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 Cigarette smoke..cough...yuk! (Page 1)
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Len Amaral Member From: Rehoboth,MA 02769 |
posted 25 April 2002 05:26 PM
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There is one place I play that the cigarette smoke is like ground fog and the place has little or no ventilation. My eyes burn and my your intruments & clothing stink after the gig. I get undressed in the garage and hit the shower before hitting the sack. Maybe it's partly in my head, but I feel like I have been dragged through a knot hole for a few days after I play a weekend in this smoke infested pit. There are not many places to play in Rhode Island & So. Eastern Mass and the band is booked into this smoked out club for the rest of the year. Care to share experiences or offer any suggestions. Except wearing a gas mask that is? [This message was edited by Len Amaral on 25 April 2002 at 05:27 PM.] [This message was edited by Len Amaral on 25 April 2002 at 05:28 PM.] |
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Tom Jordan Member From: Santa Maria, CA, USA |
posted 25 April 2002 06:05 PM
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Naw Len, just go ahead and stink...everybody does it. Seriously though, I'd go through the same routine 5 and 6 nights a week when I played full time. Finally, CA passed a no smoking in public places law the works great for the most part. Maybe folks still get away with it in the more obscure dives but the better places and the Rest./Bars are nice. Make yourself a poster and demonstrate. It worked out here! I really do feel your pain. Tom Jordan ------------------ |
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Chris Caruso Member From: Milford Massachusetts USA |
posted 25 April 2002 06:48 PM
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I'm with you Len. I am a reformed smoker (19 years) and I hate smoke. We play at a club in NH and when I get home I get the "Dad you stink" and my wife throws the clothes in the laundry immediately at 2 o"clock in the morning!!! |
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Bill Ford Member From: Graniteville SC Aiken |
posted 25 April 2002 07:07 PM
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Smoke!!!!!!!!!the one reason I will not play out anymore,sides I can't manage all that weight.Draggin all that stuff in and out. I do enjoy do'in a jam every so often and woodshedin in my music room,maybe I jus gettin old. Bill Ford ------------------ |
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Kenny Davis Member From: Great State of Oklahoma |
posted 25 April 2002 07:44 PM
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Smoke was really bad at the Dallas show, even with NO SMOKING signs on the walls. |
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Kenny Dail Member From: Kinston, N.C. 28504 |
posted 25 April 2002 08:00 PM
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Len...I am 72 yrs old and I can't lift my steel or amp because I was a smoker and played the likes of the smoke filled bars as you described for the past 35/40 years. I am slowly dieing with emphysema as a result of all of the above. My steel is copper colored because of the nicotine buildup and my amps are popping and cracking because of the nicotine build up at the contact points. The neck selector switch on my P/P is in need of replacement because of this. Even if the money is good and you can buy new equipment...you will never be able to buy a pair of lungs. I HAD to quit playing the bars because of the SMOKE filled environment. Do your lungs a favor and get away from this type of playing environment. Remember, it is a case of "life or Breath". ------------------ |
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Kevin Hatton Member From: Amherst, N.Y. |
posted 25 April 2002 08:34 PM
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Oh, don't get me started on this. I'll be doing it Friday and Saturday. It won't be too soon for me when they pass a national no smoking law for bars and restaurants! |
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Rex Thomas Member From: Thompson's Station, TN |
posted 25 April 2002 08:51 PM
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And I say bring those no smoking laws on. Although I'm not a smoker, once upon a time I would enjoy a good cigar. But after watching my dad squander a perfectly healthy body because he couldn't give up his Camels, that straightened me out once and for all. Kenny Dail's right; health first. Yeah Kevin; let's move forward. [This message was edited by Rex Thomas on 25 April 2002 at 08:52 PM.] |
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Jim Smith Member From: Plano, TX, USA |
posted 25 April 2002 08:56 PM
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Well, I'm a light, but conscientious smoker.  I think that if/when smoking is banned in bars, the crowds will drop off as much, if not more than they did when the DWI/DUI laws got tougher. That will result in even less places to play!  Most of the "decent" places I play have very good ventilation and/or judicially spaced smoke eaters. I guess that's because it's Texas where the air conditioners run most of the time and it's usually too hot to open a window. |
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Terry Wendt Member From: Nashville, TN, USA |
posted 25 April 2002 09:18 PM
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That "smoke" is actually what gives your guitar "TONE" and also helps "build character" as a steel guitar player!  2pT ------------------ and appearing regularly... |
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Bill Llewellyn Member From: San Jose, CA |
posted 25 April 2002 09:19 PM
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Is it the case that the steeler's world is just plain smokey? When my MSA arrived via UPS a couple years ago, it smelled very smokey. Either the previous owner was a smoker or he played a lot of smokey venues. I ordered some steelin' CDs from one retailer and they thoroughly smelled of smoke. I just recently ordered some steel training material from another retailer and it smelled very much of cigarette smoke. Nothing I've ever had shipped to me or bought in a store ever smelled like cigarettes--apart from PSG related items (including the PSG itself!). This is pretty new to me (a non smoker). Now I'm not down on smokers (though I do think it's not a good habit) but there seems to be a prevalence of smoke in a fair amount of the steel world I've had contact with. Am I right, or is this a skewed perception? ------------------ [This message was edited by Bill Llewellyn on 25 April 2002 at 09:22 PM.] |
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Steve Miller Member From: Long Beach, CA, USA |
posted 25 April 2002 09:46 PM
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"it worked out great here (in CA)." Yea, it worked out great all right. None of the ex-smokers in California will have to breath what they forced others to breath during there lifetimes. With the double wammy of the DUI laws and no smoking laws the bars are deserted or closed up altogether. The club scene is almost nonexistant. I'd rather breath a little smoke and have gigs to play. The FAIR solution is to make the clubs vent the smoke out. I am an ex-smoker but you will NEVER hear me complain about second hand smoke. The way I see it I have NO RIGHT to complain. |
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Reggie Duncan Member From: Mississippi |
posted 25 April 2002 10:07 PM
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I have never played in a smokey environment, for which I am thankful. I play in a Christian Supper Club, 98 nights per year. It was a honky tonk before. We replaced alcohol and smoke with iced tea and Jesus. |
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John Lacey Member From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada |
posted 26 April 2002 05:54 AM
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As a confirmed non-smoker I see the debate mostly from my side, no smoking in public places. Obviously according to statistics, I'm in the majority of the population, but I still depend on bars for my living. I've always thought that good ventilation might be an intelligent alternative. Then again, we're dealing with bar owners here. If it wouldn't make a buck, they wouldn't do it. |
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Gene Jones Member From: Oklahoma City, OK USA |
posted 26 April 2002 06:23 AM
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* [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 03:56 PM.] |
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Len Amaral Member From: Rehoboth,MA 02769 |
posted 26 April 2002 06:45 AM
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I play other places where people smoke, other than the place I referred to above, and it is not much of a problem. For the steel players in the RI South Eastern Mass area, the place I am referring to is "Blondie's" in Fall River, Mass. If you get a gig in this place, make sure you bring the Visine and an oxygen bottle. |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 26 April 2002 08:53 AM
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Len, this is a great subject, at least for those who don't smoke ! It stinks.. Literally ! My own band mates smoke like little smoke stacks, the clubs we play are like ashe tray testing grounds.. I too, strip in the garage and run up to the shower, even after rehearsals, but I've come to live with it , I don't play out 5 or 6 nights a week like many so it doesn't really have a major effect on me at this time. tp [This message was edited by Tony Prior on 26 April 2002 at 08:58 AM.] |
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Sonny Jenkins Member From: New Braunfels, Tx. 78130 |
posted 26 April 2002 09:41 AM
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My MAJOR complaint with the Dallas show was the stinking, dirty ash tray odor as soon as we walked through the door. My eyes burned the entire time I was there. I heard many of the same complaints from other people,,,even heard people say they wouldn't be back. LOVED the music,,,HATED the smell????? I'm always amazed at people (both men and women) who use perfume to smell good and then smoke and smell like a dirty ash tray. Don't they know they stink???? |
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Jim Smith Member From: Plano, TX, USA |
posted 26 April 2002 09:49 AM
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Sonny, I'm surprised at your comments. Are you talking about this year's Dallas show? They had "No Smoking" signs in the lobby this year and the only ashtrays in the main hall were in the far back, behind the sound man. Since I'm a smoker, I didn't notice any smell, but could tell that a lot fewer people were smoking. In fact I missed more of the show than usual because I usually went outside to smoke. |
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Del Rangel Member From: Sacramento, CA, USA |
posted 26 April 2002 10:09 AM
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Research in California tends to suggest that Non-smoking statutes have not appreciably impacted the revenue of bars and restaurants. What many people complain about--that bars jobs have dried up--may have more to do with major demographic shifts, and general economic changes than anything else. Just my non-smoking two cents. See http://www.repace.com/fact_rest.html There are a number of these studies floating around. Also see http://www.gaspforair.org/gedc/gedcecca.htm [This message was edited by Del Rangel on 26 April 2002 at 10:13 AM.] |
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Bob Blair Member From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
posted 26 April 2002 10:31 AM
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There came a point in the late 80's or early 90's where a lot of my friends who used to come out when I was gigging started being unable to tolerate the smoke. I was smoking at that time, but stopped in the early 90's. Now I have a heck of a time tolerating it - there is a good blues place I used to go to when I was in Calgary but I pretty much gave it up because it was too smoky. I really like the folk club venues where there is no smoking. If live music has to be dependent on the ability of people to drive drunk and chain smoke, no wonder club musicians are feeling like an endangered species. But surely the answer isn't turning back the clock to the good ol' days when everyone who was pulling out of the parking lot at closing time was a menace on the road and the smoke was so thick you could cut it. Not everything about those days was good. How many fellow players and family members do we have to lose to lung cancer or emphysyma? [This message was edited by Bob Blair on 26 April 2002 at 10:33 AM.] |
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Pete Burak Member From: Portland, OR USA |
posted 26 April 2002 11:36 AM
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Ya know those round tables that are set up behind the Soundboard at the Dallas show (about six feet from vendors along the back wall of the hall)... People chain smoked at those tables all weekend, from open to close. My Dad and I had a noticable tickle/sore-throat by friday afternoon. Jim, glad to hear you went outside to puff... but there were many folks chokin' 'em back all weekend at those tables. I saw at least 2 guys at the show wearing those neck things you have to wear after they cut a whole in your throat (I assume from smoking related illness). (I guess they were thinking, "I got'cher "No Smoking" sign raaght'cheer Baayyy-Beee!") Not much different at St.Louis (for us anyway). "Smoking Side" that's a good one! With that said... |
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Rick Schmidt Member From: Carlsbad, CA. USA |
posted 26 April 2002 12:33 PM
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A few months ago I was almost turned away from a recording session because my equiptment stunk so bad. They actually made me go outside, polish my steel and Amour-All my amp before they let me back into the control room. Thank goodness this producer didnt have the club player vs studio player mentality. I'm glad to see the general opinion is changing here on the forum since the last time I posted a similar subject a couple years back. That was a flame fest that kept me from posting for quite awhile. Yet I continue to endure other people's toxic stench so I can play and make my meager living.(like tonight for instance)...I'm really not complaining though, it's just a fact of my life as a honky tonk man. |
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Cal Sharp Member From: Gnashville |
posted 26 April 2002 02:04 PM
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It's been my experience that if you smoke about half a pack every week or two your body builds up a tolerance to it, just as it does to alcohol, caffeine, and other poisons, and then it's not so uncomfortable in a night club. The trick is not to get hooked. And, BTW, I've smelled things in bars that are worse than cigarette smoke. ;-)> C# |
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John Steele Member From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada |
posted 26 April 2002 02:46 PM
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I would like to go on record as saying, although there was a designated smoking area at the Dallas show, I made a firm committment to myself that I would not smoke in the hall this year, instead going outside. I also know I wasn't the only one. If nobody else will, I will thank the thoughtful smokers who did so. -John |
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Don McClellan Member From: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii |
posted 26 April 2002 05:22 PM
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Most of my gigs are outside but sometimes when I open my steel guitar case I smell pot. |
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Andy Greatrix Member From: Edmonton Alberta |
posted 26 April 2002 05:33 PM
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Having a designated smoking area in an enclosed building, is like having a designated peeing section in a swimming pool.Johnny Paycheck is dying as we speak from bad lungs. My last duo partner died from cancer two years ago. I miss playing, but I don't miss the bars. |
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Mike Perlowin Member From: Los Angeles CA |
posted 26 April 2002 05:38 PM
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I have asthma. I inherited it (along with all her other genetic traits) from my mother, who died from the disease. If I'm around smoke for very long, I become very ill and usually have severe coughing fits for 2 or 3 weeks. Needless to say, I take this very seriously. As has been mentioned, we have a no smoking law here in California, and those club owners I've asked about it say it hasn't hurt their business, but some clubs don't enforce the law. I simply refuse to play in those places. Sometimes people smoke even where the ban is enforced, and when they do I always explain my situation to them and ask them not to smoke around me. Usually they are cool about it, but every once in a while you get an (unmentionable body part) who feels their pleasure is more important than my health. On one occasion after I repeatedly asked somebody not so smoke near me, and the person did so anyway, (I think it was her way of asserting some sort of power trip), I packed up my gear in the middle of a gig and walked out, telling everybody exactly why, and who drove me to do so. I'm not willing to get sick because somebody else is inconsiderate of my health problem. I tell this to everybody in advance. If somebody wants me to play with them, they know that it has to be a relatively smoke free environment. |
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Bill Hankey Member From: Pittsfield, MA, USA |
posted 26 April 2002 06:52 PM
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Len, If you can't beat them, don't join them. Do yourself the biggest favor of your life. Distance your precious lungs away from the offenders. In all my life, I've never witnessed anything so unfair, as having to depart from an establishment because of the assumed rights of smokers, who show no respect or regard for nonsmokers. Remember that youthful clientele are more intrepid than older folks, not realizing what the consequences hold in store for them, down the road. Bill H. |
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Roger Shackelton Member From: Everett, Wa. |
posted 27 April 2002 04:05 AM
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Does anyone really believe that the ISGC in St. Louis would be a failure if Scotty had a "NO SMOKING" policy at the convention and enforced it? I have heard that the people in the Goodrich booth in St. Louis can only stand to work their booth 1 hour at a time. They do it in shifts. My friend Bill, at the Williams Guitar Booth complains of a sore throat and burning eyes long before the convention is over. A "NO SMOKING" policy at the ISGC would be a Godsend and a move in the right direction. Does anyone know if the State of Missouri is even considering an "Indoor Clean Air Act." Roger |
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Len Amaral Member From: Rehoboth,MA 02769 |
posted 27 April 2002 06:29 AM
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After reading all the heartfelt responses and insight to this problem, I will inform the guys in the band that I will no longer work in a smoke infested environment. There are several members of the group that will think I am being a stick in the mud for taking this stance but my health is worth more than playing for $60.00 a night. |
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Steve Allison Member From: Eatonton,Ga. U.S.A. |
posted 27 April 2002 07:27 AM
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Everybody wants to be laying up in the hospital dyin' from nuthin' ! Go figure!!!!!!!! |
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Cal Sharp Member From: Gnashville |
posted 27 April 2002 10:14 AM
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I doubt that spending a few hours a week in a smoky bar is going to kill anyone, but if your constitution seems to be that fragile you might want to consider filtering your drinking water, eating only organically grown food, and staying indoors as much as possible to avoid the other million contaminants in the air from cars, trains, buses, planes, construction, explosions, meteorites and flora and fauna. When we work bars we all put up with a lot of crap besides smoke, ie drunks, bad musicians, egregious club owners, deafening jukeboxes, fights, etc., etc., but I like to play, and I'm not going to let any of these things run me off a gig. C# |
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Dave O'Brien Member From: Okeechobee, FL USA |
posted 27 April 2002 10:31 AM
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I like to play too Cal-but since I stopped accpeting steady gigs in gin mills I've had more work, more fun and met better pickers. Not being tied down to a steady band means being available for the outdoor shows which are shorter and generally pay more. I also play in church where I'd rather play for free than play for some bar owner to get rich selling booze in a stinking club. |
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Kenny Dail Member From: Kinston, N.C. 28504 |
posted 27 April 2002 12:59 PM
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The problem of a smoke filled filled environment is whether you smoke or not is of no consequence. Your are inhaling what everybody else lights up and exhales in the form of second hand smoke. It is such a slow process that you are unaware of the problems in your lungs until one day you come home and realize you are out of breath just from carrying in the groceries or loading and unloading your musical equipment. And worst of all, you have a perfectly healthy wife waiting for you when you get home expecting some attention and you can't give what she needs/wants because your shortness of breath makes you unable to perform as a husband should. It just isn't worth price you will pay. I have been there, done that, and I have the tee short and bad lungs to prove it. I was a smoker for 45 years and when I started smoking...there was no documentation telling you it was injurous to your health. I know you have seen, read, and argued the pros and cons of smoking, but have you read what the tobacco companies are adding to the tobacco to enhance the taste therefore making it more of a problem to break the habit? Among other things used (chemicals), they use embalming fluid as an additive. Guys and Gals, it just isn't worth it. Just a matter of "Life or Breath". I am sorry about talking too much about this but if I can persuade one player to "give it up", it will be worth it. you can still ply your musical talents and skills without having to put up with this kind of "slow death". Remember what Ernest Tubb and Pete Drake said before they did....cough cough...etc!!! This is not meant to be humorous at all... they're just two of the many legends and musicians that suffered from this kind of environment...Ok, I'm thru... ------------------ [This message was edited by Kenny Dail on 28 April 2002 at 04:48 PM.] [This message was edited by Kenny Dail on 28 April 2002 at 04:50 PM.] |
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Len Amaral Member From: Rehoboth,MA 02769 |
posted 28 April 2002 08:51 AM
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I informed the guys in the band that I would no longer play the smoke infested "Blondie's" club and to get a fill in or consider going 4 piece without a steel player. I feel better already! |
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Allen Member From: Littleton, CO USA |
posted 29 April 2002 08:41 AM
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One of my pet peaves......... Years ago I had discussions with friend that owned bars and restaurant's about no-smoking. Yes, they all said it would kill their business. Guess what, those states that have passed no-smoking in public places laws have had little or no impact on attendence, once the initial shock was overcome. I also wondered if a no-smoking bar with music could survive...guess what, I have been to several that are doing fine. Like JB said in a post about DUI, smoking and drinking are a privilage NOT a right! PLEASE be considerate of those of us that can't smoke or be around smoke but love a good night out and good music. Create more non-smoking establishments or pass more no-smoking laws. Quit trying to kill those of us that can't be around smoke for health reason. I was at Dallas last year and was appaled at the outright violation of the ordinance regarding smoking....We non smokers can do something about it...yell and scream to management. I have many friends that are smokers, they just don't blow it in my face, so to speak. If you are a smoker, you can still be my friend, just be considerate and understanding that it may not be as simple as we non-smokers hate smokers, it may be that your smoke is killing us. ------------------ [This message was edited by Allen on 29 April 2002 at 08:44 AM.] |
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Rusty Danmyer Member From: Nashville, Tn USA |
posted 29 April 2002 11:35 AM
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For the safety of the children who may decide to take up steel, I think the steel guitar manufacturers should begin attatching a sticker to steel guitars stating "Playing steel guitars in bars may expose you to cigarette smoke". And for those of you who took up steel and then booked yourselves out to pick unaware that people smoke in bars, I believe you may have a case against steel guitar makers, Peavey, string manufacturers, etc. If I sound sarcastic, you got it. Let's now have a show of hands of everyone who was duped into playing a gig at a bar only to find out once you arrived that SOMEONE HAD BEEN SMOKING IN THERE!!!!!!! I'll tell you, I personally have fell for that one a thousand times! Someone would call and ask if I could pick with them, I would ask the name of the place, the location, and sometimes I'd ask what kinda place it was. Many times it would be a......ok i'll say it....a BAR (almost a four letter word!). I would show up showered and shaved with a clean shirt, etc. only to walk in and smell the stinch of old cigarette smoke. You can imagine my surprise. I ended up biting the bullet and finishing my spot despite the inconsiderate patrons who may have paid a cover charge to come in to this establishment and enjoy themselves smoking, drinking, and listening to music. The nerve!!!!!!!! Conversely, I have picked in places where I didn't enjoy the music that I had to play, watched drug deals go down, saw people that I wasn't comfortable being around. I considered starting a post showing my disgust with music some folks don't enjoy, drug deals and the possibility of violence in bars but figured this was just common knowledge. I just didn't go back there. Let me try to state this without sarcasm. I have been aware of what goes on in bars for a long time. I don't necessarily condone all these things but am aware that they take place there. If it happens to be a bar where these things may escalate into a shooting or stabbing, that will probably be my last time there. If there are any steel players with religion and considering playing in church in the near future, be aware, people are praying in there! How dare them. |
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Edgar Pro Case Member From: McPherson, KS |
posted 29 April 2002 10:18 PM
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I never smoked and yet kind of welcome the smoke hanging in the air in an old honky tonk. Sure it gets in your clothes and smells bad but thats part of the game folks. Cal, remember how smokey Joey Waynes used to be and how some nights into Gabes back when it was still a REAL honky tonk that you couldn't see the stage across the dancefloor cause of the thick smoke? I moved to Nashville in 1989 as a singer trying to get a deal with the likes of my buddies Tracy Lawrence, Daryle Singletary and Tim McGraw and never quite made it, but to this day when I go into a studio to record I'll borrow a few from someone and light em and let em burn in the ashtray with the lights dimmed just to set that honky tonk mood. But For Me It's a Way To Survive. WC Edgar PS, I had a lung X ray last year just to see if all the second hand smoke over the years had taken any toll on my lungs and the Dr. said they looked like a teenagers lungs and were in excellent condition. |
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Gene Jones Member From: Oklahoma City, OK USA |
posted 30 April 2002 04:56 AM
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* [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 03:57 PM.] |
[my opinion] 
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