Topic: My son reminded me what gigging is all about
First, some background: I used to play semi professionally in a few bands many years ago. Lots of pub and club gigs. My last band wound up over 15 years ago and since then, I have been a bedroom player/collector. Marriage, work, kids etc. pretty much put a stop to my gigging days.
Last month my wife encouraged me to attend an open mic blues jam in my town. Pretty much my first public performance since I quit gigging. I spent the weeks beforehand stressing about the equipment to take, what to brush up on, my tone etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum.
I was a bundle of nerves going into the gig, but I managed to get up and play a couple of numbers with the house band. My playing was admittedly rusty and stilted, but I still had a reasonably good time.
The jam session was organised and run by the couple who run the music school where my 10 year old son is learning the guitar. They recognised him in the crowd with me and invited him up on stage for the last few numbers to jam with the house band.
Well, my son gets up there with my Strat (you can see in the pic how I had to knot the strap to get it to fit him), and he proceeded to play some of the best blues licks I have heard. No sign of nerves or stress or anything. He just got up on stage and enjoyed himself - much to the accolades of the crowd and the other guitarists. That taught me a thing or two about what gigging is all about...enjoying the music and entertaining people...not stressing about gear and tone! 
Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73085733@N00/5155719747/
Not quite the same as an 11 year old Joe B opening for BB King...but hey, I am proud of my son!!! He is quite a gifted player, and is destined to be a much better player than I ever will be... 
