Clapton helped me pick my guitar back up.
I came across Eric Clapton’s Unplugged record in college. I had put my guitar down for a while because I was.. well.. distracted.
But listening to Clapton play this particular performance reignited something in me. There are few sounds like that of a pure, well-placed note struck on an acoustic guitar.
My guitar rarely left my hands. I’d learn the basics of a song in my room then sit on the couch with my guitar and watch the Office, playing the tune over and over again until it felt good under my fingers. My roommates loved it.
I began to learn each tune on the record, starting with Hey, Hey then Layla.
At that time, I wasn’t very confident in my singing voice. It didn’t sound bad by any means. But my lack of confidence and a fear of what others might think kept me from really singing out. I wrote it off as a lack of talent in excuse.
Clapton helped me find my voice.
A couple years later I took a job in the events space. I crisscrossed the country, driving between Los Angeles and Miami, New York City and Dallas, New Orleans and Chicago.
To pass the time, I’d sing.
For thousands of miles I sang along with Johnny Cash, Elvis, the Stones, the Dead, Aretha, Sinatra, and Clapton.
With no one around and the windows down, I belted into the wind.
My voice felt most comfortable singing along with Clapton, especially on Unplugged. And especially Layla.
One day I was singing on the road, and I heard my voice. I mean really heard it. And with a gleeful smile I thought, “I can sing.”
I found my voice and the confidence to accompany it.
Clapton helped me feel comfortable to play in front of people.
I mainly worked motorcycle rallies. At the end of the day all of the carnies often gathered by the grill of whatever hotel we stayed at.
I traveled with a guitar. I’d sit and strum while everyone hung out.
Layla was a go-to.
I never sang. I didn’t want to interrupt. So I just picked the tunes.
An opportunity to sing presented itself when our crew rendezvoused at a bar down on one of the Keys. The place looked exactly as you imagine it.
A guy strummed under a little tiki hut. I itched to play something. I waited for him to finish his set and asked him if I could play a tune.
“You any good?” he asked.
“I can play,” I said.
“Alright, let’s hear it,” he said reluctantly conceding the mic.
I played Layla.
When I finished the tune the bar applauded, and I drank for free the rest of the night.
I felt comfortable playing in front of people from then on out.
Feelin’ Fine EP Update
The Feelin’ Fine EP campaign is nearly 50% funded in just ten days since launching. This is amazing. You can see our progress here.
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. Donations range from $5, to $50, to $500.
The dollars certainly help. But your general support means the most. I can’t do this without you.
Let’s get this record produced!
If you missed my first letter you can find it here.
Please pass these letters along to anyone you think may be interested in supporting with their dollars or ears or both.
Sincerely,
Caswell
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