Do you play shows?

[rct]

To me, not quitting the day job was the key to being able to go so long for me. Never in it for the money, never really made much at all after a certain point in the 80's. But still, by 43 years of age I was off for a while and basically never went back. Thought I would painfully miss it, but was mildly surprised to be able to pick out all of the bull that was no longer in my life, and just how fun it was to play again, for myself, in my own time, my own way, in my "studio", which still freaks me out to say.

 

Bass player offered to start up the last band again earlier this year, and I really loved those guys and we had some great 7, 8 years together. I think the idea just sorta died, nobody wanted to go through it all again, finding and auditioning people, dealing with all of the losers, the whole bit with all of us over 50 now, nobody really jumped at it.

 

We each have our own experience for sure.

 

rct

[FirstMeasure]

Word.

 

I'm meeting up with a bassist and a singer to jam, and I hope he's a good front man. I've always had lead singer issues, so the responsibility has always fallen on me. Since I'm going to be doing vocals in 3 other projects, this one would be nice to be able to sit back and play guitar, maybe some back up vocals or something. That would be swell

Cool, I hope it's a good singer for ya. A little advice, sing lead a song or two even if you have a "Lead Singer". Gives the Lead Singer a break, but more importantly it keeps your reputation up with the audience and the Venue Management.

 

That is something that you would think would be more obvious to a whole lot of people. I mean, I need to play like I need to breathe and I would play alone in my house anyway just because I had to (I'm a bass player BTW). But ultimately, I need to put that in front of an audience. Is that some head stroking? Damn right! I can honestly say that the people who like what I do far outweigh the ones who don't(and you know what they say about not taking a joke....).

 

I was 9 when I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and as incredible as they were it was the screaming fainting chicks that lit me up. Of course I wasn't quite sure why at the time (having not hit puberty) but it beat the pants off Lawrence Welk. I knew right then it's what i wanted to do.

 

Playing what makes me happy without compromise and having it bring joy to other people is what it's all about and I'll go ahead and say 99.9999% of anybody that plays feels the same. That holds true whether you're a painter, dancer, actor, writer - name a creative outlet here______. I'm not a tortured artist - I want to have fun and rock the house!!! And it is show biz, make no mistake. A band that exudes energy and conviction physically as well as musically will create a feedback loop with the audience that is magical. Those are the moments I live for. It doesn't always happen, but when it does it's tough to beat.

 

I've been fortunate enough to maintain a regular gigging schedule this far into my years. I like to think it helps keep me young because when I'm up there I don't think about anything but making the music, and having people reactingand dancing to it is definitely the bomb.

One aside here and this is very important - for those times when the audience is indifferent, or it's a low turnout (we never really get hostile)etc one thing is sure - give it your best shot every time. That's your responsibility as a performer - always knock it out like it's a full house of screaming fans. Sure, there can be some rough nights upon occasion. But always be professional. You took the money, now do the job like you mean it. It will define your integrity and enhance your reputation.

 

Your mileage may vary. If playing in your room is enough, then rock on. Some people are in circumstances that don't allow for gigs or, as stated above have reached a point where conditions would have to be met. We all reach our own level regarding what it takes. It is NOT always easy and many "civilians" don't understand what it takes behind the scenes to make it happen.

 

But I always say, that tedious crap like the traveling, hauling/setting up equipment is a given, and just trying to keep the unit together can be quite an undertaking in itself. But that is what I get paid for.

 

I play for free.

Haha, that's the way I look at it. Hauling Equipment, setting up, and starting on time are what we get paid for. The rest is my pleasure.

 

Giving your all to a Really Good audience is easy, it's harder to give you all to a dead audience. But that's the most important time to give your all. That's when the guy who wants you for his wedding or party will be in the audience, or maybe some other venue is checking you out that night. Always Play like your at Knebworth!

 

Truth is, I've never had a Hostile Audience either. I just wanted to cover all the bases.

 

Also, I can't say that I only play what makes me happy without compromise. I've always felt Music was a gift, but it's not given TO the musician, it's given THROUGH the musician. It's my obligation (specially as a cover artist) to give the folks what they want. When someone asks us to play their favorite song its a huge compliment. It's them saying "You guys are so good at this I want to hear you do my favorite song", (the last thing someone wants to hear is their Favorite Tune done Poorly). So, even when I'm doing a song I really don't care for (I.E. Sweet Child of Mine or I Love This Bar) so long as the people who love that song are happy with it, I'm happy to play it. We'll play Whippin Post later so I can get my Musician Stroked, and I got plenty of SRV and Hendrix in the sets. The Audience is the Paramount Concern, their paying incredible prices for Drinks and Food, they deserve all the attention we got. They could have a bad time at home for 1/4 of the price, their paying for the atmosphere, and we're the atmosphere!

 

Although, again, there must be a balance between Stroking the Audience and Stroking the Band. You have to play what you enjoy or the Audience will not pick up on the Energy. It's all a balancing act.

[Twiz]

I play out maybe once or twice a month. I'm in 2 bands that gig regularly now, and one other band that plays whenever we can all get together (scheduling has been getting increasingly difficult as we get older/have more grown-up stuff to do for some reason). I just like playing out, it's cathartic. -All the dumb crap from my week (job) goes away. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that.

[cam011235]

Logistics can be hard playing live getting a bunch of people together...having a break from playing live has given me a chance to play all the instruments recording which is kind of fun and interesting ..though no where near as good as specialists particularly with drums and bass..however it gives a good chance to explore sounds and to not have logistical issues with a band..i miss playing live sometimes particularly the chix!! haha