I lost a friend the other day. Probably not what you're expecting right at the top of this episode.

But as I've stated before, I created this podcast to get into the grit of life with you.

And sometimes, it's not always pretty.

His name was David, David Lee Nelson.

If you didn't already know, most creatives, be it musicians, actors, painters, comedians, poets, podcasters, etc., gravitate to the hospitality industry,

which is just really a polite way of saying waiting tables.

The running joke I would always say as a musician was

stake in one hand, promo pack and the other.

The money can be good, great even at times,

but the flexible schedule, that was priceless.

When a last-minute audition or a sudden swing cocktail gig popped up, it was a, hey, can you

cover me? Kind of plea, knowing that they would ask for the favor to be returned before the end

of the week. One hand always washed the other.

I waited tables for 15 years before being able to hang up the coats and rely solely on music.

The page turned in the chapter of life. I have never taken for granted.

During that season of elongated menu spills and white tablecloths is when I met David,

a stand-up comic.

He and I aspired the life of the stage, the thought of our talent transporting people from

their every day, even if only for 45 minutes set.

We dished stories of success and failures around self-marketing and how to put butts in

seats. He was a gem. David hailing from South Carolina, as my being from North Carolina,

we shared the experiences moving from the Bible Belt to the

...