12/30/12 Spoke to the bass player about the recent chaos involving drop outs and the loss of rehearsal space. We can use his garage to rehearse. One issue solved.
Talked to the other bass player/drummer. He is OK with moving back over to drums. Issue #2 solved.
The foundation has been rocked but is still standing strong.

And so it begins

9/18/12 Ran first ad on Craig’s list for bass player and drummer.

Looking to form a Country Rockin trio. Playing Toby Keith, Trailer Choir, Zac Brown, Brooks and Dunn, Tim McGraw, Willie and Waylon, Jerry Jeff, Rhett Atkins, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Keith Anderson, Eli Young, Billy Currington, Brantley Gilbert, Jimmy Buffet, and some originals music. Have over 60 songs on set list and there's always room to bring your own.
Can get gigs quickly when we tighten up. Vocals a plus. Have PA for small to medium size venues.

Got no good leads on this first ad. I did get one call from a drummer that didn’t pan out. He got another gig before I could try him out.

After this disappointing response I thought about just continuing to pursue the solo route, but decided the full band sound and energy was worth another shot at finding some good players.

11/12/12 Ran another ad on Craigs list for country musicians.

Ad:

I am a professional singer guitarist looking to form a modern country band. I'm doing Sawyer Brown, Brooks and Dunn, Toby Keith, Trailer Choir, Rhett Atkins, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Keith Anderson, Eli Young, Billy Currington, Brantley Gilbert as well as some older upbeat country rockin tunes from Jerry Jeff, Willy and Waylon. Will welcome any tunes you want to bring with you to add to the set list. I currently have a set list of over 60 songs.
 I have good contacts for bookings in 6 bars right now and can start booking gigs as soon as we start practice which will allow two or so months to get into the pipeline rotation.
Only interested in players with professional work ethic and gear.
Need bassist and drummer for trio. Vocals a huge plus. Would consider another guitar, steel player or keyboard with similar interests for a quartet..

11/15/12 Response from bassist.

This guy lived about 40 miles from Woodland Park. Why respond when you know how far it is to rehearsals?

11/16/12 response from steel player.

“Hi, Give me a call lets talk I would that 4th player you might consider.”

We met for coffee and discussed our aspirations and direction. He had serious delusions of grandeur and no clue. He should be a promoter with the kind of shit he was talking. He wanted to completely rearrange the way club owners present their bands. Good luck with that my friend.

11/17/12 Response from drummer.

“Hello - I saw your Craigslist ad about forming a modern country band. I've been playing country, classic rock and blues for almost 20 years in Colorado Springs. I'd like to make a move to a new band by the end of the year with Top 40 country being my first preference.  I'd like to make more than a few bucks, and I'm willing to put a lot of time and practice in.  I'm also a bass player and can bring a few vocal tunes with me.  If you're still looking, give me a call.” 

I didn’t get to try this guy out right away since he had other work commitments that involved travel.

11/18/12 response from bass player.

“Hello. I am a bass player and harmonica player, but don't really sing harmonies. Here is a link to Reverbnation it has a song I played bass, sang lead, and played harmonica on with a band I was in in San Diego. I'm in Old Colorado City so couldn't make it to Woodland Park on a regular basis, but once or twice a week to go over songs and try out drummers (if you don't have one yet) would be fine.”

I dropped the ball on this guy without giving him a shot. His songs on Reverbnation were pretty good.

11/22/12 Response from drummer.

“Hey,

I'm a drummer. Recently left a country band I put together that was working two to three nights every week up and down the Front Range. I did all of the booking and have contacts in most of the country bars between the Springs and Ft Collins. I do sing as well. Been thinking about getting something new together. I have a bunch of demos available if you'd like to have a listen.”

He decided to form a blues band with some friends he worked with  before I had a chance to get a shot at him for an audition.

11/24/12 Ran into a bass player at a friends gig and set up an audition. He is mainly a guitar player who also plays bass. We went over some songs with a keyboard player that responded to the ad and he did a good job considering he hadn’t heard many of the songs we went over. He’s a good singer and songwriter and has good energy. He’s in. I have a bass player.

11/25/12 Response from bass player.

“I'm interested in playing bass in a country band.  Started playing guitar when I was 12. Played bass in a trio for New Year's Eve party at the Antler's last year. Jam weekly with friends.”

He was a little timid and not very secure in his playing. Good player for the low key music he was used to playing. He’ll do OK with his current acoustic trio.

11/27/12 Ran another ad on Craigs List. Looking for fourth player to fill out new contemporary country trio. Prefer steel guitar/guitarist. Would consider fiddler, lead guitarist or keyboard player. Back up and some lead vocals important.
We are covering Brooks & Dunn, Trailer Choir, Toby Keith, Jerry Jeff Walker Sawyer Brown, Zac Brown, Delbert McClinton, , Rhett Atkins, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Keith Anderson, Eli Young, Billy Currington, Brantley Gilbert, Waylon and Willie type material and some original songs.

11/27/12 Response from keyboard player.

“Hello- 

I'm a support keys player with some vocals and experience.  I'm in Manitou and used to live and gig in Woodland.  I'm mature (older than dirt) but just finished with my working trio.  I've done some country off and on over the years.  I can send a demo via email if interested.” 

 The bass player and I tried him out. He is rusty as an old hinge and has physical limits due to arthritis. I was afraid this guy would get hurt moving equipment.

11/28/12 I contacted a drummer that I’ve played with before. He is a young kid with amazing talent and a good heart. He’s in. Got a drummer and a bass player. The foundation is laid.

11/29/12 Response from guitarist.

“I am a professional lead and rhythm guitar player who can play , bass, banjo, mandolin and can play country, rock, bluegrass, jazz and other styles equally well. I have played steel guitar in a past group. I am reliable. If interested leave me a contact number and I will call you.”

We spoke on the phone and he didn’t think practice was all that important. No thanks.

11/30/12 Ran another ad on Craigs List.

Ad:

Looking for a steel guitarist/guitarist who can sing backups and some lead vocals for new country band.

11/30/12 Response to my ad for a steel player.

“Don't have a pedal steel guitar, I can do slide on a regular guitar. Sing pretty good sometimes.”

I know this guy. We talked one night in a bar at an open mic night. He told me all about the restraining orders his old lady had put on him. Ahhh. No thanks.

11/30/12 Response from a keyboard/guitarist/harmonica player.

“I am a keyboard player. I live in woodland park.”

This guy was good, really good on all instruments. He had plenty of experience and talent, and has written some fantastic songs. He seemed very insecure when we met to go over some tunes. We rehearsed a couple times just he and I and he seemed to be extremely nervous and fidgety. After trying to set up some rehearsals with the bass and drums he stopped returning phone calls. Flaked out. I think he has some issues I’m not aware of. Too bad he was good. He was looking for a full time day job too. Maybe he found one. I wish him luck with what ever he does.

12/2/12 Response from keyboard/guitarist.

“I am a lead vocalist in a band that is starting to grow old.  I play guitar, keys and can play a little lead. I am a great harmony guy, would be happy just singing background. I know tons of the music you listed on you posting.  I have zero ego, just like to play, I have PA equipment and lights.  Call me if interested”

I called him, discussed music in general and emailed him a set list. Never heard from him again. He also lived a long way from here. I think he reconsidered the distance and decided it wasn’t worth the effort and distance. I would have liked to have checked him out.

12/3/12 Response from steel player.

“Do you still need a steel player?”

He lives in freaking northern New Mexico. WTF Spoke to him on the phone and tried to make him understand that driving a couple hundred miles to rehearse was, well let’s just say, bizarre. He said he would be able to come up for weekends. Hmmm. Yes bizarre. He kept mentioning his double neck Sho Bud. I’m still not sure he was talking about his steel guitar. No thanks.

12/4/12 Response from steel player.

“Hi there,
Saw your craigslist ad.
Would like to know more.”

We spoke at length about life on the road and the direction live music is heading and how some of the great players from the 70’s and 80’s are now reduced to playing in small clubs to small crowds. We still do it for the love of music.

He is a great player. Lots of experience recording and touring and album credits. He also has a small recording studio we could use to rehearse in. We rehearsed twice. Once with the bass player and once with the drummer. He was a bit on the odd side, but what the hey, most musicians are in one way or another. Very dark personality. He sings baritone with a raspy growl. His songs are reminiscent of Tom Waits only darker in tone and content.  It turned out he has drug issues. Been down that road to nowhere before. It never leads to a good place. I was sorry to let him go.

12/13/12 Response from drummer/bassist.

“My travel is over for the year.  If you still need a drummer for your project, I'm still interested.  Thanks.”

This is the guy that responded to an earlier ad who had previous commitments.

I auditioned him on bass with the drummer. Good bass player. Good singer too.

Dilemma. What to do with the other bass player? Keep him on board as a back up and continue to rehearse with him on guitar/vocals as well as the new bassist. He’s a good singer/songwriter and guitarist and who knows, shit happens.

12/14/12 through 12/27/12 Christmas chaos.

12/27/12 Practice canceled by the drummer. The heating guy was coming to fix the heat in the practice room.

12/28/12 Re-ran ad on Craigs List to replace keyboard guy who flaked out and druggy steel player.

Ad:

“Looking for fourth player to fill out new contemporary country trio. Prefer steel guitar/guitarist. Would consider fiddler, lead guitarist or keyboard player. Back up and some lead vocals important.
We are covering Brooks & Dunn, Trailer Choir, Toby Keith, Jerry Jeff Walker Sawyer Brown, Zac Brown, Delbert McClinton, Rhett Atkins, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Keith Anderson, Eli Young, Billy Currington, Brantley Gilbert Waylon and Willie type material and some original songs.”

12/28/12 Response from keyboard/guitarist.

“Lead, Rhythm guitar, piano, organ, synth. Vocals whether lead or harmony.  Guitar whether acoustic or electric.  Own gear, transpo, trailer if needed.  Been playing classic rock for years, have done country and other stuff as well.  Pushin' 50 years of age, seasoned muso.”

Spoke to him on the phone and told him I’d get back to him on a date for an audition. Seems like a nice and capable guy. Good references.

12/28/12 Response from lead guitarist.

“My name is ****** I am the current lead guitarist/backing vocals with a regional touring country band. I have been touring professionally on and off for the past 20 years, and know what it takes. I would be interested in talking with you, about what direction your current trio is heading? Are you looking to be a local club band or have regional touring aspirations? My current band is on hiatus until mid-spring, with questions after that. I need to be involved with a band that is willing to gig and travel, as much as possible!”

Been trying to reach him by phone since yesterday. No answer. I’ll keep trying.

12/28/12 Response from guy that plays everything. Same flake that replied on 11/29/12. Still doesn’t think rehearsal is all that important. Still thanks, but no thanks.

12/28/12 Response from guitarist.

“Hi my name is **** I'm a rythm/lead guitarist. I've been playing country for 20 yrs. I'm 28 and have played in bands around town for about 5 years. Mostly rock, but looking to get back to my roots. I have all my own equipment and a pa. I live in ***** so I'm fairly close. Thanks and the best.”

Spoke to him on the phone. Seems like a nice kid. He called me sir. He’s on the hook for a future audition.

12/29/12 Contacted by our drummer today. He took a job 6 days a week, 12 hour shifts. He’s toast. I understand a guy has to do what a guy has to do to make ends meet. He’s a good kid and I wish him well on his journey. I’m really sorry to see him go. He worked well with the new bass player.

Now I have to shift the bass player to drums and the bass player, who I was moving to guitar/vocals back to bass. Need to find a new place to rehearse too. 

Nobody ever said this would be easy.

To be continued…..

After 10 weeks of interviewing and auditioning musicians for my new band I’ve decided it’s time to keep a journal of the ongoing proceedings.

 

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” - Don Williams Jr. (American novelist)