I love my new band. 
 
I'll just let that sentence hang out there all by itself.  It deserves to.
 
In case you didn't know (or care), I'm now playing with a La Grange, NC band called Spare Change.  We're primarily a cover band and we play almost exclusively within a few hours of Greenville, NC, where I live.  A few years ago, I would not have thought that I would be so enamored with this type of thing, but I am truly enjoying myself.
 
We've got a great following, which helps my chi some because, sadly or not, I'm an entertainer who happens to play the violin, not a violinist who happens to entertain.  (At some point in your life, you have to recognize what you are and just embrace it.)  That doesn't mean I don't care about my playing.  On the contrary, I care very much about it and practice every day to get better.  But I know that if I had to give up either violin OR entertaining, entertaining would be harder.
 
I also love that the guys in the band are super-talented, professional musicians who have been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and still like trying on new ones.  Jeff, Sam, Tuff, and Veronica have all played for everyone who is anyone and they are true big-time talents.  In spite of that, they still like to experiment, try new things, and they are never done learning.  Awesome!
 
We're in the process of writing some music for a new... um... album.  I can never say "CD".  It sounds stupid.  Anyway, they are indulging my writing "talents", encouraging me, helping me, criticizing me (always in love), and supporting me.  It's amazingly fun to co-write with people you like and respect.
 
And they're letting me sing.  Not just backgrounds - I've always done that - but lead.  No, I'm no Elton John, but there is a place for my type of voice and I love getting to explore that.  I'll post some live recordings here as soon as I get my hands on some.
 
So, yes.  I love my band.  And you should, too.  Come see us sometime.  I'd love to entertain you!