Editorial Reviews

Thorough, yet concise, this useful guide helps you identify the root of stage fright and eliminate it through practical, clearly defined techniques. The encouraging tone, plethora of information, and side benefits of mindfulness and self-awareness add to the book’s appeal and value.
—Maya Fleischman (San Francisco Book Review)

★★★★★ Infused with a practical but can-do attitude throughout, Goodbye Butterflies is encouraging but not overwhelming. It is written in a way that makes for easy consumption and understanding, providing gems for all aspects of life. And while Fish has crafted such an engaging book that it can be read in one sitting, he also provides content that is guaranteed to be reread and pored over. A great book for anyone looking to combat their fears and live the life they would love.
—Kayti Nika Raet (Readers’ Favorite)

★★★★★ Goodbye Butterflies is a well-written book using plain English without any jargon. As a psychology graduate, and as an individual who suffers from stage fright during any sort of public speaking, I found Goodbye Butterflies to be both interesting and helpful. I felt like the author truly understood my anxiety with public speaking and that made it so much easier to follow.
—Sefina Hawke (Readers’ Favorite)

★★★★★ Goodbye Butterflies offers practical solutions to a problem that plagues people from all walks of life. I loved seeing how he was able to apply Zen principles and philosophy in developing his stage fright strategy. I enjoyed working through the 5-Day chapters and doing the workbook exercises and love that unforgettable image of the strawberry and the monk. Fish makes it easy to get into his book. You might even learn to embrace that fear and harness its energy to boost your performance. Most highly recommended. 
—Jack Mangus (Readers’ Favorite)

I really like the straightforward and empowering method for helping performers recognize and work with stage fright without feeling shame, guilt, or embarrassment. The beauty of the approach is that it can be applied to other anxiety-provoking situations as well.
—Barbra Weidlein (MajoringInMusic.com)

Goodbye Butterflies is for anyone who has ever been required to appear before an audience yet suffers from stage fright, but it doesn’t just come from a doctor who hands out advice. It’s written by a fellow sufferer who well knows the mechanisms and challenges of stage fright, and who uses his personal experience and professional knowledge to provide tested solutions that work on many levels.
—D. Donovan (Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review)

Dr. David Lee Fish has served as a tenured associate professor of the music at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina for more than a decade. He is past chair of the Music Department and current PJ Leonard Associate Professor of Music.

The country’s leading music education magazine, In Tune Monthly, has recognized Catawba as a Best Music School for eight years running and the Princeton Review has noted, “For theater and music students of all stripes, Catawba demands consideration.”

At Catawba, Dr. Fish founded and continues to direct a thriving degree concentration for popular music that attracts talented students from across the country. Five of his songwriting students have been finalists in the annual BMI John Lennon songwriting contest, a national competition that receives thousands of entries each year.

Dr. Fish has been at the forefront of mindfulness education for performers and is a Research Professional Member of the American Mindfulness Research Association.

As a professional musician, Dr. Fish has shared the stage with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Cher, and the Temptations. He is also the author of Jazz: Then and Now published by Music Alive!

Testimonials

Having spent the last 30+ years in the entertainment industry as a director, producer, writer, actor, sportscaster and voice-over artist, I’m all too familiar with the nemesis known as stage fright. Working through Dr. Fish’s Goodbye Butterflies has helped me better understand this unwelcome guest, who often shows up unannounced. It can be managed and put in its place with the proper perspective, which helps release the artistic flow that is necessary to share the performance that rings true to the audience – be it one person or millions.
Mel Fair (Halloween, Super 8, Scandal, Justified, Weeds)

Goodbye Butterflies is an essential weapon in the arsenal of any serious performer and anyone else whose career depends on persuading, entertaining, or motivating others. And that’s EVERYONE! Dr. Fish is revolutionizing entertainment & public speaking. What Dale Carnegie is to “winning friends & influencing people,” he is to performance. DO THIS!!!”
Pat O’Connor (artist manager & CEO – POC Media, Inc.)

Goodbye Butterflies transformed my stage fright. It’s given me an outlet to channel the adrenaline and stay in control of my nerves! Being confident in your stage presence makes you feel unstoppable! I’m sad that I spent so many years letting stage fright make my voice shake and personality disappear. Make sure to check out the ‘cuppa’ exercise. You can thank me later.
Maddie A. (American Idol contestant)

When you’re 18-year-old twin sisters from Florida and trying to crack the shell of Nashville, it’s easy to feel intimidated. Goodbye Butterflies is a life-changer, driving the confidence & energy we need to deliver our sound, our dreams, and our art to our audiences! Thanks, Dr. Fish. You ROCK!!!
2 Miles South (country recording artists)