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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:58 pm
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Some things never change; but, then again some do. I don't gig at my age . . . but, there was a time when I did on occasion. I had great times with enthusiastic high school rock buddies in a time when genres smacked into one another like a freight train (some of those guys had lucrative music careers). Later, I had to show up with a large Navy band where work discipline dictated the end product. With a time controlling career, I had to give up any chance of a regular or semi regular performance because of my workload. Fortunately, I was never far from the professional recording industry which kept my interest. One of my co-workers had been a professional jazz pianist from a large old admired hotel in Halifax, so we played as a trio on the odd occasion when we weren't working, or sometimes on live camera when we were. Meanwhile, I was heavily involved with other musicians, and I can tell stories, like many here, of how much individuals contribute to successes and failures. Suffice to say that when the gig is a crap shoot it sucks; but, when it works out, well, it's a natural high.

I did throughout the times take notice that some of the best of the best artists were sometimes not at their best (if you know what I mean). Creativity takes all kinds. It is especially difficult to work with perfectionists. While some are never satisfied, others are naturally or unnaturally mellow. Regardless, they both got their deserved respect (okay, that's stretching it), and results were usually positive based on mutual admiration for the music and performance owed to fans. To say this only works with a big star or group would be wrong if the supporting players are professional in their makeup. I can't begin to tell anyone how often I admired superb backup singers holding up the lesser skilled vocalist, and so on.

So to that, I applaud you gladiators of the stage. Enjoy the show whatever it may be, and share the enthusiasm because others may need it. Have good times. You've earned it.

FSB

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:11 am
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I was kinda hope'n this thread would flourish, but alas, apparently it was not to be.
Love hearing stories from all parts of the world in the 'gig' scene. I can't complain too much, because my music life is quite boring at the time and I have no stories to share either. :oops:


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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:48 am
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Location: On the loo, regretting that gas station burrito.
I'll be gigging pretty soon, since we've seemingly have found a stable band lineup to effectively do so.

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:15 am
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It went well. I used a Deluxe Reverb (not a RI) and Am Std Strat and no pedals!

Decent crowd for a Sunday night and home by midnight.

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:54 am
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Hey, Mike. You're such a pro. I can't imagine you having a bad gig :D
That brought me to think and wonder how many are out there that may have played behind chickenwire, plexiglass (drummers exempt), bullet proof glass (drummers included), in bars or behind bars, etc. :lol:
In short, "What was the worst gig?".

For me it was being coaxed by a big band to sing an original rock song I hated in front of a whole town when I was 17. Fail.

Then there was the time I couldn't remember how my drums got loaded into my car after a gig. Legionnaires played a part in my memory loss. :oops: :roll:
After those dilemmas every gig after that went better. :D

FSB

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:59 pm
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Ha! I've had some bad gigs, but even more...funny....for lack of a better word.

One time we got booked to do a cruise. It was a 3 hour cruise in the summer and
we planned it as it would be a "booze cruise" like what we had been playing. We got
to the docks and started unloading our gear and brought a killer sound system as these
kind of cruises can get rowdy and loud.

As we did our sound check we could see people starting to lineup at the gate to
the wharf and thought this looks like it will be a full boat. Well, it was a full boat and
it was for a group outing for Alcoholics Anonymous. It was okay though and they had
a great time as did we. I learned that day that I really like Polar seltzer water. :D

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:31 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
I learned that day that I really like Polar seltzer water. :D
That was priceless, Mike. I'm still getting off the floor from laughing. Thanks. Oh crap! I can't stop falling on the floor.:lol:
I've been on more than one ship where maybe seltzer water would have been a good idea (for the other guys). Double shift on the wheel with a hangover because the other crew members are worse off is a tough one. :D
FSB

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:02 pm
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Yea, we should have a topic/thread for funny gig stories. I'm sure all
of us have some.

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:48 am
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Gigs lately have been quite fun actually.

The classic rock band I've been with "forever" has kind of been ramping down. The singer has blocked off long periods of time where he can't play so I'm lucky that we started our acoustic group a couple years ago to fill in the down time.

Our acoustic group had gigs on 3/17 and 4/1. The St Pat's day gig was a place we've played many times and we expected St Pat's to be fun, and it didn't disappoint. On 4/1 we played a new venue for us, it started slow, maybe 6 people in the bar, but it was the first really nice Sat weather wise around here so we were kind of leery about it going in. We started early too, 7 pm. At the proposed ending time of 11 pm the place was packed and we were having a blast. Someone put out a tip jar and we made out very well playing for an extra hour.

We've made big changes in the acoustic group over time that have really paid off. We have bass/guitar/cajon and all 3 of us sing. When we started we had a lot of typical acoustic fare, kind of slow, but good for a little rhythm with the cajone. But people danced to some of the fun ones like Ob La Di Ob La Da so I really pushed the other two members to "up" our tempos and song selections. Seems easy but there was some resistance, now we've turned it into a viable upbeat group that is doing well. Love it because with only a cajone and no drums, the PA is much easier to manage, we can concentrate on singing well, and the volume is very controllable. It's been great.

We have 8 gigs scheduled over the next couple months for this group and I'm looking forward to all of them.


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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 1:50 pm
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Thanks, for letting us know how your gigs are going, Chris. I'm not surprised though.

Wisconsin is a fun place overall. Been there, done that over the years with awesome shakes, tasty cheese, refreshing beer, lots of amusements, refreshing beer, and music everywhere. Many years ago Mrs. FSB and I even took to traditional table top dancing in some establishment in Madison. Nowadays we keep to the floor. :lol:
Keep rockin' WI KISSfan.

FSB

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 5:01 pm
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WI KISSfan wrote:
Gigs lately have been quite fun actually.

The classic rock band I've been with "forever" has kind of been ramping down. The singer has blocked off long periods of time where he can't play so I'm lucky that we started our acoustic group a couple years ago to fill in the down time.

Our acoustic group had gigs on 3/17 and 4/1. The St Pat's day gig was a place we've played many times and we expected St Pat's to be fun, and it didn't disappoint. On 4/1 we played a new venue for us, it started slow, maybe 6 people in the bar, but it was the first really nice Sat weather wise around here so we were kind of leery about it going in. We started early too, 7 pm. At the proposed ending time of 11 pm the place was packed and we were having a blast. Someone put out a tip jar and we made out very well playing for an extra hour.

We've made big changes in the acoustic group over time that have really paid off. We have bass/guitar/cajon and all 3 of us sing. When we started we had a lot of typical acoustic fare, kind of slow, but good for a little rhythm with the cajone. But people danced to some of the fun ones like Ob La Di Ob La Da so I really pushed the other two members to "up" our tempos and song selections. Seems easy but there was some resistance, now we've turned it into a viable upbeat group that is doing well. Love it because with only a cajone and no drums, the PA is much easier to manage, we can concentrate on singing well, and the volume is very controllable. It's been great.

We have 8 gigs scheduled over the next couple months for this group and I'm looking forward to all of them.


I have a bass playing friend in Madison who plays a lot in two different bands there also. One
is called The Keepers and not sure of the other band's name. One is classic rock and the other is
a British Invasion type band. (Gerry & Pacemakers, DC5, Stones, etc)

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 7:45 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
WI KISSfan wrote:
Gigs lately have been quite fun actually.

The classic rock band I've been with "forever" has kind of been ramping down. The singer has blocked off long periods of time where he can't play so I'm lucky that we started our acoustic group a couple years ago to fill in the down time.

Our acoustic group had gigs on 3/17 and 4/1. The St Pat's day gig was a place we've played many times and we expected St Pat's to be fun, and it didn't disappoint. On 4/1 we played a new venue for us, it started slow, maybe 6 people in the bar, but it was the first really nice Sat weather wise around here so we were kind of leery about it going in. We started early too, 7 pm. At the proposed ending time of 11 pm the place was packed and we were having a blast. Someone put out a tip jar and we made out very well playing for an extra hour.

We've made big changes in the acoustic group over time that have really paid off. We have bass/guitar/cajon and all 3 of us sing. When we started we had a lot of typical acoustic fare, kind of slow, but good for a little rhythm with the cajone. But people danced to some of the fun ones like Ob La Di Ob La Da so I really pushed the other two members to "up" our tempos and song selections. Seems easy but there was some resistance, now we've turned it into a viable upbeat group that is doing well. Love it because with only a cajone and no drums, the PA is much easier to manage, we can concentrate on singing well, and the volume is very controllable. It's been great.

We have 8 gigs scheduled over the next couple months for this group and I'm looking forward to all of them.


I have a bass playing friend in Madison who plays a lot in two different bands there also. One
is called The Keepers and not sure of the other band's name. One is classic rock and the other is
a British Invasion type band. (Gerry & Pacemakers, DC5, Stones, etc)


For a state known for cheese, beer, and polka music there are LOTS of bands around. Even here in Central WI there's a bunch of local musicians. Unfortunately it's very difficult to be "accepted" into the upper circles locally but that's ok, I say screw them, we're having fun and our following grows a little more each time, the next 7 gigs are all on the road, an hour + from my home so we're getting our name out there.

Need to get some more video too, thanks for the reminder :D


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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 5:17 pm
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Luncheon gig today 11-1. Acoustic guitar & keys. Fun time and decent $.

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 5:57 am
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Great!

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Post subject: Re: How was your gig tonight?
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:42 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
Yea, we should have a topic/thread for funny gig stories. I'm sure all
of us have some.


A booze cruise for Alcoholics Anonymous, awkward! Great story MM!

So I'm sure many of us have lived this one. We're not a wedding band, don't have the variety but every so often we've played one for a friend or whatever.

We go out of town to this resort area for this wedding gig. The entire affair is in this large hotel complex, nice digs all around. We asked about where to set up and of course the loading door was no less than 1.5 miles from the room we were to play in, nice start. The "wedding planner" was a total bag.....just in a ugly-dog mood from the time we arrived. We all laughed under our breath as she threw out comments while we tried to set up, we were doing the setup and sound check early in the afternoon so we would not be in the way for the dinner, no big deal.

So she's already complaining about it being too loud, if it's too loud she'll just shut us off, don't go near the cake, don't mess with the table settings, there is no food service available for us at this time, blah, blah.

Now it's 7pm and we're loitering around outside waiting for dinner to wrap up and start playing, and we're talking to the groom and one of the groomsmen. We were laughing with the groom about the wedding planner and he said that she had warmed the hearts of many people that day, his mother was threatening violence against her because she was so pushy. :shock:

And here she comes, Atilla the planner.....and she read us the riot act again about being too loud. I finally asked her......"shouldn't there be a house on top of you?"

Image

She wasn't amused, but it's still a great band story to this day. :D


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