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returning to live performances .
“ I used to have really bad performance anxiety ,” he said . “ It doesn ’ t come to me naturally – not the way writing songs does . It took me a few times to realize I could do this and could truly have fun with it .”
Westbrook performs at and helps to run open mic nights at News Restaurant on Thursdays . The events run from 6:30 p . m . to 9:30 p . m . and draw both rookie and experienced performers .
“ I understand when people are nervous ,” he said . “ Because I ’ ve had that experience , I ’ m pretty understanding . We try to help people to get comfortable . We find that the more someone does it , the more comfortable they get .”
He said he looks forward to the open mic nights , as well as a number of charity benefits he and friends have done to help raise money for people going through tough times .
“ Those are rewarding because people really appreciate it and you also get to have a lot of fun ,” he said .
The 65-year-old said he wants to do more to market his CDs . He isn ’ t necessarily interested in traveling widely to play his music , and prefers to stick closer to home .
“ I ’ m really happy doing what I am doing right now ,” he said .
His songs are designed to be relatable to most people . One song he especially likes is about the experience of Déjà vu . There are references in his writing to church and grandfathers and nature , too .
“ I try not to write the stereotypical stuff – about drinking beer and pickup trucks . I like to be a little different than the mainstream ,” he said .
Westbrook said he can ’ t imagine being retired and not both writing and playing music .
“ You have to have something to do to occupy yourself – to occupy your hands and your body and your mind ,” he said .
The former teacher also bikes regularly and recently lost about 35 pounds by improving his diet and exercising .
He said he also would like to set up an area where he can paint and create pottery – something he stopped doing when he left Meridian High School .
He said he would encourage others to try to create – even if they aren ’ t necessarily good at it .
“ There is something about creating and using your mind and just staying busy ,” he said . “ Maybe try painting or drawing – something like that . It can occupy your time and with practice you really do get better .” T www . meridianstar . com
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