Fiddlerman said
Believe what I'm about to say. I've played solos in professional orchestras where most violinists will be thinking, "I could do better than that". LOL - I've played in REAL nerve racking situations as well as auditions and this advice really makes a difference.
LEAN FORWARD when you play. It's the attack mode. You won''t shake. <---- Most important tip...
Also, concentrate on something in the piece that has to do with music rather than the basics. Hear yourself from the outside as if someone else is playing as you are playing....Let the technique take over as in autopilot with full concentration on music and beauty.

Thanks Pierre,

I love the right brain approach!  When the unexpected happened I think I spent too much time an energy from then on trying to get in control rather than just letting go and making the music.  The leaning forward suggestion sparks a visual of leaning froward and sticking my head through the barrier that's holding me back.

One of the problems with living the life as an engineer rather than an artist (fyi, you can do both) is that you forget how important visualization and belief are to artistic performance.