laughin at the people who sit in for a song?

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 12 Jun 2006 2:13 pm

I just got home from a 3 day music fest !
and there were folk form all walks come up
and play there music some would rival the pro's
and some would stop an 8 day clock . Its my opinion
it takes a lot to get in front of a crowd ! good or bad ,
you should go with the flow ! a specially if you invited them to do it !
Just my opinion
Hick

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 12 Jun 2006 2:24 pm

I admit that I went off the deep end a bit on my response....

....especially if it was a laid-back pick up band that was just having a bit of fun and letting tourists do their thing, as a regular happening at that particular bar.

Someone must have sprinkled my Corn Flakes this morning.......ha-ha. My apologies for getting all militant on the subject.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 12 Jun 2006 2:32 pm

Chris,,
Might of been a sugar rush from the Corn Flakes,, lol..

Larry

Gordy Hall · Post by **Gordy Hall** » 12 Jun 2006 2:39 pm

This weekend our town had a parade, and one of the floats had a band of middle school kids doing 'Twist and Shout'. When they got to the middle eight 'ahh...ahhh....ahhhh' there was no resemblance to actual tune, timing, nor harmony, but they went through it all and ended at the same time. They got a big hand, but there were more than a couple grins and grimaces during the song.

But it was fun, and they got to play.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 12 Jun 2006 3:00 pm

If part of the scene is allowing folks to sing with the band, as apparently it was (not someone bullying their way onto the bandstand), then if you invite them up on stage, you need to treat them with respect. Now, if they're foolin' around and don't take themselves seriously, then laughing with them may be fine, but laughing at them is inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. I think it's very much like doing recording sessions: you're paid to play as well as you can and not intimidate or belittle the songwriter or singer, even if their song or voice really does suck.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 12 Jun 2006 3:11 pm

We bypass all of this retoric by the simple rule: NO-ONE Gets Up With The Band!!!!
No execeptions!! No exceptions......ie: get your own band....play your own gig... Otherwise up here, they will walk all over you!

------------------
72 Professional 8&5,73 PRO II 8&4, 79/80 PRO III 8&4,Fender Steelking, Hilton pedal, USA Tele, Fender Twin,Peterson tuner,Tut Taylor Reso's and Twang to the Bone!!

[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 13 June 2006 at 11:09 AM.]

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 12 Jun 2006 3:13 pm

that is right on the money Jim.
this was not a friendly laugh or a smile,it made me uncomfortable so I left.

Db

------------------

"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 12 Jun 2006 3:16 pm

Hey Larry,

Up in my neck of the woods it's a bit like Night of The Zombie in the clubs we play..........ya gotta watch 'em or they'll overrun ya!

The last time a girl attempted to get on stage to sing with us, she leaned on my amp and sent it flying over a set of stairs. I'm glad she looked good, because I didn't......down on my knees replugging and sorting out my cables.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 12 Jun 2006 3:23 pm

What Jimbeaux said.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 12 Jun 2006 4:20 pm

Know what ya mean Chris about em over running you! lol..

We usuually don't allow people we don't know to sit in unless it is an "open mike" night for all of the above stated reasons. I usually in a polite way refer them to the Kareoke nights. If it is an "open mike" and they've got the "urge" well come on, I'll laugh and have some fun with ya! lol..
[I do have agreements with the club owners, or managers that I don't have to let some sloppy falling down "drunk" on the bandstand with all our gear and equipment, cause that just aint gonna happen!

When we do bring some one up on the bandstand I honestly try to do my very best no matter what.

Like I said, in my opinion it doesn't cost any extra to try and be nice!

Larry[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 12 June 2006 at 05:22 PM.]

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 12 Jun 2006 5:08 pm

Whats the big deal.If one wants a good laugh listen to some of the so called pro singers making big bucks who can't sing either.Or watch them on tv.running back and forth across a stage half naked and screaming in to a mike and making millions.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 12 Jun 2006 5:32 pm

ain`t that a truth...

Db

------------------

"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com

Robert Shafer · Post by **Robert Shafer** » 12 Jun 2006 6:10 pm

Having just returned from the Aloha Dreams Hawaiian Guitar Convention at Brecon UK I have just been through what could have been absolutey total embarrassment.
I am a struggling amateur with little knowledge or experience and even less skill. It was an informal affair and I was asked if I would care to do a number. I told them that I was not very good but I was persuaded.
Until this time I had never actually seen a steel guitar being played 'live', much less me playing in front of an audience.
I commenced my rendition of 'Ebb Tide' and after about two bars I dropped the bar and it jammed between the strings. Oh dear.
I apologised and restarted. Things then just got worse. My hands were soaked in nervous sweat and the bar flew at least another three times. I struggled on and couldn't wait for the tune to end. It was dreadful.
Thankfully my 'turn' was just before the interval so 'my' audience had time to recover.
I then sought a quiet corner where I could hide my embarrasment. At least two eminent professional players came up to me and said "well done, you've got the touch, the chords were correct and your tone was good". I protested that it was rubbish and they disagreed and went on to give me a few invaluable tips and helpful hints. Other good players also encouraged me and congratulated me on the good bits (there weren't many).
At no time did I feel that anyone was laughing at me and all comment was good humoured and full of encouragement and good grace. I can only attribute this to the Aloha Spirit that seems to pervade the Hawaiian Guitar community.
I felt uplifted and can only offer my humble thanks for their tolerance and kindness.
Funnily enough, when I got home I plugged in and played it note perfect. Hmmm typical, I thought.
That week-end was a massive learning curve for me and I have been invited to return. They must be gluttons for punishment.
I am sure that if my efforts were greeted with derision and howls of laughter I would have sold off my steel guitar equipment and taken up knitting.
Now that I am armed with all this new information I can redouble my efforts to improve. So watch out you pro's, because, just like Arnie, I'll be back!

Just another humble half a groat's worth.

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 12 Jun 2006 6:15 pm

Unless I know for a fact that the person can do a good job, I try not to let anyone change the dynamic that we're trying our best to maintain...If anyone needs to screw up I want it to be one of the regulars in the band...and trust me we will!

Most of the crowd doesn't relate to the bad music as being the "NEW" person on stage only that "These guys suck!

Now I'm not unfamiliar with wingin' it, but very seldom do I get up with a band...I don't want to interrupt the flow that they have going..UUUH, what song,, er what key,etc.

Unless you hired me don't ask to get up with us.

Gordon Borland · Post by **Gordon Borland** » 12 Jun 2006 6:40 pm

In the early years when I played guitar in the band I learned that every new brother-in-law at every wedding could "really play Honky Tonk" so let him up there to play. There was never one that could but it was all part of the gig so bring him up and let the train wreck begin. Most "sit ins" are a train wreck. Only one sticks out in my mind that was a total shock! A very stunning middle aged lady got to the stage and she turned and said "Crazy in Bb" and she counted it off. As tired at that tune is for a sit-in girl singer she nailed it with the emotions, dynamics and performance. She performed the song and everyone bought it. People were on their feet when the outro started and they would not let her off the stage. She turns to me and says "Blue Bayou
in B natural" That bar crowed turned into an audiance! I had tears in my eyes when she done. What a night!
The other thousand or so "want-to-be's " were mostly all train wrecks but in our band we tried the best we could to help make them sound as good as they could.
Then there was the drunk lady at the bar that was married to the owner of everything in Freer Texas. Everyone helped get her drunk butt on the stage and she calls "Release Me".
So we kick it off and she starts singing "Far across the deep blue water...."
She got confused, started sobbing and gets off the stage...Yup...Aint been back to Freer Texas since 1972!.

------------------
Gordon Borland
MSA D10,FENDER STEEL KING,

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 12 Jun 2006 8:15 pm

I've played a lot of these open mic gigs. If you're a smart musician, and you want your crowd to keep coming, you don't bite the hand that feeds you. These people are paying your salary. Most people don't know good music from bad, but they all know how it hurts to be made fun of.

------------------
Emmons Lashley Legrande D-10 8/4, Mullen D-10 8/4,Nashville 400, Profex II, Bunches of fiddles,guitars,etc....

www.racmusic.tripod.com

]http://racmusic.tripod.com

[/URL]

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 12 Jun 2006 8:52 pm

Well I've been reading the posts here and I thought I'd jump in and spout off a little

I worked at a club for a lot of years that was the club know as "anyone can get up and sing here" I mean when anyone at all came to town and they asked the motel/hotel desk clerk or gas station attendant or even the funeral home director where could a person go and get up and sing or jam here in town everyone named this club and for over 20 years it remained the king of the set-in clubs.

I would get so very very tired of folks getting up and singing so bad or playing so bad and it seemed that the less talent that they the bigger ego they had. Well I can honestly say that I never laughed out loud and everytime someone else in the band would I felt like crawling under my amps.

I have always hated making fun of anyone for any reason maybe it's because as a kid I was mocked and teased constantly about my size. So somewhere along the line I made a decision never to hurt anyone's feelings or laugh out loud for fear of hurting their feelings.

Now mind you I said out loud I promise you there were times that I was laughing very loud inside but I always tried to keep it inside.

I just feel that in the club I worked in it was usually the person with the least amount of talent and self worth that was laughing the loudest. So most of the time I think it actually makes us feel good to see that we're not the worst singer/musician on the planet. That might possibly be one reason for laughing and there's probably several more.

I also think that everyone of us have been that poor person that was being laughed at and believe me I can remember how it felt to be laughed at and of course thats another reason for trying not to hurt peoples feelings.

Now in defense of the musician that was caught laughing out loud Sunday night. I don't have a clue who it is and it doesn't matter it could be any one of probably 20 pickers here in town.

Just try to see his point of view. He has to work Broadway to make a living and it's just about the only country scene left in town. The S.O.P. of just about every club on Broadway is to let folks get up and sing if they ask usually it's after the 1st couple of sets but not always.

So anyway this poor picker is probably doing at least 8 to 10 spots a week down on Broad and at every gig there is probably any where from 3 to 8 singers asking to get up and sing and who knows how many sing good but probably not very many. So by the end of the week on Sunday night they might have had to back up to as many 10 to 50 less than stellar singers. So just maybe on Sunday night it was more than he could take and instead of getting mad and verbally abusing or even worse this picker decides to laugh out loud. If thats the case I think he made a good decision I think that is much better than getting angry and making a big scene which in my mind would be much worse than laughing out loud.

I'm not condoning it but I am trying to make you guys see it from his side possibly. In a perfect club/world no one would get up unless the band personally knew them and they all agree and even then it should be later in the evening. Just my thoughts on this thread

Bob

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 12 Jun 2006 9:56 pm

Ok, sorry but I have to put in my $1.50 here. I do not know Mr. Besic, but have no reason to doubt his take on Sunday night's events. However, I was down there as well, and there a couple of relevant factors that have not been mentioned yet. One being that it was Fan Fair week (and yes, I still call it Fan Fair). Speaking as someone who works on a regular basis on Broadway (as well as The Opry, and other "concert" type settings), it is not usual practice to let just anyone from the crowd sit in carte blanche. Just doesn't happen, especially on the later shifts (6 - 10, or 10 - 2). Unless, of course someone knows the singer, or it is a visiting artist, which happens quite often. Fan Fair week is a bit different. 100k plus country music fans and "singers" from all over the world converge on this city to catch a glimpse of all their favorite singers. So, for one week (and I'm not complaining, I know where my bread is buttered) we dodge motorists who are not accustomed to driving on our side of the road (let alone trying to decipher Tennessee road signs), entertain well meaning fans who watch us "juggle chainsaws" whilst holding out a tin cup, and babysit the flavor of the day "artists" all while just trying to make a living. My point? Cut him some slack. If you have never worked in Nashville during Fan Fair week, and I'm sure a lot of you have (Bobbe help me out here.......), maybe now you have a better picture of what the underacknowledged sideman's emotional state might be by the end of this slugfest. I personally missed an artist gig last year at Fan Fair because the band leader came in where I was working on Sunday night at 12:00 to "audition me." I was spent by that point, my ears were shot, and I simply blew it. I had absolutely nothing left after 13 shifts on Broadway, and 2 River Stages shows between Wednesday and Sunday. I kick no one's behind butt my own. I should have been fresher. The point is that Fan Fair week to a musician can be absolutely the busiest and most grueling week of the year. Like I said, I was down there last night, and besides myself (and I was on fiddle last night rather than steel), there were only two other forum members working down there. They are both (I'm very proud to say) friends of mine whom I respect greatly as musicians. Was he out of line in laughing? Maybe so. Just please consider the COMPLETE circumstances before passing judgement. Walk a mile.
Thanks!

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 12 Jun 2006 10:03 pm

PS- Neither one of these guys is malicious (unlike myself of course

). It is entirely possible that the laughter was not being directed specifically at the singer, so much as it was involuntary venting at the end of a very, very long week.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Jun 2006 12:54 am

And on the reverse..
Last year, don't recall actually when, we were down on Broadway and my two bandmates were with me, TJ and Matt Cook, brothers.

Jimmy Snyder ( Tootsies) invited them to come up and do a tune or two. Matt is our bands Tele monster and TJ fronts the band. Of course Matt just played Jimmys flatop, no Tele in the House. On Steel that afternoon was the great Fred Newell.

Lets just say this. After playing a few tunes, at meter, Fred pretty much just said to Matt and TJ..."Sure you guys may come to town and play the strip, but I doubt you're gonna be around much"...." I can only imagine what Matt does with a TELE in his hands"... " He will burn up the strip for sure "...

He told Matt outside something like... If you play well and keep a smile on your face, you will have more work than you you can possibly handle in this town....you will not have much time for the clubs down here...

so, there ya have it, from Mr. Fred.

and all that just from gettin' up and playin' a tune or three...

Jimmy Snyder laughed and told them he wants a 3 month notice before they come back !

------------------
------------------
TPrior
TPrior Steel Guitar Homesite

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 13 Jun 2006 5:30 am

Was there a full moon that night?
Entertainment venues that include or coincide with any form of alcohol seem to get really weird vibes on nights of full moons. You can feel the confused tension sometimes...

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 13 Jun 2006 7:31 am

When it was over he walked back up on the stage and said something to the bass player. I was surprised when the band took their break and the bass player packed up and left with two more sets to go. I found out later that he was fired at that moment.The leader apologized to my friend and about a week later we went back to see them again.

now that is the band leader who knows who pay`s his bills.Man like that I would always work for.

Db

------------------

"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com