Sort of. I came to touring a little later than some people, but when I first started playing with my guitar teacher I was about 15 or 16. And he said to me, “Look, you can practice this stuff in your room, but music’s meant to be shared. So why don’t we go out to some open mics and you can play some songs?” That was the first time I got going in front of people, and it was really an addictive feeling to get up there. I was just doing covers and stuff like that, but it was, “This is what it’s like to sing in front of people and to worry about what they think of you and worry about the music.”
There is a big difference between being a recording artist and an entertainer.
It’s disappointing when you love somebody and you go see them live and it’s not the same feeling. I try really hard to follow that feeling I had when I wrote the song and when I recorded it. I open that bottle every night and just tap into it for the live show.
Part of it is just your disposition, but you seem very composed and modest in an industry that frankly doesn’t encourage either.
I’ve just learned a lot. The thing in the end that I’ve learned is that I can’t do this just because I want to be famous or rich or something. That stuff doesn’t keep you warm at night when nobody cares. In the end I still do this because I love making the music. Sometimes there are some perks involved. Sometimes there’s some embarrassment involved. But in the end I feel it’s a privilege to be able to get to do what I do.
For more information on Eric Hutchinson, please visit the artist's official website.
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