Further to my earlier post on this topic.
When I struck my bad problem with nerves after I'd been playing for a while, the open mic gigs went from being lots of fun to being like when you bang your head against a brick wall, it feels good when you stop. Serious / painful nerves.
As I worked through resolving those nerves, my wife challenged me and said words to the effect of... why do you bother with the open mics and fighting the nerves, you are always fine around a campfire or performing in front of small groups at home, family / friends / dinner parties. She suggested that I be happy with that and forego doing the open mic gigs.
My answer to her was that it had been a life long dream to play the guitar. And when I'd sit in the audience and listen to others, I'd always wished I could "be that guy". So now that "being that guy" was within reach of my dream, I really wanted to and had to persevere with beating those nerves.
For me, it's a bucket load of fun now "being that guy".
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