Our New Band's Debut!

[Mike Bacciarini]

It's so great to play with these guys! It's about 1/3 psg, 1/3 acoustic guitar, 1/3 lap steel and about another 1/3 harmony vocals We've been rehearsing since December and this video is from our debut show on 2/1/20. Thanks to Jim Palenscar for my wonderful MCI, and thanks to the forum for all of the inspiration and ideas. I hold Rusty Young personally responsible for lighting the fire with "Kind Woman" on the Springfield's 1968 Last Time Around album.

https://gardenpartyband.com/videos

[Russ Tkac]

Sounds very nice mike!

[Carl Williams]

You guys sound great Mike! Makes me want to start dragging my steel around again 😎. Thanks for sharing ...Carl

[John McClung]

Wonderful band, Mike, and you sound great. Man, the vocals are outstanding, too.

I cut my teeth on lap steel and Fender non-pedal 3-neck in 1970-71 in SLO, so there's always a soft spot in my heart for anything SLO-town! Graduated from high school there in 1970. You ever run into Doc Stoltey? Went to school with him and he's still gigging in the area AFAIK.

Where is that studio you did the video in?

[Doug Earnest]

Nice band, I'm glad I clicked on the link. Those are fun songs to play.

[Dave Meis]

Nicely done! 😃

[Jim Pollard]

Pretty spectacular playing and harmonies!

[Mike Bacciarini]

Thanks guys... it’s such a blast! (Now if I can just sneak in a Poco song or two). John, this was filmed at D’anbino’s winery in Paso Robles. There are acoustic tiles behind us on the stage so it has a “studio” look, but this was our live debut performance. You can see people dancing in some scenes. Great fun!

[Rick Barnhart]

What a fun band, Mike. We just returned from SLO and the 5 Cities area. Next trip, you can bet I check to see if you guys are playing somewhere in the area. Great job!

[Mike Bacciarini]

Thanks Rick. Our website will have dates as we get bookings.

John, I don't know Doc, but there are a couple of psg guys around in country bands.

[Mike Bacciarini]

John, apparently Doc is playing regularly at the "Ron Saul's Garage Jam" on Tuesday nights in SLO. I need to drop in there sometime. Will say you said Hi.

Rick, would be great to meet you when you over here next. I lived in Phoenix for about a year in the early 70's.

[Larry Dering]

Sounds good to me. Nice balance of tunes.

[Kevin Fix]

That is the REAL deal!!!! Sounds spot on!!!!

[Rich Upright]

Love your sound & choice of material. I wish the bands around here sounded like that;but it's the same old garbage at every gig!

[Mike Bacciarini]

Thanks for all the nice comments guys.
Rich, one thing besides the choice of material, is doing the songs in the original key and with the original arrangement. People immediately recognize the song and if they’re your demographic, they connect. The other thing is having the original vocal harmonies. If the front man is just singing the melody, yeah it sounds like the song, but it’s not the same. We’re still working on building up our vocals on every song.... mostly waiting for me to get comfortable on the steel guitars so I can sing on more songs.

[Fred Treece]

We’re still working on building up our vocals on every song.... mostly waiting for me to get comfortable on the steel guitars so I can sing on more songs.

Unless I can play steel in one position while singing backups and harmonies, I pretty much just stop playing. Or I’ll switch to guitar on a song if I’m singing all the way through. It’s not ideal, but the dynamic of of adding vocals tends to make up for the loss of an instrument in a live mix, even with only 4 pieces. And as you say, the vox on those tunes make all the difference.

Good sounding band, congratulations.

[Joachim Kettner]

Great combo!

[Mike Bacciarini]

Thanks Fred and Joachim. I’m finding that it’s not such a stretch to put on some “oohs” and “ahhs”, but the challenge is singing lyric phrases and picking parts beyond holding a chord. Seems like back in the 70’s on tour I was doing it. Pretty sure it’s a matter of getting real familiar with the steel parts, then I expect to be able to add the vocals. I’m able to do it while playing guitar, so it follows.....

[Steven Paris]

+1!!!!!