General Music Chat

Forgive the title...I've just downed a few of my new favorite beer...Mon freres, I have a dilemma and am once again turning to your vast wisdom.

My bro-in-law secured a gig at the National Postmaster's Convention in June...and he's gonna blow it. I've left it all to him, figuring that it was his gig and I'm just a support guy. That being said, his "plans" are already killing me. He wants to perform three 30 minute set and DJ in between (for those of you unfamiliar with my feelings about DJ's-They all must DIE!!!). He's also picking obscure songs to play, and taslking about filling out our time with jam sessions (vundebar! ).

The bottom line: I'm sick and tired of amateur hour. I want to perform at the level I know I'm capable of...
I don't want to bail on him (it hadn't even occured to me until now), but I don't know how much more of his slacker mentality I can handle...

Input please!...And while you're at it, just to prove my point to him, name the first Elvis song that comes to mind. I'll explain later...

Sorry about some o' the spelling (told y'all, beers.).

First Elvis song that comes to mind is "Suspicous Minds"

Ah, my personal Elvis favorite...nice call!

1st - Hound Dog

2nd - In The Ghetto

3rd - Love Me Tender

Joseph, imho, let 'im crash & burn & just have as much fun as you can drag out of it. Many of these amateur types always have grand ideas that seem stupid to anyone with experience, but they most often don't want our input. If you agreed to do it, just lay back & let it flow, & as long as your name isn't on the bill, who cares?

Btw, I like Blue Moon, too, but tonight I'm giving Sam Adams another chance with his Pilsner. I have yet to drink a Sammy that I liked, but I keep trying! They're all way too dry & fizzy for me, but that's typical of way too many American & Canadian beers, esp the fizzy part.

Anyway, let him have his spot in the sun, if that's what he wants. It won't hurt ya, & you might impress some musos in the audience with your improve skills & meet up with some cool ppl. Try to keep a positive spin on it all, & do remember that while it ain't your gig, you agreed to play it!

(I don't envy you, but I've done similar things with ppl, & that's about all I could do, too!)

Jail House Rock

Postmaster Gig.......hummmm
Here's a start;

Bruce Springsteen - Born In The U.S.A.
Johnny Cash - Ragged Old Flag
Paul Simon - American Tune
Wilco - Ashes of American Flags
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son
Violent Femmes - American Music
David Bowie - Young American
Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right To Party
Tom Petty - American Girl
Lee Greenwood - God Bless The U.S.A.
Keni Thomas - Last Band Of Brothers
Toby Keith - Courtesy of the Red White and Blue
Neal Young - Let's Roll
John Flynn - I Will Not Fear

Hound dog ?

Odd question.

Btw, I didn't like Sam Adams' "Noble Pils," either. It's NOTHING like any pilsner I've ever drank, but it is better than all the rest of thier swill that I've tried.

Bud Light Golden Wheat is a tasty little beer.
Not as good as SUNSHINE WHEAT, but less expensive.

BUd Light Wheat has similar ingredients to Blue Moon (orange peel and Coriander). Slightly different taste, but I like both. I Don't recommend Magic Hat or Tap Room no. 21, though...

Yeah, I agree with you Phil. I'm gonna do the gig...maybe I'll wear my gorilla mask on stage...

The reason for the Elvis question was this: My brother in law pulled out the song "A Little Less Conversation".

I've never heard it. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Elvis fanatic, but it's a pretty solid line of thought that if I haven't heard a 40+ year old song in my 39+ years, it probably wasn't popular.
I'm a firm believer that we, as entertainers, are responsible for putting on the best performance we can. Straight to the point, if I'm going to play 30 covers, then I'm going to pick 30 songs that have a high recognition ratio amongst my target audience.
I know this kind of debate has raged on here from time to time, but it's my opinion that if, in order to connect with my audience, I have to play "Margaritaville", SHA" or any other beaten to death song, then that's what I'm going to do.
On the other hand, if I really just want to alienate my audience, I'll play songs they've never heard (Why would I want to do that?).
Everyone I've asked this question to has come up with similar answers:

Blue Suede shoes
Heartbreak Hotel
Hound Dog
Suspicious Minds, etc.

NOBODY has mentioned "A little Less Conversation".

I appreciate all the input, and now I'm going to take it and shove it in my bro-in-lo's ear...j/k.

Sorry, Joseph, but "A Little Less Conversation" was one of his later hits, I do believe, & it was big in its time. Heck, they even covered it on American Idol for "Elvis Night!"

It should do well with the Elvis fans out there, & still be upbeat enough to get the attention of other ppl, too.

Sure, Phil...ruin my fun. Another reason I'm glad I don't watch American False Idol. (Elvis Night....EEEEYYYYYEEEEWWWW!!)

Well, they had Beatles night the week before...

I'll admit that "...Conversation" was released during Elvis' Vegas days, though, so it's possible you missed it.