HeyJaredThe Honest Songwriter
Reflections on walking the path of being an artist, songwriter, and music producer—sharing songs, performances, and all the thoughts and mistakes along the way.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 6
- Latest publication
- Aug 11, 2026
- Audience
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 7, 2026
Latest issues
Permission to Try (opens the original)
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For years, I waited to feel ready to pursue music again.In the beginning, (there was God — just kidding…)*Ahem* In the beginning, I had no hesitation about picking up the guitar, forming a band, writing songs, playing shows, and eventually going to school for music.But along the way, life happened. I got depressed. I stopped going out—and going for it, … Read more
The Gig Started Long Before I Played It (opens the original)
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Last week I wrote about finally playing a cover gig after putting it off for years—and I was surprised by the response I got. Several people reached out saying some version of:“I’ve always wanted to do something like that. How did you make that happen?” It’s a good question. But the answer probably isn’t what most people think.The gig didn’t begin with … <a href="https://davidbgaskin
I Finally Played the Gig (opens the original)
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After years of putting it off, I finally played my first restaurant gig—a 2-hour cover set of songs from the 60s through to the 2000s—some of my favorite go-to’s as well as a handful of crowd pleasers.I can’t say why exactly I put it off: probably a mixture of fear, avoidance, feeling “not ready” or “not good enough”—a refrain I hear from so many artist… Read more
The Tip Jar Isn't the Point (opens the original)
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Last week I wrote about an upcoming restaurant gig and how—most of the time—doing the uncomfortable thing we’re afraid of is exactly the moment right before growth happens.Well, I’m happy to report that the gig went quite well!I was actually surprised by how confident I felt before the set. I think all the preparation I did paid off, but there comes a p… Read more
The Moment Before You Grow (opens the original)
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I’ve got a two-hour cover gig this Friday at a bistro in town.Playing a gig like this is something I’ve wanted to do for years. But now that it’s actually approaching, I’m feeling nervous.The Honest Songwriter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.<input class="button
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