just overstretching soooo close to home. The also have a small coffee shop nearby. 

So as of last weekend NSAI Houston (Second only to Nashville in membership) is without a home, why? The venue is closing it's doors. We've got a temporary home that alot of folks from the westside of town go to, but I could not get off work, drive home, and shower, and make it out there by 7pm. Even leaving work at 4:45pm. Houston's too big. People were talking about starting somewhere else, etc. We hope to find a home soon, I just put out a facebook post and hopefully get some feedback with that, right now, I'm not going to be going to any NSAI meetings until further notice. Really big bummer cause thats my AA for songwriting it surges me up for the month. For now its no more. The venue may renew it's lease i've heard but NSAI is no longer going to be there, of course the are in it to make money so our one night a week could be used for a large Texas/out of state act to fill in our night so than can make all the money they can, if not I suspect somebody will try to buy it, and turn it into a new name... i mean it's beautiful, and turn key, I've heard they may buy the whole strip center, but as for now CLOSED. Why MONEY... and dang it...

THE MAB WAS RIGHT (I for sure thought I had him on that one) just goes to show the kid never doubt YODA!!!!! 

In other news, ummmm,

I put in an application for Code Compliance officer w/in my City, it'd be a big move up, nearly double my annual salary, get me out of the hole, and position me for further moving up the chain. The quit taking apps today, so i'll get in interview soon and have a very good chance of getting it. I'll be hated by the townsfolk LOL but my kids don't go to school there, LOL and I live outside of town. A little more stress sure, but as my cousin who works there as a gas foreman said, "If you're happy with your little 3% raise each year fine. If you wanna make money put in for it, ALL jobs have stress, but you know what I leave mine in the floorboard of my truck at the end of the day and pick it up in the morning. Stress from money follows you EVERYWHERE effects your family, attitude, everything. Which stress would you prefer?" Sage advice. Worst case scenario, i don't get it, but still have a job. Yall say a prayer for me.

I've been studying like a MADMAN these past two weeks and have also passed all the Texas requried computer tests for my CLASS A Truck Driving CDL, I currently have the permit, but my last step is to take the actual driving test, i'll be setting that up next week but it takes some wait time. I'm getting every endorsement except hazmat. So i can drive the biggest trucks on the road, doubles, and triple trailer endorsements. Out of 47 guys at the city i'll be only the 3rd in my dept. to get it, they pay for it, and I need it on my crew, and it looks good on a resume. So why not?

When that's done, my next why not? is getting my bachelors in Construction Mgmt. again city pays for, i've already got thirty something hours towards my associates in business, so i'm going for online classes, family needs the money.

I've been selling 55 gallon drums metal/plastic and am making a killing right now... It keeps me busy, everybody's got a side hustle at the city and mine is honestly going GREAT!!! Don't wanna get too detailed on that.

Finally, a restaurant opened about a half mile from my house i mentioned to OD a while back. Tuesday I will be playing my FIRST OPEN MIC IN TEXAS. I may only do one song since they place itself doesn't have a set format and it will likely be many TABLES and Chairs but I'm well prepared on my guitar, and vocals best i can do, and lyrics remembered. The one thing NSAI at that venue did was really give you a chance to break those week knees, learn to take your time, hang the chord on the mic, etc. work out all your bad habits. I'm hoping it goes well.

I've literally had about a month and a half of an absence of creativity, it was VERY disheartening, stress of life, etc. got to me, I still played, still read... (the art of war 3 times) LOL and lots of weddings and family stuff. But my creative slump really had me worried, then I went back to basics and said "don't force it" i just embraced daily life, and ideas hit me left and write, i got three or four good concepts and hooks in the last couple weeks i'm camping on, i need a cowriter around here and want to get with a couple new guys. I need a second brain on these ideas, but overall i'm just glad the slump has passed. 

I'm gonna go practice my song now and still try to tighten it up. Yall say a prayer for the kid! 

Signed,

Always Lurking...

(OD, btw I saw Tootsies was having/had a big anniversary celebration I heard you were the guest of honor but they filled your time slot since you showed up not only late, but you were banging down the door of Legends Gift Shop and had a bad fracture in your hand due to it being rolled up in someones window??? Whats with that ya ole SOB!!! hahahahaha) Later guys