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Why I Love What I Do by Joe Stillwell

Posted by Joe Stillwell
October 14, 2009

When you’ve been in a band for ten years, gradually making fans, playing 200 shows a year…you come to appreciate the small steps that build on each other to create a career. We just finished a series of ten sold-out shows in a row. How did we get to this point? I still remember how excited we were the first time we got paid for playing music. I still remember sitting up at night in our dorm room at Furman, talking with Bear about how great it would be if we had a van and trailer. I still remember the first time someone talked to me about how much one of our songs meant to them. That’s really what this is all about. The music that we craft somehow makes its way to someone and in some form or fashion affects them. That’s why I love playing live. It’s our direct connection with the people who get what we do and value it enough to buy a ticket, come to a club and show us. Thank you to all of you who buy our records, come out to shows, put up posters, call radio stations and tell people about NEEDTOBREATHE. We appreciate it immensely. I guess all of this is to say…I’m really happy, and I don’t care who knows. I’m off to bed now to sit up with Bear and talk about how great it would be to have a trailer that isn’t busted-up. We’ll see y’all soon. - Joe

Comments (12)
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Comments (12)

    lekerstuen says
    (20091029T190816Z )

    Hi Joe,
    Congrats on ten sold-out shows and the 200 shows a year and the growing fanclub and the trailer and everything... You guys really are great, and your songs have touched me and inspired me in so many ways:) Soooo.. when u have completed the US tour you should do a tour in Europe ,so that N2B's European fans get to go to a show and see you live:) Agree?? He he..

    Keeping my fingers crossed!

    Line
    Oslo, Norway

    KIMMY says
    (20091022T140125Z )

    We are the LUCKY (blessed) ones ! I cannot stop listening to the new CD, it has not left my player since the Handlebar show. The song that is really speaking to my heart right now is "Lay it Down" ...the real issues that you guys sing about ... "these hard times", "stones under rushing water" ...really speak to me at this junction of my life. They give me encouragement when I am down, and I have been DOWN this week :( I am very proud of you guys (hometown boys rock !) Keep doing what you love and love what you do. We are loving it too ! - KIMMY

    • The Insiders
    Holly Wright says
    (20091020T152854Z )

    AAWWWWW! Thanks for sharing, Joe! We all love you guys and appreciate you sharing your music with us. Keep up the good work!

    April says
    (20091019T050741Z )

    I think you all can put this crazy life into words that the rest of us sometimes can't find. So thanks. :) It's great to see you so passionate about what you do! Peace&love from Maryland - April

    Nikki says
    (20091019T022123Z )

    My husband and I enjoyed seeing N2B in Greenville. Thanks for adding another show. That is so funny about the trailer. We were admiring the bus and trailer outside the Handlebar that night. He is in a band called RPM (look them up on myspace.com/rpmworship) and all 6 band members and 2 groupies travel in a durango pulling a little uhaul trailer. Talk about some fun road trips and great stories! Keep up the good work and can't wait till yall swing by Athens or Greenville again.

    • The Insiders
    Jenna says
    (20091018T011918Z )

    A+, Mr. Stillwell.

    Jeanette says
    (20091018T000652Z )

    Thank you for allowing your fans to keep up with you guys. We are all very happy for you and your success. May God continue to bless you all as you keep spreading the good news. I was at the Birmingham Sunday night show, seeing you for the first time. I have not been to a concert that I enjoyed so much in a very long time and did NOT want to go home. Bear seemed surprised that so many folks came out on a Sunday night and made the comment that "you guys all have jobs and/or school tomorrow" , as if staying up late was a problem or whatever... LOL... I could have stayed all night long and still worked the next day. Please hurry and come back. I have all three CDs and am eagerly anticipating the next one. Your music is the only thing I have been listening to since I first heard you guys playing on my local Christian station, Lay Em Down. I had to find out who that was.... and that is how I "discovered" N2B... I am your number 1 fan now!!!

    • The Insiders
    Carla says
    (20091017T022349Z )

    JOE!!! I’m sure all the NTB fans (including myself) appreciate that you actually give us some of your time and write on here what’s going on with the band and of course tell us how much u value ur fans...that’s says alot about your character :) U guys are AWESOME all around and truly deserve every bit of success that you’ve earned. And go ahead and spread the word on how happy you are….Im happy 4 ya….spread that optimism…it’s contagious.

    THE OUTSIDER says
    (20091016T093615Z )

    Joe,
    You guys are Dear to my heart, you guys are such a huge inspiration and such a blessing to my life! Thank you for the most amazing jams ever!
    I Love you guys to the sky!
    I will see you next week ! I can't wait to Rock out w/ you guys!
    Can't wait to meet you !
    Hugs & High Five!
    P.S: A Future So Bright You'll Need to Wear Sunglasses!

    joeneedstobreathe says
    (20091014T195610Z )

    yo joe dude...i saw yall in charlotte a few days back. i never ever have been so stoked for a show... thanks so much for the heart yall put in yalls music. I've been looking for this style for a long long long time and little did i know that it was in my own state for so long haha. just can't get over how in touch and how pure yalls sound and lyrics are and how they run into each other and make this BOOM of awesomeness lol well back to work. Bless you guys for all you do.

    Jen Gill says
    (20091014T184828Z )

    Hey Joe,
    Please follow me on twitter!

    Jen Gill says
    (20091014T183332Z )

    Thanks Joe! Your music really does make a difference. I've enjoyed it and been lifted by it so much the last couple of years that I went to three shows last month in CT, Boston, and NYC. I will keep promoting and hopefully find more opportunities to see you guys live.
    I bet you get a shiny new trailer soon!
    Congrats to all of you on the success of The Outsiders,
    Jen Gill

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