It's Official The Band Has A Name

I've decided on a name for the band.

COOTER CREEK CANYON BAND

This will be our first small flyer for gigs.

This will be our logo

I've also set up a Cooter Creek Canyon Band Facebook page and a YouTube channel for our future vids. I'll post up the address for those later when we are ready to start using them.

Practice Saturday

Yesterday’s practice was not the most productive. It wasn’t bad. It’s just that there were a few things that didn’t make for a productive atmosphere. First off this was the first time I met the new drummer. He was pretty burnt out from personal stuff he had to take care of  during the week and a lack of sleep. He’s a good drummer and a nice guy. He’ll be fine.

Secondly, Doc played the night before, opening for Western Underground at the Crystola Roadhouse, and he was stressed out over the benefit concert for his dog bite that was set for today. There was a threat of a strong snow storm and trying to pull together all the bands and logistics was taking its toll on him.

The storm did happen today forcing the cancellation of the concert and the closure of the bar. It’s pretty nasty out there. The benefit has been rescheduled for next Sunday. I hope some of you who read this blog and live in the area will show up and help support this benefit.

People have lives

It’s been two weeks since the last post. Our rehearsal last week was canceled due to personal issues the new guitarist is dealing with.

Sadly the new drummer Tim didn’t get the message and came up to play. Doc tried to call me, and I would have gone over, to jam with just the three of us but my phone didn’t ring. (that’s happened before with this stupid phone)

The new guitarist is dealing with a host of personal issues right now. At least 3, that I know of, legal issues, none of them criminal.  He’s moving to Manitou Springs and has to pack and sell a bunch of stuff. He’s also changing jobs soon and has some logistical issues to deal with there. His current job schedule doesn't give him much time to deal with his personal life.

As a result he has told me he won’t be able to start rehearsals until after the 1^st of March. He does want to stay with us and I want to keep him with us as well. The current band make up is good, really good, and Joe will be able to pick up his parts quickly. He has a CD that he can listen to for his vocal parts and familiarize himself with the song structures.

So as it stands now we are going to practice as a trio. Tomorrow, barring extreme weather, we will be practicing. This project is going to result in a very good band and is worth the initial delays and set backs. 

People have lives.

Songs we're working on

Here is a list of the songs we are working on at this time. Feel free to comment on whether these are songs you like or not.

In my next 5 beers - Trailer Choir

Keep me in mind - Zac Brown

My girlfriend - Uncle Kracker

High maintenance woman - Toby Keith

Rock my world little country girl - Brooks & Dunn

Superman - Willie Nelson

Beer for my horses - Toby Keith

Stray cat strut - Stray Cats

Aint’ as good as I once was - Toby Keith

I’ll never smoke weed with Willie again - Toby Keith

Rockin the beer gut - Trailer Choir

I like girls that drink beer - Toby Keith

Getting By - Jerry Jeff Walker

My kinda party - Jason Aldean

Don’t it make you wanna dance - Jerry Jeff Walker

Some girls do - Sawyer Brown

Drive me wild - Sawyer Brown

Pickin wildflowers - Keith Anderson

Six days on the road -  Don Baker version

Nobody’s sad on Saturday nite - Uncle Kracker

Trashy women - Jerry Jeff Walker version

What I didn’t do - Steve Wariner

That’s how country boys roll - Billy Currington

Let's get this party started

Today we practiced with the guitar player I’ve bee wanting to get for our band. His name is Joe and he smokes on the geetar. He loved the songs we’re doing and took to the arrangements like he had been playing the songs for ever. He says he wants in.

YES!!!

Doc called a drummer friend of his and he says he’s interested in giving it a shot too, so that is another headache that may soon be eliminated. Cut a CD with about 25 songs for both Joe and Tim (drummer). Next rehearsal is next Saturday, hopefully with a new drummer.

We'll be gig ready in a month, 5 weeks max.

Let's get this party started.

Let the games begin. AGAIN.

Well, so much for being secure in the commitment of the core members. I just got a message from Paul our drummer…er ex drummer.

Paul is at least as good on bass as he is on drums. He auditioned on bass for another band that is already gigging and they hired him. He mentioned he would rather play bass, since he can’t set up a drum kit and practice in his current living situation and is anxious to get out playing as soon as possible. Paul lost his house in the Hayman Fire last summer and has been living in an apartment since then.

I’m sorry to see him go and wish him the best with his new band.

And now for a little reality check of what it takes to put a band together from scratch.

1)      You have to sift through a shit sack of wannabees and flakes before you find good people.

2)      When you find good people they have to be willing to stick it out long enough to put together 4 sets of music. (at least 40 songs minimum)

3)      Most good players who are not playing either have baggage (drug/drinking issues, bad attitude or control/ego freaks are the top three) or they will quit you if they find another band that is already gigging rather than stick it out. Starting from scratch will take a minimum of 6-8 weeks of rehearsing once a week to get 4 sets gig ready.

So when you are a start up band you’re up against a serious list of issues on the road to your first gig. Perseverance and a thick skin are the only way you can survive this journey and a total commitment to putting together a sound that will have the rest of the local musicians knocking on your door to get into your band once you’re established.

On the up side, the guitarist I’ve been trying to get in the band called and said he is taking a new day job that will give him more free time and a more flexible rehearsal schedule. He’s coming by tomorrow for an audition. He is a top notch player so I have no doubt he’ll fill the bill if he is willing to join us.

I ran a new ad on Craig’s List for a drummer today. Let the games begin. AGAIN.

The whims of fate

Remember in my last post the words, “Now that I’m as secure as one can be in the commitment of the core members.”? While I still have no doubt as to the commitment of the core members, the security of this band can still fall victim to the whims of fate.

Doc has canceled the surgery on his arm for the time being. He has been getting massage therapy that is producing amazing results for him. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been getting the necessary day work he needs to support his rent. There is a strong possibility that he may have to move out of his house. He has some tough decisions to make in the next few days. We are going to a musician’s swap meet tomorrow morning where he hopes to be able to sell a few things to get enough for another month’s rent.  

The guitar player we have been anxiously waiting to audition is coming to practice tomorrow after he finishes doing a brake job on his wife’s car. Yay!!! I hope this goes well.

Paul won’t make practice since he is in Durango shooting a balloon event. Our next full band practice will be a week from tomorrow.