Friday
Oct132006
just saying thanks
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 12:06AM
I read somewhere, probably on a blog, which means probably on Shaun Groves' blog since it's one of the few I actually read, that an average of 1% of the people who visit a blog daily are likely to comment. That means for every 100 of you, one of you will reply to this post down there where it says "comments".
I try very hard to not be a stats dweller. I try not to be too minutely aware of exactly how many people do this at this hour and all that stuff. I'm a big picture guy. People come to my site and spend time and a lot of them do it every day.
That, to me, is beyond wonderful.
That 1% statistic makes sense based on the big picture that I know of regarding this site. And what that means, to me, is that there a small number of you that want to get involved in that way, and since you're not the exact same 15 every day, there's maybe 50 of you. And you're awesome.
And that means there's a lot of folks who come by to see what's going on, maybe you meander through those other folks' comments, maybe you're daily bummed that Derek's not back in Caedmon's, who knows. But you swing by regularly, and I assume it's because you enjoy and care about what is going on in my little corner of the world. And you're awesome.
I've said it a number of times before, but back in The Normals (RIP) we longed desperately for a bit of community around our music, and there was a little, but we just could never get it fully off the ground. I feel inordinately blessed by you posters, and you linkers, and you people that come by daily, weekly, monthly, whatever. You allow me and my friends to do what we've been created to do, and I don't mean that in an American Idol "I couldn't do it without my fans" sort of way.
I really couldn't do this without you.
You.
Sitting there reading this right now.
The time you're taking to read my thoughts is time I'm grateful for.
I've been playing music for (what some would call) a living for nine years now. That's incredible. Thanks for supporting me and letting me do this.
I hope you, yeah you, the person still reading this, have a great day today, and I hope you get to do something that makes you happy in an "I can't believe I'm getting to do this" way.
And I'd love for you 1% to let me know what made you happy in that way, if it happens for you today.
Cause you guys are awesome.
I try very hard to not be a stats dweller. I try not to be too minutely aware of exactly how many people do this at this hour and all that stuff. I'm a big picture guy. People come to my site and spend time and a lot of them do it every day.
That, to me, is beyond wonderful.
That 1% statistic makes sense based on the big picture that I know of regarding this site. And what that means, to me, is that there a small number of you that want to get involved in that way, and since you're not the exact same 15 every day, there's maybe 50 of you. And you're awesome.
And that means there's a lot of folks who come by to see what's going on, maybe you meander through those other folks' comments, maybe you're daily bummed that Derek's not back in Caedmon's, who knows. But you swing by regularly, and I assume it's because you enjoy and care about what is going on in my little corner of the world. And you're awesome.
I've said it a number of times before, but back in The Normals (RIP) we longed desperately for a bit of community around our music, and there was a little, but we just could never get it fully off the ground. I feel inordinately blessed by you posters, and you linkers, and you people that come by daily, weekly, monthly, whatever. You allow me and my friends to do what we've been created to do, and I don't mean that in an American Idol "I couldn't do it without my fans" sort of way.
I really couldn't do this without you.
You.
Sitting there reading this right now.
The time you're taking to read my thoughts is time I'm grateful for.
I've been playing music for (what some would call) a living for nine years now. That's incredible. Thanks for supporting me and letting me do this.
I hope you, yeah you, the person still reading this, have a great day today, and I hope you get to do something that makes you happy in an "I can't believe I'm getting to do this" way.
And I'd love for you 1% to let me know what made you happy in that way, if it happens for you today.
Cause you guys are awesome.
Reader Comments (35)
Wow, I'm moving up in the world! :lol:
Hey Andy,
Yeah, I read your blog almost every day. You're only of the only artist I know that makes me feel like I know you. You're very normal, and it's really cool to see that in someone who's music is constantly spinning in my cd player. You're real and honest, and it's cool to see you struggle along, trying to make it in the world of music. It makes your music all the more endearing. You're also really good at relating what you're feeling and what you're thinking, which is very refreshing.
Please come to Virginia some time soon; I'd love to see you play around here!
Oh, I also tend to comment when I find cartoons about people running over their feet with lawnmowers.
I've subscribed to your RSS, so I read as often as you write and I thoroughly enjoy your candor and humility.
As a mom myself, I enjoy reading your accounts of your time with Ella. My husband works from home so I also enjoy reading about someone else who doesn't work a regular 9-5. Not to mention, it's definitely very interesting to get a glimpse into the life of a professional musician.
What makes me happy? That I get to play with my girls all day (2 and 4) and have picnics and eat popsicles. I heard a someone say this about parenting,"The days are long, but the years are short." I'm trying to chreish every exhausting and glorious moment.
Thanks for sharing your life and your music.
-Kat
I might be a little late but I'm a very recent commentor, long-time reader. I've been a fan of your music for a while (since "Better Than This") and so much of it has been a soundtrack to the memorable parts of my life. A special someone and I have listened to and loved your songs and I think there are parts of every album that tie into a special time in our relationship or just remind me of her. Each album is always on the playlist whenever we hit the road - you're always included. If we had to list an artist that we equally and consistently loved, you'd be the only winner. Does that make any sense?
This weather change (it's actually cooler here in Houston today) brings up so many beautiful memories and your music is always there in them. Thanks. That makes me happy today.
P.S. I check this blog everyday and everyday I think to myself, "Man, I wish I could do that for a living" and then, "Man, I wonder if Andy needs a second guitarist." I love what you do.
-josh
I will do something that I can't believe. I will eat fondue. Thank you Andy for sharing with us. Good to see that some musicians in this world care about others.
You're welcome, Andy. You do so much that brings happiness to me. You're albums are great, but your production is fantastic, too. Whenver I listen to The Far Country (which is often), I am ever amazed at just how good it sounds!
As for me...you reminded me that being a state-at-home dad is something to never forget as being a gift from God. What an honor.
tim
I've enjoyed greatly reading your blogs. Keep it up
Thanks for the awesome sincere blog Andy! One of my little great days happened last night. My band The Green Letters played a super fun gig at a place in downtown Austin called The Red Fez and did a really random fun cover of "Thriller".(cause it was Friday the 13th dontchaknow) Really random but super fun! Your blog is one of the few that I read regularly- thanks so much for sharing your life with all of us! You, my friend, ROCK.
Blessings,
Tom
The day you wrote this I did get to do something I couldn't believe I was doing, I recorded 2 public domain Christmas songs in 4 hours for free with the worship band that I lead. The nicest studio in our area, The Loft, was donating 4 hours studio time to local ministries for a charity Christmas album they are making. It was amazing. Such a nice studio.
http://www.theloft.com/studio/" rel="nofollow">The Loft