Bluewine

I've got almost 60 years invested in playing bass and gigging. I couldn't stop If I wanted to. I'm still playing over 60 gigs a year. Even the bad gigs are fantastic . Blue

Sounds good to me. Blue

Private Event Maple Road This Saturday 10/14 Fiddlemore Farm Holloween Tent Party. We start at 5:00 The weather is suppose to be cold and rainy. However there's a nice stage in the tent and it's heated. I love private events. We're expecting around 70-80 Maple Road fans. I'll let know how it went on Sunday. Blue

I never have issues with venue management or owners with one exception. When they do things that make the gig difficult for the band, like saying the parking lot is only for patrons. And then you're walking a block downtown with a full blown bass rig. Not fun, especially if your in a "dicey" partv of the city Blue

I get it and I wish there was more communication. However, I joined the band because they have a good booking strategy and for the money. I know a few bands that rehearse relentlessly and have open communication but have little to no gigs. I could never play in a band like that. For those that have both communication and lots of gigs, that's ideal Blue

That's why I stay away from the booking end of the business. Blue

We gig a lot, unfortunately we don't rehearse and have little to no internal communication. As a matter fact we hardly speak to each other until we're onstage. I'm still in the best band I could possibly be in. Blue

Agreed and I wish it was my call. I've been in the band since 2009 but have no decision making power. Daryl

Agreed and one the reasons we play very few bar gigs. However, I remember we played a very upscale new Winery a few years ago. When we arrived the manager greeted us, told us where to set up, let us know all drinks were comped and to make sure we all got an entree. Beautiful grounds, nice stage a large engaged crowd. These folks thought nothing of dropping 20 dollar bills in the tip jar We were all grateful and we set up and tore down in a clean timely manner. None of us abused their comped drink policy. We were never asked back. Go figure. Blue

I think so Dave. And I don't think dropping " Blues Band" would hurt us or cause any confusion . Most people call us Maple Road anyway. Daryl

I get it and agree with the sentiment, however we can't travel, provide quality sound and lighting and a 3 hour show, load in and tear down for low pay or free. I doubt any band can. Blue

I think some of these folks that book bands have a total disconnect from music and the arts in general. Blue

Lozz, we had a steady gig at a really nice historic room for our acoustic offering. New management came in and after a gig and time to " settle up" we get the old " we'll mail you the check". They didn't mail the check. Jim had to go back to the venue to collect our pay. I don't know what words were exchanged but they stopped returning our calls and responding to e mail. Daryl

There's also a stigma attached to blues bands. We're known as Maple Road Blues Band. Thing is we're not a dedicated blues band. We have our own spin on rock classics, Americana and folk. Blues bands are never going to play on the big fair / festival stages with premium sound & lights with a night time slot. Blue

My rule is as soon as you arrive at a gig you put on a smile and act appreciative and gracious to everyone you make contact with. That means the patrons, staff and management. Remember they're paying you. Everyone in the band should do this. Blue

I'm not sure if this will generate very much discussion. We've probably all had a great gig in a great venue with a great crowd and loved by the owners. However we we're never asked back. Why, is the big question. There could be tons of reasons. I don't book gigs or have contacts with venues so I'm somewhat at a loss in coming up with an answer. I tend to think some of it is poor follow up on the part of the band. Asking to rebook at the end of the gig would be tough for us. We have 2 band members with limited availability. Or maybe they did ask us back and we were already booked for that date and there was no follow up. I would think change in venue ownership or management might play a part in it. Over here in the States venue management change is the kiss of death. Could be the gig was turned down because the money wasn’t right. Thoughts or stories? Blue

A few years back Cream City Music had a huge Hofner Inventory and I blew the opportunity to buy one. I ended up with a German made Hofner Club Bass. Blue

Man, I'm loving that double cutaway bass. Blue

Dave, I think that "edge" comes from the active pre amp in my G&L ASAT Bass. Daryl

Thanks Blue

Thanks Dave, I'm always XRLed direct to the PA. I'm not sure what digital mains means. Jenny's husband Dave who does all our sound and light described them as digital. Daryl

Overall a good gig . However, initially unbearably cold ( 50°) and windy. When the wind died down it was tolerable. You can't tell from the video but we had an awesome crowd. We used our new digital mains. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid09zVbFaLXvdsnR7F5Cz3rtyGoEK7Z2tDpgMM3sBgxomBTxcSC17W9txgfrUVHvjaQl&id=1470144703&mibextid=Nif5oz https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02xk521A7V9AF4K2xkYgBx4wJo2XxHMktNjMXFnwRDLDTRVogGGcWPym3PAzzoUwkgl&id=1470144703&mibextid=Nif5oz Blue

Nice video! Blue

I did the originals thing with several bands about 15 years ago. Both bands were good with good material. However, making money was tough. Blue

Agreed, Very astute comment. Playing music and gigging is important to me. However, at 70 years old I do wonder how long it will remain important. I'm already hearing comments from guys my age like " it's not it urgent". And I get that. And you'll probably see future posts from me going into the winter complaining about not having enough gigs. Blue