when im not on the road with johnny hiland, this is the stuff i like to play

[benderking]

So, as most of you know, i play keys/backup guitar on the road for the johnny hiland band...but when im not out with john, i play mostly guitar gigs around lexington kentucky. One of the groups i play with does some really cool broadway-nashville/classic country type stuff, which is what i mainly love, and we're 3 piece +singer(who does acoustic) so i get to fill the void with random pickin'.
the drummer brought a digital 2-track and put it on a table one night a while back. I have like 20 songs cut this way, and they all sound fairly good. The mix isnt bad for room sound. I'll admit that some of my sloppy pickin is due to:
1. my crappy guitar ability and 2. i had probably had a few drinks (not many...just a few)...but all in all these things turned out pretty cool, thus i figured i'd post an example of what i do, outside the johnny band. I have a bunch of this stuff so if anyone wants more let me know...got stuff like workin' man, trouble, some dwight yokam stuff, some more waylon, hank jr, etc. (standard stuff.....plus pretty much the entire don kelly set, lol)

*************************
EDIT********************

I've fixed the d/l problem (see my most recent post at the bottom of the thread)

HERE THE FILES :
Workin man': http://www.mediafire.com/?jk2hua1y5qt
Tulsa Time: http://www.mediafire.com/?mlwyyjiitr7
Swingin' Doors : http://www.mediafire.com/?czch7qm6vz4
Please Please baby: http://www.mediafire.com/?ibfqtkrltpw
Little Sister: http://www.mediafire.com/?ibfqtkrltpw
Ramblin' Fever: http://www.mediafire.com/?oetxtqzlxyu

take care,
solon smith

[Joe Gagan]

would love to hear it ,, but

the link loaded two separate pages, one was a medical products website, the other was a wealth building system.
waited more than 20 seconds, no music ever came up.

try soundclick, or even youtube if you want a better way

[e-merlin]

I didn't get to check the music, but I'm guessing if you're backing up Johnny Hiland, your guitar skills are not lacking...

[marksound]

Sounds good to me. IMO, you play a lot better than most so-called lead players I've heard. I'd like to hear more. :)

[soltwanger]

wow awesome!! that is amazing stuff, you work in/around nashville then when you're not on the road?

i want to hear more!

[benderking]

thanks for the kind words guys. im looking into a better data hosting system so stuff will be easier to listen to. I think someone said they "never heard music"....and after doing it myself, the way it works is you click the link, wait about 30 seconds, then download the Mp3.....it doesnt autoplay. I'll get this remedied when i switch to a better filehost....can anyone recommend a good one?

I have A LOT more of this, so i will post more when i get time.
As to what i do when im not on the road with john and not playing my own gigs....im a medical student at UK. hheheh....yes, i have NO freetime. Im either pickin' or schoolin' or both (studying at a gig)

for those of you in nashville, im pickin' with john at summer NAMM this comming weekend, and we're doing the "fuel" concert for peavey friday night.
come on out!

take care,
solon

[Mark N]

"1. my crappy guitar ability "

I wish I had just an ounce of your talent! Awesome playing!!! Please, please post more when you get a chance for sure...LOVE IT!!

[Lobstapickin]

Sounds great Solon! Say hey to Johnny from his Maine brothers...

[tjs]

Very cool man!

[mattaslacker]

Wicked Awesome!! Great recording and playing.

[robt57]

Uploading.com=popup fest. And it gets right past my pop up controls. Whew!

[hal]

I got Ramblin Man off your my space. Tell about your Tele and your rig. I want to know what you use to get that fat tone(other than the dropped D). Thanks.

[91xlntS-3]

Had to go to your myspace to be able to hear your tunes, but it was worth the effort! Great stuff! +1 on your rig set-up.

[psychotelepathic]

How ON EARTH did you learn to play two instruments so damn well? You must have some serious musical genes in your family.

[Flat357]

Originally Posted by benderking

thanks for the kind words guys. im looking into a better data hosting system so stuff will be easier to listen to. I think someone said they "never heard music"....and after doing it myself, the way it works is you click the link, wait about 30 seconds, then download the Mp3.....it doesnt autoplay. I'll get this remedied when i switch to a better filehost....can anyone recommend a good one?

Try this one :

http://www.fileden.com/

It browses your file , uploads it , offers you different choices of links , then plays immidiately for the listener instead of them having to download . You simply have to log in at least once a month to keep your free acount alive , and they send a reminder out anyway .

Cheers

[Twangmeister]

Loved it! Great feel and a fierce attack. Thanks for sharing, Jerry!

[Tony474]

Solon, it's been good to know ya! That was terrific stuff and carried me back to Lower Broadway in my mind. Do excuse me while I go and attempt to steal your licks...

[benderking]

Ok guys,
Thanks for all the kind words! As far as my "ability"....you have to remember that i get luxury of having johnny hiland smack me in the ear-hole with notes everynight, so it was unavoidable that i steal some of his licks. I cant play them anywhere near what he can, but i do average.
i've uploaded some of those live tracks i had to another filehosting company (mediafire). At this point, you should be able to click on the song you want to hear and download it with no problems.

For those of you inquiring about my Rig, in those recordings i was using my Double bender tele. Its swamp ash(mid weight), nitro, and a r/w board. Pups are : duncan 5/2 bridge, duncan hotstack for strat middle, and a late 70's gibson mini-bucker (yes, turned backwards like brent's). I also have the blend pot like brent. Pedal board was Rc booster ->keeley comp->indyguitarist EQ -> dl4 delay-> volume pedal. Amp was a 70' twin, that has been blackfaced, with celestion g12 century speakers. Cables i use are the new Analysis plus (have to plug my endorsers!) I also have a new custom overdrive comming out via Farndurk pedals, its killer....dual channel, switchable OD. I cut some demo tracks for him to use on his website, and i have a copy of those demos if anyone wants those. In that demo i have a full description of my gear to get clean tones, and i explain literally every setting i use on the pedal with sound examples. Its pretty crappy pickin' on it, but even with my crappy recording setup/techniques i managed decent tone.


take care,
solon

HERE THE FILES :
Workin man': http://www.mediafire.com/?jk2hua1y5qt
Tulsa Time: http://www.mediafire.com/?mlwyyjiitr7
Swingin' Doors : http://www.mediafire.com/?czch7qm6vz4
Please Please baby: http://www.mediafire.com/?ibfqtkrltpw
Little Sister: http://www.mediafire.com/?ibfqtkrltpw
Ramblin' Fever: http://www.mediafire.com/?oetxtqzlxyu

[chicknpikr]

let me get this straight ..this is not John playin right?amazing stuff man ...really great!

[benderking]

Originally Posted by chicknpikr

let me get this straight ..this is not John playin right?amazing stuff man ...really great!

hahahahahah. Thanks for the compliment! No, john is much cleaner and faster than me.....im more of a rough hybrid style, where john's fingers look like water being poured on the fretboard. If you ever hear us play side by side you'll hear the DRASTIC difference....although i do steal licks from him.
Actually a friend of mine said i should put on a "robber's mask" everytime i play b/c i steal everyone's licks, lol. Im just trying to rob licks and find a place to put them. Sometimes learning the lick is just the half of the trick....you gotta have the knowledge when to execute said notes. Im still consider myself very much in the "learning phase". John is the master

take care,
solon

[nasonm]

Solon,
I'm lookin' forward to seeing you guys play all weekend at the American Folk Fest here in Bangor in 2 weeks. I'll be running the music sales tent so I'll probably see you at some point.

[unbridled]

NAME DROPPER!

I could say "I'm not on the road with Johnny Hiland right now" too! Of course, I never have been.

I'm also not on the road right now with Brad Paisley, Albert Lee, and Bill Kirchen. Just so ya know.

Just messing with ya. Great music, and thanks for the info!

[benderking]

Originally Posted by nasonm

Solon,
I'm lookin' forward to seeing you guys play all weekend at the American Folk Fest here in Bangor in 2 weeks. I'll be running the music sales tent so I'll probably see you at some point.

SWEET! come by and say hi! We're in GA this coming week, then up to Maine the following week, then after that we have something in TN called the "roll over dover" festival.......


hope to see you guys out on the road!

take care,
solon

[Chikpicker]

I'm not on the road with Johnny Hiland,either:)

My favorite "name dropping manuvor" is "shared the stage with"
That being said I've "shared the stage" with Patsy Cline and Hank Williams...all because I had a gig at Tootsies..lol