So…it’s time. You’ve seen the guitars in the background for a long time. Many of you have requested that I record myself playing and I’ve been too terrified to do it.
I’ve told many of you that we don’t get over fear, but instead learn to work with and through it. This is what that looks like.
The first short(ish) video gives some background to where all this is coming from, and the second is me playing David Gray’s “Birds Without Wings.”
I hope you enjoy it.
Charlie, this made it worth showing up at the internet today.
Love, love, love.
And thanks.
Thank you, Lisa. For showing up on the interwebs today, and for being the first commenter.
Lovely, Charlie–what a perfect song for your first video recording! Thank you for taking the risk to share yourself in this way.
Love, Hiro
I love this song and I’ve wanted to play it for a while. It would go well with the The Change-Maker’s Creed, but, of course, I’d have to polish it up.
Thank you for coming and truly seeing me, Hiro.
I feel all brave now, myself! I wonder what sort of awesome risk I could take as well.
Beautifully done, and so heartfelt. Thank you!
Thank you for being a midwife to this, Spock Elf. Without you and a few key others, this would have been another 6 months in the wings. And I happen to know that you took a risk today, too.
Charlie,
I applaud you!
It rocks that you would do this … record a song for us, but also tell us just how vulnerable this makes you feel.
Congratulations for staring fear in the face. You’re still standing!
Best,
Christianne
Thank you, Christianne. I’m still standing, indeed, and fear is still there staring at me. But, like I said about Resistance the other night, Fear is going to bed hungry this time.
Wow. What a perfect way to demonstrate learning to work with and through fear.
*standing ovation*
Thank you.
*bowing, smiling*
Charly,
listening to you put a big smile on my face. Keep on recording! I didn’t know this song; real nice with smart lines, no wonder it’s one of your favourites.
By the way, you didn’t look scared…
Best: Judit
I’m all about the smiles! Thanks for letting me know that this lit you up. And I can already see there’s more playing to be done.
charlie, thank you so much for sharing this — so genuine, tender and brave all at the same time.
karen
This made me smile. Thank you, Karen.
That is incredibly inspirational. Thank you so much!!
I especially love your grin with the mistake – ah, but was it a mistake? Lately I have actually started to laugh when I fall (yup literally – but at least I don’t hit the floor) out of a yoga pose – one that I have been able to do with no problem for a bit, but it seems some days are just different.
Working with and through fear is such an incredible experience. I applaude your sharing. Thanks!!!!
Katie
While I was walking this afternoon, I thought about what it was about this video that made it stick for me, and I think it was the grin. I tell people that I smile and laugh at a lot of my little mistakes, and this video showed it in action. After I thought about it, I noticed the same thing in the other video, too.
I’ll definitely have to write more about this.
This was so touching Charlie…..so soft and so fearless at the same time….thank you so much.
I’ll be back in touch with you soon, Amba
Thank you, Amba, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Beautiful. Courageous. Wonderful.
Well done, friend.
What if I wanted to use those same descriptions for you, Kyeli? 🙂 (Thank you.)
You rock Charlie.
You are one of the realest dudes I know.
And courageous. And talented. And awesome. And inspiring.
This is one of my favorite David Gray songs too. And now? It’s taken on a whole new meaning. And a whole new level of awesome.
Thanks for doing this.
But, mostly, thanks for being you.
You may not know it, but you were one of the midhusbands for this, Sound Ninja. I thought about how hard it has to be for you, too, and how you do your thing nonetheless. (Next time I say I *get* it, will you believe me? ;p)
So, thanks for being you.
Charlie – Wow. I’ve got a Gibson sitting in its case — much as I love to play, it might be years before you hear me play on my blog.
My heart’s swelling with admiration for your courage. Thanks for showing up. The world needs you.
Hugs,
Jen
Thank you, Jen.
Remember how I was saying it was a goal to play at an open-mic this spring? Well, I’m not going to meet that one, but I’ll take this one instead. And I can’t wait to hear you play.
p.s. I might hear you sooner than you think. We’ve been infected by the PDX bug and may live there next month. Yep, you read that right. ;p
Bravo Charlie!
I certainly hope this isn’t the last one. Thank you for showing up and being real and vulnerable. Such an inspiration to us all.
I read a great quote the other day that said there is no such thing as the absence of fear when doing great things. The truly courageous take a leap of faith, feel the fear and do it, despite their fear.
You are a rock star! Can’t wait for your next show.
Fondly,
liz
@SheBrandLiz
Thanks, Liz – and this won’t be the last song. I just got some new gear yesterday that’ll make this process easier.
Loved it. Let me know when you’re taking requests. 😉
I’m open. Right now, you can choose from Amos Lee, Jack Johnson, David Gray, Mat Kearney, Blues Traveler, (some) Live, (some) Smashing Pumpkins…
Okay, maybe I should just leave it open. Or make a list and have y’all vote on the song. This could be fun…;p
I love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your music – and for demonstrating moving through fear. I admire your courage, your talent and your willingness to show your vulnerability.
Thank you, Patty. It wasn’t easy, but I’m so glad I did it.
Way to put yourself out there Charlie! What a perfect song for your debut! Thanks so much for showing up yet again.
Liz
Yeah, this is one of my banner songs. I appreciate the feedback, Liz.
Beautiful, Charlie. Very brave of you – thanks for putting this out there.
Thanks, Lisa!
The word I chose for my day was *courage*. Ta-da! This fits right in with my experience of life today. I’m so glad your courage showed up in my life today too. xoxo
Charlie! You are all those things and then you are adorable 🙂 Goosebumps! I love you! @TiaSparkles
Great job!
I found your site after listening to the interview you did with Chris G. Have added you to my daily reading.
Ohh. I am touched. And inspired.
Thank you.
[…] It’s beautiful. […]
Charlie, That was marvelous. That was brave. That was you. Thank you for always showing up so real. Bless you!
Well now we know the guitars aren’t just for show. Love this David Gray tune. You did him proud, and yourself too.
More please, sir!
Much love, Julie
Thanks for sharing. I am so proud of you for doing this. It was most excellent to hear you play tonight even though I cannot hear it live.
Oh, what a glorious, fabulous post! LOVED it! And the smile on the chord clinched it! Thank you for being such a terrific role model for walking your talk. You, sir, ROCK.
And hot damn, if you really are moving to PDX! We’ll have both Chris and you! And Jen in Salem! Yes, the Pacific Northwest is where it’s at….
Well done Charlie. Great voice, and great guitar. I know how hard it is. I can play the bass guitar to 2 or 3 songs adequately. But as soon as someone sings, or plays guitar I fall to bits. So, being able to sing and play guitar the same time, and do it so well, you have my full respect. And then to put it out there on the internet…
Ah, Charlie, I loved this, and the song felt very “you” (and I’d much rather have a version which was played with heart rather than technical perfectionism). It made me tear up a bit, especially ‘cos I watched the intro video first.
(You’re a great singer too!)
Thanks for being brave. Sending love and hugs.
Oh, and you’re a singer-songwriter, right? Really looking forward to seeing you perform something *you* wrote. And yeah, I realise that’d take super-human bravery, but you’re CHARLIE GILKEY! 😀
This totally made my day – you are awesome Charlie!
charlie,
love, love, love it…such raw tenderness & vulnerability & beauty & strength.
thanks for sharing & for giving us the courage to work through our fears.
heather
Charlie:
Good job on the song, I enjoyed it. I saw David Gray about 6 or 7 years ago, but I think I have a deeper appreciation for him now. I commend you for performing and posting this vid, imperfections and all.
Those that DO, teach.
Thanks for the song – and the lesson.
Charlie, thank you for sharing this picture of fear, vulnerability, and courage.
And thank you for doing it with a smile… it’s a helpful reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.
Big love, and keep singin’ and playin’ and teachin’ in all the ways you do.
Cath
WOOHOOOOOOOO! Way to go, friend! 🙂 Super stuff!
Charlie, you always keep it real buddy. Nicely done.
You are the KING of conquering fear — and the spark that lights a fire under the rest of us. Rock ON.
Wow Charlie, so many levels of beauty in this. I love that you didn’t just talk about the fear and moving through it, but modeled it for us in such an amazing way. And the perfect song. I feel buoyed by this in a way that’s hard describe.
So thank you. And more please. Keep it coming.
Mellow high fives for that…nice ,very nice….:)
Who knew this Charlie guy was so talented and brave? Ok, probably everyone!! I can’t help but admire how you put yourself out there.
Thank you so much for sharing this, for real. I was feeling a little down today and that made me smile. 🙂
Hi Charlie,
Thank you for your courage. You play and sing beautifully and this would have been a beautiful version of ‘Birds without Wings’ anyway – but knowing that you stepped into the company of your fear in order to share it with us makes it all the more beautiful.
Thank you.
Marianne
Charlie, this is so powerful — the vulnerability and your clarity that doing this will help you stretch your “risk muscle.” Yah!! You rock! (And now, I know that you literally do rock, musically too!) 🙂
[…] Gilkey, Charlie + Guitar: Birds Without Wings, Productive […]
Charlie, I loved it! Thanks for inspiring me and many more to step out of our comfort zone! So hard to do but so rewarding. Keep playing, singing and smiling!
Sutton
Amazing videos Charlie!! You really inspire me to work through my fear. Thanks for being such an inspiration, sir. 🙂
You’re a pretty awesome singer too. Keep doing what you do!
Congratulations on the breakthrough!
Josh Lipovetsky.
heartfelt and beautiful
[…] you need love, it’s already inside of […]
I LOVE the way you sing “Hoist a new flag, Hoist a new flag” (at 1:03). All of a sudden YOU start to come through. And every so often there you are, peeping out. Really nice. Thanks,
-Brooke.
Charlie, this was great! Your an inspiration. I loved the wrong chord at the end because it relax4ed you and made you smile. Perfect!
Martin D-18?
Robert
[…] you need love, it’s already inside of […]
[…] crowded, go outside.If you need energy, try drinking a green smoothie for breakfast.If you need love, it’s already inside of you.If you need peace, breathe.If you need permission, you can say yes to […]