Bluewine

For those who want to join a gigging lucrative band I hope you can recognize bands with no connections or business strategy. One of the best bands musically that I've played in couldn't get a gig anywhere and a more marginal band has more gigs than they can handle Blue

Many of us would rather play to 10 engaged attentive people than 1,000 people hardly interested. Blue

I'm taking it real easy. I'm not driving or doing any lifting. No set up or tear down. Blue

That's my 1991 G& L ASAT Bass with active pre- amp. Blue

I played a 3 hour bar gig. The tiny bar was packed ( private birthday party but still a bar gig ) I guess I'm spoiled. All summer we played outside showcase gigs and festivals. Most gigs were an hour and a half. I think my bar gig days are limited. Blue

Hi Folks, 3 weeks post surgery and I'm doing well. This post is primarily for the Senior Folks that have been playing for decades. However, please everyone chime in. What do you want to do and accomplish at 65 plus years as opposed to when you were 21 What is your focus at 65 plus,writing, performance, recording , self study What are your thoughts on gigging at 65 plus as opposed to 21. What type of folks do you want to work with at 65 plus I'll be performing tonight it's my 2nd gig since my surgery. I was in the hospital for 6 days. I've been out for 2 weeks. I'm really pushing it and I think I'm getting ahead of myself.

I saw a local unsigned band and the front guy says; " We're going to do some of the old stuff" My thought, " what old stuff? " Lol Blue

Thanks Pete, In my Area I think after a year of allot of " Covid Down Time" we all learned how important it is to treat the audience well and connect with them. After every show Jenny and her husband are out talking to everyone in the crowd that stayed and came out to see us.

If a band can really nail a cover that's great. I've seen some stuff on YouTube with bands thay can recreate an original recording. However, some bands don't have the resources or the production values to do that. I think if a band has their own version and it kills, well that's great too. Blue

After 50 years, I still struggle with eye contact and smiling. Another thing I'm working on is walking properly on stage. I do this thing when Jenny is soloing where I walk over by our other guitarist and we stand side by side by her and the audience gets the groove we're playing to support her solo. But that's not important , what I'm concerned about is how I look walking back and forth across the stage. I'm 68, I don't want that " old man" walk. I want to look energetic and youthful. Blue

Agreed, in general rock star banter at the local level is dangerous. Walk On Music is another one, not really appreciate at the local level. I saw Tower Of Power today at Summerfest. Their walk on music was really cool.

I think a front person with the gift of gab, sense of humor, quick wit and a believable sincere personality is gold. Blue

I think a front person with the gift of gab, quick wit, believable sincere personality is gold Blue

As a bass player for over 50 years now I feel compelled to present some advice to anyone in a local band to ensure you're capitalizing on the opportunity live shows give you and to make sure your connecting with you audience. Because everyone has internet-connected phones, it's far too easy for people to become disconnected from your performance and relegate your music to background noise. However, there are a number of pitfalls I see band after band falling into that are easy to avoid. Take or leave the following, but I can almost guarantee that bands who put these things into practice will see improvement in their short and long-term audience engagement and growth: 1. Plan what you are going to say to your audience whenever you are not playing a song. I see far too many bands get stone-faced, have awkward pauses while they stare at each other waiting for someone to say anything meaningful, and then vomit up some meaningless word salad that people instantly forget the moment the next song starts. In addition to planning your transitions so that you don't look like idiots, make sure you include at least something that can potentially produce an ROI. Mention where people can go to find your music, when and where your next show is, your social media handles, etc. 2. Stop turning your backs to the audience! Doing this occasionally and briefly is fine, because I know sometimes you get into your groove and face each other, etc. However, I've literally seen people turn their backs to the audience for anywhere from 30 seconds to over a minute, and that is a VERY quick way to get your audience to disconnect. While we're on this subject, LOOK THEM IN THE EYES occasionally. Yes, it can be awkward if you overdo this, but neglecting eye contact all together is an egregious sin. Remember, that part of what you're doing while performing is selling yourselves to the audience. In sales, they always teach you to make eye contact with your customer, and this is no different. 3. Plan your set list to follow some kind of dynamic roller coaster. In other words, don't do a bunch of fast/heavy/upbeat songs in a row or vice versa with slower songs. Have some ups and some downs. Vary it up. Tell a story with your selection of songs and make their ordering purposeful and thoughtful. Designers of roller coasters understand this concept. They make the ascent to the top of the first drop deliberately slow to build suspense. They also don't have every twist, turn, and loop feel exactly the same. There is variety, and that ultimately bodes well for everyone. 4. If you play covers, spice them up a bit. Obviously, I'm not asking you to fundamentally change the song. However, adding some kind of twist to make it your own and the listening experience unique for the audience will make you more memorable. If your audience is engaged with you, and they should be, they'll pick up on even subtle things you do and likely appreciate them. 5. Talk to your audience before and after the show. Thank them for coming, and encourage them to follow up in whatever ways you have open to the public. Take selfies with them. I guarantee you that people appreciate this, whether it's apparent or not at the time. People will remember how you make them feel, and a pleasant conversation with them will drastically increase your chances of building a more long-term fan base. I would further state that you should be doing this on social media as well, even after you become "big". 6. Move around and get animated when you play/sing. Obviously, if you're doing highly technical stuff, then you can concentrate on your playing as needed, but don't stand there the entire show like a plank of wood. If it's not readily apparent that you're having fun on stage, I guarantee you your audience won't either. There are probably allot of variables depending on the band, what do you think. Blue

I'm still hanging in there guys. Busiest gigging summer of my life. Blue

Thanks Sylvia Blue

You are in my prayers for positive news Martthebass Blue

Thanks Silvia. I will. Blue

I'm hanging in there guys. I'm scheduled to go under the knife in October. I'll be in the hospital for 5 days. I'm goi g to finish our summer gig schedule and O have .y son's wedding in August. Yes, it's scary. I've been busy 5 gigs in for days last week.week. I'll be in touch , sooner than later. Blue aka Daryl

Thanks Mickey. Blue

Thanks Lozz, I'll be back soon. Blue

Hi Pete, I hope all is well with you and family.

Thanks Len, Much appreciated. Blue

Thanks Jack, I heard Glastonbury has been cancelled for 2021 . Is that true ? Blue

Thanks Skidder, It's going to be a long process. I'm waiting on a second opinion regarding surgery. Blue