Tomorrow night, my daughter will stand on stage at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in front of 1,000-plus people and play a 15-minute of set of original music and covers. It will be just Norah, her voice, and her guitar. This will be her sixth (and final) time playing the High School Rock Off. She participated for several years as a School of Rock exhibition. Then, in 2020, she entered in two separate bands and took one to the finals.
In total, Norah has played the Rock Hall's stage more than every other artist who is inducted in the Rock Hall combined. At the age of 17, she's a seasoned veteran of the local music scene.
Which is why I was surprised when, in the car on the way to school this morning, Norah told me that she's a little nervous about tomorrow night. "I've never played in front of that many people solo," she said.
No matter what happens tomorrow night, I'm so proud of her. It takes guts anytime you get on stage and perform. It takes a ton of guts to do it solo, without the support of loud rock band backing you, and even more so when you're sharing your inner-most thoughts through your own songs.
It doesn't matter what the judges say tomorrow night, Norah has already won.
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| (From The Chronicle-Telegram's Rock-Off preview) |
If you're planning on attending the Rock Off and don't yet have your ticket, they are on sale here (code: norah). It's the best deal in town for a Saturday night — $20 ($15 for students) for performances by 10 bands plus a full admission to the Rock Hall.
If you can't make the event but want a taste of what you'll miss, last weekend Norah recorded a "tiny-desk style" session. Thanks to Jeff Koteles of Banzai Sound for offering his space and providing the audio mix, and to Digital FX Media for recording the video and supplying the finished product, which you can watch here.
Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.
Episode No. 3: Puzzles Feat. Laura Lodge — via RadCraft Industry Relief Podcast
Tracking Gender Affirming Care Insurance Coverage Laws — via Employment Law Lookout
How Do I Document an Employee's Unethical Behavior? — via Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas
Training about racism can foster a hostile work environment. Wait, WHAT?!? — via Eric Meyer's The Employer Handbook Blog
Trader Joe’s Rejects the New Deal — via Jacobin
Are We in the Midst of a New Labor Movement? — via EntertainHR
It's tough to get union representation petitions dismissed based on "imminent cessation" — via Employment & Labor Insider
"Retweet": Fifth Circuit Takes Up Free Speech Under NLRA — via The Employment Brief
Regional Director of NLRB's Region 1 Office Upends College Sports by Declaring That Student Athletes Are Employees — via Employment Law Letter
Regional Director of NLRB's Region 1 Office Upends College Sports by Declaring That Student Athletes Are Employees — via Employment Law Letter
6 cybersecurity mistakes people make — and what to do instead — via The Official Google Blog
Employers Take Note: Big Changes Ahead for the H-1B Lottery, H-1B Filing Process, and USCIS Fees — via Employment Law Worldview
Wonder Man Tragedy: Crew Member Dies on Set of Marvel Series — via TVLine
Florida Supreme Court Nixes State Bar's Diversity Programs — via Above the Law