General Music Chat

Last year, you may remember, I gave up on starting up a duo after going through 2 more guys who didn't work out for one reason or another. I was running the open mic every week all summer and 2X a month into November, so that was all good.
I started a new craigslist ad in January. Anonymous this time. Heard from a few people I knew from open mics and knew we were not compatible, told them our styles didn't mesh. A couple of weeks before my Cancun vacation a new guy contacted me - again no music on line but I had him come over and we tried a few things. Our song seletion and playing styles mesh pretty well. I've been playing 6- and 12-string acoustic, he's been playing 6-string acoustic and electric on a few songs (low volume) so its made a pretty good variety of sound. Only drawbacks: he's really soft and mellow when it comes to vocals - and has to 'know' the harmony part before he can sing it, he just can't wing it; he's new to this area so has no bar or club contacts for gigs (and no local 'circle of friends' to drag to shows); and he lives about 30 miles away. So far he's been wiling to come to my place for practice, so the distance has not been an issue. In the meantime I've kept my ad going.
I was contacted by another guy the other day, asked him for link to his stuff online and got the old 'been in a band 25 years' line, but nothing recorded or videoed. Sent him my song list, he replies that he knows 80% of the songs. So he came over today. I knew right form the beginning it was not a good fit - his style is that of someone who has been playing solo for a long time, doing songs 'his way'. Really could or would not start playing along with me when I would start a song, would only try a harmony. Then when I had him start a few songs, every one was a 'solo' type song - Needle & the Damage Done, Harvest Moon, etc.
So I'm putting my foot down now - I said it before, but then always relaxed my requirements - no more auditions unless they've got music online!

Yes it's true me and mike have formed a duo. Ain't it great I play gee-tar and man-doh-lin with old mikey. yes people mikey does like it he really likes it . He even said our playing styles mesh. Our new Willie and Mike will be great!!! Come out and see us some time. mike is class act he really is. letting me come to his house for practice Hell I don't even have a house. Or a gee-tar for that matter. All I have is a harmonica so rusty I should have current tetnis shot to even touch it let alone play it. But I have no current tetnis shot and I do play it. It is diatonic and sadly only for key of Gb. and some of the draw reeds are bent and make wooshing sounds when I draw them. Not a good. But it does the job. Kinda like a two dollar hooker.

No one cares what you post, Kerry. Go away.

Today its the monthly meeting of Songwriters of New Hampshire, then tonight there's a big fundraiser show (6 bands) over at a club on Salisbury Beach. I know some of the players, so will be heading over to catch some of the show. A few weeks ago the organizer had asked me if I could do a early set, if needed, as he'd had 3 bands cancel out on him, but he managed to get some others to commit to it, so I'll just be hanging, drinking and taking some photos.

New Hampshire Songwriters Group?

Mike, I thought you're in eastern MA, no?

New Hampshire Songwriters Group?

Mike, I thought you're in eastern MA, no?

I live about 4 miles from the New Hampshire border! You don't HAVE to be from NH to be a member of SONG!

The Saturday night benefit show was fairly successful - not a huge crowd, but as many as could be easily fit into the small club. 7 bands played - I almost got the call to open the show when one o the bands' drummers had to cancel on Friday night due to hip issues, but they found a last second replacement.
My ears are still ringing, although it wasn't SUPER loud, it was the usual 'almost can't talk over it' level. All the bands were trios (drums/bass/guitar), one also had a lead singer. Guess that's the new way for these classic rock bands - pay is so sucky, that they'd rather sacrifice a little 'full sound' for a little extra cash in the pocket.
Made me realize I'm glad that I made the decision to not do this kind of band work any more. Half the songs were songs I played 30 years ago (better). *yawn*

Got contacted again by a guy trying to form an acoustic trio that includes drums/percussion (he's the drummer), low volume, but fun rock stuff. Waiting to see what happens with that one, but sounds promising.

Did I mention chicks dig my music? (Isn't that why we all got into music? ) Backing up a singer at the open mic this week, her playing partner and her split up a couple of months ago, and I played backup for her a month or so ago. Then at the other open mic I've been frequenting (place where I did my 'CD release party'), a singer asked me to play and sing with her. She's turned into my #1 fan on facebook!

I thought Kerry's fat wife was female? I did some research and this conduct does normally attach it self to males...

Talbot

Nope, I can't delete anything. That's admin doing it. I bet your momma is ashamed of how you ended up.

what's really sad is the amount of time you waste on this holy crusade of your's to be a disruptive as$.

despite your best but childish efforts to disrupt....no one's going anywhere...the site is still here and people continue to talk music and politics here. or haven't you noticed?

are you too stupid to realize that you've accomplished nothing but wasting a great amt of your time? do you REALLY have no better ways to while your time away?

what's really sad is the amount of time you waste on this holy crusade of your's to be a disruptive as$.

despite your best but childish efforts to disrupt....no one's going anywhere...the site is still here and people continue to talk music and politics here. or haven't you noticed?

are you too stupid to realize that you've accomplished nothing but wasting a great amt of your time? do you REALLY have no better ways to while your time away?

No, he's got nothing to do until his mommy calls up from the basement for 'din-din time".

Update on my gig situation, Mike.

Member #3 dropped out Monday after the Sunday rehearsal.
That now makes us a duo. Me on guitar and vox, my partner on harp and rhythm guitar.
Downside? A LOT OF WORK for me!!
Upside? Better pay!!
We can pull it off, I'm quite confident of this. This guy is a SUPER harp player and plays w/ a lot of passion!! My kind of bandmate! Good personality. Great salesman. A fun guy to be around. He's been playing for the last 3 years w/ some very talented guys so he's learned the ropes well. I think it's going to be a lot of fun!!
Also a good chance @ promoting my CD. If we jell well, I may start writing some more material to record w/ him. It will surely be in the 'Blues' genre somewhere. We locked up pretty tight Tues. night during a short meeting and I could feel it happening so I'm happy.

What was the 3rd guy playing - bass or percussion? I haven't heard back from the trio guy yet about getting together; the duo guy cancelled out on this week's practice, but we've got one scheduled for next week. I'll see what he says about cancelling - it's the 2nd time he's done that. I also offered to get together on the weekend, but he didn't go for that. With one practice a week, it's take 2+ months to get enough songs on the list to gig. I'm still hesitant about him because he lives 30 miles away. That's not far for folks in Texas, but it is around here!