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My First TACiversery ! Very Grateful For This Community
A few days ago I celebrated my first TACiversy and I write this summary with extreme gratitude to Tony and the Guitar Geek Community. Early 2019 we lose my Mother in Law. Six weeks later we lose my Mom. In 2020 Covid is raging and lock downs and isolation continue. In March we start Hospice care for my Dad. One night during my night shift I wrote a song about him while he slept. He passed away in May almost one year to the day of my Mom passing. 2021 kicks off and it’s clear that Covid and all its devastation will continue. Cancelled plans, closed venues etc. I could just feel anger and depression knocking at the door. What was I going to do to fend off the dark. I watched one of Tony’s invitations to join the TAC family. I decided to join TAC in January 2021 to get something of a routine and improve my rudimentary guitar skills.
I kept practicing and writing. One song, and then another. I learned how to flat pic ! I started experimenting with different chord shapes. I attended the Virtual Open Mics to get over my nerves of playing in front of people. The community is SO supportive! Then I purchased a DAW to help with the VOM’s unaware that it came with music production software. I kept practicing, writing and started simple production. Then a TAC member (Brandon – AKA – “branman”) reached out and offered to help with production and mastering. I set a 90 goal to actually release the music as terrifying as that was – to put it out there. It was harder than I thought but it happened! I released it on Bandcamp. I also set the price at $0 but any funds contributed are all being donated to environmental conservation nonprofits. Amazing I have $200 to donate and with some matching opportunities that increased to $600 – not a lot but I was expecting $0.
I have over 50 original songs to date and the first EP has 5. They are about love, loss and healing and I thought long and hard about which songs, what order, imagery of the cover (each song also has a cover). My main goal was to record the music – to process all that I was feeling and hopefully that it might speak to others. I got a note from a total stranger who listened to the EP and said “ I lost my best friend this summer from a very aggressive cancer. Your songs express exactly what I am feeling”. That was my Grammy.
For 2022 I will tackle the Fretboard Wizard and improve my picking. I have another EP in Post Production and yet another in preproduction. I have a local open mic in the next few weeks, a solo Zoom concert on March 4 and another live solo gig in the works.
All of this would never have happened without TAC and the TAC family. To all of you and the good vibes you bring …. I thank you, and wish you a music and happiness filled 2022!
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29 Replies
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@TMutter Happy 1st TACiversary! What a few years you have had, and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to meet you and know you a little through the VOM’s. You have an amazing songwriting talent, and I’m inspired by your journey and resilience.
Keep up the great work Terry, and I look forward to continuing our journey together.
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Thanks Loraine, TAC came to me a time when I needed it most! Thanks for all the encouragement!
T
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@TMutter I was going through a deep depression when I found TAC, and between the lessons and finding joy in something and the awesome community and VOM’s I was able to claw my way back to sanity. Not only did they help lift me and carry me at the beginning, they’ve been so supportive during the last year as a caregiver for my mother, the loneliness of COVID, and the passing of my mother in recent months. TAC is more than just a guitar community.
I’m so glad you found us and are here. Your songs heal people, help them express their feelings, and they lift people out of their own darkness. You have a gift and are selfless in your sharing of it. I’m very proud of you!
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Loraine, sorry to hear of your Mothers passing. What a gift to her that you were there to provide care. Thank you for your kind words.
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Congrats @TMutter ! Terry, it’s great to have you as part of this community. In addition to your considerable talent as a player and song writer you are always keen to help and support others. I always look forward to hearing you next song on VOMs.
Cheers🍻
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Thanks Guy – I really enjoy your playing!
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Happy 1st TACiversary @TMutter 👏🎂👏 I for one am happy that you decided to join TAC. I enjoy listening to your performances in the Forums and at the VOM’s (when I’m able). I wish you many more TACiversaries!
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Thanks Bill – hope to see you at more VOM’s !
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Wow @TMutter just wow. I hear you at the VOMs but didn’t know all this back story. My sincere condolences at these losses but congrats also go to you for making the commitment to continue and to improve. I’m sure your relatives are oh so proud of all you’ve accomplished since they left this planet.
Although you thank TAC and the VOMs it’s also we, the attendees and TAC members who have benefitted from hearing your songs, your banter and yes, your postings. Although I can’t write anything musical whatsoever I find inspiration and the “one day (I might do that too)” from hearing your tunes and the other amazing composers who are part of this group. All the best on the new EP and going forward!
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Well thank you so very much for your kind words. I am glad you enjoy my music – I certainly enjoy the process of creating it. Here’s to personal and creative growth !!
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Thanks Marty – I am looking forward to FBW – now I just have to figure out how to sign up for it !
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Happy TACiversary, @TMutter! What an amazing year you’ve had! I’m so impressed that you’re writing, recording, releasing, and performing original music! So cool! And I’m really sorry about all the losses you’ve experienced. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story!
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Thanks Ted – Music has been a great outlet to process emotions, love and loss, and connect with people !
T
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What an epic story stemming from so much heartache, and a reminder, if any were needed, of what a unifying force music can be. Working for an Environmental Charity myself, restoring rivers and fish migration routes in the UK, I can tell you just how important your contribution has been. What a wonderful thing to be able to do with your music.
Really all there is to say is Happy TACiversary and well done on all the milestones throughout. Keep on rockin’ – Darren [Moonhare] 🤟😎🎸
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thanks Darren for the kind words. Also thank you for all the work you are doing for the rivers and fish habitat! That is so great.
T
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@TMutter congrats on the one year!! So exciting. Your post has inspired me to get back to the VOM’s. Truly amazing folks in this TAC family! Keep em coming! The world needs your songs!
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Beth – thank you for the support. I am sure I need the songs more than the world does 😊- but being able to share them and have people find comfort in my music is a gift to my heart I never imagined.
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Happy TACiversary, Terry. You have a gift and you are so humble about it. I agree with @BethL . The world needs your songs. Love every song you’ve written, and I wish you well on the next leg of your journey..
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Happy TACiversary Terry, we’re so lucky and happy to have you. Be well brother.
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Thanks Kurt for all your support !
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Congrats on your 1st TACiversy!!
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Thanks!
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You also are an asset to the TAC community. And you will simply LOVE fretboard Wizard.
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Thanks Albert – I am now trying to figure out how to sign up for FBW. Not sure if I have to wait for the new release or I can get started. When I click on the icon it says it is not available. Any suggestions?
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At the Jan 90 Day Progress Party Tony said that they are working on FBW 2.0 which is a heavily updated course based on feedback on the first one. He said it wouldn’t be released until probably June so you won’t be able to sign up just yet. I’m looking forward to getting onto it too as soon as it is released. 🤟😎🎸
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Thanks – I thought might be the case – Thanks for verifying.
T
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Terry, I hope you realize that you, single-handed, have given everyone who read this a roadmap to sanity and joy (with or without a guitar). Thank you, yet again, my virtual friend.
Wow.
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Thanks TJ – I really appreciate your kind words !
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