Omaha/Lincoln guys

**Pacman** · #1 01-07-2011, 05:25 PM

Guess who might be coming to town. Go ahead, guess.

It's looking more and more likely that I'll be moving there this summer. I'll obviously be looking to gig, and possibly teach. I hear there's a pretty good scene there - anybody care to share some insight?

thanks

spade2you · #2 01-08-2011, 10:26 AM

It's an ok scene, but I think it's not unusual for a scene to talk itself up. Take my opinions with a grain of salt, but I think we might be at or near a saturation point. There are simply a lot of bands and only a given number of clubs willing to pay acts with lots of bands willing to work for free. There are still weddings and clubs willing to play jazz musicians and such.

Not a bad cycling scene, given the size/population.

JohnMCA72 · #3 01-08-2011, 03:47 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJyu7PBVQBU

anyonefortennis · #4 01-08-2011, 04:34 PM

Lincoln's scene is mediocre a best. One of the few places to play in town is next door to a building that recently caught fire and has been closed for 2-3 weeks so there will be a backlog of gigs there for a while.

Omaha has more venues but I agree with spade's 2 comments: saturated & self hyped.

If you are coming to L and need any pointers on workplaces, neighborhoods, etc feel free to PM me or ask here.

zachoff · #5 01-08-2011, 05:20 PM

Omaha has Saddle Creek & that's about it's only musical claim to fame as far as the rock side of things is concerned. I don't live there but used to and still have a lot of friends out there that I visit a couple times a year. However, I did see a really cool Misfits tribute band called 138 a couple years ago & that was entertaining. Anyway, it's not super booming, but it's not bad either. No idea about Lincoln.

**Pacman** · #6 01-09-2011, 01:16 AM

Interesting responses, especially after hearing from some guys that are there/just left there. I've been told I'll run out of weekends before I run out of work...

Anyone care to break the music scene down a little more? Where is live music happening? What kinds, etc?

spade2you · #7 01-09-2011, 07:43 AM

There may be plenty of gigs and I can ask around, but hard to say if you'd get the $ that you're used to getting.

Regarding teaching, this market is somewhat saturated, but I can connect you with someone who can give you a lot of these specifics.

anyonefortennis · #8 01-09-2011, 10:40 AM

Lincoln has a decent jazz scene led mostly by a couple of professors at the university. "History of Jazz" is a very popular course at the U of N and part of the class requires you to attend 3-4 gigs a semester and review them. Since it's a 300 level elective, it is always full and creates a good market for jazz musicians (even if some people are there "against their will").

The Zoo Bar in Lincoln is a very popular blues bar with a lot of traveling shows stopping in. Buddy Guy and Albert Collins have played there in the past.

Knickerbockers is the other place downtown where lots of regional rock, funk, hip-hop, and cover bands play regularly. That's the one I mentioned earlier that was next door to the building that caught fire. Appears to be open again now. If you go in and drop of a CD, chances are you can book a middle of the week gig there pretty easily.

Tons of open mic/coffee shops type gigs but I doubt you'd make more than tips there.

My personal favorite music store in the region is Russo's in Omaha, Dietze comes in second.

spade2you · #9 01-09-2011, 10:48 AM

Dietze would probably be one of the better options for teaching, although they generally have a lot of teachers at any given time. I think they generally let their teachers keep their student fees or a big chunk of it since students will generally spend enough $ in the store to make it worth the while. I know Russo's charges the students, but pays teachers perhaps a little less. Dietze has Omaha and Lincoln shops.

spade2you · #10 01-09-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJyu7PBVQBU

That was some hilarious #$^$!. I think the real story is that the band tried to stiff the other bands from the door $, but it didn't help that the owner was perhaps a little drunk. However, I think the band and the bar owner are crying a river of he said she said BS.

**Pacman** · #11 07-22-2011, 03:45 AM

well gang, 3 weeks and I'll be in town.

I guess it's time to start planning the mid-west GTG....

thumpbass1 · #12 07-22-2011, 05:22 AM

Well we Nebraskans welcome you to the state and the cities of Omaha and Lincoln. The gig scenes depend on what genre and category you go after. A lot of folks who strive for full time are doing it by teaching, and taking all the gigs they can. Across the river from Omaha in Council Bluffs Iowa they have casinos that do bring in some touring acts as well as giving gigs to some local and regional talent every so often as well. Sadly the night club and general venue scene ain't what it used to be like it was in the past for bands getting gigs, yet there are still gigs to be had if one does the work to find them. Omaha and Lincoln each have a Guitar Center along with some still healthy independent musical instrument dealers. I hope your experience in our state proves to be a good one.