Is the Club scene as bad all over as it is in New England?

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 27 Mar 2001 6:42 pm

Even if you're just a hack,you can play around the smaller towns in Nevada and make a living.

There are casino bands playing every night of the week around here, but 99% of the time, I wouldn't go out of my way to see them. Many of them are bands from Reno or Salt Lake that make a regular circuit and show up for a week or so every couple of months. Rarely any steel, and all too often, we get the Winona and Barf imitators...now there's something. If you don't like the real thing, I wonder if you'll like the impersonator any better?

We had Forumite Jim Park play up here a few weeks ago, backing up Lacey J. Dalton with his band. That was a pleasant change for the better - both bands were very good.

The whole state economy is based on various forms of entertainment.

It can be a very strange place to live at times...

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 27 Mar 2001 11:59 pm

Just because crappy bar gigs where you get to play the 23 riffs along to the 400 tunes that seem to constitute the entire universe of musical expression are harder to find doesn't mean that there are no gigs out there.

The musical options available to musicians with an open mind, a bit of talent and a will to work hard are fantastic these days.

I gotta say I'm with Rayman on this one.

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 28 March 2001 at 09:44 AM.]

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 28 Mar 2001 8:24 am

Well, I'm leaving in an hour on a house-hunting trip to south-central Massachussetts. I hope you all are wrong (at least some of you, anyway...).

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 28 Mar 2001 9:52 am

Myron,

I am sorry for mis -interpreting your post.

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 28 March 2001 at 10:10 AM.]

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 28 Mar 2001 2:48 pm

Steve South Central are you going to the Webster Southbridge area or are you going to be nearer the Worcester area? If I can hook you up in the Springfield area let me know. And Myron I played that Durham fair a couple of times and we got hit with the tractor pull also. But we changed the stage times the next night and it worked out.However with the tractors going and the announcer blaring it is impossible to perform and be heard.

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CJC

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 28 Mar 2001 8:42 pm

Hey Joe, you can order Lonesome Brothers CDs from this site
Deisel Therapy and Swamptown Girl have a fair amount of steel on them.

As far as the gig situation, my summer calendar is looking pretty good now. Lots of fairs, town shows, and a few club gigs coming up.

Bob, yes Boomers is just a grimy honky tonk full of dance freaks with a loud DJ (louder than the band), but I've always felt that every opportunity to play on stage is a valuable learning experience. Even after 3000 gigs I'm still enjoying playing steel and still learning.

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www.dougbsteel.com

[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 28 March 2001 at 08:44 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 29 Mar 2001 9:01 am

In most areas, the bar scene is dead, and the private club scene is fading fast! As a young fellow musician (and classic-country lover!) told me last week..."We're seeing the end of an era..."

Sad, but that pretty well sums it up.

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 29 Mar 2001 9:19 am

But then, theres the, Kick Ass Rock Bands, who's phone never stops ringing.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 29 Mar 2001 10:07 am

yes Kyle there are kick ass rock bands but where is the opertunity for the Steel Guitars in these Kick Ass situations? I mean why have an instrument that is capable of being a certain musics signature instrument transformed into a 3000.00 effect that can be done with a 70.00 distortion effect. It's also true that the journeyman Steelers who are at the top of their devolepment can find plenty of work doing the newer music thus comes the questions where can the average joe or novice develope his skills? Playing with Rock situations that give the instrument as much spotlight as a roadie. I think not . It's the trenches and the smokey old bars that developed the elite we all respect.They didn't just go to Nashville and strong points and say here I am .Make hay while the sun shines.

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CJC

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 29 Mar 2001 10:28 am

There is plenty of chances for young players to get experience playing in the alt CW and singer songwriter scene. As a matter of fact there are not near enough steel players to go around.

This does involve actually leaving the house which seems to be beyond the capabilities of most of you guys though

Bob

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 29 Mar 2001 2:21 pm

Joe C. I think you misunderstood me, I was referring to the earlier reply to this post, where the guy comes on like Gangbusters, saying his Superband, is so much in demand that thier phone rings constantly, Most people today dont want to hear good music, They want the Kick Butt *&^% ! Steel Guitar is much too refined for them! Oh sure a few of them have a Steel, but would you ever hear [A way to Survive or Nightlife?]

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 29 Mar 2001 2:33 pm

Leave the house? Is that not why the club scene is dying,people are not leaving the house.Why should I leave something I paid for by having done the very music I defend. Bob H. when you get your 30+ years in the business,raise 5 kid s through school and 2 thru College all from being a Musician then you can put people down on this Forum.Take your candy while you have it and brag too us 5 years from now.( I say 5 because who knows if we will be around beyond that)

Kyle you are so right however newer arrivals on the scene, those that can't see the difference, been there done that so to speak are never going to appreciate that kind of music. But I respect what has to be played now to earn a living and Bob H is correct that a lot couldn"t cut it now.However there are a lot that still could if they liked the music enough to want too. P.S. Bob H. you could be doing the young players who are on this forum a great service by listing all the many places you described for them to sit in an develop their skills.
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CJC
[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 29 March 2001 at 03:03 PM.]

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 29 Mar 2001 2:39 pm

Joe! You & I are on the same wavelength!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 29 Mar 2001 3:17 pm

(Please take this good-naturedly...that's the way it's meant.)

Well, if RAYMAN can't make in in NYC, then he can't make it. They've got a zillion people and lumpty-thousand venues. I will agree that if you come across like Travis Tritt, or Garth, you'll find enough young-uns to keep an audience. And if RAYMAN wants to play that type of stuff, more power to him. (I did it once, too.) But I venture to say he would find all them lights out, and all that PA gear quiet, if he played a few sets of Ray Price, and Faron Young, and Mel Tillis. But playing what's popular isn't everybody's bag (just ask a grasser).

Some of us just want something different than the "highly compressed, distorted-guitar, pounding-drum, earth-shaking bass" type of music that's selling now.

And, yes Bob Hoffnar, I would go out of the house more if most of the alt-country bands, and singer-songwriters around here were any good. Us "older guys" who don't listen to most of the alt-country music, and local singer-songwriters have a reason...and it's the same reason that connoisseurs don't drink cheap wine. (We've finally learned what "good" is!)

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 30 Mar 2001 3:07 am

It Sucks all over the Country, not just in the NE. The Club owners don't want to pay anything and The Pickers are Cutting each others throats for these Low Paying Jobs which don't come along that often. I have one tonight in Hampton Virginia that won't buy my gas, in The Woodmen of the World Lodge. But these folks love country music and they hire bands on a regular basis. I find myself working more Benefits these days than I ever have before in my 43 years of picking. Its about the only way I can keep working and stay in shape musically, just for my own enjoyment, Sure ain't any money in it

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JCF (The Picker formerly known as Sleepy John)

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 30 Mar 2001 4:25 am

This weekend ushers in a new era for my band. We are booked Friday and Saturday evening at the Charles Town RaceTrack, located in West Virginia. I'm just not sure what stable we're suppose to set up in or maybe near the finish line. I might even have the opportunity to play a Frank Wakefield tune, The New Camptown Races, on my banjo!

Gary Lee

Corwin Colebrooke · Post by **Corwin Colebrooke** » 30 Mar 2001 6:12 am

Ames, IA has a decent club scene. There's the Maintenance Shop where I work that has quite a few national acts with local bands opening(sometimes headlining). This is my first year at ISU and have seen Hank Williams III, Lonnie Brooks, Nickel Creek, Son Seals, Superdrag, Nada Surf, and other well known acts there(Trent Summar and the New Row Mob are coming in a week). There's also the Boheme which has Open Mic Sundays and shows during the week. There's Peoples bar, but I HATE the 21 and over policy. I missed Junior Brown because of that stupid law(being 19 SUCKS). Des Moines has other clubs, but I haven't gone down there yet(too broke for gas and I'm usually at M-Shop).

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 30 Mar 2001 6:36 am

Donny,

OK now I understand.

The guys paying me money to play steel with them and the crowds of people that come to my gigs on are all into "bad" music. Its good to know that the entire world of music has just gone done the crapper and the rest of my life on earth will be one long bitter dissapointment.

Joe,
I have been gigging for 30 years myself. I wouldn't have it any other way.

It is extremly easy for guys willing to hump there gear around to find places to play.
I have offered advice and gigs to grumpy guys that like guys like to complain and all I get is excuses( Not enough money, too much driving, bad music....whatever)
Guys that like to play enough to put up with all the stuff you need to put up with are as busy as they want to be.
Really, don't worry about the young guys and the future of steel. There are plenty of them ( there is room for lots more ! )They are busy playing music, coming up with new ideas and having fun.

I know this from first hand personal experience all over the country and in Europe. You will not find these guys at steel shows. They have gigs !

Look up Greg Leisz in allmusic. The guy is almost as busy as Franklin out in LA. He is playing on more recordings than most of us have had hot meals. I'll bet most of us haven't heard of hardly any of the bands he works with.

Its a big world.

Bob

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 30 Mar 2001 8:10 am

Its easy to pick one guy out of the world, and say how great he's doing, but were talking numbers here. Donny! you are 100% correct!

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 30 Mar 2001 8:42 am

Kyle:Exactly

..... Bob this is something that has been gone over and over on the forum since I signed on.I have nothing truthfully against the new music except it seems a waste to listen day after day and witness the disapearing parts a Steel is allowed to play. True there is work but it is very hard to find a signature of the players doing the work. But work is work and money still talks. There was a time in LA where there wasn't enough musicians to fill the club stages. Now there are not enough stages for the Musicians to play.LA was a HotBED. Nashville ,Heck why even get into that.

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CJC