Playin ol, real country -

Ted Solesky · From: Mineral Wells, Texas, USA

Just a note. A good friend of mine, Reggie Brown (bass) called me to do a gig with him at Pearl's. My point here is, that I rarely do get to play the real ol country material and it can be a challenge if you haven't picked it in a while. I was sort of nervous about the gig. A note about Reggie. He's worked with Ray Price, Hank Thompson and Merle Haggard and Buddy Emmons when Emmons did a concert here in Fort Worth in the 80's. So, I was expected to cut it. Glad to say, it came off pretty good and it was fun!
I suggest to review the ol country now and then.

Bob Martin · From: Madison Tn

Way to go Ted, I'm glad things went so well. Depending how rusty you were on your country chops it could have went the other way but I suspect you are sandbagging about your worry about the gig. I'll bet you play the Ol country great.

I remember a gig several years ago where we needed a steel player and it was a sub for a really good steel player you might know him Cal Sharp (he post on nhere some and is a great player) we just call him C# Smile

Well anyway I was responsible for getting the sub because the sub Cal had lined up either got sick or had an illness in the family I can't remember now. So I called everyone that I knew and they were all busy it was Saturday night.

So you know the drill I start getting numbers from the players I knew that couldn't sub and told them to make sure and give me numbers of capable players. So I finally at about 7:00 pm found a well recommended steeler that I was told was a monster on jazz and bebop. So I naturally thought he'd be fine.

When I talked to him he said that he might be a little rusty on ol' country because it had been a while since he'd played a country gig.

After the 1st set of him not knowing any kick off's for our ol' standard country songs and playing my funny valentine licks on all ballads and one note samba licks on the faster country rides I asked him just how long it had been since he'd played a country gig and he replied over 30 years.

He went on to say that he had given up on country over 30 years ago to pursue a gig in jazz and bebop because country was just to boring and he also played guitar and some horn so he fit right in the jazz scene.

So everyone in the band rode me pretty high all night and man was I glad when it was over (5 hr gig). He never did settle in and play any country I'm almost certain that the more our band leader asked him politely to play a little more laid back and more country the more he pulled out deep catalog jazz licks :-)

When we got done he was talking to me and was saying that he didn't think it went so bad for being that long since he'd played a country gig and the band leader was paying us all and overheard his statement and as he handed him his cash he said what do you mean you still haven't played a country gig he went on further to tell him that he turned our country gig into a jazz fest and not to expect to get called again. As he walked out the door he looked back at me and said I'd like to get that so and so band leader at one of my gigs and see how well he'd do and I had all I could stand so I followed him out the door and very politely told him that our bass player could never cut a jazz gig but he had enough sense not to ever take a jazz gig and I smiled and walked away. At least it left him with something to think about without me having to say one derogatory word to him about the night.

Looking back I doubt that this so called jazz and bebop player ever had a whole lot of success in that biz either. Not only didn't he not know any country licks he didn't even suspect any! If the country music cops had came in that night we would have all went to prision for life :-)

Ok before I get any flames be aware that I love jazz and bebop and love to listen to it hours on end and even try to play some or at least as much as I can get way with. But I'd never agree to do a jazz gig as a sub or as far as that goes even as a sound man sub I'm just not compentent enough to do either :-)

Remember the old saying "feel free to layout any time" Well I wish I had thought to tell him that but as bad as I wanted to say something smart to him I didn't and he wasn't the most pleasent player I've ever worked with. It's a good thing I knew all the intros and lead rides as well as all the endings. By the end of the night I had even heard all of my licks I could stand at least 10 times (and that's in one song) Smile

what about the poor audience and band LOL!

Bob

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