How many of you give insight on the song you are about to play to the audience?

Meaning, if you are about to play a Waylon Jennings song, do you say to the audience "This song was a big hit for Waylon back in 1974, blah blah blah." Or if doing an original do you say "This next is an original I wrote about my daddy" or whatever. Whenever I do this it seems like half the people are saying in their heads "who the hell is Waylon, hurry up and play something". Some nights I don't do it for whatever reason or another, and I've been accused of ignoring the audience. What do you guys think? What is proper bar band etiquette? Is it O.K. just to say nothing and let the music do the talking?

Whatever is applicable at that given moment is the right thing to do.

play fast songs... except once in awhile play a slow song. Less talk from the bandstand, the better, be happy, smile, be friendly, say "tip the bartender" recommend the pepper steak and thank them for coming...

if they are drunk and happy, okay, ask them to tell you they are having a good time...

most people aren't that crazy about the history lesson...

I like hearing stories about the songs

i remember listening to this album back in 1974.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/hekawi/liverhymin.jpg

this wasn't long after Paul Simon had gone solo, and i think he was accustomed to Art Garfunkel doing all the between song talking. at one point on the album, an audience member shouts out: "Say a few words!"
to which Paul replies, "say a few words. well, let's hope that we continue to live....." that's it. awkward silence for about 5 seconds, then thunderous applause. he did later give a nice little introduction to the South American group Urubamba that accompanied him on some of the songs.

coming from the audience point of view. banter can go either way. I enjoy history like that. And stories about the songs. Most people don't.

Yeah, I like hearing a little bit about a song - especially if it's an original. But after 59 seconds or so... shaddup & play!

Yes, if appropriate. But be careful not to do the same thing again for the same crowd for the same song on a different night. That can get tired.

I find it helps in a situation such as when you are asked to play a song you don't know. You then can say you'll play another by the same artist that you do know and use a historical tidbit to redirect the focus and buffer the situation.

It also helps me for songs I'm tired of playing, to learn a new piece of info about it keeps me inspired.

Just don't do it before every song.

If you have a loud bar audience, they aren't going to care or hear much of anything unless you set it up correctly. You keep people's attention by asking questions.

As an audience member I prefer more playing less talking. So as a performer I do what I like. Our other guitar player likes to tell a whole story and it drives me nuts. After our first song she even likes to tell why our band is Rockin Blues Experience (we are a mix of rock n blues:roll:)

If it's a cover people will know what it is, and if it's an original nobody will know what it is. I will do what I think is funny banter. For "Stuck In The Middle With You" I tell people to look left/right, now this songs for you.

Now my wife loves more talking. Her favorite concerts are people like James Taylor or Kenny Loggins who give the whole backstory to every song.

The older I get, the less schtick I can take or give.

I like to talk less and play more too, although I didn't start that way.

You can literally run an audience out with talking if you misjudge their patience, enthusiasm, or maturity level.

I'm basically a folkie, so intros are a good thing.
Keep it honest, direct and brief...folks usually enjoy knowing where a good song came from!

I try not to, though I am wont to tell who wrote the songs I do.
I find no one gives a fat rat's a**.
I'm less than charming sometimes, and I try not to prove it.

I talk a lot on stage. Think Dave Grohl on stage. I'm a good frontman. The key is to keep it kinda short unless you have a banter going with an audience member and it's entertaining everyone else.

I used to give some insight to original songs and what they're about....but I kept getting looks of horror from the audience.

I'm kinda old and senile, so sometimes it takes my brain a few seconds to "switch gears" from one tune to another. I also have to "switch gear" between some songs (different guitar, effects patch, tuneup, etc), so I don't mind the singer working the crowd a bit-within reason of course.

In our duo back in the early 80's, we often had to fill a few seconds with banter as I brought up the next drum machine setting. In some venues - such as the Sandman Inn lounge in Kelowna - the banter was appreciated. In the biker bar in Castlegar, however, I just changed the settings as quickly as I could.
Some nights, the crowds were happy to sit back and listen and would often join in with the banter. On other nights, the crowd wanted to dance all night, and we didn't want to slow them down.

So basically, it just depends. Experience will help you learn when to do it and when not.

The older I get, the less schtick I can take or give.

I like to talk less and play more too, although I didn't start that way.

You can literally run an audience out with talking if you misjudge their patience, enthusiasm, or maturity level.

+1

I like an occasional short blurb, "Table 7, your pizza is ready. ... This next one is for kid in the back."

When the explanation for the song is longer than the actual song, yooooou just might be a redneck! :!: Just kidding.
I do like me some Stories Behind The Songs.

98% of my audience doesn't care about anything but trying to get laid anyhow, so...why slow the momentum with my babble?

play fast songs... except once in awhile play a slow song. Less talk from the bandstand, the better, be happy, smile, be friendly, say "tip the bartender" recommend the pepper steak and thank them for coming...

if they are drunk and happy, okay, ask them to tell you they are having a good time...

most people aren't that crazy about the history lesson...

I kinda burnt out on the folkie thing where they have to tell a 10 minute story between every song, mainly so they can re-adjust to another alternate tuning. Promote the venue, you own band, tipping the bartender, waiter/waitress, etc, but keep it very short!

All great responses. The reason I asked the question in the first place was because our now ex-drummer would get on my case and tell me things to say. I couldn't stand this. Then he would take the initiative to run his mouth into the mic about whatever crossed his mind, like "we're drinking whiskey up here". Even more annoying. I would prefer to say as little as possible, just needed some affirmation that it is not rude.

I have some stuff that I've been using for years, just a few words between songs here and there, but some songs just dont need it and you lose your momentum if you talk in between them.

I always know the drink/food specials in case someone has a problem. or I can make up something on the fly, but like several people already said, a bunch of jabber between every song gets old quick!

Sometimes you get a group right down front who want to interact and then you HAVE to stand there and shoot the breeze between every song, but as a rule there is a place for between song chatter and you just have to feel for it.

I have a bass player who cannot leave a thought unexpressed. Luckily he's witty and funny. He riffs off of what I say and it sometimes goes off in a totally different tangent that's usually pretty funny. But we keep it short. I do introduce some of the songs we play. When we do "Connection" by the Stones I just say "Here's a song about why Keith Richards is so well perserved." And go right into it.

Definitely, but I try to incorporate the jibber-jabber into the intro to the song. For example, while the band is vamping on the C, I always go into a little, "This here's a song about my girlfriend Sally. You see Sally just looooooves to ride around in cars. But she's particular. She won't ride a Buick. Aw no. No, she won't ride a Mercury or Cadillac neither. In fact, there's only one car that will satisfy my girl. And that's why they call her............." You have to time it just right, but it always goes over real well.

We sort of work up some snappy stage patter for guitar changes and tuning.

If you need lines go see Fred Eaglesmith. I take a notebook.

There are folks out there with the charisma and intuition to pull off long-winded soliloquies between songs. But in my experience, "less talk... more music" is almost always a better way to go.

I like to say something once in a while. That way some people actually notice that there is a band. Honestly, I play guitar so loud that when I stop and talk it's kind of a relief for the crowd. And by crowd I mean the 3 drunks and 4 waitresses.

I don't think anybody needs to say anything about sweet home alabama, sweet home chicago or sweet georgia brown.

One thing that dives me nuts is when somebody only knows: here's one by Billy Bob Jeeters from his brand new album. And it's an old Merle Haggard song that Dumbo the Singer thinks is a new song. Get it right or shut it up.

I usually say "This one'll get you runnin' for the door" and start the song.:lol:

Talking to the crowd can be fun and entertaining, but a little goes a long way, IMHO.

One of the bands I play in does mostly originals (several writers in the band) and one of the guys always insists on telling the crowd all about his songs, including who he wrote it for, what it's about, and what the 'message' is. That always bugs me. I figure a good song should stand on its own without a lot of explanation.

You can always just say "this ones in A" and turn it up.

I like to say goofy things like "this one's a love song" before going into some bloodthirsty punk tune, or "this is off the new metallica album" before doing some honkytonk tune.

if it's a drinking song i usually do say "this is a drinking song"

That makes no sense. They are ALL drinking songs.

I don't mind a brief intro. Clearly people like to hear back stories about songs. There's a whole VH1 series about it (Storytellers).

I'll go out on a limb and say people haven't been drinking as much when they watch vh1.

In the right venue it can be okay, but it's best to be aware when it's not the right venue--or if you're just not good at it. A singer/songwriter I used to play with would spend several minutes muttering vaguely about the backstory to each song, often without giving any real information or insight. It slowed down the set tremendously and generally alienated and annoyed the audience. He's since stopped doing that so much.

I went to a private party last night at a restaurant for my friends 50th Bday. They hired a solo guitar/singer. He played three hours straight.... and he didn't say a word. He did not introduce one song, he did not have any clever quips.

And ya know what? People danced, and sang along, and cheered every song he played.

Guess what else he did? He read lyrics off of an iPad on a stand :shock:

And ya know what? Yep... All them people danced, and sang along, and cheered every song he played.

The whole party was about 60-70 people and most times there were 10-40 people dancing. I overheard several times through the evening, "this guy is great!". And he never said a word :cool:

Look up Robert Earl Keen. If he didn't talk between songs the crowd would riot. I've heard him tell a story to set up a song that took a good 10 minutes to tell.

I like hearing a bit of talk, but no more than about 20 seconds. Then it gets kinda boring. Unless you're the man at talking.

btw, just noticed the "Jimmy Row" handle.

Hey now...

It entirely depends on the gig. In a noisy bar, just keep the music coming. No one wants to here little tidbits of info. Interjections are mostly a short sentence or a simple one line joke. If you are playing for a listening audience some anecdote or story might be a good thing.

I do sometimes talk between songs, depending on the crowd. Or if someone is trying to tune up or something.

Sometimes I'll tell the name of the song, and who wrote it.

But no, never a story about the song itself - the song is supposed to tell it's own story, right?

I would say as a spectator, I think it is proper and right at some point to intruduce each and every band member. Other than that I prefer to hear the music. Never bring your personal life stories into the mix. I care about as much about their life as they do of mine. One liners are fine.

I try to introduce the band at least by the end of the 2nd set. That way we know each others names before the night is over. Sometimes though I just don't care who they are and don't ever introduce myself.

QfzDUpB88x4

wrote a song 'bout it.

I still say that to this day.

I just play the song. If people like it and applaud, I might say something afterward, like- "Thanks a lot, that was an old Waylon Jennings tune, glad you enjoyed it!" And then on to the next number.

Never, ever, under any circumstances, introduce an original song at a mostly cover song gig. In these instances, the words "This next song is an original" or "we'd like to play you one we wrote" is a foreign language. People interpret this language as "We're about to be bored to tears, let's go the bar for a drink" or "let's go have a smoke", or "be back in a minute, I've gotta take a leak", or any other excuse they can think of NOT to listen to you.

Treat it the same way as above. Just play it. If people dance, enjoy it, and/or applaud loudly, THEN tell them you wrote it. But wait 'til after you've snookered 'em with it. Telling them before hand will only chase them off.

The exception to this rule is when you're playing original music, in an original music room. But then, you don't have to tell them, they already know, and they came to hear original music.

All of this advice on originals is null and void if you're in a room where people are requesting your originals.

The only time I give a short talk, or a history lesson about a song, is when it's one of my songs, and I'm doing a songwriter gig like an "in the round" thing, a writer's showcase, or a very small and intimate show like a house concert. People seem to like that sort of thing in those settings, in the bars they don't. Even then, avoid getting carried with it. When I first started writing as a kid, I always felt the need to explain my songs. My dad, who was great writer, used to stop me. He always said "Son, a song is like a joke. If you have to explain it to everybody, it's not a good song." He was right, and I've never forgotten it.

There are tons of ways to interact with the audience without talking about music. Talk about how it's Friday, and you can all finally relax and have a good time. Everybody can relate to that. Find somebody who's a good sport, they're easy to read if you know what you're doing, and make them the butt of some funny stuff. I once used some poor guy in a pink shirt as fodder for my stage banter all night long. The place was rolling. The weather's good too. Or talk to the guys about good looking all the girls are in this place, and why don't they ask one to dance? There's a million things you can use to interact with a crowd, without ever giving them a music lesson.

Sometimes, the banter takes care of itself. I was doing a show a couple of months ago, for a nearly full house at an original music venue. Three acts on the bill, I was the middle one. I'm up there doing my thing, and there a small group of people right dead center in front of the stage, talking LOUDLY, and messing with their phones, generally being incredibly rude. Now, I don't much care if a erson is not into my music. Not everybody is going to like everything, and that's cool. But why stand dead nuts right in front of the guy singing and act like an idiot, when there's other places in the club you can be if you don't like the music? In between songs, I just stopped and stared at 'em. When they finally figured out everybody in the room was looking at them, they got real quiet and looked at me. So I just asked them if it was gonna be necassary to come to wherever they were working Monday morning, stand in front of their desks and yell stupid sh!+ while they were trying to do their jobs. They all disappeared, and I got a huge round of applause. Rest of the show went great.

I try to introduce the band at least by the end of the 2nd set. That way we know each others names before the night is over. Sometimes though I just don't care who they are and don't ever introduce myself.

:lol: This cracked me up. I've had some of these myself. And other's where I sure wished afterward I'd never told 'em my name.

I tell 'em I'm you. That might explain some of the emails you get.

I have had nights where at the end I have no idea who at least one of the guys is.

I tell tales about the songs or do not depending on my mood and the spirit of the night. Our piano player once wrote me a setlist with notes on where to talk (he's also an acting teacher) but it just didn't feel right. My drummer also told me to tell more about the songs. Anyway, I find myself talking less lately cause most nights my impression is taht nobody cares for it anyway. I never miss introducing the musicians, though ...

I tell 'em I'm you. That might explain some of the emails you get.

I have had nights where at the end I have no idea who at least one of the guys is.



The last pickup gig in Nashville I did was like that. Singer guy hired me, told me where to be and when to be there. He was a really nice guy, and I really enjoyed working with him. The rest of the band? I couldn't tell you one name. They weren't overly friendly, and kind of kept to themselves. At one point the drummer commented that he really liked my guitar, and the bass player shot him a look like "What're you doing? Don't talk to him!". Gig went well though, I had a good time.


That actually does explain a lot about those emails... I usually just reply pretending to be a Nigerian prince.

I sometimes start Hank's 'Move It On Over' with "This next one's a time-honored story about a man and his dog." One of my buddies usually adds "Thanks. We wrote that one." to the end of a random well known cover. It occasionally gets a laugh. Other than the odd one liner, we keep the chit-chat to a minimum.

The last pickup gig in Nashville I did was like that. Singer guy hired me, told me where to be and when to be there. He was a really nice guy, and I really enjoyed working with him. The rest of the band? I couldn't tell you one name. They weren't overly friendly, and kind of kept to themselves. At one point the drummer commented that he really liked my guitar, and the bass player shot him a look like "What're you doing? Don't talk to him!". Gig went well though, I had a good time.


That actually does explain a lot about those emails... I usually just reply pretending to be a Nigerian prince.

Yeah, he was right. It was a nice guitar.....and it looks like you owe me 1.2 million euros. My account number is br-549. Routing number is 8675309. Thanks. I'm buying never time you're down, your royalness.

Yeah, he was right. It was a nice guitar.....and it looks like you owe me 1.2 million euros. My account number is br-549. Routing number is 8675309. Thanks. I'm buying never time you're down, your royalness.

The check is in the mail. Please forward at my earliest convenience to our preferred secure couriers, as per your behest.

When I get it I will do the needful.

d'addario's on me, ya'll.

We watched one of our gigs on tape and were horrified at how lame and long the patter was between songs. Our new guidelines consisted of 1. Only one person speaks (we had been unintentionally competing for least funny band member) 2. Keep it to 15 seconds between songs
So far, so good

I try to keep it short, like typical one liners.

2 pet peeves

1. Inside jokes that only a few people will get. You're there to entertain everyone, and if most of the people think WTF was that, you're not doing it right

2. Lengthy banter through the mic. Like when someone is up close to the stage and you're talking, but only you are through the mic. The audience only hears half the conversation, and it's lame. If you need to talk to the person, do it off mic. If they don't need a mic to talk to you, then you don't need one to reply.

Cheers,
Doug

Only one person speaks (we had been unintentionally competing for least funny band member)

This is always a problem for us too. I almost think part of a setlist needs to be who gets to talk when...and sometimes that includes "nobody talk". I've always noticed that bluegrass bands seem to be really good at this. Listen to old Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, et al shows...those guys were masters at introducing a song and band members!