I Threw Him Out

Yep, you heard me right. I threw a belligerently drunk man (who was basically heckling the performers! what?), out of my writers round the other night. Right there during the middle of a performance, I told him he was insulting me, called for security and asked him to leave (for the record, the crowd cheered). For those of you who know me well, you’re probably in disbelief that I had it in me to do such a thing! However, Nashville is bringing out Erin 2.0. The Erin with a backbone. The Erin who has finally stopped apologizing unnecessarily. The Erin who would throw someone out of her gig to stand up for herself if necessary.

For way too long now, I’ve felt like I’ve had to be the person that everyone else wants me to be. As a performer, musician, artist, music teacher, business woman, and even as a person. I’ve just been so worried that I have to look the right way, say the right thing, and that everything I do has to be just “so” to be taken seriously in this life. I just feel like it’s time to let my hair down a little.

One of my music mentors today reminded me that IT IS ME who gets to do the picking. And though I will always continue to learning, I don’t need to take crap from anyone… professionally or personally anymore. What a refreshing thought.

As I enter a period of time where I am finishing up my first book, working tirelessly on TV/Film music pitches, closing my last semester of grad school, doing my best to still write and perform, teaching music full time, AND trying to be a good auntie, daughter, sister and friend: I needed that reminder. I simply can’t be the perfect person to all people at all times, nor should I be expected to. I’m not a machine, I’m a human and I’m spread thin right now. I simply get to be myself as I work hard at my art each and every day, taking life as it comes, unapologetically. And… standing up for myself when it is necessary.

Peace, love, and especially STRENGTH.
DO what you need to do today, unapologetically.

Erin