--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My first gig, I was about 17 or 18. But…" description: "\"My first gig, I was about 17 or 18. But I'd been singing a long time. I got a guitar when I was 8, and started trying to write songs as a teenager.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/toby-keith-4071_firsts_my-first-gig-i-was-about-17-or-18-but-i_83445.png" --- # My first gig, I was about 17 or 18. But I'd been singing a… ![“My first gig, I was about 17 or 18. But I'd been singing a long time. I got a guitar when I was 8, and started trying to write songs as a teenager.” quote by Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/toby-keith-4071_firsts_my-first-gig-i-was-about-17-or-18-but-i_83445.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/toby-keith-4071_firsts_my-first-gig-i-was-about-17-or-18-but-i_83445.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/toby-keith-4071_firsts_my-first-gig-i-was-about-17-or-18-but-i_83445.png) > “My first gig, I was about 17 or 18. But I'd been singing a long time. I got a guitar when I was 8, and started trying to write songs as a teenager.” [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on early musical development, noting a childhood start with guitar and teenage songwriting, leading to a first performance in late teens. **In simple terms:** Early musical journey and first performance. Key Takeaway Early practice shapes later artistry. Themes personal growth creativity music youth career beginnings Mood nostalgic motivated Type personal anecdote career milestone When to use this quote - learning an instrument as a child - writing songs in adolescence - getting a first gig - preparing for a live show Key Concepts instrument mastery songwriting performance Practical Applications - music education programs - artist development workshops Questions to Reflect On - How did early exposure to music influence your later work? - What challenges did you face transitioning from practice to performance? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Teenager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teenager/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of my songs are about being a teenager with a tornado in your head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo/a-lot-of-my-songs-are-about-being-a-teenager-with-a-tornado-in-your/) MO > [I discovered at 18 that singing and songwriting was my strength. I decided that it was closest to my heart and if I pursued…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/i-discovered-at-18-that-singing-and-songwriting-was-my-strength-i/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I've been writing songs since I was a teenager, so one kind of song I've written a lot is about, I don't know, teen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-furman/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-a-teenager-so-one-kind-of-song-i/) [Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-furman/) > [When I started writing music on the guitar, it started off very folky because of my limited ability to play. It was slow, soft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiesza/when-i-started-writing-music-on-the-guitar-it-started-off-very-folky/) [Kiesza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiesza/) > [I started playing the guitar when we started filming the pilot to 'Lost in Space,' which was way back in December of 1964, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mumy/i-started-playing-the-guitar-when-we-started-filming-the-pilot-to/) [Bill Mumy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mumy/) > [I grew up playing the guitar. I started when I was nine, and by the time I was nine and a half or ten,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/i-grew-up-playing-the-guitar-i-started-when-i-was-nine-and-by-the/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [I don't have the look of a golfer. Do I look like a rock star? I didn't make it playing guitar so I started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-fleetwood/i-don-t-have-the-look-of-a-golfer-do-i-look-like-a-rock-star-i-didn-t/) [Tommy Fleetwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-fleetwood/) > [I started playing guitar when I was eight. Well, I started piano and really liked it but never practiced, but it taught me how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerris-dorsey/i-started-playing-guitar-when-i-was-eight-well-i-started-piano-and/) [Kerris Dorsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerris-dorsey/) > [I wanted to start doing more music, doing more things than just playing guitar. I started taking singing lessons and piano lessons. I need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mccready/i-wanted-to-start-doing-more-music-doing-more-things-than-just/) [Mike McCready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mccready/) > [I was playing a singer-songwriter, so I started writing, and I started going up to different places around Los Angeles and reading poetry of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inbar-lavi/i-was-playing-a-singer-songwriter-so-i-started-writing-and-i-started/) [Inbar Lavi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inbar-lavi/) > [I'm actually better on the guitar than when I started, I think, because I've had so much time with it and I still practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-petty/i-m-actually-better-on-the-guitar-than-when-i-started-i-think-because/) [Tom Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-petty/) > [I had a fascination with the roots of African American music. That would have been my first education in music. I had a real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hozier/i-had-a-fascination-with-the-roots-of-african-american-music-that/) [Hozier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hozier/) > [I got a toy guitar at a fundraiser and was trying to write songs with it that were ridiculous. After a week, my parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/i-got-a-toy-guitar-at-a-fundraiser-and-was-trying-to-write-songs-with/) [Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/) > [I just started playing guitar and started singing and started working on this act that I would call 'Don McLean' when I was probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-just-started-playing-guitar-and-started-singing-and-started-working/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Then l learned to play guitar and l started writing songs and my mother formed for me a publishing business, so we started publishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-rettig/then-l-learned-to-play-guitar-and-l-started-writing-songs-and-my/) [Tommy Rettig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-rettig/) ## More by Toby Keith > [Where did I surrender, can you tell me how and when. I'm the one who's always in control. Leading with my heart like there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/where-did-i-surrender-can-you-tell-me-how-and-when-i-m-the-one-who-s/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [Don't apologize for being patriotic. Support the troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/don-t-apologize-for-being-patriotic-support-the-troops/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [In the years that Ive seen concerts, when Ive paid to see somebody I want to see, there would be a certain amount of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/in-the-years-that-ive-seen-concerts-when-ive-paid-to-see-somebody-i/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [A sucker punch came flying from somewhere in the back. As soon as we can see clearly with our big black eye, we're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/a-sucker-punch-came-flying-from-somewhere-in-the-back-as-soon-as-we/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [Here's the thing. Just because you're pro-troops doesn't mean you're pro-war. And just because you're anti-war doesn't mean you're anti-troops. Just because you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/here-s-the-thing-just-because-you-re-pro-troops-doesn-t-mean-you-re/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [We try to buy as much American-made shirts as we can and stuff to sell. It's very difficult to cover every base as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/we-try-to-buy-as-much-american-made-shirts-as-we-can-and-stuff-to/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [I write all year long, and at the end of the year I pull these forty or fifty things out and say, 'Which of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/i-write-all-year-long-and-at-the-end-of-the-year-i-pull-these-forty/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [Now this nation that I love. Has fallen under attack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/now-this-nation-that-i-love-has-fallen-under-attack/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [We talk about your work how your boss is a jerk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/we-talk-about-your-work-how-your-boss-is-a-jerk/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [I say if you're going to take a chance on something, you just go full balls to the wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/i-say-if-you-re-going-to-take-a-chance-on-something-you-just-go-full/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [Well always recognize. When we see Old Glory Flying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/well-always-recognize-when-we-see-old-glory-flying/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [I catch as much hell from the hard-core conservative people as I do the far left. The only difference is that the far right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/i-catch-as-much-hell-from-the-hard-core-conservative-people-as-i-do/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [The polish on your toes and the run in your hose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/the-polish-on-your-toes-and-the-run-in-your-hose/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [I'm influenced by all kinds of music. I have a very diverse iPod. You never know if I've got it on shuffle. You never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/i-m-influenced-by-all-kinds-of-music-i-have-a-very-diverse-ipod-you/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [My mom taught us the Serenity Prayer at a young age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/my-mom-taught-us-the-serenity-prayer-at-a-young-age/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) [Explore all 116 Toby Keith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) ## More Firsts quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [My first ever job after college was as a flight attendant. 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It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [I did not know that the planning for biological and chemical warfare was so widespread in England, and even in France before France fell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-did-not-know-that-the-planning-for-biological-and-chemical-warfare/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [When I first started, my message was about joy, but I didn't really have the vocabulary and life experience to fully deliver it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/when-i-first-started-my-message-was-about-joy-but-i-didn-t-really/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [Meanwhile someone is shining my head to get it dry to attach my top-hat to my head with toupee tape. I get into microphone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/meanwhile-someone-is-shining-my-head-to-get-it-dry-to-attach-my-top/) [Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. 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