This summer I had the opportunity to go to Nashville to visit with a friend of mine. While I was there I took a tour of the legendary Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the famous Grand Ole Opry.
I decided to take the opportunity to "Make a Record" at the Ryman Recording Studio and record three songs. You are only allowed to have "ONE TAKE" to record your songs! There isn't a lead sheet, only lyrics. You get to hear the arrangement once. You really have to be on top of your game!
After I finished, the studio engineer said to me, "I must tell you that I have a lot of singers come through here to record. You are one of the BEST I have ever heard." I said, "Awe, I bet you say that to all the girls." He said, "No, I really mean it." He encouraged me to move to Nashville and suggested that maybe I had missed my calling! That was the nicest complement I have had in a long time. I was truly flattered.
As I was leaving, he encouraged me to never give up on my dreams of singing and performing. As he handed me my completed CD recording he said, "Just remember, you only had ONE TAKE! The stars have HUNDREDS of TAKES!"