Unanswered Request

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Nov 2006 5:30 am

Have you ever requested from a hot as a skillet band, who subtly requested requests, a once top of the charts hit song, only to have them wave off the request? Picture the lady who was fronting the band having rhythm and talent to spare. The song was written for a female vocalist with steel guitar fill in all its glory. I'm hoping that she will coax the band to include the song in future bookings.

Edited for grammatical errors.
A loud band has that effect on me!![This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 12 November 2006 at 10:49 AM.][This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 12 November 2006 at 10:51 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Nov 2006 10:54 am

Bump!

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 12 Nov 2006 11:07 am

I used to play with a group, in about the 1984's or thereabouts....... they lasted some 20+ years but unbeknownst to them, they were all basic amatuers, at best.
A their basement rehearsals, they had to set up all of the monitors and 1/2 dozen microphones, lights, etc., and it was not uncommon to rehearse a single song (Pretty Woman or Elvira) for the entire four hours.)
These were two songs that they had been performing for several years.......
They routinely would announce via the mike
to folks on the dance floor, to come and request their favorite song. Since they played nearly everything 4/4 time, it was not uncommon for someone to come up and ask for "Tennessee Waltz" or something similar.
These requests were routinely IGNORED...as tho' the requestor was some kind of dunce. OR, they'd inquire over the mike if there was a 'drummer' in the crowd that could come up and sit-in for the playing of "Tennessee Waltz". The self-taught drummer could only play Rock & Roll and always at the same temp all night long.
People with limited talent should not even invite requests from an audience. To ignore a request is not really good business.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 12 Nov 2006 11:23 am

Sometimes ASKING for requests can backfire,You may be playing in a hardcore country band with steel,CLEAN guitar,and fiddle,most of the time some nitwit will start screming FREE BIRD,or SMOKE ON THE WATER.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 12 Nov 2006 12:23 pm

I've played in a BUNCH of bands over more than 40 years. I have NEVER played in a band that would refuse to play a request for a song they knew.

As was mentioned, many people have no clue what to request -- i.e., what is appropriate, within genre, etc. Not all bands are eclectic, wedding reception bands that play everything from Sinatra to Elvis to Ray Price to 'Smoke on the Water'.

The real factor for band I've played with is whether the singer (or ANYONE) knows the lyrics. A good musician can fake the chords when someone knows the lyrics and everyone else is at least vaguely familiar with the song, but sometimes the band JUST DOESN'T KNOW THE SONG. Some 'fans' are relentless and will continue requesting a tune the band can't play, seemingly thinking that they'll somehow receive a beam from heaven if they just keep requesting it.

Most people have no clue about the realities of playing in a band. It seems to be most evident in the realm of requests.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Mike Ester · Post by **Mike Ester** » 12 Nov 2006 12:27 pm

Most people have no clue about the realities of playing in a band. It seems to be most evident in the realm of requests.

Aww, Larry. They just aren't familiar with "Da Rulez":
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum6/HTML/006910.html

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 12 Nov 2006 1:06 pm

Ya gotta love people...
Just last night a band I was sitting in with had just finished "Folsom Prison" when a Gal sitting at a table next to the bandstand asked if we could play some Johnny Cash- "You know, that Folsom Prison Song". You can't buy that kind of chuckle.

Wayne Baker · Post by **Wayne Baker** » 12 Nov 2006 1:45 pm

Bill, you really should use more dashes... It would aid in the readability of your post... :0

hot-as-a-skillet...

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

Thanks,
Wayne Baker
Emmons Legrande d-10

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 12 Nov 2006 3:33 pm

A guy gesturing a $100 bill towards my tip jar requested Devil Went Down To Georgia (I was playing with another guy as a duo with 2 acoustic guitars).
Having never actually learned or played it before, I pulled every rememberance of that song out of my memory, and with a few moments of key finding and brief chord pattern discussion, we ripped that baby off to the delight of the requestors table!
Montana had been hit by a hail storm that damaged 100's of roofs a few weeks earlier. The requestor was the owner of a prominant roofing company, who was out on the town, and was having a good time.
Some nights it seems like we've known every single request... other nights it's the ol' "We've already played that one, but we'll sneak it in again if we have time" (I like that better than "We don't know it").
~pb

[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 12 November 2006 at 03:35 PM.]

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 12 Nov 2006 4:19 pm

I too with my band spent several hours a week (usually at a club we were working 6 nites)rehearsing new material. But in doing request I believe that kept the crowds coming and thus many years of steady work. I wouldn't venture too far and do material we did not know. If I could not do the particular request on the night requested,I usually would have it the next time that customer came around. The people most of the time wanted songs that were popular and usually in our repitoire. I use to surprise myself with my song memory bank. Sometimes I surprised the band but they loved good pay and steady work.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 12 Nov 2006 8:52 pm

I once requested Amazing Grace from a friend who had a great band and did a wonderful version of the song. He said, "Not after that last song I sang." (a typical drinkin' cheatin' song)

I said, "But that's the point of Amazing Grace."

He didn't do the song. I guess my reasoning didn't sit well with him.

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 12 Nov 2006 9:20 pm

I always tried to answer request.Did you ever notice,that when you didn't realy know the song very well,that if you informed the customer of that fact,you would get a better responce than usual? They appreciate the effort to please them.Many times I've sang the "one" verse or chorus that I knew then play an inturmenal and repeat the same vocal.Have you expierenced that?PJ

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 12 Nov 2006 9:53 pm

I played in several bands in the 60s on the East Coast who worked the beach clubs 7 days a week from noon till 2 AM with two hours off for dinner and the band wasn't even warmed up till the 6th set. We would buy any patron a drink if we didn't know his request.I grew up thinking those hours and that kind of repertoire were de rigueur.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 12 Nov 2006 9:59 pm

We will take a shot at many requests,
but some are just non-starters.
To please one person, should you
really fall down in front of the
whole room.

If you don't know it,
you don't know it.
Plain and simple.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 12 Nov 2006 10:17 pm

I am with Larry on this one. Some people request songs or tunes that are just not what a particular band plays or a singer sings.

When I toured with a name singer during the sixties & seventies, more than once she would have more than one idiot come up and want her to sing a song they liked.

The difficult ones are the one's who have had a little too much sauce and get pissed off because you can't or won't do what they want. The look on their face usually tells you what's coming next.

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

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 12 November 2006 at 10:19 PM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Nov 2006 3:54 am

Wayne B., Thanks for the "pointers." I've spent some time with the rules of proper punctuation marks, and in actuality, a period usually denotes a full stop of a sentence. Swung dashes, apostrophes, guillemets, interrobangs, slashes, etc., are included in the cat and mouse rules of English. If I may concentrate on this thread more intently, whereby circumstances prior to making a request for a song, are usually the motivating forces, that instills the action. As my little entourage, and I passed through the popular dance hall and bar section doorway, we paused to pay admission. I noticed immediately that the "lady" collecting the "cash" was anything but receptive. While handing her real American dollars, I cheerfully asked, how are you? No response whatsoever, no eye to eye connection to appease the sorrowful composure. I was a tiny bit "frisky" at that moment, and I foolishly repeated my how are you question. Still no response emitting from her pursed lips, which left me with a lingering embarrassment, as I entered the seating area. She ruffled my demeanor sufficiently, by engaging in a blatant refrain, and subjecting me to a wake up call, not expected at an establishment. There was very little doubt in my mind, after hearing the featured band open with a few good numbers, that they had put it together. Their dynamics became the forte' of the group, and the female fronting the band was excellent. The spot that would have been great for a steel guitarist, was occupied by a second guitar. They misjudged the comfortable volume levels, and I spent almost three hours getting thumped half to death by the bass player, and the miked bass drum. As they attempted to blow out the walls, I sat through it all, and waited for the second break. Before the lead singer made it back to the stage, I handed her a request. I liked her singing style, and I chose one of my favorites, hoping that she could rally the band by simple request. She signaled me from the stage, that the band members apparently had not included one of my favorites in their driving competitive repertoire. It will be interesting to learn if the band will disregard the request, or try to rethink musical choices.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 13 Nov 2006 10:10 am

Last spring we got paid to go away
by a VERY drunk couple from Europe,
All because we couldn't play Dolly Parton songs.
Not even Stairway To Heaven...
No amount of apologies for not knowing her song demands,
and not having a soprano in the group,
would mollify this dame.

Playing songs pretty close,
or that Dolly would listen too didn't cut it.

Try as we might these two drunken wingnuts didn't take no for an answer,
and we took the full pay for the night,
deprived the other people there of the music,
amd went home.
It would have led to violence we were pretty sure,
from the husband, not us. Just totally out there.

Saddest part is they weren't the ones to hired us.
Someone else did, trying to get the best band
close to what they wanted.
Which we were; no question.

We of course were never told before hand that
we would be expected to play Dolly's song book...
Yah don't find many Dolly impersonators in Thailand....

But they got drunk, and maudlin,
and surly, then obnoxious,
and intolerable, and 'hands on'
in that order.

Yeah we do try and do a request,
but sometimes it is SOOO far from left field,
it's not gonna happen come hell or high water.

Mark Treepaz · Post by **Mark Treepaz** » 13 Nov 2006 10:36 am

Hey David,
I'm a little confused with your story. This couple weren't the ones that hired you, yet they were responsible for you not getting to finish the gig? What about the person that hired you? What did they have to say about the situation?

------------------
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, Fender Precision Bass (pre-CBS)

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Nov 2006 1:39 pm

David D.,

That must have been a harrying experience, to say the least. As you know, I live in the area of the great blizzard. There have been a few since the late eighties, that delivered deep snow, literally blocking highways. One stormy night we were answering a "request" to play in spite of an impending storm. Heavy snow was falling as we moved our equipment through the side door which was near the staging area. Just a few patrons lingered about nervously as the snow came down in blinding sheets. After playing about two sets, the owners met with our bandleader, and discussed the hopeless situation. Luckily, common sense prevailed, and we agreed to accept half of the original pay. By that time, the snow was half way up the wheel covers. I was driving a two wheel drive at the time, but the trip home made me thankful that all parties involved, happened to be in a more reciprocating mood, than the two combative exponents of Dolly Parton Fame.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Nov 2006 1:57 pm

We'd try just about anything...I always seem to know the obscure songs that most band members wouldn't touch. Such a memory (gift?) has led me to have to sing everything from "I Remember You" to "Sink The Bismark" to "Paint It Black", and even "Sukiyaki", the big Japanese hit from the '60s. Though we didn't "ace them" by any means, we did a credible enough job to satiate the clientele.

One big advantage of obscurity is that you have nothing much to lose by flubbing something occasionally.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 13 Nov 2006 2:31 pm

the two combative exponents of Dolly Parton Fame.

Well, I've never heard 'em referred to in that way but I'm sure Dolly would be real tickled (and probably real successful) to do combat with 'em.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Nov 2006 2:27 am

Donny H.,

Thanks for dropping a few lines in this thread. I've learned to recognize your sage characteristics.
From what you've written, it appears as though you and your band could manage to take a secure position in every situation. The prominence of a rowdy and obnoxious "clientele" intermingling with gentle folks, is a major distraction in the eyes of a good bandleader. I can expressly recall an intoxicated familiar face falling on my Fender 1000. He snapped the plug loose in one front leg of the steel. The solder gave way under the impact of his towering frame. Another incident occurred while gigging in a hinterland village 35 south of my home. There was a full moon shining as we drove the shortest route to the club. Something stirred the crowd to become agitated that evening. We heard a loud crash against the wall separating the band from the bar section. It was a tipped pool table slamming with great force against the partition. One patron, with excessive dancing zeal, lost his balance, and he careened into the bandleader's mike stand. Half of the drum set landed on the floor, and the bandleader was rubbing his mouth to check for missing teeth. Then there were the good nights.....

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 14 Nov 2006 5:22 am

Mark, we were hired by a resort owner to provide a band for this lady's birthday,
but it was at a public club on the beach,
not their resort next door.

They never specified much besides sing in english.
They were told someone was american in the group,
nothing much else.

The resort people basically the next day told these two to take a hike.
They were sick of them and no amount of money
would buy them another night.

They had complained for three days ;

That ALL of Thailand didn't look like the brochures,

That the Thai people didn't bother to speak
Dutch or German with them, only English.... DUH!

That the incredibly inexpensive prices here were too high,
because some one told them the prices from
10 years ago during the backpacker days.

The resort owner apologized to us profusly,
AND our friend who located us for him.

Our friend has gotten us many weddings
and private functions, for great money.
Including since this incident.

He runs a series of top-shelf rental house/compounds,
perfect for wedding parties of 10-20.
And really gorgeous with infiniti pools,
bathouses, full kitchens with staff
and views to die for.

Basically the resort owner wanted to shut the idiot up,
and so 'allowed' him to pick up the tab to,
get 'this insulting band out of his face.'

The only insults made were by this guy and his wife.
We were preturnaturally stoical.

The guy tried to pick a fight with my builder Steve,
deludidly thinking he was the band manager...
Until Steve stood up, with quite a look on his face,
towered over him, and said,
"I ain't the manager...You sure you want this."

Inspite of us being quite nice, REALLY TRYING,
he came close enough to having more than
one of us have a go at him.
Rick was seething...but did and said nothing
beyond undeserved apologies.

I am sorry, we can't play any Dolly Parton...
would you like to hear, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, etc, etc,
over and over again.

Even after being hit in the mouth twice
from the wife pulling the mic stand from his mouth
so she could badger him DURING songs... "Dolly, Dolly, Dolly!
Why won't you play my song???", whack.

The husband put a hand on Chacha, for 1 second, lightly,
and if it was any more than just what he did,
I would have had him against the tree nearby.

You want to mouth off at me, fair play,
but don't even think of getting into it with the lady,
even if she has something to say; smart, dumb or funny.

It is sad that some people think bands are jukeboxes;
you put a quarter in the singers rear,
and out comes your favorite song.

Unanswered request... yeah it happens.
It also shouldn't be the bands problem,
the requester didn't learn the song either...

We try requests if there is half a chance of pulling it off,
we allow some sit-ins too.
But there MUST be limits to this.

Bill I did a gig at U of Rhode island many years back,
drove out from Providence with my 4'1" girlfriend Doreen,
in a left hand drive, slant 6 mail truck,
filled with band and PA, at 3 am,
on up to Cape Cod in a blizzard.

Turns out the route I took was declared a federal disaster zone for 4 days after that.
But I had so much band stuff in the back,
it just kept plugging down the highway.

Snow so bad I had to wade out waist deep,
to brush show of the highway signs to tell were the I-290 exit was.

I always liked snow storms,
when I drove a snow plow all winter.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 14 November 2006 at 06:30 AM.]

Mark Treepaz · Post by **Mark Treepaz** » 14 Nov 2006 5:46 am

David,
Ah, now I see what happened. That was a wise move by the manager to "do whatever it takes" to get rid of them once and for all.

I've ran across these types myself. There's nothing, no-way, regardless of what you or anyone else does, that is going to please them. It's as if these pompus, arrogant a$$'$ go out with full intention of being a problem to wherever it is that they're going.

We musicians all have to be prepared for it at this time of year..Christmas parties and the grand daddy of them all, New Years Eve is coming up. They all seem to "come out of the woodwork" then. People that don't go out all year long, then they're going to "steal the show" with their show-off antics, and end up being nothing more than a pain-in-the-a$$ to the entertainers and other party goers. It never fails. There's always at least one...

------------------
Sho-Bud LDG, Gretsch Syncromatic Lap Steel, Bach Stradivarious 37 Trumpet, Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn, Fender Precision Bass (pre-CBS)

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 15 Nov 2006 12:59 am

This forum's pool of writers, obviously are selectivity conscious, as they deftly steer around issues that may tend to raise eyebrows. I base my straight forward comments on the published paragraphs that exist, containing fine print details on such subject matter as why one instrument is better than all the rest. Then the speed picking controversy, snowballs in on the blind side, as it gathers unwarrantable impetus. Speed picking is a myth, in that, it is not the ultimate method of delivering the shortest duration of note patterns. Neither are the fretboards on steel guitars, superior to the HUF as I have stated numerous times on this forum. Another point to point out, is how professional road bands climb on stage with dignity and rehearsed repetition. Their artistic deliveries includes a constant shorter term performance, which naturally disallows any requesters from bellowing out unwelcome requests. Of course, that method of entertainment is in sharp contrast with a cocky front person, who constantly challenges the audience to baffle the band with requests. This thread has taken a downward plunge as if the subject matter is a rare event, and of no consequence.