When you’re a working band, you never know whether your next call is going to be a gig or a message from your drummer telling you he’s decided to leave the band for a project involving a performance artist who imitates furniture. Fortunately for Mab O’Connor, it was ABC television calling.
Several of us amateur musicians were gathering to play gospel music for a “dinner-on-the-grounds” next to a Southern Baptist church in a rural south Texas town. As anyone who has been around this church knows, we love to eat and don’t need much of an excuse to have “dinner-on-the-grounds.”
It’s the early 80’s - Parachute pants, Jordache jeans, narrow leopard print ties, men’s hair bigger than women’s and the last gasp of disco. No, that wasn’t the scary part.
I was hired to play a week’s worth of gigs in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina a couple of years ago. The management company set me up in some posh digs near the beach, and promptly left me on my own. - no car, no way to or FROM the gigs.
Having all the right equipment brings a sense of professionalism to your craft. It might also just save the day for you and your band mates. Bassist Joe Benedetto gives us a run down of practical items to bring to your gig.
Strangely enough, in our weird little following here in Chicago, the Maggots song keeps getting requested.
The following is what I would label “my most unusual gig:” Some years ago, our jazz trio played a wedding reception at Bay Point Resort down in Panama City, Florida. It was quite elaborate, with plenty of food and “fanfare.” We were playing outside under a huge tent next to the marina, where all of the million-dollar “vessels” were moored.
Last week, a lady caught on fire at a club. She leaned over the TABLE candle so her hubby could light her cig, and her long hairsprayed hair went WHOOSH! She was on fire. She wasn’t hurt, thank goodness.
You are never too old to rock and roll. Tracy’s empty nest project is playing bass for Drew’s Cruisers, house band for Jammer’s Bluenote Ballroom in Bemidji, Minnesota. This classically trained flute player is now playing songs by the Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.
Musicians can get a bad reputation if they don’t act like professionals. This article lists some of the things you can do to give a favorable impression when gigging, and ultimately, get you more work.