Cowboy boots, a Tele and beer equals....

The Snowman · January 3rd, 2004, 01:20 AM

big trouble at a bluez gig....

we were playing some slow bluez in E Major and then we changed the tempo on the next tune ang got kinda fast.....soooo Bucky started playing kinda country/bluegrass licks....chickin pickin, double stops...twangging away and the band followed my lead and the crowd went crazy...man, those Bardens came alive and the bridge pup was hot as H-ll.....
anyway after the set, the club owner asked us not to play country again and I got really upset....

I told the rest of the band that I would not play that club anymore ever....they agreed and we finished the gig...the crowd cheered us and many patrons commented on the great way we approached country blues....I even got nice complements from a few players that loved my Tele TWANG...

am I crazy or am I just a Tele PLAYER that will not compromise my Tele for anyone....

I have learned from this board that all things Tele are possible....

I have learned from this board that my Tele can do whatever it wants and I will follow suite...sooo if anybody wants that gig in Northeast Philly, take it...just don't wear cowboy boots, drink beer and definately...don't play a Tele...don

jimfog · January 3rd, 2004, 01:30 AM

What joint was that, Don?

I've never known a club owner that could tell the difference!!! lol

-Jim

Matt Hesley · January 3rd, 2004, 02:19 AM

Come to South Texas

Lots of places to twang away...

rebelern · January 3rd, 2004, 05:15 AM

we are a country rock/rockabilly outfit, we do a few regular blues festivals, we start em' out on a little 12 bars noodling , with harp tossed in, then we start sliding into the stuff we love, the band rock'n with Tele twanging , you know the rest, and before they know everyone is having a ball, works every time, and we have had lots of years together to get it right, and we wear cowboy boots, and drink beer too.

Ernie.

The Snowman · January 3rd, 2004, 11:10 AM

I have to admit that the guy was more than likely right...we are a bluez r&b soul band and really had no business playing what we did...I just got carried away and wanted to have some fun..thus the name FSB Band...F unky S oul B lues...anyway, even tho the patrons loved what we did, we were hired to do blues....I called the guy this morning and apologized for my my craziness and he was more than gracious...in fact he told me that he loved country stuff but thought that we played it in the wrong venue....I agreed and promised to keep my chops appropiate.....

anyway, the band had a ball, the patrons had a ball and I just loved hearing that stuff come out of me...never really played in a country band but I might be inspired to start looking into forming a new band doing some kinda original mix of blues, country, bluegrass...I guess that's what ya call it...

at any rate...all that matters in the end, is that my Tele has taught me again...to just let it flow.....later

btubbs · January 3rd, 2004, 01:30 PM

does playing music have a sign, like on the highway: "Now Leaving The Blues, Welcome to Country!"

It's too bad when a genre goes beyond being a description and instead becomes a straightjacket. It's not even like you played a Toby Keith medley or whatever.

Now, maybe you will want to play there again, but I don't see as how you did anything that needed to be apologized over.

Later,
Brian

The Snowman · January 3rd, 2004, 01:51 PM

I only apoligized cause the band really didn't want to loose the gig....afterall...the patrons and owner know me as The Snowman...a bluezman and I guess they were in as much shock as I was...really never intended it to go that route...but

I'm damn sure glad that it did....
later don

porklash · January 3rd, 2004, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btubbs

It's too bad when a genre goes beyond being a description and instead becomes a straightjacket. Brian

Yeah and club owners are often acting like a military junta or something, specially round the blues scene...sorry to say...
But if the crowd like it? Who cares about the owners?
I don´t want to play for club owners who acts like that.

Next time, it´s a band I´m enjoying they´re stopping from doing the "wrong" kind of music.

BTW,country and blues is not that far from each other in my opinion...

pEr

Silverface · January 3rd, 2004, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Who cares about the owners?
I don´t want to play for club owners who acts like that.

You can stand in awe of your own "art" all you want... but when it's all said and done, the owner signs the checks.

So when I play a gig, I certainly *do* care about the owner. He has this strange control over one critical item:

Getting paid.

porklash · January 3rd, 2004, 03:56 PM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverface

when it's all said and done, the owner signs the checks.

So when I play a gig, I certainly *do* care about the owner. He has this strange control over one critical item:

Getting paid.

I ment that I choose "my" owners and of course it was just my opinion...I´m in this for the fun and it costs me more than I get...

pEr

BadTele · January 3rd, 2004, 04:07 PM

A few random thoughts....

I didn't get the sense that the Club Owner was P.O'ed, he just asked that it not be done again.

The apology was well said, and well taken, I take it. I.E. We were having fun, it got a little off the tracks, Sorry." "Not a big deal, I actually kind of liked it. Just keep it on the rails next time." I didn't get the sense that it was going to turn into the sharks and the jets....

Sometimes, there's a mistaken impression that a club is a public place. It's not, it's a private establishment that the owner has invested a lot of time, energy, money and thought into, (anybody ever try to get a liquor license?). The biggest effort goes into what kind of club, who is he going to cater too, and what kind of band does he want to play there. If he doesn't stay true to that vision, his establishment runs the risk of being the place that people stop by and see if something we like is happening. Not a destination for good blues, (or country, kareoke, sports, etc.) A really savy one will know how to find a lot of room for art and variety within that vision.

Those moments are like the tabasco in a good gumbo. Small surprise like that will have the customers talking about it all week. Too much, though and you get painted as a country band. I saw Alex Chilton about a hundred years ago in Little Rock and it was an amazing show in a smallish club. He did a phenomenal rootsy, bluesy, left of center pop thing that only Alex Chilton could do. Then he whipped out Volare and people went nuts. But if he had followed it up with my kind of town, then it would have turned into some kind of cheesy cover thing.

Keep those things handy. Pull 'em out when you want that shot of heat. But know what kind of dish your serving up. Otherwise your gumbo becomes something that ain't gumbo.

stevieboy · January 3rd, 2004, 04:14 PM

Well of course it is the owners club etc. but it really seems silly of him to care that you played one tune a little out of the genre, especially if the audience enjoyed it--after all they're the ones who make it possible for the owner to sign ANY checks.

The Snowman · January 3rd, 2004, 04:39 PM

I definately was not professional...I make no excuses for myself other than I enjoyed playing the night away...BUTT we were hired to do a blues based gig.

Even tho the patrons enjoyed the tune, they really came to hear bluezy stuff....not that country can't be blues...definately is...especially the way I do it...(you country pickers would not call it country at all) and that's the problem in my mind...I am a bluez guitarist...always was and always will be..no matter what genre I do...the bluez leaks out...can't help myself and don't want to...

but the club owner was right in the assertion that we stick to the format...he's paying and as a pro..I have the responsibility to perform in a pro manner doing what I get paid to do....

unfortunately....I am getting paid to play the guitar and that's what I did...I'll go back and gig there again cause the band wants to...I am a member of the band and will support thier decision...

besides, to me it's all good....no matter what I play...the bluez is the roots, of my soul, my heart and mind and most definately...my wallet...later don

jimfog · January 3rd, 2004, 05:29 PM

HeyDon......just curious what joint in NE Philly you're talking about? Don't want to screw up and book my band there, accidently...........

We add LOTS of twang to our blues!!!

lol

-Jim

Paul in Colorado · January 3rd, 2004, 05:40 PM

Personally, I don't understand what the fuss was with the club owner, if the audience was digging it, having a good time and spending money. I've taken bands through weird twists of music that had little to do with what the band's "format" was. But it's usually because the audience is going crazy over it. No, a bar is not a public place, but a club owner hires a band to entertain his patrons and make them happy. If their happy, what difference does it make if you're playing polkas or salsa? Maybe I just have a wide brush when it comes to "music."
I also think that you did the right thing by calling the club owner. Did you figure out why he didn't want you to play country? Maybe he thinks it'll give his club a bad reputation. Some folks have a strong feeling for the image they want to project.

The Snowman · January 3rd, 2004, 05:52 PM

The club is actually in North Philly....the hood, it's primarily a black blues joint...with a following of patrons that like blues.....geeze....seems that all things being equal.....stereotypes really have no place in music...the owner was wrong to get upset on just one issue....
the Patrons loved what we did....he stereotyped his audience...we didn't....

(For Jim Fog) by the way...the club is on Old York Road...just south of Germantown Ave.....

I get in cause the band used to be an all Black band and has performed there many times thru the years....maybe 500 people in there and 3 white kats...me and the other guitar player....and the harp player....but it's a real cool gig....maybe you can join us some time.....don

jimfog · January 3rd, 2004, 05:57 PM

Cool.....definitely would liek to swing by....not REAL far from me (I'm in Mount Airy...right off of G-town ave).

.....I think I understand the "no-country" issue a little bit more now, Don......I thought you meant North EAST Philly.......Germantown/Olney, etc is NOT a big country area, in my experience!!! lol

-jim

January 3rd, 2004, 01:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	Cowboy boots, a Tele and beer equals.... big trouble at a bluez gig.... we were playing some slow bluez in E Major and then we changed the tempo on the next tune ang got kinda fast.....soooo Bucky started playing kinda country/bluegrass licks....chickin pickin, double stops...twangging away and the band followed my lead and the crowd went crazy...man, those Bardens came alive and the bridge pup was hot as H-ll..... anyway after the set, the club owner asked us not to play country again and I got really upset.... I told the rest of the band that I would not play that club anymore ever....they agreed and we finished the gig...the crowd cheered us and many patrons commented on the great way we approached country blues....I even got nice complements from a few players that loved my Tele TWANG... am I crazy or am I just a Tele PLAYER that will not compromise my Tele for anyone.... I have learned from this board that all things Tele are possible.... I have learned from this board that my Tele can do whatever it wants and I will follow suite...sooo if anybody wants that gig in Northeast Philly, take it...just don't wear cowboy boots, drink beer and definately...don't play a Tele...don __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

January 3rd, 2004, 05:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
rebelern Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Swampyville, Australia. Posts: 896	Hey Don ! we are a country rock/rockabilly outfit, we do a few regular blues festivals, we start em' out on a little 12 bars noodling , with harp tossed in, then we start sliding into the stuff we love, the band rock'n with Tele twanging , you know the rest, and before they know everyone is having a ball, works every time, and we have had lots of years together to get it right, and we wear cowboy boots, and drink beer too. Ernie.

January 3rd, 2004, 11:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	appreciate the response but I have to admit that the guy was more than likely right...we are a bluez r&b soul band and really had no business playing what we did...I just got carried away and wanted to have some fun..thus the name FSB Band...F unky S oul B lues...anyway, even tho the patrons loved what we did, we were hired to do blues....I called the guy this morning and apologized for my my craziness and he was more than gracious...in fact he told me that he loved country stuff but thought that we played it in the wrong venue....I agreed and promised to keep my chops appropiate..... anyway, the band had a ball, the patrons had a ball and I just loved hearing that stuff come out of me...never really played in a country band but I might be inspired to start looking into forming a new band doing some kinda original mix of blues, country, bluegrass...I guess that's what ya call it... at any rate...all that matters in the end, is that my Tele has taught me again...to just let it flow.....later __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

January 3rd, 2004, 01:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
btubbs TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: fairfield, ct Posts: 63	Since when... does playing music have a sign, like on the highway: "Now Leaving The Blues, Welcome to Country!" It's too bad when a genre goes beyond being a description and instead becomes a straightjacket. It's not even like you played a Toby Keith medley or whatever. Now, maybe you will want to play there again, but I don't see as how you did anything that needed to be apologized over. Later, Brian

January 3rd, 2004, 01:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	Thanks Brian I only apoligized cause the band really didn't want to loose the gig....afterall...the patrons and owner know me as The Snowman...a bluezman and I guess they were in as much shock as I was...really never intended it to go that route...but I'm damn sure glad that it did.... later don __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

January 3rd, 2004, 01:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
jimfog Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Age: 41 Posts: 226	What joint was that, Don? I've never known a club owner that could tell the difference!!! lol -Jim

January 3rd, 2004, 02:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
Matt Hesley Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 191	Come to South Texas Lots of places to twang away...

January 3rd, 2004, 04:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
BadTele Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 133	Now it's Art Vs. Comerce.... A few random thoughts.... I didn't get the sense that the Club Owner was P.O'ed, he just asked that it not be done again. The apology was well said, and well taken, I take it. I.E. We were having fun, it got a little off the tracks, Sorry." "Not a big deal, I actually kind of liked it. Just keep it on the rails next time." I didn't get the sense that it was going to turn into the sharks and the jets.... Sometimes, there's a mistaken impression that a club is a public place. It's not, it's a private establishment that the owner has invested a lot of time, energy, money and thought into, (anybody ever try to get a liquor license?). The biggest effort goes into what kind of club, who is he going to cater too, and what kind of band does he want to play there. If he doesn't stay true to that vision, his establishment runs the risk of being the place that people stop by and see if something we like is happening. Not a destination for good blues, (or country, kareoke, sports, etc.) A really savy one will know how to find a lot of room for art and variety within that vision. Those moments are like the tabasco in a good gumbo. Small surprise like that will have the customers talking about it all week. Too much, though and you get painted as a country band. I saw Alex Chilton about a hundred years ago in Little Rock and it was an amazing show in a smallish club. He did a phenomenal rootsy, bluesy, left of center pop thing that only Alex Chilton could do. Then he whipped out Volare and people went nuts. But if he had followed it up with my kind of town, then it would have turned into some kind of cheesy cover thing. Keep those things handy. Pull 'em out when you want that shot of heat. But know what kind of dish your serving up. Otherwise your gumbo becomes something that ain't gumbo. __________________ I could drink every day I got home from work, but then my wife wouldn't compliment me on how much my drinking has improved.

January 3rd, 2004, 04:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
stevieboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the valley Age: 57 Posts: 2,399 6 Photos	Well of course it is the owners club etc. but it really seems silly of him to care that you played one tune a little out of the genre, especially if the audience enjoyed it--after all they're the ones who make it possible for the owner to sign ANY checks. __________________ "One of the best bands ever. These guys were such perfectionist"--Youtube user comment

January 3rd, 2004, 04:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	Your all right but and that's a big BUTT! I definately was not professional...I make no excuses for myself other than I enjoyed playing the night away...BUTT we were hired to do a blues based gig. Even tho the patrons enjoyed the tune, they really came to hear bluezy stuff....not that country can't be blues...definately is...especially the way I do it...(you country pickers would not call it country at all) and that's the problem in my mind...I am a bluez guitarist...always was and always will be..no matter what genre I do...the bluez leaks out...can't help myself and don't want to... but the club owner was right in the assertion that we stick to the format...he's paying and as a pro..I have the responsibility to perform in a pro manner doing what I get paid to do.... unfortunately....I am getting paid to play the guitar and that's what I did...I'll go back and gig there again cause the band wants to...I am a member of the band and will support thier decision... besides, to me it's all good....no matter what I play...the bluez is the roots, of my soul, my heart and mind and most definately...my wallet...later don __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

January 3rd, 2004, 05:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
jimfog Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Age: 41 Posts: 226	HeyDon......just curious what joint in NE Philly you're talking about? Don't want to screw up and book my band there, accidently........... We add LOTS of twang to our blues!!! lol -Jim

January 3rd, 2004, 05:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,332 3 Photos	Personally, I don't understand what the fuss was with the club owner, if the audience was digging it, having a good time and spending money. I've taken bands through weird twists of music that had little to do with what the band's "format" was. But it's usually because the audience is going crazy over it. No, a bar is not a public place, but a club owner hires a band to entertain his patrons and make them happy. If their happy, what difference does it make if you're playing polkas or salsa? Maybe I just have a wide brush when it comes to "music." I also think that you did the right thing by calling the club owner. Did you figure out why he didn't want you to play country? Maybe he thinks it'll give his club a bad reputation. Some folks have a strong feeling for the image they want to project.

January 3rd, 2004, 05:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	Well...all things considered....(note to JimFog) The club is actually in North Philly....the hood, it's primarily a black blues joint...with a following of patrons that like blues.....geeze....seems that all things being equal.....stereotypes really have no place in music...the owner was wrong to get upset on just one issue.... the Patrons loved what we did....he stereotyped his audience...we didn't.... (For Jim Fog) by the way...the club is on Old York Road...just south of Germantown Ave..... I get in cause the band used to be an all Black band and has performed there many times thru the years....maybe 500 people in there and 3 white kats...me and the other guitar player....and the harp player....but it's a real cool gig....maybe you can join us some time.....don __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

January 3rd, 2004, 05:57 PM	#17 (permalink)
jimfog Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Age: 41 Posts: 226	Cool.....definitely would liek to swing by....not REAL far from me (I'm in Mount Airy...right off of G-town ave). .....I think I understand the "no-country" issue a little bit more now, Don......I thought you meant North EAST Philly.......Germantown/Olney, etc is NOT a big country area, in my experience!!! lol -jim