Played the Bovey in a pub on Arran!

[Cams]

During my recent visit back to Scotland last week, we decided to go to the beautiful Isle of Arran off the west coast as we really love it there and would like to move there eventually. Upon our arrival, I saw a poster for a folk night in a pub that I know fairly well, with the rider 'bring your instrument'. Well, since I had the little Bovey with me, I thought I'd go along and check it out.

 

We got to the pub to find several musicians sitting around a table, the leader of whom appeared to be the acoustic guitar player. He did a song, then they did a song together, then the guitar player again, then a guy did a tune on the Irish pipes, and so on and so forth. So I'm sitting there thinking to myself: 'ach, they all know each other. Maybe I'll just sit and listen.' My wife kept pushing me to get up there, but I didn't see how I could simply walk up with guitar in hand and ask to play; I was shy!

 

After some time, another guitar player came in, got his guitar out and stood by the bar waiting for a break. When the song had ended, the leader guy said to the newcomer: 'Hi Matt, come on up and give us a song', which he did.

 

Then Freya started getting a bit anxious and looked as if she was about to cry, so I thought: 'it's now or never!' Up I went to the bar with the Bovey on plain view and waited for the next break. The break came and, with heart pounding in my chest, I walked over in sort of automatic pilot mode and asked if I could do a song. I took a seat, said I was going to do a song about loves past and present and launched into the Waterboys' A Bang on the Ear. The nerves carried me through the first verse, after which I started to settle into it and really began to enjoy it. By the time I got to the chorus for the third time, everyone was joining in, and, when I managed to lift my eyes off the floor to the audience, I saw that everyone was enjoying it. It felt great!

 

At the end of the song, I got some great applause and a couple of folk came up to see just what the hell that little guitar was. I had been worried that it wouldn't be loud enough but, boy, was I wrong!

 

Back I went to my seat and sat wondering whether I ought to try Black Water Side. Freya started getting a bit noisy again, so I decided I'd give it a go before we had to leave. I took the spot again and announced Black Water Side, to which someone in the audience shouted: 'top tune!' 'Uh oh, someone out there knows it. The pressure's on!'

 

Again, I was concerned that the Bovey wouldn't cut it volume-wise and, again, it allayed my concerns. I played and sang the song through well and the applause was incredible. 'Hey,' I thought, 'I could get used to this!' I thanked everyone and made to leave as Freya was getting louder but I was asked for another song before I left. I had to think on my feet and opted for Rocky Raccoon, which went well, Afterwards though, I wished I'd gone for the Freya Shuffle as, by this point, everyone knew who she was. Well, she'd been singing along for some time now.

 

And that's the first time I've played out in a pub setting for many years. The Bovey handled it well and had the added attraction of looking like a novelty instrument but sounding like a real one. I can see me and the little Bovey becoming firm friends and great travelling partners!

 

The only downside to the whole evening was that I left my little Sterner capo in the pub. Oh well, I hope it went to a good home.

 

Cams

[orsino]

What a wonderful story my friend! I'm so glad you took that stroll to the bar. I know it must have been great to have that kind of audience support. Good for you man! Sounds like the Bovey provided more than adequate support. Treat her to a new set of strings as a reward!

[Guitar Adoptions]

Great story Cams! Except it really makes me yearn to get back to the homeland for a visit!

[LittleBrother]

I really enjoyed that. I could read posts like that everyday. Just GREAT!

[54merk]

Great post. Glad it turned out to be so rewarding.

:cool:

[Unk]

Really cool Cams, thanks. It's through posts like these that I can live vicariously. That is something that I'd love to do but I have neither the skill, the voice or THE NERVES! No wait, nerves I have, composed nerves is another thing. I can imagine how you felt though and am grateful that you shared it.

[Pedro]

great story, I'm really glad that it worked out so good. I know how it is when things work out good, and not so good. I'm glad that this was one of the good experiences.

[FingerBone Bill]

I remember a buddy of mine playing guitar in a UK bar once.

One of the regulars offered to "put his head through the {censored}ing hole" if he didn't shut up!

I'd say you did good Cams!

[SurrealMcCoy]

Beautiful story!