Information for fans of Grandpa Griffith and General Well-wishers
Last night was MY last concert with Grandpa Griffith.
I know that an official email was sent out some time on Friday, saying it was the band's last show. That email was sent with a little bit of haste.
The only thing for sure at this point is that I am done being in the band. I will attempt to answer the questions I'm getting the most:
Why?
I have decided to leave for what is typically called burn-out. I'm just not "feeling it" anymore. I have been going through the motions for the sake of the other guys in the band for about a year and a half. There is a time committment and a mental energy committment that comes with being in the band that I am no longer willing to make.
Are you ok?
This decision, while it is the result of A LOT of thinking, hand-wringing and general dread, (especially over the last three days), should not be construed as some kind of symptom of a larger unhappiness in my life. Other than the mental torture I've been putting myself through over band issues, LIFE iS GOOD. Just read this blog. I've paid off credit cards. Discovered new music, new interests... Now, I see life getting to be a lot better. For one thing, I'll be able to talk to my best friend Jeff again without harboring resentment about not being able to reveal the truth of how I'm really feeling about the band.
That's a very good thing.
Is the rest of the band ok?
Aaron, Joe, Jeff, Willie, and Matt have been AWESOME about this. By not deciding to automatically quit if I was through, they gave me FREEDOM to make a choice. I think they realized that my guilty feelings were sufficient and they didn't need to pile on anymore. I thank you guys for that, if you are reading this. And while this whole issue of my ambivalence toward the band may have come about in anger, (a story you'll have to get somewhere else), we are all friends still. In fact, in finally being able to be honest and truthful amongst the guys over the last couple days, I feel closer to them than ever. I thank them for their understanding. It is rare that you meet guys that cool about things. And that is why there is a little bit of sadness in all of this as well.
But at the same time, I have to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving the rest of the guys in the lurch. But mostly, I'm sorry that I can't be the guy that you would have needed me to be. Matt-I'm sorry I broke my promise to you.
What's going to happen to GG?
At this point, the rest of the guys seem willing to try to keep going with the band. This makes me very happy. In fact, it's the only way I was able to tell them the truth. While their next immediate gig, the State Fair show, will be cancelled, I think they will soon start making plans for the fututre. I for one, can't wait to come see GG shows as a spectator.
***
In general, the last 6 or 7 or 10 or however many years it's been have been a great ride. I've been more successful with the band than I ever thought possible. (Once again, the beauty of being a pessimist.) :-P
I have had a lot of fun playing in the band and being married to 5 or 6 other guys. And the people who have come to shows, bought CDs and shirts and danced and cared about what we do, I've always suspected they were a little bit mentally unbalanced. But only in the best way.
The fans have enriched my life and made me feel important in some of the weirdest ways. Thank you for that.
Thanks for listening.
Your pal,
Mike
posted by Mike @ 11:55 AM
1 Comments:
Mike, you will be missed and GG won't be the same without you but you do have to do, what you have to do, and as long as you are happy thats really all that matters. its hard to do what you did and i give you many props.
much love,
Jenn :)
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