Vocalists from hell!

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

How many of you guys have backed a vocalists who was a nightmare from hell from start to finish? A few weeks ago I very briefly sat in on a practice jam that backed a female vocalist who, unfortunately, is touted to have an ear for perfect pitch and everyone suffered because of it.

I sat for more than an hour listening to her stop abruptly in the middle of sets to correct someone or to have them change a chord sequence or picking sequence or to even retune. She also has a reputation of chastising the band members between sets for being few pennies off or for not blending in with her vocal range; mainly chord runs.

Incidentally, this woman is in her third year at a music conservatory where she studies classical guitar, surprisingly, she has a secret love for singing country music. She can play a guitar like nothing I have ever heard and can get more chords and sounds out of those six strings than anyone could think possible. She is however, a vocalist from hell for anyone who backs her up when she decides to join in for some good old fashion country singing.

How about it guys, have you ever backed one of these singers?

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 29 December 2004 at 11:19 AM.]

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

I don't know which is worse: tuning up, or playing the right chord changes.

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Sounds like she learned everything in school, except descent stage etiquette. Sounds like a course in "getting real" is in order.

Rick Garrett · From: Tyler, Texas

I only play at gigs and church at this point becuase I'm fairly green yet BUT, I was playing with this little band at a country church not long ago and had this guy singing who made me want to wrap my acoustic guitar around his blessed neck. The guy sang fine but his sense of timing was off by miles. And of course he's the one with the mic so you just kinda had to hang on and go where he went. Right out of a chorus into the next verse with "0" beats in between. I was glad when his 4 songs were over. I can't imagine trying to play steel for someone like that. It was hard enough just playing rythm and a little lead.

Rick

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

The same guy that told me that A.R.T. stands for "Audience Reduction Techniques", also told me that D.I.V.A. stands for: Demanding, Insecure, Vain, Arrogant

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

I have played my steel a few times with people who could not keep their voice on pitch nor keep their timing right. There is nothing worse that picking with someone who thinks they know what they are doing when they do not. We have had people sing at church that could not sing worth a flip, and believe it or not those are the ones that want to sing 3 or 4 at a time. Sure makes me look forward to hearing the preacher.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Les:Have her rent the movie"Animal House"and tell her that you want to learn that version of "I gave my love a cherry"with her playing the guitar,and singing it.

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

I think that quite a few of us can remember the singer that skipped a beat (or a bar) and came in early so many times that it became routine for the band members to just look at each other, roll their eyes and join in WHEREVER the one with the mic happened to be.

You might remind your singer friend that there are LOTS of very talented singers in the world, but with very, very few exceptions the ones that don't end up waiting tables or selling insurance for a living are mostly the ones that are a pleasure to be around on and off the stage.

It's not about musicianship but it is very much about professionalism and it has nothing whatsoever to do with being right about anything.

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Dave Grafe - email: dg@pdxaudio.com
Production
Pickin', etc.

1978 ShoBud Pro I E9, 1960 Les Paul (SG) Deluxe, 1963 Precision Bass, 1954 Gibson LGO, 1897 Washburn Hawaiian Steel Conversion

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Play her Vince and Rodneys new tune..

I have played with several who were supposed to be the "Gifted" ones..all I had to do was ask them...and they told me so..

once...

I recall one time we were hiring a new Bass player. A fella came over for a quick audition and he proceeded to tell me he was "Gifted" with the ability to hear all the changes and play tunes correctly first time thru..

Well about two verses into "Since I Fell For You" he was easily 1 bar behind me..I asked him if he would like a chart, he said no, he had it down.

I said " Thanks for coming over "

t

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

Don't get me wrong in this thread, the lady knows her music but is extremely demanding and very critical of those who back her. Being in perfect tune along with knowing and being able to play expanded chord runs is one thing but this lady wants perfection upon perfection and wants chord runs that most pickers are not aware of.

Earnest; I know where you are coming from and agree with you whole heartedly. This particular lady however goes beyond good manners and musical demands for most stage musicians.

I also have to begrudgingly admit that while putting up with this woman’s demands, you walk away with a lot more knowledge of music that what you walked in with. I also must add that busting one’s butt trying get many of the chord runs out of a steel that she demands is something else; if not impossible with my admitted limited experience.

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 29 December 2004 at 01:24 PM.]

Charles Curtis · Posted 29 Dec 2004 1:33 pm

I think some of the BEST singing that I have heard in a long time was at Chuck Campbell's. What a show.......

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

perfection doesn't exist,
if this lady expects it she is in fantasy land

People with poerfect poitch are cursed.

But they CAN be kind if they so choose to be.
Some day she MAY learn.. or mebe not.

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

When I was playing with Boyd Bennett in the 50's we had to back a "prima donna" vocalist at a theater gig. She had full blown arrangements for a large band. She handed out the music and gave me the trumpet part. I was having trouble transposing from a Bb trumpet part to a C guitar part, so I was missing a lot of notes. She gave me "Billy Hell" in front of the entire band and show cast. I just smiled and said, "You gave me the trumpet part by mistake. Give me the steel guitar part and I won't have that problem." She shut up and I laid out.

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Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Try backing up an average of 20 out of tune singers every sunday night for six weeks.
I was in a band that did a lot of that and it was pure he**. Remind me next time a radio station mentions the words "talent contest" to stick a hot stick in my eye.

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Smiley Roberts · From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

Andy Greatrix · From: Edmonton Alberta

Life is too short to have someone suck all the joy out of it. She should do a single.
Also, just because there is a possiblity of a chord every quarter note, doesn't mean you have to do it. A good example is "I'm so lonesome I could cry". The Hank Williams version has just as much, if not more soul than BJ Thomas's version. I've worked with people like her and I learned a few things, but in the end, I was glad to be playing elsewhere.

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

It doesn't matter how talented someone is, a jerk is still a jerk. I'm pretty picky and have a good ear too, but a person can be picky about the details in a nice way, or be a jerk about it, and I don't put up with jerks for very long. Did when I had to, don't have to anymore.

Besides, there is always someone more talented, she needs to run up against a few of them. She will sooner or later and it will be humbling time.

I just wouldn't work with her. If people would refuse to play for primmadonnas like her, she might get the message.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 29 December 2004 at 03:40 PM.]

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

/

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 29 December 2004 at 03:38 PM.]

Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

Over the years I have endured lots of sit ins. Some were average, some were totally bad and some were jaw dropping as to how good they were.

Never seen one as Les describes, but then who goes to a practice for a jam?

Put her up on stage and give her the mike and kick it off. The real deal, live and unstoppable has a way of sorting out the journeymen from the dreamers.

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

Good point, Ken... what in the world is a "practice jam" anyway?

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

A "practice jam" is more or less a Canadian term. It is a band practice that usually ends up with several musicians showing up and joining in after the band's practice session is over. Out of a strict and accepted protocol, no one interrupts the band member’s practice session until invited to do so. Many amateurs who want to practice timing and other band techniques cherish these things. Most of the regular band members are absolutely great with helping the up and coming musicians.

Jimmie Misenheimer · From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A.

Hell, I think I played with 'er a time or two! The TWO that I always liked were " Now, I don't PLAY, but I *KNOW* music"' and "The drunker he gets, the better he gets". Then there is always the one where you ask the "set-in" "What key do you do this in?" The answer, "The same key it was recorded in". Only problem - I wasn't on the record... Jimmie

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I like it when I am challenged by someone talented. I don't care if they are nice about it. Some of the best playing I have ever done was pulled out of me by primadonna perfectionists.

The chick singer syndrome that drives me nuts is when they are incompetent yet still think they need to control everything. Plenty of those women out there.

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Bob
intonation help

Savell · From: Slocomb, AL

What exactly is "perfect" as it pertains to Country music?

We might ought to ask one of the more successful artist like Willie Nelson about this...

Darrell Owens · From: California, USA

a "PERFECT PITCH" would be landing her microphone and her classical guitar in the trash bin at one throw.

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