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Are there more or less live guitar venues in your locale?
More 22%  22%  [ 2 ]
Less 22%  22%  [ 2 ]
About the same 33%  33%  [ 3 ]
Don’t know 11%  11%  [ 1 ]
Other (explain in your post) 11%  11%  [ 1 ]
Total votes : 9
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Post subject: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2018 11:50 am
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Hi, gang!

I was talking with a friend the other day, and he is a well connected established lead player with an extensive history of live performances. Our conversation went something like this:

This huge music town, complete with symphony, had 4 (now 3) TV stations plus 2 (now 1) cable stations. Numerous active and competitive locally owned, rather than today’s networked outside ownership, radio stations once supported plenty of live local band events. We have 2 universities and a couple of technical colleges. Big bands have basically whittled down to one occasional performance group, and Jazz radio has been replaced by HipHop. Classic rock and fading oldies are limited compared to current teen pop, rap, and hip-hop. Alternative is mostly found on college radio. Satellite radio is a welcomed option. Weddings and corporate functions are like everywhere.

Bars and Nightclubs have either closed or have been changed into Karaoke or DJ dance floors when the Sports Bar big screens aren’t active. Cocktail lounges with guitar are a passing fancy. Country music and rock with hometown boys like The Guess Who, Neil Young, and others (who have since moved) once blared on local stages. It is reported that we have the largest grouping of classic cars in the country (must be a winter hobby). This means a lot of weekend parking lot shows that once had live bands and now, for the most part, canned music is the trend. For every new event, with the exception of Folk Fests and similar, other opportunities to play guitar live has dwindled, and yet with immigration and population increasing you would think guitars would have new owners and fans to offset the changes.

As my friend said, a lot of his pro associates and mine are transferring their skills to home recording - some for fun and some for survival.

Here’s a thought. Think of the possibilities. Maybe, a Fender associated radio station to keep the axe alive would be of interest. I’d have it at the top of my list. :wink:
Please add to the provided poll. Adding your observations and thoughts will be welcome.

. . . And to think my nickname was once “Gig”. Thankfully, it wasn’t Turntable or MP3. That’s too much like R2-D2! :lol:
FSB

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2018 12:37 pm
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In Colorado Springs, there is one heavy metal club the size of a postage stamp called the Black Sheep. The Black Sheep does well to support local talent, but also will bill national touring acts like Suicidal Tendencies and Queensryche. For any known touring act to play there is more of an indication (to me) of how bad the music industry is overall more than anything. As for live "club size" music in the Springs, I think that is mostly it. I have never been to the Black Sheep, but I am very glad it is here. There are also larger (but not large) live venues up in Denver.

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2018 1:32 pm
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Thanks, 01GT eibach. That was a good post and your comment about the state of the industry is a valid one. Although not bad completely, major acts, usually on their second or third career round, show up at the Casinos. Some see it as an undesirable and usually a less lucrative job on an outing, but maybe not bad collectively as they add to their earnings when they go from one casino to the other. Also, many artists find the close proximity and conditions to be personable with an attentative audience that is different than being at an arena event per se. This isn’t ideal for big show bands, however, and, generally, local bands are not afforded the same facilities.

I’m also thinking Metal and Punk bands may have select doors open to them according to fan base. I think it’s safe to say that there are popular bands that shine on performance alone, musicality and skill, and both. That’ll make a difference if studios, home or otherwise, become center stage.

So, thanks for your post, 01GT eibach. This kind of feedback will be handy for those coming to a venue near you. :wink:
Don’t forget to vote. (Voting will help to give a more accurate account as seen by the posters).

FSB

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2018 4:49 pm
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I selected more mainly because of the huge influx of people moving out here. Ten years ago our population was 8,000 and today it is 80,000. That is some serious growth and I'm thankful that it is to the south of me and not all around me. Not so much rap being played. The clubs that I know of feature classic rock, blues and country artists. Seven or so ago, before my hand tremor made my playing unreliable, I played with the owner of a music store to attract customers. He has a very nice singing voice and we had a good time and got many compliments which is always nice. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:24 pm
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Thanks. for adding your vote and observation, Marky. We have about 80 ethnic groups in this city of just less than 800,000. That may have influenced the music here as rap and hip hop is universal with the youth. No comment.

But, when we have a week long city Folklorama festival of nations, musicians from around the world and locally entertain us with world music, and I gotta tell ya, “That rocks pretty good”. :P
FSB

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 12:57 pm
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I thought I’d add these vids to kick off the poll.

So, who are these acts we’ve included in the “Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?” poll?:


Then there’s the equipment needed. WARNING; The following has typical musician trash talk (swearing) amongst the sound advice.


Support live music whether as a player or a fan. It’s out there somewhere: 8)


Don’t forget to vote (top of page 1). Thanks! :D
FSB

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 1:36 pm
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LMAO... funny videos, FSB. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 2:18 pm
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I live in a collage town and the music scene is about the same as when I was gigging in town, along with my town we have Woodstock, and there is always music in one of the clubs, and then there is Poughkeepsie, with many rock clubs: Daryl's House Restaurant & Music Club, The Chance Theater, Towne Crier Cafe, to name a few, and a wonderful club in Marlboro, NY. called the Falcon I have seen great acts there from David Bromberg to Paul Shaffer. So I would have to say the music scene with live guitar music is alive and well in my area
mud


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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:31 pm
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I'm now living in a great spot for live bands. From the New England Seacoast region to downtown
Boston and Southern New Hampshire to Southern Vermont there are more clubs and venues than
ever. Lots of college kids (including Berklee & The Conservatory) and many tourists (I'm doing a Boston
Marathon party in a couple of weeks) and the clubs in the Merrimack Valley area are changing their
hours to earlier start and end times to get many of the older people who don't care for staying out
until 2 or 3am.

There are "circuits" that one could play that would book you every 6 weeks. So if you have a few
good venues to keep in rotation, the gigs would be fairly steady.

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:13 pm
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Thanks, for chiming in and contributing your takes on the venues in your neck of the woods, mud and Mike.

Population speaks for itself, and it’s good to know that guitars are strumming and wailing for you guys. It’s nice to have the opportunities and that breeds competition which brings excellence with it. Very cool. 8)
We’re only loaning Paul Shaffer to ya, mud. He’s a close neighbour of ours, and he was up here giving a talk at one of our universities a few months ago. :P I think he came and took some of our city musicians with him. He keeps returning so he’s a suspect. :lol:
A Boston Marathon party sounds like fun, Mike. Have a great gig, bro’. Do you haveta play nonstop for days on end? :shock: You made a good point about early starts and early closings with regards to age and clubs. I think that has become more common than in the past. I and friends and associates are tuned to the music and some in the music circles; but, getting older sometimes makes us feel out of place where our parents would have had their age related evening hangouts, leave early, or they would stay at home. Boomers wanna rock it out, and a lot can keep up as long as they pace it. (probably why some of the young and old hipsters come complete with pacers) :P I will agree that the 2 or 3 am closing is on the edge of maybe or maybe not lasting the venue. After all, we old timers need our rest for the next day’s party. :wink:
Cheers!
FSB

Looking forward to hearing from all over. Your locale big or small, here or there is equally of interest.

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 6:25 am
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Thanks, for chiming in and contributing your takes on the venues in your neck of the woods, mud and Mike.

Population speaks for itself, and it’s good to know that guitars are strumming and wailing for you guys. It’s nice to have the opportunities and that breeds competition which brings excellence with it. Very cool. 8)
We’re only loaning Paul Shaffer to ya, mud. He’s a close neighbour of ours, and he was up here giving a talk at one of our universities a few months ago. :P I think he came and took some of our city musicians with him. He keeps returning so he’s a suspect. :lol:
A Boston Marathon party sounds like fun, Mike. Have a great gig, bro’. Do you haveta play nonstop for days on end? :shock: You made a good point about early starts and early closings with regards to age and clubs. I think that has become more common than in the past. I and friends and associates are tuned to the music and some in the music circles; but, getting older sometimes makes us feel out of place where our parents would have had their age related evening hangouts, leave early, or they would stay at home. Boomers wanna rock it out, and a lot can keep up as long as they pace it. (probably why some of the young and old hipsters come complete with pacers) :P I will agree that the 2 or 3 am closing is on the edge of maybe or maybe not lasting the venue. After all, we old timers need our rest for the next day’s party. :wink:
Cheers!
FSB

Looking forward to hearing from all over. Your locale big or small, here or there is equally of interest.



Yea some venues are having bands start at 7:30 and go until 10:30 or 11. It seems like a trend
that is drawing more people out to watch/hear/listen to live music.

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 10:22 am
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Having grown up in a province called British Columbia and in a city (named after Queen Victoria) with a history of English explorers and residents, pubs both old and new are a fixture, and some today are converted to brew pubs where you can take Grannie and the kids. In fact the oldest pub in BC, the Six Mile Pub (1855), was only two miles away walking distance from our past home and our adopted 4 Mile Pub (also 1800s) which was a long walk to the 17 Mile Pub in Sooke. In the tourist town you are never far from a pub even today as locals, boaters, tourists, loggers and fishermen, seem to have a need to quench their thirst amongst the entertainers that perform nightly. That's if they can make it past the waterfront buskers. and if they aren’t tired of pub hopping from island hopping to get to the next one. :lol:
England saw 616 pubs close in 2017 alone. In 2014 it was 29 per week. Presently, it’s about two per day. Not much different. That’s a lot of lost venues! Add to that the jammin’ that is common.

Here’s some (albeit dated) overview of how we got there, and how some of those situations have affected everyone to a more or lesser degree.

I got a kick out this fella’s comments:


Earlier I mentioned changes in population growth and ethnic tastes and traditions. I never considered this:


How some are managing to keep and/or change the situation:


It has been said the Aussie pubs have no problem staying open. Have a laugh at Closing Time:


Thanks, to all the entertainers, owners and customers that keep the party going. :D

Don’t forget to vote. :wink:

Cheers!
FSB

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 1:36 pm
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Very interesting and thought-provoking videos, FSB. Thank you for posting them and starting this topic.

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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 1:53 pm
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Having grown up in a province called British Columbia and in a city (named after Queen Victoria) with a history of English explorers and residents, pubs both old and new are a fixture, and some today are converted to brew pubs where you can take Grannie and the kids. In fact the oldest pub in BC, the Six Mile Pub (1855), was only two miles away walking distance from our past home and our adopted 4 Mile Pub (also 1800s) which was a long walk to the 17 Mile Pub in Sooke. In the tourist town you are never far from a pub even today as locals, boaters, tourists, loggers and fishermen, seem to have a need to quench their thirst amongst the entertainers that perform nightly. That's if they can make it past the waterfront buskers. and if they aren’t tired of pub hopping from island hopping to get to the next one. :lol:

Cheers!
FSB


FSB nice city to grow up in, My farther in-law lived in Victoria until he died. Great city to visit, nice brewpubs, and great views, great wharf, mostly nice weather except for the for the Blizzard of 96 ( I was there) 3 feet of snow, very rare for that area.
mud


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Post subject: Re: Is Your Area’s Live Guitar Music Alive Or Dying?
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 3:19 pm
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mud wrote:

FSB nice city to grow up in, My farther in-law lived in Victoria until he died. Great city to visit, nice brewpubs, and great views, great wharf, mostly nice weather except for the for the Blizzard of 96 ( I was there) 3 feet of snow, very rare for that area.
mud

Very cool. Doggonit, mud! We could have gotten together for a few brewskies during that storm. Yup! That was a doozey breaking boats, tipping houseboats, and navigating up and down the hills. We used to joke that the city had one snowplow, and it is true that snow was almost never. Not so today. It comes and goes almost as fast as it comes, but geography on and about the island makes it difficult. I hope you got a chance to enjoy that vibrant music city that has David Foster, Nanaimo s Diana Krall and Elvis Costello, the Gulf Islands’ Randy Bachman, and a host of knowns and lesser known to be living there or visiting there talents. With Seattle and Vancouver being close neighbours Victoria’s music scene is like USA’s north east coast thriving proximities. :D

FSB

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