Thankful, '22 Style.....

THANKFUL FOR so many things in 2022....

Not gonna lie, friends - COVID has made life tough for a lot of folks in my industry for the past few years (with careers folding & huge talent moving to other areas for employment), so I'm even more thankful than usual to make my living with guitar in hand. 

Addressing audience at SDML student recital, 2022.

My quick list for "things to be thankful for in 2022" include....increased business interest in the Lexington Music Awards & a smooth launch of the public ballot for the 9th Lexi Music Award....successful gigs like Lexi-Fest "unplugged battle", my monthly Goodwood gigs, various one-off performances, and a helluva birthday jam...backing stellar artists like Tabi Gervis, The Wallace Sisters, and others in various venues (see video clip w/ Tabi below)....seeing the return of live performance in the area & making initial steps to kick Skinny Devil Booking back into gear to book gigs for students & others....reaching so many personal & professional goals....being far more healthy than is warranted by my past & present lifestyle (and still slamming brutal workouts)....having real friends who truly have my back....lots of time with the kids and grandkids, as well as a very special Thanksgiving and equally special Christmas....being blessed with amazing guitar/music students & the progress of SDML Academy of Guitar as well as my new Patreon Page...being surrounded by more incredible & interesting humans than I could possibly deserve....the continuing success of the Guitar Gods interview series & Skinny Devil Magazine....and sooo much more.

Quick count: As SD Booking, booked over a dozen performances for students (not including recitals) and have set up a monthly invitation open mic for students & the music community.....wrote a dozen articles here at SD Universe (including free fingerstyle lesson, the "musicians' gig list", R&R Hall of Fame piece w/ song charts, & more).....9 entries to SDML blog with well over 100 song charts for students, taught close to 1000 private lessons and in excess of 50 group lessons....9 posts at SD Magazine (including serialization of an entire novel called "Nemesis Tori", & lessons on Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, "Top Gun", "Dark Crystal", Christine McVie, and Leonard Cohen)....played over 3 dozen gigs (the most post-COVID so far)....roughly 50 posts at my new Patreon Page.....I'm losing track of it all! Hahaha!

Playing Bert Francis' beautiful Gretsch guitar, Nov '22.

I am astounded every single time I wake up and realize that I'm not dreaming - I really do get to make my living in this world with a guitar in my hand and ideas in my head. 

Damn... and THANK YOU!! All of you!

#StayFierce #SkinnyDevil #DogsLife #CloseToTheGround #HungerAndFear #LuckyMF #GoBigOrGoHome #GuitarLife #MusicLife #PirateLife 

=====

If you value my work and want to support it......contact me for lessons (guitar, electric bass, ukulele, social drumming, songwriting, etc) or feel free to leave a tip (one-shot or monthly):

PayPal (one-time or monthly options)
http://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic

Venmo (one-time only)
www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47

http://www.skinnydevil.net
http://www.sdmlguitar.com