Double Bass Looking to play out more

[mythmaker99]

Right now I play with 2 bluegrass bands in middle GA. We're booked at 2 of the local bluegrass festivals and another one in south GA and that's great. But it is not enough! I'd play out every weekend or at least every other weekend if I could. Willing to travel so long as travel costs are covered or I make enough to cover the costs.

I don't want to be a band WH@*$ (you know what) but I really want to play out more. Playing at the local churches or opry's really isn't what I'm interested in. The talent there varies greatly but usually I find myself gritting my teeth and putting up with the Aunt and Uncles playing songs that either put me to sleep or turn my stomach. And Lord help me for the "I wrote this song about my daughter..." songs! I want to play at shows and gigs and festivals.

Been playing for years and get great compliments on playing. So, if anyone has a hole in their lineup look me up. Even if it's only for a show. I know tons of bluegrass songs, and even those I don't know I can pick up fast. From blackberry blossum, big spike, or plant your fields, I'm ready.

 

[bluegrass greg]

I have only been playing for a couple of years, and only in a band for 1 year, but from what I have seen if you want to make money you dont want to play bluegrass.

 

[mythmaker99]

I completely agree! More luck with the lottery or stock market for making money LOL. But money for gas when driving up to Ohio or down to FL or a free camping spot if I haul a camper helps out. I love to play in front of a crowd...the larger the better. There's nothing better than getting a good crowd responce from your playing!

 

[mythmaker99]

I agree Bluegrass greg. But money for gas to drive up to Ohio or down to Florida, or a free camping spot if I haul a camper helps out. better luck in the lottery or stoc market in making money than in playing bluegrass LOL.

 

[HLJ]

Camper won't help much either. I got an RV and it doesn't change the fundamentals that there ain't no money in bluegrass. You play bluegrass for fun and maybe, you'll get to jump to country or rock...or something. Bluegrass bass playing doesn't really prepare anyone for 'jumping' anywhere. Usually the jump goes the other way.
Bluegrass is fun, and a great way to spend time in what's usually a very safe and familiy oriented environement. And bluegrass is simple.
Any music that relies on sound reinforcement (and coping with ego-centric lead guitar players and vocalists) is work. To get good with sound is hard work.
I was camping at Red White and Blue in Morganton, NC (a great festival!) and parked a few campers down was Jason Burleson in a pop-up. He's the banjo player for Blue Highway...and if he isn't getting rich playing bluegrass (he might?)...it ain't gonna happen! I must add that Jason and family spent a fortune on eats that he graciously gave away during the week. That was a lot of work too!
Most of the big bucks in bluegrass either do gospel (very big bucks here), or have mojo sponsors that pay for the bus and the vinyl billboards. There aren't many bands in this cat, and most have some sort of "schtick" that is original and works. One of the best bluegrass bands ever, New Grass Revival, played in some seriously poor venues (ie: Green Acres in Bostic, NC...) to keep the bucks coming in.
If making a decent living playing music comes to mind, get out of bluegrass, and get into country or rock...and pray like H! If you got vocal talent, play every instrument in the band, and have a wife that doesn't care if you're gone most weekends, and have time to hang at the Blue Bird Cafe (and get discovered), you could be a gainfully employed musician. Otherwise, keep your day job!
Good luck, JR

 

[mythmaker99]

I don't expect, nor am looking to quit work and make a living playing bluegrass...or for that matter rock or country. But I love bluegrass, and want to play more at festivals and shows. Love playing in the parking lot (some of the best jams I've ever been in happened after the stage shows were over when the folks that were playing up on stage were relaxed and trying out stuff in the camp grounds and having a great time), but love to play up on stage and make a little extra money. Usually when we're booked we get between 1 and 3 free parking spots to divide up amongst the group. Which believe it or not adds up and saves you a lot of money. As I said, not looking to get rich playing...either bluegrass, country, or rock LOL. I was just putting myself out there in case there's a hole in a band that's got a gig lined up and needs a replacement.

I've played country and rock at clubs and really there's not much more money in that than in bluegrass. All things considered. Unless you're willing to travel crazy distances every weekend. Or/and have a band that is able to stay together for awhile and make a name for themselves (another post in itself!!). And like stated in another post, pray for a big break. I did hear from someone that there's decent money in the Texas/Louisianns club circuit. No personal experience in this. Not moving to Nashville (with the talent up there I wouldn't have a chanceLOL)!! By the time you get your new electric bass and bigger amp, and wireless system, and the other next thing you HAVE to have, and gas, and repair broken PA systems, and...the money for the shows seems to vanish. It is nice though to upgrade your equipment and gear with money you've made from gigs!

And as I get older I like bluegrass better than the others.

I also really love the fact that I haul my bass around, along with crazy glue, tape, extra batteries, set list, and a few other odds and ins stuck in pockets of the case, and maybe a mic, and you're set up to play. No fooling around with heavy cabs or amps, and a gig bag, and chords, and extra stuff that always seems to come up missing or broke.

I didn't realise how long this post had gotten LOL

 

[HLJ]

Have you looked around for weekly jam sessions? I get a lot of "picking" time in at those sort of things. Plus, you get to network with local musicians. You gotta practice sometime?
A bass player is handicapped. Two bass players is one too many! Some newbie bass players are serious "jam-busters!"
I started playing bass in rock bands. Enjoyed that, and still do, but there ain't enough bucks in any music (that I'm good enough to play) that would get me into tearing down sound and drums at 0200! Those days are over. Don't mind playing until 0200 , and often do, but at the least, once we're through, I can stuff the bass in the car and leave!
Good luck!
JR

 

[HLJ]

I forgot to ask, what are the batteries for? Made me think...I haul 5 lbs of batteries with me. The DI has two, Tascam has 6, tuner has one megabucks Lion battery. ART has batteries. Never much thought about it? Oh and the Kukuruza bass pick is active and has a 9V battery! Woooo. Oh, and the whirlwind DI has batteries X two.
Life is getting complicated! JR

 

[retardedpossum]

Wow HLJ I use to go see new grass revival at green acres. I lived about three miles from there!

 

[mythmaker99]

The batteries are for the inner ear wireless monitor that one of the groups I play with moved to recently.

And breaking down and loading the gear at 0200 after playing 3 sets at a club is not for me either these days!