This is one of my favorite times of the year. New Year's has always represented what I feel is a great opportunity. The opportunity to reflect on the past year, where your life is and where you would like it to go. It's a time to review and sometimes re-calibrate your goals. If nothing else, the New Year holds as much promise and potential than at any other time of the year.
I've been working at this blog site for almost three years now. It seems hard to believe that time has flown by so quickly. As I do every year, I like to look back on where I'm at with the blog, and where I want to take things for the upcoming year. Right now, I would admittedly say that I'm a little mixed about where things are at. There have been some positives, many positives to be honest, but some negatives have crept on to the scene.
Overall readership is up for the site, which is something that pleasantly surprises me. I haven't advertised this blog at all, really, with the exception of making many wonderful contacts at the Americana Music Association and meeting with other Americana music fans at various shows. I've said it before in this space and I will say again, it is my honour and pleasure that so many of you take valuable time out of your day to sit and read this blog. I understand how busy life can be, and I'm humbled that you're willing to share your time with me. The big negative that has crept in to the picture (and here is my mea culpa), is my seeming inability to be consistent with my writing here. For example, this is the first piece I have written since November 7. It's frustrating to the max for this guy, as writing this blog is one of my greatest pleasures. My goal for the upcoming year is to be consistent. In reality, I owe it to all of us who gain enjoyment out of this space, and that definitely includes myself.
Other positives that were gained from writing this site from 2012 were meeting all the truly wonderful people that I had the great fortune to meet this past year. At the recent Americana Music Assocation Conference and Festival in Nashville this past year, I was amazed at how welcoming this community is for bloggers like me. For one week out of the year, I get to be involved in the music community in a way that I am not regularly able to be at this point in my life. Perhaps that will change down the road, but for the time being, it's a thrill and I appreciate it so much. In the big picture scheme of things, I have been able to meet people that I would not otherwise have been able to meet, and I can now call them my friends. To quote another famous blog, "That's AWESOME!"
What am I looking forward to this upcoming year? I'm looking forward to changing the site around, and the possibilities that change can bring. I'm looking forward to more shows to write about. I'm looking forward to meeting old friends and making new friends at the Americana Music Conference in Nashville, and the upcoming International Folk Alliance Conference in my hometown of Toronto coming up in February. I'm also looking forward to hearing the next breakthrough artist in Americana ... in 2011 it was Mumford and Sons, 2012 gave us Alabama Shakes. Who will break through in large fashion in 2013? Stay tuned.
I hope you and your families had wonderful Christmas and holiday season, whichever holiday you celebrate. The year 2013 is just beginning, and may it be a beautiful, prosperous and healthy year for all. Take care and God Bless.
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