Bluewine

Agreed. 100%. We have a young, strong, smart female BL who is a big picture thinker. The band really doesnt need any dated ideas from a 66 year old thats been in the biz since 1966. What was cool for my generation is probably not worth much today. Blue

Yes, on occasion I have suggested songs and been rejected. Who knows, maybe my suggestions were not that good. As long as the bookings stay strong everybody is happy. I really don't mind at all. I really think most band discussions and issues are different when your delendent on the income from gigging. At 66 I'm very lucky to be gigging consistently and having fun. Material, not really a big deal for me. Blue

True, there's really no conflict. I have issues with certain song choices , I have issues with not being able to make song suggestions , but I never complain or broach these issues with any of the other band members,. No complaints means no conglict. Keep in mind none of these issues were sprung on me out of nowhere. I knew what I was getting into when I joined the band 8 years ago. I think it's different for guys that sign on for one thing and get something else, which seems to be the case with the OP. Blue

It sounds like what type of material you play is a priority. How you find that depends on a lot of variables. We're all different, I don't hate anything we play , however I play a lot of stuff that's not my favorite. I'm in this for the money, gigs and the attention. Fun is a given, I always have fun. Thing is your playing with good people, what if you found a band that played all the sort of material you enjoy but they were jerks? I say " good people" trumps all. Blue

I'm also lucky to work with good smart people in my band. Very lucky. Blue

That's an acceptable argument , however finding guys with shared goals and ambition could be a challenge paid or unpaid. I don't share all the same goals and ambitions of my band members but I'm a hired hand and they're paying me. So I always show up and I show up prepared for all gigs and rehearsals. Blue

It really depends on what your in the band for or what you want out of it. If your in this to play a certain type or genre, that might be a challenge. There are nany things about my band that are far from perfect. I never complain because I'm getting text messages everyday to confirm new bookings. I'm in this for the money . I'll complain when the gigs dry up. Blue

I'm worried about your Thunderbird and if it will fit on floor of the back seat passenger area. Daryl

Great, now I'm more confused than ever. So on means off at the Hofner plant? Blue

Gtreat Musician and Good gigs will not get you through times with bad people. Good people will get you though times with bad gigs and bad situations" Blue

I still contend that bad band experiences happen to those who are playing with the wrong guys. Good sober people could mean good band experience. I joined a band years ago and after the second rehearsal I knew these guys were only getting together to get drunk. I never returned after that srcond rehearsal. Blue

I'm an an electric bass guitarist. I always felt bassist and bass players were guys that play double or stand up bass. Blue

I really should start gigging ny German Made Hofner Club Bass. To be honest I've never understood the controls on it. Very confusing for me. Blue

I was getting a buzz humming noise at the last two gigs. I thought it was a grounding problem. I took the amp to our sound techs house ( our BLs husband) and we started to trouble shoot. We set everything up with DI just like at a gig. No hum and no buzz. At yesterdays gig the hum buzz came back. It was something in the compression software in the PA. It was just a matter of turning off some weird phantom signal in the software. I'm all good now. Blue

Hi Dave, I bought a compact 2016 Ford Focus in January. Not much room for gear. Small trunk and the back seat area is also tight for space. Youve probably seen this vehicle, they're real popular in the UK. I have gotten out of the habit of bringing two basses to gigs. I honestly dont think the case for my Gibson Thunderbird would fit in the back seat. Daryl

I had a problem with the input jack on my 1991 tobacco burst Gibson Thunderbird with ebony fret board. My lead kept falling out of the jack. The quick fix, I duct taped the lead so it wouldn't fall out. I took it to my guy who installed a new input jack for $30.00. I used to always bring a spare bass but have gotten out of the habit. Blue

We played a street festival today. It was our acoustic act. Not a great crowd, but you know what, Our stage looked great, we looked great, the weather was fantatic 75° sunny clear skys with a nice breeze off the lake. We had a blast playing and singing we were really tight today. So much fun. We have another outdoor event tomorrow 4:00 -7:00. Blue

Very interesting, We have our first gig with our new lead guitarist next weekend. A 4 hour gig. Weve reheased with him twice and gave him a cd of our live show . He couldnt make it to rehearsal this week. He's 25 a family man and student. He's a talented guirarist and singer. He came to us through our drummer. I'm not to keen on either of them But, you know what., I'm keeping my mouth shut. I'm 66 twice the age of all other members now. I'm old school and these guys think very differently about everything. They're young and smart and the gigs keep rolling in. I'm lucky to have this job. I'm lucky to get to the gigs and home without getting lost. I'm old I can't fight these youngsters. Don't you feel sorry for me? 😄 Blue

Very interesting, We have our first gig with our new lead guitarist next weekend. A 4 hour gig. Weve reheased with him twice and gave him a cd of our live show . He couldnt make it to rehearsal this week. He's 25 a family man and student. He's a talented guirarist and singer. He came to us through our drummer. I'm not to keen on either of them But, you know what., I'm keeping my mouth shut. I'm 66 twice the age of all other members now. I'm old school and these guys think very differently about everything. They're young and smart and the gigs keep rolling in. I'm lucky to have this job. I'm lucky to get to the gigs and home without getting lost. I'm old I can't fight these youngsters. Don't you feel sorry for me? 😄 Blue

That's fantastic. I've been performing for decades and learning material at this level would be a huge if not impossible challenge. Blue

You know, here in Milwaukee word gets around pretty fast about guys showing up late to gigs/rehearsals and always blocking dates. Blue

Me, in 8 years I've nrver missed a gig and we gig a lot. Never missed a rehearsal and never been late I work for milenials, so I don't know if they even notice. Blue

What do you guys think of this? In my neck of the woods it's hard to put demands on people when theres no gigs or money in it. I'm sure that " I didn't have time to learn the material" wouldn't fly with a Pro touring band. Blue

Getting gigs at the local level I believe is tough everywhere. Someone in the band has to have a keen sense for business and there has to be places to play. For exanple my buddies that live in New Jersey right outside of Manhatten don't have anywhere near the gigging opportunities we have here in the Midwest. They don't have a festival and fair season like we do. Are there areas in the UK where there are significantly more gigging opportunities? Blue

In other words, good people. Blue