I've run into kind of a weird situation: One of my bandmates focuses on new country songs. It actually adds a nice mix to our set, but I question how much the audience gets into them. I know that we here on BM have debated the value of "Sweet Home Alabama" and similarly played-to-death songs, but the truth, IMO, is that those songs are recognizable to the majority of the crowd-and usually evokes a response.
I've also noticed that when we play songs that are in the charts right now, I hear crickets chirping afterward. Keep in mind that I live in a country-music heavy area, and the same songs we are playing get constant radio airplay. As a matter of fact, that's the precise reason that my bandmate picks them.
So far, I haven't seen the reaction that I thought we would get-and I'm not talking about one song, out of a thirty song set, there are probably five that are still pretty shiny and new. These are popular songs, but I just don't see the audience enjoying them.
I also worry about their longevity: I KNOW we are not going to be playing "Chicken Fried" next year.
Should I shoot down these new songs? I like the variety, and my bandmates certainly deserves to have input, but I think he is letting his personal preferences override what is our ultimate goal: Pleasing the audience.
Your thoughts?
I've also noticed that when we play songs that are in the charts right now, I hear crickets chirping afterward. Keep in mind that I live in a country-music heavy area, and the same songs we are playing get constant radio airplay. As a matter of fact, that's the precise reason that my bandmate picks them.
So far, I haven't seen the reaction that I thought we would get-and I'm not talking about one song, out of a thirty song set, there are probably five that are still pretty shiny and new. These are popular songs, but I just don't see the audience enjoying them.
I also worry about their longevity: I KNOW we are not going to be playing "Chicken Fried" next year.
Should I shoot down these new songs? I like the variety, and my bandmates certainly deserves to have input, but I think he is letting his personal preferences override what is our ultimate goal: Pleasing the audience.
Your thoughts?
