Update - After numerous glowing reviews from the front man with that Stones tribute/original band, I get an email on Friday telling me my playing was not what the drummer expected and frankly, the front man now seemed to share the same opinion.
Confused to say the least.
I'm not about to plead for a gig in which I am not wanted.
This is not a shot to play with Bruce.
Okay - this is show business. Cut-throat, nasty back-stabbing business in which the strongest, not necessarily the most talented, survive.
I put it behind me. I have been rejected before. Not often enough that they blur together. I remember them distinctly. But they do not shape me other than toughen me. Yes, in this instance what doesn't kill, makes me tougher.
Saturday I open my email to find another missive from the front-man. It seems the drummer is seeking an elusive dream and the front-man is trying to dissuade him from it and bring the drummer back to reality.
He'll let me know what happens.
I didn't know whether to laugh at or cry for the sad, sad man.
I picked a business in which, like the Church, we can be a last refuge for some voices.
Some people have more time than talent and work to find outlets for their unique message.
I remember the time I asked Mike Miller to deliver a message to a girl I was smitten with during high school.
And how he won that girls heart that night, bearing my message.
(A most unwitting Cyrano)
I thought I had to toughen up, to stop trusting my feelings in other hands as they would crush me more often than not.
What I have learned is that I need not toughen up to survive people like Mike or in this lifes case JC; rather I have learned to pursue my own ideals and take those along with me that truly wish to come.
I won't be answering any forthcoming emails from JC. He is a footnote now; one of my rejections.
I am somewhat glad to have one or two humorous ones.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
It Never Fails
Every single time I have a gut feeling that a musical situation will be a bust, it turns out otherwise.
What is up with that?
Every.Single.Time.
Last year a gig at the Back Door started off on the wrong foot. It turned out to be a heckuva lot of fun.
Last evening I had an audition that held very little promise for me. I had previously met with the front guy for this band and I was very unimpressed. So much so, that I told myself I wouldn't answer any emails or calls from him in the future. In truth I did not expect him to get back to me as he seemed to be all talk and no follow through.
He emails a week later proposing a get-together with the full band in a local studio and my audition.
With a huge sigh I said..."Okay..."
Why?
I can't let an opportunity pass can I?
Who knows? This guy could be the real deal. Fine, I'll meet them...hate everything they play and go home.
(Okay, why the preconceived crap/diatribe continues past the decision making, I have no clue - totally counter-productive)
It starts to rain, the drive is long, I won't get home until really late - I have such a laundry list of built up excuses I wondered why I was going at all.
I told myself to shut up, I was on my way - no turning around. See what is what and then go back to the house...easy.
I found the place easily. Started to unload my gear, found a nice amp inside which meant I didn't need to lug mine anymore and I could use this instead!
The front man is there, so we talk a bit as I set up. In walks the drummer. Then, after about fifteen minutes the front guy says, "Let's try..." and he names a Stones tune. His idea is to do a Stones Tribute band - his original material is very Stones-like, so it makes sense to me.
As we begin to play I notice right away that he is a fair musician, more a singer that also plays. The drummer is great. I mean this guy is not flashy in anyway, no - he knows how to fit the mood being set. Man, does he...
He is good, very good. I am really impressed. So I wonder to myself why he plays with this front guy?
Slowly it dawns on me (yeah, I can be obtuse). There is a genuine nature to the music played. And although there was no bass player, it sounded good?
I've been a Stones fan for 40 years so I do enjoy the music. This guy is picking tunes not normally done. That too, impresses me.
We end the night and I mention that I know both the drummer and this guy will need to talk and decide if they want to continue with me or make other plans.
Today I get CC'ed on an email to the bass player inquiring about his status.
In it, is the line, "Mike was right on the money with his playing and Ernie is not only a very good player but a nice guy, too."
I will cultivate this feeling and expect the good times to continue.
What is up with that?
Every.Single.Time.
Last year a gig at the Back Door started off on the wrong foot. It turned out to be a heckuva lot of fun.
Last evening I had an audition that held very little promise for me. I had previously met with the front guy for this band and I was very unimpressed. So much so, that I told myself I wouldn't answer any emails or calls from him in the future. In truth I did not expect him to get back to me as he seemed to be all talk and no follow through.
He emails a week later proposing a get-together with the full band in a local studio and my audition.
With a huge sigh I said..."Okay..."
Why?
I can't let an opportunity pass can I?
Who knows? This guy could be the real deal. Fine, I'll meet them...hate everything they play and go home.
(Okay, why the preconceived crap/diatribe continues past the decision making, I have no clue - totally counter-productive)
It starts to rain, the drive is long, I won't get home until really late - I have such a laundry list of built up excuses I wondered why I was going at all.
I told myself to shut up, I was on my way - no turning around. See what is what and then go back to the house...easy.
I found the place easily. Started to unload my gear, found a nice amp inside which meant I didn't need to lug mine anymore and I could use this instead!
The front man is there, so we talk a bit as I set up. In walks the drummer. Then, after about fifteen minutes the front guy says, "Let's try..." and he names a Stones tune. His idea is to do a Stones Tribute band - his original material is very Stones-like, so it makes sense to me.
As we begin to play I notice right away that he is a fair musician, more a singer that also plays. The drummer is great. I mean this guy is not flashy in anyway, no - he knows how to fit the mood being set. Man, does he...
He is good, very good. I am really impressed. So I wonder to myself why he plays with this front guy?
Slowly it dawns on me (yeah, I can be obtuse). There is a genuine nature to the music played. And although there was no bass player, it sounded good?
I've been a Stones fan for 40 years so I do enjoy the music. This guy is picking tunes not normally done. That too, impresses me.
We end the night and I mention that I know both the drummer and this guy will need to talk and decide if they want to continue with me or make other plans.
Today I get CC'ed on an email to the bass player inquiring about his status.
In it, is the line, "Mike was right on the money with his playing and Ernie is not only a very good player but a nice guy, too."
I will cultivate this feeling and expect the good times to continue.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Go To Styles
Little Lou calls the other day.
Sure, I understand he is trying to drum up business with a good customer. I bought two guitars and a handful of pedals from him in the past year.
We shoot the breeze, talk about my gigs et cetera.
He tells me of an upcoming seminar on a line of amps.
"Even if you don't buy anything, I'd love to see you, man."
Our business is about the human touch. Pressing the flesh in music is real - necessary.
When someone is smart enough to recognize and use this, they deserve my patronage, maybe even my friendship. Customer service like this is not to be denied.
Sure, I understand he is trying to drum up business with a good customer. I bought two guitars and a handful of pedals from him in the past year.
We shoot the breeze, talk about my gigs et cetera.
He tells me of an upcoming seminar on a line of amps.
"Even if you don't buy anything, I'd love to see you, man."
Our business is about the human touch. Pressing the flesh in music is real - necessary.
When someone is smart enough to recognize and use this, they deserve my patronage, maybe even my friendship. Customer service like this is not to be denied.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Promotion Time
Mine.
My own.
I have opened a page on Reverbnation and am asking anyone reading this to head over and become a fan, sign up for email, everything and anything you have the time for, I would appreciate it.
E <---It's a link, click it! Someone said it was hard to tell.
Of course any ideas, critiques, criticisms are welcome, nay encouraged.
The site has a building reputation and is fairly easly to link to FaceBook pages or Twitter or MySpace.
It has a built in player which is a huge plus. The hoops that FaceBooks forces people through to accomplish the same thing. For under $30 I can package and sell my music on Amazon, iTunes, Walmart and Zune.
Time to get my feet wet and put the rubber to the road. I'm not getting any younger.
My own.
I have opened a page on Reverbnation and am asking anyone reading this to head over and become a fan, sign up for email, everything and anything you have the time for, I would appreciate it.
E <---It's a link, click it! Someone said it was hard to tell.
Of course any ideas, critiques, criticisms are welcome, nay encouraged.
The site has a building reputation and is fairly easly to link to FaceBook pages or Twitter or MySpace.
It has a built in player which is a huge plus. The hoops that FaceBooks forces people through to accomplish the same thing. For under $30 I can package and sell my music on Amazon, iTunes, Walmart and Zune.
Time to get my feet wet and put the rubber to the road. I'm not getting any younger.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Ever Been Married To Three People Simultaneously?
It's not an easy task. To be in a band...a successful band; even harder and get along.
To have four people to get along in all things is asking too much. Never happen.
You hope for a nice happy median.
That we share a taste in music. Perhaps the same sense of dedication to our music.
And then life intrudes. This one can't pay his rent; he'll be moving from week to week. Visiting the local pawn shop. I can't count on this.
Another one forgot he had a prior engagement. Forgot? Nah...decided to leave. So that precludes the second of the two gigs.
The last one means well. But he likes to drink. Likes it too much. For me to be his friend means to drink as though I were back in college. Oh, no thanks. No thanks at all.
Why can't we get together and simply make sweet music?
Ah well.
I understand why many of the acts I follow and enjoy are singles, or pairings of a temporary nature.
Very few are more than three pieces with any length of time under the belt. For a particular band to work, takes work.Four people married to each other.
Sounds like a story line from Hollywood, if ever I heard one.
I think I will go solo for a bit and see how I fare. It will demand a complete shift in thinking...in my approach to music in general. I can do it; the question is do I want to change badly enough?
To have four people to get along in all things is asking too much. Never happen.
You hope for a nice happy median.
That we share a taste in music. Perhaps the same sense of dedication to our music.
And then life intrudes. This one can't pay his rent; he'll be moving from week to week. Visiting the local pawn shop. I can't count on this.
Another one forgot he had a prior engagement. Forgot? Nah...decided to leave. So that precludes the second of the two gigs.
The last one means well. But he likes to drink. Likes it too much. For me to be his friend means to drink as though I were back in college. Oh, no thanks. No thanks at all.
Why can't we get together and simply make sweet music?
Ah well.
I understand why many of the acts I follow and enjoy are singles, or pairings of a temporary nature.
Very few are more than three pieces with any length of time under the belt. For a particular band to work, takes work.Four people married to each other.
Sounds like a story line from Hollywood, if ever I heard one.
I think I will go solo for a bit and see how I fare. It will demand a complete shift in thinking...in my approach to music in general. I can do it; the question is do I want to change badly enough?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)