Behind the Band

As some of you know I am in a Band. So many people don't see what goes on behind a band. Most think having a band, is all play and party. There is a lot that goes on behind the band. It takes everybody to make a band. A lot of hard work.

INSTRUMENTS

The right instruments are needed to make a proper band. Sometimes this can be difficult. Musicians who want to drink during the gigs, or on stage as well. Light up a cigarette while playing and maybe stick in the head stalk of the guitar. Musicians that don't want to show up for practice. Or just don't want to practice. Show up to gigs, dress any way they want, as if they haven't been able to have any decent clothing for 10 years, let alone knowing how to use soap and water on them. Not only do they show up to a gig dressed any way, they might show up, not washing up as well. Such us, doing dry wall work that day, show up with the mud on them and their clothing. "Hello" "Do we know what soap and water is? Oh, by the way, a comb is nice!" One musician, I don't think he washed his hair at all. I mean he hasn't washed his hair in months, looked like a rats nest.

MUSICIANS

Some think that you are so desperate for a musician, that musician think they can call the shots. Turn your band into his or hers. One in particular that was hired, thought he could play his songs, at will. When his type of music did not fit our band at all. By the way, he was hired to play for us, not us for him. Then there are some, that will come up and say, "Hey, can you change your dates, I am with this other band now, and they want me for those dates." After he made his commitment with us. What??? You are out of your tree Dude. And of course there is this ol' line, a female singer wanted turn our band into hers, said, "You don't know what you are missing". Come on! Singers are a dime a dozen. And we didn't need a singer to begin with.

WEEKEND WARRIORS

We have to contend with musicians too, what we call Weekend Warriors. Musicians that want to play a weekends, if they feel like it. They have no commitment. Commitment, is not in their vocabulary. So therefore, they don't know what the word means. Not sure, maybe its another dirty word?!?! This is a musician that should stay with Jamming.

One we were working with, training to be in our band. We presented the dates to him. Then he said, "If I feel like playing and don't have anything going." What?! After we put work into this person. Not to mention getting the chord sheets up for him.

DATES

Are getting harder to get. The economy has hurt everything and everyone. I should say paying dates. There are so many bands out there that are playing for their tips, drinks, and/ or food. This is very hard to compete with. It doesn't matter what the talent is, if they are willing to play for free, these establishments jump all over it. One restaurant, the guy bragged to us about clearing $2500 a Friday night with out a band, then has the nerve to actually ask us to come in for free, not even give us drinks, or food. Number one, we don't play for free. A lot people go to this restaurant and think the establishment is paying the band. Talented bands are competing with Wanna Bees, sorry, they really belong in the Sunday Jam Group. Some of you know what groups I am referring to. These people don't have any kind of organization, stage presence, or any songs ready to be played. They are standing there asking one another, "Brian, do you want to sing something? How bout you Susie? Do you all know this song? What Key? " These people get together every so often, maybe practice. Oops, I said the dirty word again, Practice. Wash my mouth. But they are being allowed to come into places, because they are playing for FREE. Doesn't matter if the customers like them or not.

PLAYING FOR FREE

Speaking of Bands that go into these places to play, for free, drinks, etc, need to step back and look at what is going on. Wow, this place is full, and people are buying. Ok, and the band is not getting paid? There are good bands out there that are doing this. Think about this. This is a job and yes, you love it. But isn't it nice to get paid when you do a job? You might be thinking, playing for free is going to get you stardom, think again, there are millions like you, thinking the same thing. Also, is this what you think your are worth, you and your talent? Once again, Think about this.

I have seen talented bands walking around, playing on street corners. Its sad. I have known several people who gone to certain areas in the country, being led to believe its the place to go, and there is opportunity. These places are nice to visit, and that's it. We have friends that live in these areas, that are musicians, will tell you, these areas are not what some say they are. Key word, Musicians, not residents of these areas.

THE WORK.

We practice (that dirty word again) every week, 2 to 5 times a week. I have to do research on songs constantly. Sometimes certain songs are very hard to find. Then type them out. The leader, then has to put the chords on these sheets. We work on the song/songs till we got them right and the way we like them. It's not always easy getting the song right. I, most of the time have to listen to the song so I can get it right as I am typing them out. This is time consuming.

PROMO PACKAGES

This takes time and money. Pictures are taken, which I am the band's photographer and editor. So that helps. Letters, song lists, pictures, bio, and a CD. Not to mention, running to the post office to weigh and mail this package. Or we may hand deliver these packages to the establishment. The establishment has asked for the Promo Package, having no intention in hiring the band. Instead of saying, they are not interested.

THE GIG!

We try to rest up before the gig. Most of us don't have roadies. So we have to do the set up ourselves. Setting up the speakers and the stands, the lights, mic stands, mics, P/A system, drums, guitars, percussion and sound check. Tuning the guitars and drums are needed. Sound check can take about an hour, depending on type of area or building. The sound works different every where we play. Oh, got some time to change into our clothes, thank heavens.

ON WITH THE SHOW. There are always chronic complainers. "You're too Loud" "Not Loud enough" "Kick it up" Huh? Kick it up, when we are playing hard core rock n roll? I have found most of the time this is their way of getting attention to themselves. Oh yea, we have seen some very interesting things. But I won't go there, LOL.

AFTER THE GIG.

Everything we had worked to put up, we have to take down and pack it back into the Van. We head for home. We are so wound up after a gig, bad or good, we can't sleep. So we talk about what we could have done or not done. Or maybe just talk about how the evening or day went.

WE LOVE WHAT WE DO

Lead guitar player, always says, he is so thankful that God has blessed him with the talent he has. I love meeting different people all the time.

NEXT TIME

You see a band playing. Think about what is behind them. Please don't think of this, is their hobby. With some it is a hobby. But ones that are trying to make some extra income, or a living, its more than a hobby. Really its more than just the income to them too. These people have a gift to share, not a hobby. And its not always a party for these band people. After all they are people, each one with his or her own personality.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more that could be said.

Thank you to those who took the time to read this.

The American Flag

This it the 4th of July weekend...
The weekend we celebrate our Country.
We watch our flag fly over our country and our love ones.

When the men and women fell, the flag stood there for them.
Other cultures have tried to take this away from us. So far, it has failed. When our Men and Women died, the flag lived on.
When destruction came upon us, such as 9/11, the flag still flies.
Viet Nam, so many try to strip our soldiers of their pride. So many pointed their finger at these Soldiers when and after they came home. These soldiers still, stood proud of their American flag.
After a horrible Tornadoes ripped thru towns, such Joplin, Missouri. What did we see? The Flag in various places, or being replaced.
That flag is also invisible. So many of us carry that flag in our hearts. Storms, Mother Nature, Animal, or Man cannot remove that Flag from our heart. Why? Because it's our God Given Right. Thank God We have the Freedom. Amen.

Pretty Woman

I think about how I see people dress now. Maybe they have no mirrors, have not clue how bad they do look. Clothes too small, pj's, clothing that looks like the slept in them all night, or all week as far as that goes. Wear socks or bedroom slippers, as shoes.

I have always taken the time to look nice. People look at me as I am rich. Far from it. I like to look nice. Even if I am wearing blue jeans. Put on a little bit of make up and do something with my hair. I have always said any woman can look very nice, if she tries. No matter what size she is or how old she is.

It made me feel real good one day, when I had to see my attorney. She said to me, "You dress better than I do".

My sister and mother were my role models in how I dressed. I like to look nice and look like a woman. I am not ashamed to to say that. Others try to make those of us, who take the time and effort to look nice, feel guilty about it. Why do women have to feel guilty about looking nice or to look like a woman?

You do not need a lot of money to look nice. Just the time and know how. When we didn't have a lot money, I found a way to look nice. I made some of my clothing, as well as my children. I was careful of what I bought for material. Washing and maintaining your clothing properly is a major factor. Using an Iron once in awhile helps too. I know a few women who hardly have any money, but they look nice. Whether its blue jeans, or well maintained clothes, and a little make up.

If women want to wear nothing but sweats and / or T shirt. That's up to them. But don't put the woman down that looks nice. These women, that want to dress frumpy, don't like it, that's their problem. If they want to be lazy about their appearance, then that is how they will look. Its their Choice, as it is mine in what I wear. Don't ask a stupid question, "Why do you dress that way?" And really we are the ones that should be asking these frumpy women that. I always say, if you don't like what you see, look the other way.

Just because a woman looks nice, doesn't mean she out Man hunting. A woman should not be ashamed because she is attractive.