Thursday practice

We had practice Thursday night with just the three of us. We worked on the 10 song list we made up last time and worked on vocal harmonies, arrangements and dynamics. These guys are pros and don’t mind working on songs to get them just right, without a lot of distractions during the rehearsal. It's a pleasure working with guys who have dedication and ambition. We made progress on all the songs and put together another list of 7 songs to work on for next Thursday.

The bass guy knows a guitarist who is wanting to get back into playing with a band. I know and have heard him play too and he's great. He was sitting in with a group at the Crystola Roadhouse Friday night, so I went down and talked to him. Unfortunately, his day job won't allow him to practice Thursdays. Too bad. He would have fit in well.

I ran the ad on Craig’s List again for a fourth and got one response from a guy who responded once before. I’m skeptical about him after talking with him on the phone for about half and hour. I don’t know. Just got a feeling he won’t fit in, but I asked him to come up next Thursday for a tryout. We’ll see how he plays and how the other guys like him.

I need to get a longer rope.

Another One Bites The Dust

No one ever said that musicians are flakey people, right?   

The keyboard/guitar guy just called me. He has had the 10 song homework list for two weeks. He said he didn’t have time to LISTEN to any of the songs because he had to work on his cars. ??? You don’t have a CD player or Ipod?

He actually called to ask directions to the bass players house where we rehearse and mentioned the not listening thing. I didn’t say anything to him about not even listening to the songs but was going to tell him at practice that that attitude will not fly with me and he used up his one “pass.”

About half an hour after the first call, I get another call from the guy. This time he say’s he’s quitting because he’s a rocker and doesn’t want to play country music. 

Now let me get this straight. You answer an ad that says ,”Contemporary Country Trio Seeking Fourth” and you don’t want to play country music?

A few musicians I know who have had experience with this guy warned me that he was not dependable, but I’ll always give a guy enough rope to hang himself. 

That sound you hear is the trap door swinging.

I'm happy to say the keyboard guy has chosen wisely. He'll be staying with us and practicing on Thursdays.

What's a little more drama when I've come this far?

The guy I've got playing keys and lead guitar plays on Thursday nights at a non-paying jam night. He doesn't want to rehearse on Thursdays because of this gig.

The drummer teaches classes on Monday and Wednesday nights. The bass player's other band rehearses on Tuesday nights. That leaves Thursdays, and weekends.

Weekends are out for a host of reasons from family to working gigs.

So the question is. Is playing for free more important to you than rehearsing for future paying gigs?

Choose wisely. I won't wait long for an answer. This train is moving on with or without you.

Since we decided to work up songs that we know collectively, or aren't difficult to work up, to minimize the learning curve and get a 40 song set list as soon as possible, here is a list of the 10 songs we have for homework to do for our next session.

1. CCR medley: Born on the Bayou, Suzi Q, Green River. I'll be singing Green River and the bass man will be singing the other two.
2. Hero by  Enrique Iglesias. A beautiful slow song. The keyboardist will be singing this one.
3.  Keep Your Hands to Yourself by Georgia Satellites. The drummer will be singing this one.
4. Rockin The Beer Gut by Trailer Choir. I'll be singing this.
5. My Next 5 Beers by Trailer Choir. I'll be singing this.
6. Medley of Dwight Yoakam's Long White Cadillac and Springstein's Pink Cadillac. The keyboardist will be singing this one.
7. Superman by Willy Nelson. I'll be sing this one.

We can work on harmonies and arrangements on these songs next session.

1/2/13- Last night was the first time since this journey began that I had a room full of truly professional quality musicians. The keyboard/guitarist turned out to be a guy I have played with before who is a very good guitarist. He didn't bring his keys with him for this session, but I don't think his ability on that will be an issue.
The bass player is an amazing song writer and excellent on bass.
The bass/drummer guy moved over to drums seamlessly and plays with taste and finesse.
It looks and sounds like the makings of a fine 4 piece. All four of us sing well and can put on some fine harmonies as well.
We had a meeting after the session to discuss our direction and decided on a 75% cover songs 25% original repertoire to start out and work toward doing all originals as time goes on.
The bass man is working on a new album too, so we'll be working on doing some back up tracks for that as well. His studio is roomy and full of the very best equipment.
All the pieces are now in place and we made a 10 song list for each of us to do some homework on for our next session.

1/1/13 Gotta get used to using this new year date.
After a great party ringing in the New Year last night listening to a great local band and watching the midnight fireworks fired off on the summit of Pikes Peak, I spent most of today riding the couch with the remote.
Had another bass man answer my ad. He lives up here. Spoke to him and set up an audition for tomorrow night. The keyboard/guitarist who answered the last ad will also be coming in as well as the drummer.
Hoping this configuration works out. This process has been long and trying.
Wish you all a safe, prosperous and musical New Year.
Play on.