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How do you shoot down song requests?

#101
I say we take requests, we just don't play them. Gets a laugh and gets us out of it quite nicely. Most of the time. Also helps that we mostly play crowd pleasers so the requesters generally stay happy anyway.

Will also often tell people their request is a great call and we'll learn it for next time, and to be fair, we have kept those songs in mind for future set building, especially songs that get requested again and again that we haven't got in our repertoire yet. I guess you could call this listening to your audience.

I know of at least one band in Ireland that has a phone number that people can text requests to during a gig and they have that number posted all over the venue. I love that. It also helps that this band has an enormous repertoire and are able to turn themselves on a dime.
 
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#105
Say "I'd have to consult the band … Trouble is, we're not on speaking terms. You know how it is. Wait and see. You never know."

Or,

Nod and point to the punter. Smile and announce the punter's request, before the next song,

"Now we're gonna do a request. This is a little song we all know very well, called Take it Easy."
​
Then just launch into the next song in the set. Don't bat an eyelid :ninja:
 
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#107
When someone would yell out songs, one guy I played with would say enthusiastically "Yeah! That's a great song!" then just start playing something else. His other line was "Write it on the official request form, that's a $100 bill, and we'll work it into the next set".
 
#108
Only a little bit related, but this makes me think of when I went to Nashville last year. Talk about a music town. Every bar on the strip, and there seemed to be a bar at every other door, there was a band playing. Even the clearly lower tier bars had FANTASTIC bands. They'd take requests and, if they didn't know it, I kid... you... not... they'd dial up the sheet music and take a quick listen to get the feel. Usually at least one of the members knew it and helped lead but they'd do it. They'd play a song that some in the band, at best, were only marginally familiar with by way of maybe hearing it in passing. You'd see the guitarist or bassists calling out chord changes. I mean.... DUDE. That was some musicianship.
 
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#109
If someone comes to me between sets and makes a request, I'm inclined to do it or offer something by the same artist we might know. Requests yelled from the floor is a bad idea...if you do it, you are only inviting more.

What we have also done is offer two choices when they start yelling requests...songs that we already know or maybe already on the set list. Loudest cheer wins. If there's a clear cut winner we will do it. If not, we will do both. Win win.
 
#110
The Bass Clef said:
I wish that was true. Maybe there aren’t as many “askholes” where you’re at, but we get drunk people all the time trying to talkshout at us while were in the middle of playing a song, asking if we can do “____” song. We usually just nod and smile, and avoid any eye contact with them between songs.
Click to expand...

Yea, so many will wait until you start a song then walk up to make there request... If you don't lean over and listen (or pretend to listen) they'll either stand there til the song is over or start yelling...
 
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#113
This happened last weekend: Literally the last song of our very eclectic 3 hour set at a dive bar and while I'm playing I suddenly feel my hair being pulled back and a hand on my shoulder as one of the inebriated patrons pleads in my ear to play a Jimmy Buffet song because she is the ultimate Parrot Head. Chalk this up to the hazards of: A. No stage, playing essentially on the dance floor. B. Alcohol. C. Jimmy Buffet.
 
#117
It's the early to mid 90s... A nice lady is on her third margarita...she approaches the bandstand....She's dying to start a line-dance...
Lady: Hey guy's, play achy Breaky heart!
Me: I'm sorry , we don't know that one.
(One song later)
Lady: ah c'mon guys, play achy Breaky heart!
Me: really, we don't know it!...I'm sorry!
(One song later)
Lady: Please play achy Breaky heart!
Me: Look lady, we dont know it, we in fact dont want to know it. I'd rather open my veins right now, on stage, than play that f#%@in song!
Lady: I'll give ya fifty bucks
Me: Alright boys! Achy Breaky heart, in A
1...2....3....4
 
#119
If a request is similar to a song we have coming up, then I will randomly mention that song and the requester usually thinks that’s a great idea!

or i might say something like “I’ll check with the boys” as i am walking away.
 

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