If you've never has the chance to step up on stage or in front of a group, allow me to share one of my recent experiences. As a performer, I've recently had that "magic" returned to me. I got a peek at what happens to folks who really appreciate what one has to share and give it back, a "return" so to speak.

For me, walking up on stage is - at times - not at easy thing to do especially when it's a big crowd. You see, in the Blues Scene, cover songs seem to be the rule when performing and I fully understand why it is important to keep the blues alive. But my band and I write our own material and our set lists have a strict minimum of cover songs. Carolyn Fe Blues Collective is, after all, an original material band. With that in mind, I never know how we are going to be received. The words and interpretations of the songs from our albums come from deep within me and as we all know, it isn't easy to have our deepest thoughts and feelings exposed. It certainly took me long enough to get out of my shell.

Through every performance I remain true to my offerings and always give it my best, but there is that adage of "not being able to please everybody all the time" that rings in the back of my mind. As a performer, I always hope to do so but reality states differently.

To date, I have been very lucky with the audiences I've shared my craft with. However it was on June 21st & 22nd that I had the opportunity to perform three sets at the Edmundston Jazz Blues Festival in New Brunswick. I must say, my feet hasn't touch the ground yet. I am still on such a high and I keep questioning myself as to how a small city can pour out so much love for music. They really appreciate what all the artists had to offer. It is so refreshing to see the huge outpouring of appreciation not only from the audience members but from the organisers, volunteers, technicians, security and even the folks at the concession stands!

This is where the magic happens. When the environment and the people connect with what is being shared on stage, they give back an energy and gratefulness that is indescribable. Oh yes, there are the smiles, the clapping/toe-tapping to the beat, there are even those who throw caution to the wind and dance with total abandonment and then there is even the standing ovation at the end. But this is not the "return" I speak of.

It happens when the gear, costumes and high heels are set aside to wait for the next performance. It happens when I walk the festival grounds or the city. It is the quick and stolen moments between the "I enjoyed your show" and the "thank you". It is in those moments when they hold my forearms and they share a whispered word or two about how the lyrics and music touched them. There is a gleam in their eyes and I know it's real...and that adage, although ever present, recedes slightly further back in my mind once again.

On behalf of the guys in the band (Rami Cassab, Tim Alleyne, Oisin Little, Dan Legault and our photographer Litratista) - I thank you, Edmundston for the opportunity to play our music for you.