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Taking a Stance
- Thread starter bluewine
- Start date
jive1
Commercial User
Read between the lines?!?! Please... I read things at face value, because this is the internet. I don't read e-minds.
I've read in numerous posts where you talk smack about young folks, new music, etc. If that's not what you mean, then you need to choose your words more carefully.
I think that this is part of the local music business that you don't get. Around here, the top draws have guys in their 40s, and the top paying bands have plenty of folks in their 50s. The booking agents, club owners, promoters, etc. are all in their 40s and older. You should use your age and experience to your advantage. Seriously, after 40 years of experience you should have some connections and/or the ability to make them.
If you want us to get it, then don't write stuff that's contradictory to what you're trying to convey.
jive1
Commercial User
I think this is the best advice. I've been PMing Blue as well, and the best thing at this point is just to find some good guys to play good music with, let his age and experience be an asset to him, and let everything else go.
I think if any musician is truly "pro," then they would have an extensive network in their area of musicians across the spectrum of styles and wouldn't be going from blind audition to audition with groups of people that they don't know. I've auditioned for dozens of bands/recording projects/shows, etc, and every one of them was from a referral. I also recognized early on that being professional means waiting for an answer after trying out.
Eventually that will happen.
I got lucky with my last band and made the mistake of thinking that when I did these auditions it was going to be the same thing, meeting good musicians that were also good people. What a mistake, no offense but I have met a a lot of just plain losers this time around.
Not sure what age and experience means at the end of the day, just because I have been doin this for over 40 years doesn't mean I'm always right or have all the answers.
It means I might have some of the answers.
Don't take anything at face value, I think using your e-mind will be of value when your trying to make sense of my comments.
Sorry you mis -read some of my comments. Nothing is black & white, right or wrong, or good or bad. I am certainly not here to put anyone down.
Now you you can take this at face value, Am I going to take *&^& from start ups that are no more than no talent losers? Absolutly not ,no one should.
Will I take *&^& from bands that are hot and have soemting to offer anf I might not be at their level.Yes, I will and I have.
Blue, hang in there, the next band for you could be around the next bend. I've faced frustration like yours in the past, it just makes the reward sweeter. When you find the band that fits you(and you fit them),you will have great " I once auditioned for this band....." stories to share. Hang in there, have faith.
I agree that definition of pro, but it's only one definition there are many others just as valid as yours.
I also recognize that professional means waiting. And for me that means waiting on those that are professional, I don't wait on those I have clasified as losers.
There was a really good connected working cover band that I auditioned for and I waited for 2 months. I didn't get it. I had no problem waiting on them. I see these guys in the paper now opening for several national acts.
This seems really easy to me.
[QUOTE
I think that this is part of the local music business that you don't get. Around here, the top draws have guys in their 40s, and the top paying bands have plenty of folks in their 50s. The booking agents, club owners, promoters, etc. are all in their 40s and older. You should use your age and experience to your advantage. Seriously, after 40 years of experience you should have some connections and/or the ability to make them.
/QUOTE]
Jive, this is what i have trying to say all along. The older cats are where its at in my area also. They have more experience, are more professional and play music that is more crowd and family friendly.
I have no interest in a younger hip band...thats not me. I know what works and is marketable and rarely is it a younger band. I also think Blue's best advantage is this market but we are not him, he has a different want and need than some of us do.
I think that this is part of the local music business that you don't get. Around here, the top draws have guys in their 40s, and the top paying bands have plenty of folks in their 50s. The booking agents, club owners, promoters, etc. are all in their 40s and older. You should use your age and experience to your advantage. Seriously, after 40 years of experience you should have some connections and/or the ability to make them.
/QUOTE]
Jive, this is what i have trying to say all along. The older cats are where its at in my area also. They have more experience, are more professional and play music that is more crowd and family friendly.
I have no interest in a younger hip band...thats not me. I know what works and is marketable and rarely is it a younger band. I also think Blue's best advantage is this market but we are not him, he has a different want and need than some of us do.
I didn't set out a definition of "pro," I just mentioned one aspect of what being "pro" entails. Having a broad network is different from auditioning for well-connected band, by the way. For me, another aspect of being "pro-level" is actually being in a band.
those of us on the big side of fifty don't have too much wait time left....the well connected cover band chose someone else.... they probably had more than a few options,because that's a place a lot of guys aspire to.....if you sit down and think about all the stuff you won't do,compare it to the number of bands doing your kind of music in your area that would consider a guy of 57,and are looking for a bass player,then you might understand that you have narrowed down your search way too far....
perhaps a more pro-active method is in order.....sub gigs,jam nights etc will at least get you out there where you can be heard,and talk to people who know people etc.....
It's going to take time. I have a few people looking out for me that will endorce me.
I am staying true to what I know and love clever, intelligent, trendy Pop Rock.
I don't jam and while I have subed I am not a big fan of that either. Depends on the band and the profile of the show.
Great example of older folks doing some of the better Pop Rock out there;
Your goal is realistic.
I'm in one pop band with a couple of singers half my age (they're 18, I'm 35). They did audition some people even older than me for other slots in the band, so they just happen to be among the minority that really doesn't care about age. I'm not sure how large that minority really is, but it definitely exists. Me, I do care about age - I want to play with younger people for younger audiences - so that works out for everybody. In an originals band I left which might be more your thing, my replacement looks to be in his early 40s and everyone else is 23-33.
OTOH, I don't deal well with not being in a band (and even worse with being between jobs) and would take pretty much whatever crap comes along, then look to upgrade. Fortunately I'm in three bands right now so I can afford to be really picky.
I'm in one pop band with a couple of singers half my age (they're 18, I'm 35). They did audition some people even older than me for other slots in the band, so they just happen to be among the minority that really doesn't care about age. I'm not sure how large that minority really is, but it definitely exists. Me, I do care about age - I want to play with younger people for younger audiences - so that works out for everybody. In an originals band I left which might be more your thing, my replacement looks to be in his early 40s and everyone else is 23-33.
OTOH, I don't deal well with not being in a band (and even worse with being between jobs) and would take pretty much whatever crap comes along, then look to upgrade. Fortunately I'm in three bands right now so I can afford to be really picky.
A pro doesn't need to put the screws to anyone. Fill your dates and feed your family. If they want to call you and use you on some dates cool. Otherwise, let it go and move on down the road. They will call if they need you. Coming across as pushy is going to put the wrong feel into the equation.
If you think they are "losers," why do you care?
If you thought such from the beginning, why indicate, falsely, that you have any interest in playing with them.
I just don't understand the point of lying to hurry up a band you have little to no interest with in the first place. That lack of interest probably isn't hard to see, either. Are you surprised that they are not begging you to join their band? Why should they? Why would they want someone who thinks that they're losers?
