Photo by Eva Nowakowski

Out there in the spotlight, you’re a million miles away
Every ounce of energy you try to give away
As your sweat pours out your body
Like the music that you play

Later in the evening as you lie awake in bed
And the echoes from the amplifiers ringing in your head
You smoke the day’s last cigarette
Remembering what she said…

Here I am, on the road again
There I am, up on the stage
Here I go, playing the star again
There I go, turn the page…

Bob Seger released “Turn the Page” in 1973 after writing it in an Eau Claire, Wisconsin hotel room. The song depicts his harrowing (and somewhat depressing) experience on the road, which begins with the sound of an immediately recognizable, wailing saxophone.

The song was recorded live, which automatically gives it a certain cadence. You can hear the soft nuances of the crowd as Seger sings into the mic. It was an intimate moment from a concert that was captured and ultimately garnered heavy radio play (the studio version off of his “Back in ‘72″ didn’t do much…and that dude in the video isn’t me or anyone else at 52).

It’s with this song that we launch what will be an ongoing project where we ask musicians on the road to reveal their Turn the Page moment, their time in the spotlight and their state of mind on stage.

“I know what that place is like. But I’m not there tonight…“
Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden

“Sometimes I’d just close my eyes and sing a song like it really was in my own living room.”
John Statz

“‘Should we just start?’ I ask Brian. He gives me a nod. We’re ready.”
Vanessa Kafka

“The band on before us were a refreshing combination of fiddle, accordion and guitar that got the locals all up for a party. Pity then (as Robin our keys player pointed out) that Passenger was on next.”
Passenger

“As I’m singing, the room feels warmer- like each hidden, breathing being out there is my confidante and we’re hiding in a blanket fort, flashlight shining on my face. It’s my turn to tell all my secrets…”
Pezzettino

“In the back of my mind I remember something someone said about Nashvillians being a very critical audience. But I decide not to worry about it…”
Theresa Andersson