I think Monica and Graham have the most insightful advice. Since it's your song, nobody is going to know whether you make a mistake. Listen to successful performers who have produced the same song once in the studio and once live-in-concert. You'll often notice discrepancies that don't necessarily take away from either performance (although many folks do have a preference for Live Versions over Studio Versions or vice versa).

As far as keeping a stand on stage with you. What's the harm? I think Moker put it pretty well when he said that if it brings you confidence and improves your performance, then do it. I'd rather give a smooth performance with sheet music than to stand there with a blank look on my face because I was worried about what folks would say about a music stand being used by a musician.

And...
What was that Bob said? What was that Bob said? What was that Bob said?

Don't worry. Since love will find a way, if you love to sing, you'll find a way.

If music be the food of love, why is it so hard to keep my family fed?

Pete
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=734566
http://cwmusicpf.zoomshare.com/