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So I bought a Takamine GS330 dreadnought and it was sweet.  And as I learned, my brother-in-law gave me a Washburn D10, which has a booming voice.  Then within a year and in reward for my progress he and my sis gave me a Taylor 413 30th Anniversary.  I've since bought a Yamaha Electric and Ibanez AR73 electric, but I most appreciate the Taylor.  By the way, Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart) signed my 1st - the Takamine.  I won't be selling that you know...

Well South
It's going to be important for you to work on chords as well as individual notes, but in the interest of keeping you on your current trek try Danny Boy... http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/getso … ny_boy.tab
You might also find a couple simple chord progressions which you could master to keep the enthusiasm alive in one or two simple songs.  How about G D Am, G D C in Knockin on Heaven's Door.  Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Steve

Hard to suggest without knowing your vocal range and guitar level.  The audience will be young, so they won't be as critical judging of an older tune, but may not like it as much.  You really have to remember you're doing it for them and give them your heart.  They're on your side.  Soul Asylum "Runaway Train" is not overly challenging either in vocal range or guitar technique.  Plus it's not too old.

There's prob some parts of a cover song that it's better not to embellish or flourish.  There are certain riffs or even vocal part which may not be so good to tamper with.  Audience is looking for a hook sometimes and it can put them off.  Just my humble opinion, but you should think of some parts of a song as perhaps more "sacred" than others.

Joy123 try playing a few songs outside your regular interests.  A friend showed me Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show and I just don't play that sort of stuff.  But it's got a very hooky strum and very simple.  My daughter showed me Deathcab's I Will Follow You Into the Dark.  We get stuck focusing on the chord changes with the fret hand, but 50% of your skills shine in the other hand.  Chordie is the best tab site ever (IMO), but if you view a few of these songs out of your normal genre on Youtube you should find you can play much better with the strum hand.  And you're right, people do notice the strum is same on all your songs if you get in that habit.  Hope this helps.

Deadstring I know just what u mean on the audience performance factor.  You get over it by playing in front of people.  It never goes away entirely becaue it's driven by your desire to entertain.   Two things helped me.  My practice room has a huge window facing the street so I get accidental audience at home.  I play with an open mic group of the same gang so we become musicians and audience at these gatherings.  Pick a simple few songs to know so well you don't rely on sheet music.  Landslide, and Knockin on Heaven's Door for example and play them every time you practice so they can be your opening song.   Lastly, don't forget the audience doesn't want perfection, they want to connect with you and in their mind they are up there with you.