Well, I did it. Last night I played my first show since the surgery. I was nervous, for sure, wondering if my fingers would do what i needed them to do. The Martin Girls, my side project with Anne Marie Menta, were on the bill with Meggie and headliner Inner Groove, who were having their CD release party. Frank Critelli was our Master of Ceremonies.

The First Congregational Church of Meriden (home of the Olde Church Acoustic Series), has always been a favorite venue of mine, with its glorious stained glass windows, gothic architecture, and wonderful audiences. This was the perfect first show back from surgery—it reinforced all that I have been working towards these past few months. And there is definitely more work to do. While I am overjoyed that I can play songs fairly well, I am still working on rebuilding strength and flexibility. I am not quite pain-free when I play, but this pain is different. It’s a healing pain, a sign of muscle, tendon and bone working together in a new way and moving forward, rather than eroding tissue and bone.

I am so grateful for this music community I find myself in. I’ve met so many amazing and talented musicians over the years. Your support and friendship have meant so much. Thank you to everyone who made last night’s show possible. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and extremely helpful. It was such a magical evening and I was honored to be a part of it.

My next show is Tuesday, June 24, 7pm at Klekolo World Coffee in Middletown, CT. I haven’t played there since before the pandemic, and I’m lookiing forward to it. Hope you can be there, too. In the meantime, I will be practicing daily and playing online shows in Second Life to increase stamina and bolster my confidence.

Thank you so much for sharing the journey!

Shannon McMahon

First Show of 2025