Let’s start by making one thing clear. I know nothing about the state of Pennsylvania. I don’t know geographically where their cities are, how their road ways work, what’s down there, or who lives there. So when I was invited to showcase and speak on a panel as part of the Millennium Music Conference #19 in Harrisburg PA, I thought GREAT, AWESOME, LET’S DO IT! Pennsylvania is super close to New York, right? On the map it’s right under us! And I’ve seen signs to Erie when I go to the fair in the summer, and that’s in Pennsylvania, so this should be a great little 45 minute trip! For those of you who know nothing about the state of Pennsylvania (like me a week ago), let me tell you what I discovered. Harrisburg is actually on the complete other side of Pennsylvania, and it’s actually a giant rectangle, and in order to get there from Buffalo, you actually have to go diagonally across the state. It’s actually a 5 hour drive without stops and traffic and…snow. Because let’s face it, it’s February, so snow will be happening. BUT! This conference was going to be worth it…a new city, a new venue, a new group of people, a new network. Exactly what I’m looking for…remember those New Years goals…?

So we packed the car, including a new wind screen from the bulk pack I ordered from Amazon after I neglected my last one in NYC, and headed down. The first little bit through New York was effortless. Clean pavement, clear sky, I think the sun was even out which was a fantastic thing to see…it was flat flat flat flat and then KABOOM! Tiny mountains and winding roads and big open spaces…we had crossed the state line. How is it possible that terrain can change so fast!? It’s almost like New York and Pennsylvania had a discussion…”I’ll be flat, and then you can be all hilly, but we won’t tell anyone” “haha yes, that’s a great idea” Where there weren’t winding twisting roads going through these devious hills, there were huge open spaces. And it was cold…really cold…and anyone who knows anything about snow knows what big open spaces + super cold snow + wind means. White outs. Needless to say, the rest of the drive was not effortless. It was hard. But we made it! We got a much needed drink and turned in for the night.

The next day was full of listening to panels, taking feverish notes, meeting with industry professionals, mentoring, walking, talking, getting coffee, more panels, meeting other artists, more talking, making new friends, more networking, more twittering, and more coffee. And then before I knew it, it was time to get ready for my first showcase. A 45 minute set at Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar, 204 Locust Street Harrisburg PA. An address that was entered into the GPS and ultimately led us to a residential area 2 miles away from the venue. Never to fear, Siri was there, and she directed us to the correct 204 Locust Harrisburg PA, just in time for dinner and drinks before the set.

We got to the venue, had some wine and cheese and dinner and enjoyed listening to the other artists who were slotted before me. I was supposed to start at 9:30, but when the act before me was nowhere to be found, I started early…and wound up playing 2 full sets, about 1:30 of originals! And it was great! Hung out with some friends I met earlier in the day that came to listen, made some tips, sold some CD’s, nicknamed the waiter “Ti Amo” because he needed an Italian name. That’s a success in my book.

The next day was a continuation of the first. New panels, more mentoring, more networking, visiting with the artist friends I made the day before. The panel I was speaking on happened at 2:30, and it was great sharing my crowd funding experience with others!

The news was on in the hotel bar and they were forecasting a “snowstorm” for that night. It was 18 degrees out (heat wave anyone?), and it was dusting snow…nothing to be concerned about in my book. I decided to watch the weather, but had every intention of making the show. I came here to play, not to sit in the hotel because it was sneezing snow. This was nothing. A little later in the afternoon, some of the venues started to close due to the “storm”. The act before me cancelled and asked me to cover their slot…which I agreed to. And then the act before them did the same. I was originally scheduled to start at 11, but figured I would start at 9:30 and see how the crowd went. If everyone left because of the weather, I would pack up too.

I called Carley’s to make sure they were staying open, got ready and took off. Apparently they don’t plow or salt the roads in Pennsylvania…so it took a little longer, but still…I certainly wouldn’t have considered it the apocalyptic storm it was made out to be. A couple of inches of slush…child’s play. “Ti amo” was tending bar, we got a bottle of wine and some cheese, listened to the artists who had the 8:00 and 8:30 slots and went up around 9:30. My plan was to play a little over an hour and feel the crowd out, if everyone left because of the storm, I would do the same. I made friends with two gentlemen at the bar that I affectionately named Chuck and Bob and played my first 75 min set. Chuck, Bob, Ti Amo, and the rest of the bar were happy people! They found the tip jar! And my CDs! We laughed about their “snow storm” and the set flew by.

Around 10:45 the door opened. “She started early!” One of the group of 7 said…looks like I was staying. I took a quick 10 minute break, got a tea and a fresh water, and went back up to play my original 11:00 time slot- in full.

By the end of the set, it was close to midnight. I had played and sang over 3 sets of original material straight (excluding the 10 minute tea break) to a healthy bar. I was tired. Tired and really really happy. I put on my coat and headed back to the room. It wasn’t until 2am that I woke up and realized I had left my windscreen, once again, in the bar.