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 laughin at the people who sit in for a song? (Page 2)
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Gordon Borland Member From: San Antonio, Texas, USA |
posted 12 June 2006 07:40 PM
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In the early years when I played guitar in the band I learned that every new brother-in-law at every wedding could "really play Honky Tonk" so let him up there to play. There was never one that could but it was all part of the gig so bring him up and let the train wreck begin. Most "sit ins" are a train wreck. Only one sticks out in my mind that was a total shock! A very stunning middle aged lady got to the stage and she turned and said "Crazy in Bb" and she counted it off. As tired at that tune is for a sit-in girl singer she nailed it with the emotions, dynamics and performance. She performed the song and everyone bought it. People were on their feet when the outro started and they would not let her off the stage. She turns to me and says "Blue Bayou in B natural" That bar crowed turned into an audiance! I had tears in my eyes when she done. What a night! The other thousand or so "want-to-be's " were mostly all train wrecks but in our band we tried the best we could to help make them sound as good as they could. Then there was the drunk lady at the bar that was married to the owner of everything in Freer Texas. Everyone helped get her drunk butt on the stage and she calls "Release Me". So we kick it off and she starts singing "Far across the deep blue water...." She got confused, started sobbing and gets off the stage...Yup...Aint been back to Freer Texas since 1972!. ------------------ |
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Rick Campbell Member From: Knoxville, TN, USA |
posted 12 June 2006 09:15 PM
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I've played a lot of these open mic gigs. If you're a smart musician, and you want your crowd to keep coming, you don't bite the hand that feeds you. These people are paying your salary. Most people don't know good music from bad, but they all know how it hurts to be made fun of. ------------------
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Bob Martin Member From: Madison Tn |
posted 12 June 2006 09:52 PM
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Well I've been reading the posts here and I thought I'd jump in and spout off a little :-) I worked at a club for a lot of years that was the club know as "anyone can get up and sing here" I mean when anyone at all came to town and they asked the motel/hotel desk clerk or gas station attendant or even the funeral home director where could a person go and get up and sing or jam here in town everyone named this club and for over 20 years it remained the king of the set-in clubs. I would get so very very tired of folks getting up and singing so bad or playing so bad and it seemed that the less talent that they the bigger ego they had. Well I can honestly say that I never laughed out loud and everytime someone else in the band would I felt like crawling under my amps. I have always hated making fun of anyone for any reason maybe it's because as a kid I was mocked and teased constantly about my size. So somewhere along the line I made a decision never to hurt anyone's feelings or laugh out loud for fear of hurting their feelings. Now mind you I said out loud I promise you there were times that I was laughing very loud inside but I always tried to keep it inside. I just feel that in the club I worked in it was usually the person with the least amount of talent and self worth that was laughing the loudest. So most of the time I think it actually makes us feel good to see that we're not the worst singer/musician on the planet. That might possibly be one reason for laughing and there's probably several more. I also think that everyone of us have been that poor person that was being laughed at and believe me I can remember how it felt to be laughed at and of course thats another reason for trying not to hurt peoples feelings. Now in defense of the musician that was caught laughing out loud Sunday night. I don't have a clue who it is and it doesn't matter it could be any one of probably 20 pickers here in town. Just try to see his point of view. He has to work Broadway to make a living and it's just about the only country scene left in town. The S.O.P. of just about every club on Broadway is to let folks get up and sing if they ask usually it's after the 1st couple of sets but not always. So anyway this poor picker is probably doing at least 8 to 10 spots a week down on Broad and at every gig there is probably any where from 3 to 8 singers asking to get up and sing and who knows how many sing good but probably not very many. So by the end of the week on Sunday night they might have had to back up to as many 10 to 50 less than stellar singers. So just maybe on Sunday night it was more than he could take and instead of getting mad and verbally abusing or even worse this picker decides to laugh out loud. If thats the case I think he made a good decision I think that is much better than getting angry and making a big scene which in my mind would be much worse than laughing out loud. I'm not condoning it but I am trying to make you guys see it from his side possibly. In a perfect club/world no one would get up unless the band personally knew them and they all agree and even then it should be later in the evening. Just my thoughts on this thread :-) Bob |
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Scott Shipley Member From: Nashville, Tennessee USA |
posted 12 June 2006 10:56 PM
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Ok, sorry but I have to put in my $1.50 here. I do not know Mr. Besic, but have no reason to doubt his take on Sunday night's events. However, I was down there as well, and there a couple of relevant factors that have not been mentioned yet. One being that it was Fan Fair week (and yes, I still call it Fan Fair). Speaking as someone who works on a regular basis on Broadway (as well as The Opry, and other "concert" type settings), it is not usual practice to let just anyone from the crowd sit in carte blanche. Just doesn't happen, especially on the later shifts (6 - 10, or 10 - 2). Unless, of course someone knows the singer, or it is a visiting artist, which happens quite often. Fan Fair week is a bit different. 100k plus country music fans and "singers" from all over the world converge on this city to catch a glimpse of all their favorite singers. So, for one week (and I'm not complaining, I know where my bread is buttered) we dodge motorists who are not accustomed to driving on our side of the road (let alone trying to decipher Tennessee road signs), entertain well meaning fans who watch us "juggle chainsaws" whilst holding out a tin cup, and babysit the flavor of the day "artists" all while just trying to make a living. My point? Cut him some slack. If you have never worked in Nashville during Fan Fair week, and I'm sure a lot of you have (Bobbe help me out here.......), maybe now you have a better picture of what the underacknowledged sideman's emotional state might be by the end of this slugfest. I personally missed an artist gig last year at Fan Fair because the band leader came in where I was working on Sunday night at 12:00 to "audition me." I was spent by that point, my ears were shot, and I simply blew it. I had absolutely nothing left after 13 shifts on Broadway, and 2 River Stages shows between Wednesday and Sunday. I kick no one's behind butt my own. I should have been fresher. The point is that Fan Fair week to a musician can be absolutely the busiest and most grueling week of the year. Like I said, I was down there last night, and besides myself (and I was on fiddle last night rather than steel), there were only two other forum members working down there. They are both (I'm very proud to say) friends of mine whom I respect greatly as musicians. Was he out of line in laughing? Maybe so. Just please consider the COMPLETE circumstances before passing judgement. Walk a mile. Thanks! |
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Scott Shipley Member From: Nashville, Tennessee USA |
posted 12 June 2006 11:03 PM
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PS- Neither one of these guys is malicious (unlike myself of course  ). It is entirely possible that the laughter was not being directed specifically at the singer, so much as it was involuntary venting at the end of a very, very long week. |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 13 June 2006 01:54 AM
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And on the reverse.. Last year, don't recall actually when, we were down on Broadway and my two bandmates were with me, TJ and Matt Cook, brothers. Jimmy Snyder ( Tootsies) invited them to come up and do a tune or two. Matt is our bands Tele monster and TJ fronts the band. Of course Matt just played Jimmys flatop, no Tele in the House. On Steel that afternoon was the great Fred Newell. Lets just say this. After playing a few tunes, at meter, Fred pretty much just said to Matt and TJ..."Sure you guys may come to town and play the strip, but I doubt you're gonna be around much"...." I can only imagine what Matt does with a TELE in his hands"... " He will burn up the strip for sure "... He told Matt outside something like... If you play well and keep a smile on your face, you will have more work than you you can possibly handle in this town....you will not have much time for the clubs down here... so, there ya have it, from Mr. Fred. and all that just from gettin' up and playin' a tune or three... Jimmy Snyder laughed and told them he wants a 3 month notice before they come back ! ------------------ |
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Ray Minich Member From: Limestone, New York, USA |
posted 13 June 2006 06:30 AM
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Was there a full moon that night? Entertainment venues that include or coincide with any form of alcohol seem to get really weird vibes on nights of full moons. You can feel the confused tension sometimes... |
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Myron Labelle unregistered |
posted 13 June 2006 06:48 AM
A lot of pickers never learn that the audience most of the time in bars could care less who is playing as long as you play what they like. You can practice for days on arangements and do them letter perfect. But you will get request for stuff you have never done before and are tired of doing and will ultimately do the request. I have a good friend whom I always admired for his talent,the great bands he always had, but more-so for the respect he had for the people who worked for him and the people who showed up nightly to support them. He was always working 5-6 nights a week . Easy to get good musicians when there is plenty of work.One night when I was off the road I went out with the wife and a few friends (about 8 of us)who wanted to hear Country music.It was a monday and a somewhat slow night. These nights many players who were not working would show up and sit in.That particular night one of the guys who came out with us asked me if I would get the band to let him sing . I did this and the leader did not hesitate to call him right then and there. My friend,you guessed it was terrible to put it mildly and I somewhat felt bad for the band.But the leader who was off the bandstand caught the bass player laughing and making fun of the guy singing. The bass player was picking up the beat then slowing it down and trying to get the drummer to go along which did not happen. I watched the Leader from the side of the room signal for the bass player to knock it off..When it was over he walked back up on the stage and said something to the bass player. I was surprised when the band took their break and the bass player packed up and left with two more sets to go. I found out later that he was fired at that moment.The leader apologized to my friend and about a week later we went back to see them again. To tell him I thought it was one of the classiest acts I ever seen. We have been friends since and this is 25 years ago. I'm not to sure he would ever have called my friend up again to sing ,but you can bet the band would give its best for anyone he did call up. Nashville has tons of out of work musicians, time to get someone who needs the job.Some Musicians have never learned the difference between a job and a party.However in Nashville one usually does not earn enough money on Broadway to party.JMFHO ------------------ |
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Myron Labelle unregistered |
posted 13 June 2006 06:59 AM
100k people in town for Fan Fair? I guess thats as good a reason as any to make fun of one of them. I sort of doubt that figure. Rumor has it Fan fair will be a thing of the past soon. ------------------ |
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Damir Besic Member From: La Vergne,TN |
posted 13 June 2006 08:31 AM
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quote: now that is the band leader who knows who pay`s his bills.Man like that I would always work for. Db ------------------ |
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Ron Page Member From: Cincinnati, OH USA |
posted 13 June 2006 08:49 AM
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Idol may be a popular show, another that I've never watched, but that doesn't change the fact that Simon is downright rude. It's obvious that they plant bad singers in the program just so Simon can shred them on the air. I guess a lot of people get a thrill out of knocking someone else down. Never have. Never will. ------------------ |
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Mark van Allen Member From: loganville, Ga. USA |
posted 13 June 2006 09:09 AM
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I played a set at Tootsie's last Friday, and it appeared there could have easily been 100K folks milling around town. I don't know about the future of the "CMA Fair", but there was sure a lot of money changing hands... I was backing up a very young girl on a Nashville label, and although several of the band members were a bit unpolished, the house band and sound crew were all gracious to the band. Some years back I had a house gig at the premier country showcase club in Atlanta. The band was polished and popular, we had national acts in on Weekends, but Tuesdays were an organized sit-in night. People signed up to get up and sing a couple with the band, and the roster was always full as it was seen as venue for getting gigs with other local bands, and even a showcase for management, clubowners, etc. The Bass player/bandleader would talk with the "sit ins" about key and when they should be ready and so on, being very pleasant, and then turn around and mock them to the band, within their hearing. A weird behavior with a chip on his shoulder, apparently purposely to make them uncomfortable, and resulting in not a few tears and folks leaving with their crowd. When I talked to him about it, he seemed to think me some kind of bleeding heart- "If they want to get onstage with pros, they'd better be ready to hear the hard truth", etc. |
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Barry Blackwood Member From: elk grove, CA |
posted 13 June 2006 09:55 AM
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Damir, I admire your integrity, but, as always, there's two sides to this coin. You have to know when to NOT take things too seriously, either. Just my 2 cents .... [This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 13 June 2006 at 09:55 AM.] |
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Mike Perlowin Member From: Los Angeles CA |
posted 13 June 2006 10:19 AM
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Back in 1977 I got a call to fill in on bass for a band that lost it's bass player. When I got to the gig I saw why. The band was fronted by a guy named Al, who had no more business trying to be a singer than any of us have doing brain surgery. Let's just say that he would have had to improve to have been merely terrible. The bass player simply refused to play with him and left the band. The bass player was more honorable than the rest of the guys. The other guys in the band deliberately subverted his perfromance and made him sound worse than he was. They did things like switching keys and changing rhythms and playing the verse when the guy sang the chorus. It was the most unprofessional thing I had ever seen. The guy fired the band at the end of the evening and asked me to put together a new band for him. I declined, but I told him that I agreed with him that the guys he hired did him wrong, and he was right to fire them. I told him as gently as I could that I didn't think he has what it took to be a professional singer, but that was no excuse for the band to behave the way they did. ------------------ [This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 13 June 2006 at 10:22 AM.] |
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Rick Schmidt Member From: Carlsbad, CA. USA |
posted 13 June 2006 10:22 AM
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I'm usually the most respectful and accomodating guy I know when it come's to being the master of ceremonies at open mic nights. Even if a person is completely talentless, and devoid of any musical or entertaining qualities. Every once in awhile though, there will be somebody SO BAD and SO CLUELESS who demands to get up onstage, that it's almost impossible NOT to laugh. I'm thinking of a couple as I type who make William Hung look like Andrea Bocelli. I've had to chew on my tongue more times than I can count. |
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Scott Shipley Member From: Nashville, Tennessee USA |
posted 13 June 2006 10:23 AM
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quote: _____________________________________________ "100k people in town for Fan Fair? I guess thats as good a reason as any to make fun of one of them. I sort of doubt that figure. Rumor has it Fan fair will be a thing of the past soon." _____________________________________________ The actual figure was between 150k and 161k, depending on whether you ask the CMA or The Tennesseean. Facts are there, check it out. And I at no point was justifying the laughter, merely trying to point out that there WERE other factors that might be relevant. As for the rumors, please do keep us informed regarding any news items you hear about before we do. |
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David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
posted 13 June 2006 10:41 AM
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If you have ever played those all day "Sunday Jamboree's", then you understand why this was rude. This is likely to be a personal highlight of this "singer's" life. I sat in on bass and mandolin on my visit, I was treated quite well. But for those that can't wing it and make it look easy... If the tradition is a tourist can get up and do a number. What Jim Cohen said works for me too. These people most likely LOVE country music in a BIG WAY, Heck, we ALL have played BAD.. REALLY BAD [This message was edited by David L. Donald on 13 June 2006 at 10:44 AM.] |
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Marlin Smoot Member From: Atlanta,Georgia, USA |
posted 13 June 2006 10:56 AM
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No matter how good you are, there's always someone better and faster... ...and no matter how bad you are, there's always someone badder and slower. I was in Nashville last week before FAN FAIR and walked lower Broadway. I wasn't too impressed with what I saw. Decent singers singing the same ol classic country stuff and decent musicians who looked burned out. None of the steel players I saw were playing anything extreamly hot. At times I was reminded of being in a VFW jam the way they called out songs..."this one's in A" You see guys playing for one singer then an hour later you see them across the street playing for someone else...for tips. A sad way to mark time if you ask me. I can see where these type musicians can get a bad attitude. Some of the singers and musicians down there were cool, some were not, just like most places around the USA. |
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Scott Shipley Member From: Nashville, Tennessee USA |
posted 13 June 2006 11:10 AM
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These type musicians??  Most of these guys have artist gigs, then come play Broadway on their off days. I myself played in Texas with Eddy Raven this weekend, got back at 12:00 noon Sunday and leadfooted it downtown to play at the convention center with a girl at 1:00, and then on Broadway that night. If that makes me one of "these type," then guilty as charged. I'm just happy that I'm able to make a living doing what I love, and I don't forget where it comes from either. And just for the record, I won't laugh at anyone who is trying. |
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Damir Besic Member From: La Vergne,TN |
posted 13 June 2006 11:13 AM
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quote: LOL..Mike..that`s funny Nashville is a tourist town,that is how we make money down town...from tips...this gentleman was not loud or agressive...he barely even sang..the lead singer sang the 90% of the song...guy figured out he couldn`t do it and was pretty quiet...I personaly didn`t see any reason what so ever to be making such a circus out of this gentleman..who was with his crowd and just tried to sing a song...however..I just tought it was not nice and was wondering what do you guys think....I laughed my behind of many times on the stage down town but that was always on the account of another band member messin` up..and it was a friendly thing..I don`t have to say there was planty of times when they were laughing their behinds because of my playing..but that`s different...I always try to make people who sit in feel good and welcome...God knows there was a gazillion times when I should have been laughed at...and sometimes I was Db ------------------ [This message was edited by Damir Besic on 13 June 2006 at 11:15 AM.] |
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Bill Miller Member From: Gaspé, Québec, Canada |
posted 13 June 2006 01:38 PM
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We've had people get up with us now and then and some were laughable but I think we've always been gracious and polite. Of course there's something else that can happen if you share your stage with unknown quantities. Sometimes you run across someone who can steal your thunder in short order. I remember one guy, just a local sleeper whose friends kept bugging us to invite up. So we did and he was VERY good and the crowd gave him a big response. Our own singer at that time was pretty reluctant to let that guy get up again  Another time we were the back-up band for an amateur show and a guy from out of town showed up and asked us if he could sit in with the band for the evening as well as sing a few songs in the show. It was a relaxed atmosphere so we said sure...the more the merrier! Well that guy turned out to be the best Telecaster picker I've ever seen around these parts and a pretty good steel player as well. I think I held my own on steel but he totally blew me out of the water on six string. After the initial shot of humility I was glad he showed up though because it was fun to make music with someone that good. No one was laughing at that guy. |
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Bobby Lee Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA |
posted 13 June 2006 03:16 PM
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quote:Speak for yourself, Mike. Some Forum members actually are brain surgeons (and rocket scientists, astronauts, etc.). |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 13 June 2006 04:24 PM
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quote: I've been through a lot of trials and tribulations in my life. For instance, having a slew of doctors tell my parents I had less than 6 months to live (that was over 40 years ago!), and being carried to the hospital in an ambulance and hearing the ambulance attendant say to the driver "You'd better step on it, I don't think this guy's gonna make it!". Going through these types of things, I've learned to be pretty laid-back in my philosophy of life. If the worst that ever happened to me was to have someone laugh at my attempts at just about anything (be it a friend, or a stranger, a flunkie or a pro), I'd consider myself pretty fortunate!  Life is pretty simple, just remember the rules... Rule #1 - Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2 - Everything is small stuff! |
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Scott Shipley Member From: Nashville, Tennessee USA |
posted 13 June 2006 04:37 PM
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Amen Donny, amen. |
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Vic Lawson Member From: White House, Tennessee, USA |
posted 13 June 2006 05:37 PM
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If Scott Shipley is correct in saying that there were only 2 other forum members on Broadway Sunday night, then I'm one of those. I agree with Scott on everything he said. It's been a nightmare week here, but the money was great! I play for artists as well as on Broadway. I'm not one to laugh at anyone, but occasionally, as small as those stages are on Broadway, you can converse with other band members, fairly quietly. Sometimes someone will say something funny that is totally irrelevant to the singer or anything else happening on stage. If for some reason that could cause someone to think we're laughing at them, then I guess we're not allowed to have any fun amongst ourselves. I for one don't believe that I'm involved in this particular situation, but I played Legend's 6 to 10 Sunday night. So let's just get to it...was it me? |
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Vic Lawson Member From: White House, Tennessee, USA |
posted 13 June 2006 05:39 PM
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P.S. I have no idea who the other member would me. I didn't get around to see who all was working Sunday night. |
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Barry Blackwood Member From: elk grove, CA |
posted 13 June 2006 06:30 PM
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David, it's equally as likely that it was a forgettable lark to the 'singer' done on the spur of the moment. I've played BAD more times in my career than I'd like to admit, and been laughed at for doing it. Life ain't for wimps, so let me reiterate - what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.... [This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 13 June 2006 at 06:48 PM.] [This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 13 June 2006 at 06:49 PM.] |
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Scott Shipley Member From: Nashville, Tennessee USA |
posted 13 June 2006 11:44 PM
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Vic, not attempting to speak for Mr. Besic but, I personally do not believe that it was you he was talking about, nor did I think so before your post. That's not your style. The other forum member who was working that night (I believe in hindsight) might just be the victim of his own laugh.........bless his heart, it's very recognizable and pretty darn loud. I still do not believe he intended anything malicious either. Ok, let's analyze this for a moment strictly from the standpoint of comedic content. Mr. Besic stated that the sit-in singer basically had to have the regular singer sing the song he was supposed to be singing, because he (the sit-in singer) couldn't remember the song. Did I get that about right? Is it just me, or is that in itself pretty darn funny?!? I prolly would have had at least a good chuckle at that myself. But hey, everyone has a different threshold of humor. And it is very doubtful (save for the remote possibility that said guest singer had an independant record deal, and was there solely for the purpose of selling his wares and/or showcasing, which is pretty unlikely if not very smart since he couldn't remember the words to his big number anyway), that he was taking it very seriously to start with. It is likely however that the guest singer's friends were out in the crowd having a good chuckle themselves......"C'mon, all your friends are doing it!" People come to Broadway to have fun, as was stated by Mr. Besic himself in the original post that preceded these 17,203 replies. This includes "these type" pickers themselves, myself included. If you go down there to work (and I think everybody ought to have to at least once), expecting to win a grammy from it, then you're gonna be very disappointed. Like I said before, walk a mile. |
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Paul King Member From: Gainesville, Texas, USA |
posted 14 June 2006 04:53 AM
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The opening comments about the steel player laughing at the singer gets under my skin. A musician who does that in public to me is embarassing. I would probably never go across the street to see the steel player perform again. I have played behind some singers who were awful but never laughed at them while they were singing. I have thought how did they have the guts to get up and sing soungding as bad as they did. I sure wouldn't laugh at another musician. |
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Ray Minich Member From: Limestone, New York, USA |
posted 14 June 2006 05:29 AM
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It's painful to watch a performance that is failing. Does this mean then, that when a performer is on stage, and doing their act, that we subconciously want them to do well...? I've always thought it was that way. |
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John McGann Member From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
posted 14 June 2006 06:02 AM
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Why, just the other night we had a "professional singer" come up and attempt a medley. Her husband told us she sang "everything", had "perfect pitch" and had "done Broadway" (The New Yawk one, which always translates to "MASSIVE VIBRATO")...not only did she not know the words to any of the songs she chose(usually helpful in singing situations), she was so far off key it was like Tuesday over Monday. Not obviously drunk, but certainly "reality enhanced" on some level So whaddya do? We all sang along to get through it. Everyone had fun. No one made fun of her (at least until we got in the car!) Then the husband came and said "WhaddI Tellya? PERFECT PITCH!" As the wise old bumper sticker says: Mean people suck. [This message was edited by John McGann on 14 June 2006 at 06:07 AM.] [This message was edited by John McGann on 14 June 2006 at 06:08 AM.] |
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Ron Kirby Member From: Nashville ,Tennessee USA |
posted 14 June 2006 06:07 AM
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One thing for sure, The(new)Broadway brings in alot of singers, Songwriters, future artist to the stage, to try for the big break a (record deal)! Some made it big time, most did not ! MOST singers(these days) take the Broadway stages very seriously ! |
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Stephen Gambrell Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA |
posted 14 June 2006 06:51 AM
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OK, here's a good one. Way back in the 70's, in the NCO club in Germany where I was stationed, some guy wanted to sit in with the band, with the urging of his "friends." The band graciously allowed this extremely drunk guy to come sit behind the drums. Naturally, in the shape he was in, he should never have been allowed onstage, and his friends should not have persuaded him to get up. I and my friends laughed our butts off at the guy, and his friends. Misguided people are everywhere, and sometimes, laughter is the gentlest way to steer 'em back on track! |
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Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA |
posted 14 June 2006 08:33 AM
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So far I hav'nt got good enough myself,to criticize anyone else.On the other hand,I have always been against having someone sit in [that you DON'T KNOW] For the simple reason if they suck,and a group of people that have never heard your band walks in,that the first impression they get[THE BAND SUCKS]!!! |
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Johan Jansen Member From: Europe |
posted 15 June 2006 07:05 AM
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amen Scott!! Keep going on this way making a living!! I think a lot of people wish they could live this way. Making music for a living is working hard, every-one with his or her own skills and joy! Take care! Johan |
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retcop88 unregistered |
posted 15 June 2006 08:31 AM
Reading all this only one or two comments I wamt to make or add in form of a question. How many of us were lucky enough to get a chance to be heard as we were starting out? Was it always easy to get on a bandstand to show your wares? None of us popped out of the sky and were instanly great.I'm sure we all relished the chance at first to be allowed to sit in even if we stunk at first and we all did. But somehow someway we made it and a musical career was had.Some were not so great and thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread.Others were helpful and encouraging and honest about how with a lttle work it would be all right or maybe one should consider playing the radio.Anyway I for one still appreciate those who gave me the chance to get better,and have a satisfying music career.I'm not saying I let everyone up on our bandstand but those I did never cost me a nights work. ------------------ |
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Scott Shipley Member From: Nashville, Tennessee USA |
posted 15 June 2006 10:42 AM
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First of all, we're not talking about a guy who has chosen music as his vocation, or is certainly not very serious if he can't even remember the words. My nephew (who is 3 1/2) can remember all of the words, and sing "Good Ol' Boys" on pitch, and he stays sober anytime a stage opportunity is present. Is this relevant to the topic? About as much so as some of these posts are. We're talking about a tourist who came to Broadway to have fun, and more than likely DID regardless of someone snickering, and I would bet that probably the steeler wasn't the only one doing so. If this was the tele forum would we be questioning the guitar player instead? I feel somewhat qualified in saying this, as I DO play downtown a lot. And I DO take offense at someone who doesn't know how things work down there attacking me (or my colleagues) for trying to make a living. Those who can't do, post? If you have had the sack to move here and slug it out down there (win or lose) then by all means offer advice. There is more than likely something we can learn from each other, and I am more than willing. It's all about a continual state of learning. But, the original post was made by someone who, my apologies Mr. Besic, I have never seen on one single gig in my eleven years of playing on Broadway (and other Nashville venues). Maybe our paths just never crossed, it's possible, Nashville is a big town. My point is that I am down there quite often (and no, Broadway is by no means my only source of income....anyone who needs to qualify me, please email me, I'll gladly send you my bio), and I have never seen you play a gig. Let alone some of the other folks from elsewhere who have offered up opinions. Remember what I said before about trenchrot?? One cannot TRULY offer knowledgable insight to the inner workings of Broadway (or Nashville for that matter) if they haven't been here and experienced it firsthand. Do I know the record solo to "Touch My Heart?".....no, I don't (will I learn it now that I've thrown gasoline on myself?....you can bet on it). But I CAN hang for 2 4 hour shifts on Broadway and not repeat licks. With no fear. In any key. Backing any singer. Be it Toby Keith, Mark Chesnutt, Vern Gosdin, Englebert, Terri Clark, Carl Smith (and yes, all of these and more have popped in for a song on gigs that I was fortunate enough to be working). or an innocent tourist out for a good time with his buddies. Where did I learn my chops? From sitting in the crowd, not being onstage drunk and ill-prepared, watching and listening and learning from guys like Vic Lawson, Jay Andrews, Kevin Owens, Danny Mohamed, Mike Sweeney, Eddie Lange, Tommy Hannum, and James Shelton. All of which play on Broadway too. Would you consider these guys slack? Didn't think so. They are top shelf, and I'm sorry but I can't sit and watch them or me being slammed on here. Do we have nothing better to do than this?? What if E had spent his time doing this cr*p rather than doing what he did?? You wouldn't have all those great solos to copy in the first place!! Think about it. quote: Do you realize that we work for $20 per shift base pay PLUS tips down there (which by the way, hasn't changed since the mid 80's)?? If we let anyone up that we don't know, and they end up not being very good, they actually CAN cost us money, because the crowd will not stay if the music sucks. Therefore, we usually encourage "guest singers" to feed the kitty, and they almost always are happy to do so to get to cut loose on the mic for a song. They also understand that if they aren't very good, they will more than likely only get one shot. |
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Damir Besic Member From: La Vergne,TN |
posted 15 June 2006 10:49 AM
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??? Db |
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Damir Besic Member From: La Vergne,TN |
posted 15 June 2006 11:03 AM
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chil out,I only said that I think that was not nice, that`s all, and if you can play 24 hours without repeating a lick,great more power to you.I can`t.If I had decided to make living playing music I would be much better than what I am now,anybody would..right now I suck..last time I played a gig was 1 1/2 ago..no wonder. btw..I played almost all the clubs down town for a few years but to tell you the truth I have no idea who you are...so what,maybe we`ll meet one day maybe not. One time one of the great old guys told me ------------------ |
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Jim Cohen Member From: Philadelphia, PA |
posted 15 June 2006 11:32 AM
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Meow. |
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