I currently use a Shure SM57 for my vocal mic (while playing the acoustic guitar). I find that I need to be right on top of the mic for good sound. I'd like to sing a few inches from the mic and have a little bit of freedom to move around while playing and singing. Plus when I use my ipad for lyrics/chords it's really hard to read the ipad while playing the guitar and need to be right on top of the mic. (Yes, I know, I should learn the songs better and ditch the ipad. That will happen eventually. But in the meantime....) If I have more gain (say, using a cloudlifter) will that let me back away a few inches from the mic? Or is it better just to get a different mic? And if the latter, what mic? I'd use this setup playing live and at home. Thanks!

After the first half of the first verse I realized I had the wrong song on the iPad! I just kept strumming the guitar while I changed songs and continued with the verse once I called up the new song. Went for a solid 10 seconds starting at the 0:20 second marker.

Today I had the pleasure of playing Amazing Grace with Nate’s Sister who is on the violin for a mentor who is very much like my grandpa. He’s almost 95, and he hasn’t been doing to well, but his spirits are wonderful, but he’s smothering to death day by day. Really glad I was able to do this, I have other clips, but I’m not sure I will post them. George used to sing all the time, and he hasn’t been able to come to church for a while, so we brought some music to him. Hoping to go back Sunday to see him again, but we don’t know what’s in store. If y’all find the time, say a prayer for him, it’s much appreciated! You can hear him coughing a little bit at the end, and see his reflection in the mirror, he’s the man laying down. 🥲 Probably the most witty person I’ll ever meet. He just got married again at 93, to my uncles, mother. Anyways, Happy Practicing!

Here’s a brief clip from my performance on Thursday where i had no idea what chords I was supposed to be playing starting at 6 seconds until 10 seconds. But I channeled Luan’s advice about just keep up the vocal rhythm and played through to the chords right before the chorus where I knew I could get back on track.

Tomorrow night I have my third live gig. This is back at the restaurant where I had my first one. It will be interesting to see how much less the nervousness is. There was a big drop with the second one. Expecting that trend to continue. I've already got gig #4 lined up for Nov 30th, back at the other place I played at. Hoping to get 1 or 2 more in beyond that before the end of the year. https://www.pompstation.nu/live-muziek