General Music Chat

Hey everyone. My name is Daniel and I'm a college student. I'm taking a Music Appreciation class which requires me to interview a professional musician. The trouble is, I don't know any! It also can't be a classmate. So, after some searching online, I figured I'd try asking a community of musicians if anyone is interested in helping me out. It'll only take a couple minutes and you'd be doing me a huge favor. The questions (provided by my professor) are as follows:

1. How long have you been in the music business and what is you training background?
2. What is your primary instrument or voice part?
3. How often do you perform? Describe a recent performance.
4. What type of preparation is involved in your performances? What types of decisions are involved? What musical style(s) do you perform?
5. Are you a full time musician or plan to be? What are the advantages or disadvantages of being a musician?

Don't forget to include your name and/or stage name, band name, etc. If you have any published albums or singles, feel free to mention those. Free self-promotion never hurt anyone.

But yeah! As you can see, it's pretty simple! I would be ever so grateful for your assistance.

Thanks!

1) Gigging pro for 32 years. After 2 bass lessons all self-taught. No singing lessons. Didn't need any. Actually started on harmonica but switched to bass because we couldn't find any bass players.
2) Primary instrument bass and lead vocals. Occasionally I sing back-up. I've been in a lot of bands where I was the only singer. Pain in the ass being a bass player/lead singer but somebody's got to do it.
3) These days 1 or 2 gigs a month if lucky. Rocked out Longbranch Steakhouse last Saturday, first tme there, one of the best blues gigs in town. Had a phenom saxophone player sit in with us, shocked everybody including me. Wasn't expecting such talent at age 17. Played with guys three times his age who can't touch him.
4) We rehearse as a band a few times before each gig. Each band member does various amounts of "homework" before each gig, some more than others. I rather insist on performing original compositions and covers, and I prefer doing the covers a little different than the original rendition. I'll never be in an all-cover band unless I occasionally fill in for a missing bass player. In the past I have done a few gigs just singing and playing harmonica, but that'll probably never happen again. I also don't attend jam sessions or host them. In the past I did but couldn't stand them. I like a few $$ in my pocket when done performing. I deserve it. The band I'm in now is primarily blues with a dose of rockers to mix things up, always four piece, bass, drums, guitar, and either saxophone or harmonica. The core of the band (me, drummer and guitarist) all sing lead. Nice variety and gives me a break from singing all night.
5). I've been offered a few full time band positions but turned them down. One would have been national, a few regional. I take care of an autistic adult son. Not fair to him for me to be away from home. Some things in life are more important than music. My stage name is fisherman bob, all lower case. I'm a little fisherman in a big sea. The current band I'm in is "All Over the Map," in deference to our lead guitarist/vocalist who put out a CD called "Angel" performed by a band called "All Over the Map" which in reality was himself multi-tracked on guitar and vocals. It's quite an accomplised CD. His name is Lowell Premer and all his tunes are on www.jango.com, an internet radio station. Log on there and search for Lowell Premer. We perform many tunes from that CD and THEY ARE A CHALLENGE. I hope to record my own CD within this next year. I'm ready and should have done it long ago, but crap seems to happen to me, some of it my fault, some just circumstance I have no control over.
The biggest disadvantages of being a musician have nothing to do with music. It's the lousy state of the economy. Too many musicians/bands trying to perform in too few clubs, managers and owners paying little or nothing because people are desperate to perform in front of an audience. Also, over the years, personaity conflicts, lots of them. Bands start sounding good and people quit at the drop of a hat and you have to start from scratch. Fortunately I've reached a level of proficiency where starting over doesn't take as long.
When everything clicks, which isn't often enough, it makes the hardships all worth it. You can check out the tunes on my profile page to hear me on bass and lead vocals.

This is perfect, Bob! Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it. It sounds like you've been around! Great stuff, and an interesting read.