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How did it go Mr. Blue Poet?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 5:17 am
by J-HALEY
Just checking in with you Grant! :wink:

Re: How did it go Mr. Blue Poet?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 6:39 am
by PaperDog
J-HALEY wrote:Just checking in with you Grant! :wink:


Oh Man It was Amazing with strenuous turns...

After 3 months of full blown ads Word of mouth, Flyer distribution and FB...

We had three contestants show up.. :shock:

I opened the show with the acoustic version of "She don't Love me Anymore" But I added a twist...I demonstrated the creation process of that song, and the audience witnessed it develop into a full bodied song. I actually pulled it off very well... Later in the evening during break . I did "Blue Bonnet City". Again very well received..

The contestants all wound up filling in the dead time, with more material ... I have to say these guys put in some labor for that (Cash and trophy) Toward the end of the night, the judges stepped up and KNOCKED IT OUTTA THE PARK with an awesome closing jam!

So, despite the lack of attendance, we kept the music spirit going... It was in my mind, a resounding success... Because the audience that was there did in fact show some support (But I gotta tell you the crowd at that bar is one tough MF...)

Three winners , every one went home better off :)

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 6:44 am
by PaperDog
I forgot to mention...The reason only three contestants,showed has something to do with a little war, going on between the bar and some of its key patrons...

The Prez of the El Paso Blues Society was there and he was impressed with my efforts, so he made a pledge to me, personally that my contest would never have to suffer a lack of attendance like that again (re Blues R & B genre) . He said that he had a few messes to clean up (insider) first.

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:16 pm
by J-HALEY
PaperDog wrote:I forgot to mention...The reason only three contestants,showed has something to do with a little war, going on between the bar and some of its key patrons...

The Prez of the El Paso Blues Society was there and he was impressed with my efforts, so he made a pledge to me, personally that my contest would never have to suffer a lack of attendance like that again (re Blues R & B genre) . He said that he had a few messes to clean up (insider) first.


This IMO is what makes a musical career and is the reason folks that don't play music on professional or semi-prfessional level don't get! Some people would say what you did was a waste of your time. You are a musician to the core. You know how music wins over a crowd a few people at a time! I have witnessed VERY low attendence at shows for the BIG BOYS! I won't name names but they are musicians that have inspired just about every soul on this forum! Music can get political and that can be frustrating. You have to start somewhere and the good news is now "the starting somewhere" is behind you!

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:21 pm
by GuitarMikeB
How many people in the audience? Congrats on getting the event going and done!, even with limited attendance/participation.

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:59 pm
by PaperDog
Review: From John Peterson (WithThe Kat Crosby Band- a very prominent blues band in town)

"When Kat Crosby and I volunteered to help judge this event we knew little of Grant Collinsworth and his song writing contests. We were absolutely blown away last night by the great event that occured at the Kings X. As the home of the Blues in El Paso, the X is the ideal place for this event. I hope that this becomes a regular event at the X. GREAT JOB GRANT"

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:01 pm
by Cajundaddy
Bravo Dog, another contest and more exposure to your community. Don't fret an empty house on a Thurs. night. SRV and Dire Straits played to empty houses plenty. Both played every hole-in-the-wall dive bar for 10 years before breaking out.

So how did your new PA rig work out?

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:52 pm
by PaperDog
Thejohnny7band wrote:Bravo Dog, another contest and more exposure to your community. Don't fret an empty house on a Thurs. night. SRV and Dire Straits played to empty houses plenty. Both played every hole-in-the-wall dive bar for 10 years before breaking out.

So how did your new PA rig work out?


PA worked out Great! Got a volunteer sound man . We did have trouble with the RF unit... I have to research that a little more. ut the speakers heald up, the board held up It was all good :)

I pissed off the bar owner... Two weeks ago I emailed him and asked if he had a PA.... No answer, so I took the safe route and bought one... I show up last night and he's got a PA... So I told him I brought mine and didn't need his. I asked how much he rented his for ... He said he wasnt sure. I said I'll pay you 50 bucks for the trouble...(And reminded him about the lack of communication) He said, N its on me... Then I come to find out he double booked the night (How do ya double book a Thursday night???) Turns out he was pissed when he realized he had to haul his rental equip up the street to support the other band that he booked...(They moved to another venue)

Weird! But WE Pravailed!

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:56 pm
by PaperDog
J-HALEY wrote:
PaperDog wrote:I forgot to mention...The reason only three contestants,showed has something to do with a little war, going on between the bar and some of its key patrons...

The Prez of the El Paso Blues Society was there and he was impressed with my efforts, so he made a pledge to me, personally that my contest would never have to suffer a lack of attendance like that again (re Blues R & B genre) . He said that he had a few messes to clean up (insider) first.


This IMO is what makes a musical career and is the reason folks that don't play music on professional or semi-prfessional level don't get! Some people would say what you did was a waste of your time. You are a musician to the core. You know how music wins over a crowd a few people at a time! I have witnessed VERY low attendence at shows for the BIG BOYS! I won't name names but they are musicians that have inspired just about every soul on this forum! Music can get political and that can be frustrating. You have to start somewhere and the good news is now "the starting somewhere" is behind you!


Thanks Jeff! Indeed you are right about political... I am doing everything I know to do, to avoid drama' and replace it with something good and positive... Its all about the music, for me :)

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:58 pm
by PaperDog
GuitarMikeB wrote:How many people in the audience? Congrats on getting the event going and done!, even with limited attendance/participation.


The house capacity is about 200. I think maybe 75 people were there. It dwindled to about 50 by the end of the night

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 3:18 pm
by PaperDog
will be posting Vids and photos soon

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 4:59 pm
by GuitarMikeB
50-75 is still good for a Thursday night!

PostPosted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 5:11 pm
by PaperDog
GuitarMikeB wrote:50-75 is still good for a Thursday night!


Yes, true But half of those guys live there , are fixtures anyway...LOL (They don't make livers like that anymore...)