The Steel Guitar Forum

What would be your choice of the ideal gigs to play? It could be weekends, weekend out of towners, you name it but a gig where you go and set up to play live. I've played everything from honky-tonks to 5 Star hotel gigs and these days playing at a decent clean honky-tonk with customers that appreciate country music and will even dance to the shuffles is just fine.

I'm actually pretty happy with doing theatre shows ('Always - Patsy Cline', 'Honky Tonk Angels', 'Whorehouse...' etc) - at least the audience is usually paying attention, the band's never deafeningly loud, and I'm usually done by 10.30 at night.

While I sometimes wish I could play the occasional gig in a looser environment, like a bar-band, there's still plenty of space to improvise in the regimented world of the stage-show, too - I guess the 'grass is always greener'....!

In a perfect world, I'd be playing with James Taylor, but he hasn't asked me yet.

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Roger Rettig <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 07 January 2003 at 02:59 PM.]</p></FONT>

$500

Half time at the Superbowl: Every steel guitar player in the world all playing Steel Guitar Rag in unison at $1,000.00 each. (And me running a concession stand specializing in ear plugs.)

Ooh.. James Taylor was a good one. I suppose since I'm a lapsteel and other various string instrument player and not a pedal steel player, I'd like to sit in and play Lindley's parts with Jackson Browne.
Of course, all that discussion in the forum about Shania, I would assume she pays well, and there's nothing wrong standing behind her on a stage with tons of people cheering.

I love being in the "house band", and I've played three such gigs. They were all sit-down gigs in local clubs, and each lasted for years! At two of the places, we were the only band, so we got to leave our stuff set up on stage! Having these two gigs (a total of about 12 years) was great...walk in, uncover the stuff, turn it on, and start playing! At closing time, we just reversed the process.

The other club was nice, but not in the best area, so I took my steel home each night. That club featured us and one other great band (30-on, 30-off...continuous live music), and a host of super-talented locals who would come in regularly...with a lotta changing and switching band members just to break the monotony. (That gig lasted about 5 years.)

A lot of players played nicer places, made more money, and got to travel around and be seen more, but none of them was ever happier than we were.

Any gig that I don't have to jack with a PA system rates pretty high on my list. Other than that, the perfect gig for me is about a 1-1/2 hour show with good pay, excellent musicians, an appreciative crowd, and drinks on the house.

Earl,
I had a gig similar to the one you described. It was 3.5 hours, real nice restaurant house gig so everything stayed there, free coffee and cokes, pretty good discount on the booze and sometimes it was free too and less than 10 minutes from my house! It lasted over three years.

House band at a casino in Las Vegas. 5 night weeks, Sun thru Thurs.Cover Band/classic country, Swing shift. 20 year contract, $50,000/yr + COL raises, with health benefits.

With comped rooms and perpetual room service.

Nickel slot machines.

Sauna.

A swimming pool.

Also a month off every year.

And a pony.

Eric, what will you name your pony?

Number 1.

I imagine I'll be needing several, because I'm already pretty heavy, and after my trips back to the room from the midnight breakfast specials at the Nugget, I'll be pretty hard to carry, and they won't last long...

The rest of them? No#s 2,3,4 etc...

Thought I was gonna say Macaroni, didn't you?
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Eric West on 07 January 2003 at 11:13 PM.]</p></FONT>

For me the best gigs are the ones where the other musicians challenge and inspire my to play at my very best. I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has played gigs with musicians or singers who were not as skilled as I am.

For most of 2002 I played in a blues rock band (which sadly is now history) with some of the best players I've ever been privileged to work with. It was a real joy to play with such fine musicians.

"Thought I was gonna say Macaroni, didn't you?"

Eric, I thought you were going to say "Lucky".

Here are my criteria. All must be met to be one of the "better" gigs.

1. A gig where all my body parts are functioning properly, and I'm in a good mood.

2. All band members remember their parts for 80% of the songs.

3. I don't have to traverse stairs, or more than 50 yards, carrying in my equipment.

4. There are 30 or more people in the audience.

5. I'm not coughing from the smoke after the first set.

6. I don't break a string.

7. I get at least $70.00

8. My wife let's me keep the $70.00

9. My car doesn't break down

10. I'm home in bed by 1:00am

When I get to play an ElectraHarp in Heaven.

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UTILITY MAN PRODUCTIONS
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE,
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and MESA BOOGIE Amps.

I would love to tour with a major label act. Imagine playing a sold out Reliant Stadium...I would also love to play on the Grand Ol Opry.
Jake Lowe<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jake L on 08 January 2003 at 04:35 PM.]</p></FONT>

I have the perfect gig. The Little O' Opry
in Westfork, Ar. every Saturday night with very few misses in the last 11 plus years.
A very good band that has been together so long we can read each others thoughts and an
unrehearsed show to keep you on you toes all the time with a completely different show each week. The 110 year old building is full or near full capacity every Saturday night.
Jerry

Jerry, I think I have the perfect gig.
Friday and Saturday nights, 49 weeks per year. Christian Supper Club with 100-350 in attendance. Every song is COUNTRY gospel! The band has essentially been together for 11 years. We have backed folks like, Ronnie Hinson, The Hinsons, Squire Parsons, The Lesters, Walter Bailes and others, when performing at our place. We can read each others minds, and all are very respectful of each other. The crowd gives a hand after a solo! And one of the best things for a steel player, my son is the sound man! Great for the mix!

I had a 3 year duo/trio gig on Cape Cod
in Chatham at the Wayside Inn. We'd arrive Friday afternoon and play Friday and Saturday nights. Friendly people, great food and an open bar for us (because they knew we didn't abuse it). We sometimes opened for people like Loudon Wainright, Leon Redbone, Jonathan Edwards etc. Good pay too. Funny story: The person who got the gig played with us only once. He was caught in a lie by the owner and fired. We then talked them into hiring us. Best gig I ever had. --Joel

The gig I have now. I walk two blocks to a beautifully renovated hotel to do a jam on Sat. and Sun. afternoons (3-7) with a bunch of beautiful folks with great attitudes and chops. The only sore spot, we have to move our gear from one part of the club to another for Sunday. Boo-Hoo!! Did I mention I get paid well too?

I'll have to agree with Roger on the theatre gigs. I did The Honky Tonk Angels this past summer and loved it. Great music, and the people I worked with were real pros!!! By the way Roger, one of the actresses I worked with, Becky Barta, had nothing but great things to say about you. I would love to meet and hear you someday.

<SMALL>House band at a casino in Las Vegas. 5 night weeks, Sun thru Thurs.Cover Band/classic country, Swing shift. 20 year contract, $50,000/yr + COL raises, with health benefits.</SMALL>

Thats the gig I have. Only its four days a week. Sun-Wed 3P.M.-8P.M. at Harrah's Las Vegas. And only a one year contract(but they've renewed it four times). No health benefits and I only make $40,000/yr, but I do have three ponys(Quarter Horses)

Perfect Gig? 7 nights in a dance hall at a nudist colony with free beer and 45 minute breaks.

Alvin:
We stay at Harrah's most every time we go to Vegas. Where do you play there? Is it the same lounge that Sam plays, or used to play?

Did you ever play with Sam?

One of my main bitches is that Harrahs never had much lounge entertainment, let alone country.

Seems the Silverton was the only place to go and the lounge music there was spotty at best.

Even Sam's Town never seemed to have much to offer when we were in town, usually Wed-Friday.

I expect we will be up first time in the spring as usual. Keep us posted where and when your are playing.
Thanks. Ken