Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

I posted in a post recently about our longtime singer frontman stepping away for the mic for a while and wondering what to do.

Last night I got contacted out of the blue by a guy that sings. Hes my age so he comes from the same era. He sent me a songlist and we cross over on about 40 songs right now. He has fulltime work and just wants to play 2-3 times a month just like weve been doing. I have seen this guy thru the years, he has played with a lot of people I know. I seem to remember that he could sing everything from Doors to Journey, great frontman abilities. He looks like a normal guy, not the hair and singer look of our current singer, but he is one of those guys who attacks the crowd like our guy.

I talked to our singer and basically got his blessing, in fact we are playing friday night and im getting a full set of material lined up to audition this guy live in front of an audience. Our singer said hes a little under the weather so he would let this guy do a full set or even half the night.

I dont know what Ive done to deserve this but its one of the coolest things thats happened lately. I made him understand that if our guy wants back in hes back in and this guy was very understanding. Was even willing to make investment in equipment if need be.

I hope it turns out well, you just never know, but I am stoked I was bummed cause we were going to have to shut down, but if this guy is suitable I can start booking thru the Christmas season without a hickup. Talking to my drummer and bassist they were kind of stoked about playing some different material. This guy does Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Scorpions groups that we dont really touch on along with the standard bar fair.

I just ran a little feeler ad in CL. Simple it just said established heavy rock band needs replacement singer male or female. I had a couple of chicks respond but when I directed them to our myspace and they saw pictures and songlist they got scared away quick. This guy also has some booking connections that I dont have and might get us into a couple of new counties. Also when I asked why he wanted to get back in he said I just want to entertain folks, for 4 hours I want them to forget whatever is going on in their lives and enjoy themselves. He did add that it didnt really matter what he played as long as it was rocking. Those 2 statements have got me sold before I meet the guy. Plus he said up front that he didnt want to cause issues with any current members.

My guys are happy even our current singer cause he feels like he is putting us down or letting us down. My drummer and bassist are stoked about new blood and material as I am also.

Just thought I would share. I will say I was completely honest about our situation on all fronts when he and I talked. I was also straight up with my bandmates on what I was trying to do. Nothing behind anyones back no hidden agenda, just trying to keep the band going.

I would recomend to people in bands that read this to be completely honest with everyone you come in contact with. And if a problem arises address it immediately before it gets out of hand.

You guys have a great day. On top of that I did meet a potential woman the other night that I really really am into and so far she seems into me. To the point she asked me to hang out with her this sat night.

So things are good today in JW 123s world other than the damn rain that wont stop.

Im like WOW! I feel like that Progressive Insurance gal on TV. Im not wearing that red lipstick thou!

jw123 wrote:Just thought I would share. I will say I was completely honest about our situation on all fronts when he and I talked. I was also straight up with my bandmates on what I was trying to do. Nothing behind anyones back no hidden agenda, just trying to keep the band going.

And THAT is what it takes! Congrats, Mr. Wilder. The show goes on.

Funny how stuff like that happens.

Con'gats

jw123 wrote:Im like WOW! I feel like that Progressive Insurance gal on TV. Im not wearing that red lipstick thou!

lol! thats awesome dude! Its good to get a new dose of excitement in your band, it always puts an extra spark in the shows! Hope your new singer works out and please send some of that luck to TX. Were strugglin lol

Hey, good for you, JW! All the work you've put into it all, you deserve it.

Hope things keep getting better & better for ya.

I found lately life never gives me what I want . But I always end up with everything I need > Good for you JW. Sounds like yall wont even miss a beat.


And ita another day in Paradise !!!

Nice JW!! Just a suggestion here, but I'm a big believer that if you switch singers, you think up a new band-name. let the new singer be part of the new identity, leave the old one with the old name. Kinda like retiring an athlete with his team jersey.

Good luck man.

You deserve a break today, sounds like you got one. Thats great news JW. It just goes to show when your a class act everyone wants to play with you.

Well done Mr. Wilder.
Good news is good news is it not.

Thanks guys

Shredd, I understand where you are coming from but in my case it would mean starting all over with everything. Ive got people calling for gigs, so we are set. This guys is just like us, as far as the Aint Yo Mama band everyone in it at one point or another has stepped away for a little while. I just dont want to try and build a new name. I would imagine our singer will want to play more than ever after taking a break, especially since someone else is dancing with his girl. Our singer pretty much gave me the go ahead to make the transition.

I may be getting the cart in front of the horse, but if he does well in a live audition and I ask him to join I may have him come to other gigs and set in and be introduced by our current singer so our fans can get used to a new face and know that our current singer has given his blessings.

I better just wait and see how it goes. I havent said anything to any clubs yet that we were having a change, so I hope we can make a seemless change.

The new guy has an easy deal to come into. We know a lot of the same music, seem to want to do the same thing. He doesnt have to woodshed with some guys for 6 monthes only to find out that they cant perform in front of people. He walks into a paying situation. We get to carry on. We get some new music to play around with. At this point this deal looks like a win win for all involved. And then if Kevin decides hes ready to get back on the horse we can do it.

The last few days have been weird. Ive had a lot of little blessings answered in all facets of my live. So God or higher power or spiritual being, Thanks for looking out for me. Its easy to get really down when things arent going exactly as planned.

And I agree You cant always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need. I sing that song in my acoustic shows and ussually have the whole crowd singing with me.

Thats great news John.
More shows keep comming our way, but personell schedules are killing us right now.
Looks like October will be a bust. But we have some stuff going on in November.

Such is life.

Good for you John.

Very happy for you JW. I know what you're going through. Going through similar situation with my band (after we just played our first show; there's Karma).

Good luck with the new guy. Crossing my fingers he works out for you.

Very good musicians attract very good musicians, it's not luck really. I'm not surprised at all. It IS a shame your lead vocalist has to step down. I like his voice a lot, reminds me of Bonn Scott.

Bob I look for him to take off nov-dec and then maybe jan, but i already have a gig next aug with his name on it.

That will leave 6-7 gigs to do with someone else if it works out. Its no biggie to me, but I love to play thru the winter time cause thats when we get the biggest crowds.

If the auditon goes well, Ive already talked to the new guy and said I would want him at our gigs so our current singer could introduce him. I think that would look good to our audience, they would know everythings cool. I should have an interesting night to night. I threw together a couple of songs just fo rthe new guy. But can you imagine sitting at a table with 2 lead singers? Our current guy years ago when we first started working together. We couldnt find him, he was in jail we found out later. But we auditioned another guy. He was pretty good. One night we were practicing and in burst Kevin, he told this other guy I dont know who you are but this is my gig! The other dude wimpered out the door, too funny now that I think about it. The other guys started to say something, I just said this is our singer if you dont want him you tell him Im going to stand behind the tree and watch this.

Like Marlon Perkins on Animal Kingdom, Watch Jim wrestle the alligator while I sit in the tree!


Im going to tell the new guy all this tonight. Hes said I dont want to get into the middle of your deal if he wants to come back Im cool. Im going to say Oneal, WHen Kevin wants back in he will let you know nicely, and if you give him sh*t he will probably kill you!

Once again, this has all transpired over a coupld of days. Ive told everyone involved whats is going on from the jump. Ive given anyone that had objections to this change the chance to stand up and be counted. Everyone including our singer has been supportive. I was in bands years ago where no one told anyone anything, that is childish bullshit, I got in another band 2 years ago that was the same way, people talking behind peoples backs about the other players abilitys. In my group everyone has everyone elses back. We all support and love each other like brothers. If i had a problem in my life outside the band I could call on these gusy to help. I will say if your group doesnt operate that way, then whats the problem? Address it and tell everyone the same thing, dont diss your bandmates to the others its like cheating on your wife. it will get back to you, so why be that way. Treat Your Members Like You Would Like To Be Treated. Last year I was having some personal issues, at a couple of gigs I drank too much, to the point that they had to get me home a couple of time. Our drummer who is my best friend came to my house to have a long talk. I was saying sorry about the band, He said John f**k THE BAND, WHATS WRONG? He was concerned about some things and he got to the bottom of it. I havent screwed up at a gig since. And everyone is cool.

I think most bands problems simply stem from Communications Problems, remember Cool Hand Luke, WHUT WEE HAVVE HERREE ISSS A FAAALURRE TO COMMUNICATE

Just my 2 cents