How many musicians do we have here at LH?
Greetings, All,
In a recently defunct thread, Neanderthal asked me a question about my former life as a professional musician. I responded, and asked for his own story. Then, the thread, which actually had nothing to do with any of that, was closed, which was probably for the better. But, I am still interested in hearing Neanderthal's story, and also from any others of you that play(ed) music. So, I am copying the original post here, and would very much like to hear how many of you are musicians. How many of you have played music, professionally, at some time in your life? How many still do so? If you used to play for $$, do you still play music at all? If so, what kind? Please share your personal situation, fellow musicians! Thanks, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
Here's my own story:
Quote:
Originally Posted by neanderthal http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/i...s/viewpost.gif
Hi Doc....Just curious of your "professional musician career"...where for who? Thanks
Morning, Neanderthal,
Thanks for asking about it! Are you, or were you, a musician, too?
I played music in most all the clubs and hotels down in San Diego for many years. Went on the road for the first time in 1969, with "mixed" results. Later, I got into a traveling band, and for eleven months of the year, for five years, we were on the road, playing show and dance clubs, border to border, coast to coast. We eventually ended up working the Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Reno circuit, and opened for such acts as: Lou Rawls, Donna Summer, Roger Miller, Jimmy Buffet, Blood-Sweat-And-Tears, The Sunshine Company, Sopwith Camel, Taz Mahal (S/P), and many others. I ended my full-time career by playing in a house band (with very good friends) on the Harbor Cruise Boats, out of San Diego. It was a good career, and I miss playing music, quite a bit. However, I really did see some of the worst, along with some of the best times whilst so playing!! Drugs took a HUGE toll during those years, and even though I, personally, never indulged in such things (hell, I didn't even begin drinking BEER until I was 50 years old!:blink:), I watched many good friends die, and otherwise come to complete ruin, because of their choices back then!! Bittersweet memories, that's for sure. I played drums and sang lead vocals, both from behind my trap-set, and later as our front man/vocalist. I love Latin percussion, and play most of that stuff, too, as well as two horns. Tight vocal harmonies, and complex poly-rhythmic stuff always did it for me, especially when lots of good horns were added to the mix!! So, that's my story. What's your's, if you don't mind sharing? Take care, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc (who continues to "play music", only now, it's 18th century stuff, done on whistles, fifes, and flageolettes, at Living History events! Fun!!)
__________________
The only thing that can never be taken away from you, is your honor. Cherish it, in yourself, and in others.
In my business, which has nothing to do with music....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
doodlebug
Played in bands throughout most of the 70s, all of it on the weekends. Being in the mid-Atlantic states, we did a lot of the beach bars up and down North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia plus the requisite frat parties.
These were what I called 'show' bands, with the 4 singers out front and a full rhythm section of Hammond B3 organ, guitar, bass and drums plus a horn section. Lots of the Motown and funky stuff - heck, anything that sold beer and we'd play it. In fact, we got really good at marketing by showing a potential bar owner how much _more_ beer we sold at our last gig than the bar's normal take - call it a Beer-Business Model. We would run Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at some bar and sometimes fit in a frat party on Saturday afternoon. I spent lots of time traveling late at night, of course. I can tell you there are strange people that come out only at night and inhabit those Waffle Houses you see along the Interstate highways. Anyway, it paid the rent while I went to engineering school and worked at a stereo shop as the bench tech by weekday.
Later, I did the Holiday Inn/Ramade Inn circuit playing with a pared down version of the old band on the weekends with much the same material until I got married and put down the horn - sax in my case.
It was 27 years later - this decade - that I picked the very same horn I used back then and started playing again only this time its been jazz. Have played in a number of restaurant/bar bands in the last 4 years doing the old standards, which are quite a lot of fun. Its low stress and no travel. Heck, I'm even practicing again!
So, there you are: One hobbyist sax player.
Cheers,
David
I price my jobs according to man-hours. Does the music industry do the same. Five players plus roadies times a price per hour or some other way of figuring your charge. Most you ever made on one gig. Also, any good stories on trying to collect from a deadbeat bar owner, rowdy situations, etc.? Hope I'm not hijacking your thread, Doc.