Smoke 'em if you got 'em!
 

I just started touring with a new roots country act and was stoked to find out that the venue we are playing in Memphis tomorrow night is a smoking establishment. Wow what a breath of fresh air! It will be like being back in America again. I love the smoky barrooms and honkytonks and their contribution to so much of the great music and culture of Americana.

A breath of fresh air... ironic!

I dont see whats so wrong with taking the smoke outdoors, though.

Smokey bars and honkytonks didnt contribute anything to music. Back in the day, almost everyone smoked, and anytime/anywhere because they were completely ignorant of the health risks. Im so glad just about all the places you gig these days wont allow it.

+1 I don't need any stinky gear

+1.

I hated all my gear smelling like smoke when I got it home. Blecch.

I dunno. I'm convinced that at least a small part of the mojo in old guitars comes from being cured in smoky bars for decades. Cig burn above nut? That baby was a player!

So can we falsify that mojo by hanging our basses in the meat smoker?

Mmmm. Meat bass....

I haven't done the research but if it will make an ugly new shiny white maple neck turn that beautiful golden brown aged color I just might try it.

I hope they allow cigars. Would love to get some pics of me playing my DB on stage with a big stogie! :D

Maybe this will attatch to the relic'ing fad... "It looks totally neglected and abused, and it smells like a dank and smokey bar!"

:help:

I would pay good money for a bacon flavoured P bass

+1

I won't take a gig if people are allowed to smoke indoors. If they want to pollute their lungs, that's their business but I don't want to be around it. I equate it to forcing alcohol down the throat of someone who doesn't drink.

Maybe experiment on a beater bass, first. Just in case.

While Im all for smoke-free bars, yes, that picture would be sweet.

I may have just started a new relic'ing trend. Make sure you guys are using hickory, and not applewood. Everyone knows the most mojo comes from hickory smoke.

That's a sig! LOL!

I agree

As a non-smoker, I like playing non-smoking establishments. As a musician, I'm not a fan. When certain clubs went non-smoking here, the crowds definitely fell off.

I live in a place where it gets cold during the winters; it may be different in a place where you don't freeze your ass outside off certain times during the year.

Those venue/bar owners should start thinking in terms of enclosed/roofed smoking patios and heaters.

Even in Summer it causes a fragmenting effect in the bar. Since smoking bans came around I notice that many bars have added bars outside on the deck and even maybe a fool on a stool or two. They are smart to do this of course because a good percentage of the clientele are in the smoking at any one time. I understand the aversion to smoke so many have and I started this thread in jest really but I think smoking bans have affected the gigs in more ways than just lowering numbers.

AHEM.......WHO gave you the inspiration with the phrase "cured in smoky barrooms?

I expect at least a small royalty if this pans out.

Oh and I'll definitely post a cigar pic if I can.

LMAO!!

To be honest with you even though I'm not a smoker, I found the change to 'no-smoking' few years ago somewhat off putting. The bars became too Disney-like. I've gotten used to it but I do know what you mean.