Len_derby

[quote name='Doddy' post='1283042' date='Jun 26 2011, 03:29 PM']As far as I'm concerned,there is a huge difference between the professional 'band' musicians and professional 'working' musicians.[/quote] That's interesting. What exactly do you mean?

There's going to be lots on this one I think. My 2pees worth is that similar to most 'jobs', a pro musician has to be; able to get on with other people (almost 24-7 if on tour), reliable, punctual, healthy, motivated, etc. Also, and not least, being able to put up with the 'befores' and 'afters' of performing. People sometimes seem impressed if I tell them what I get as my share of the band's fee (when they ask). Then I explain that I was actually out the house for six hours, not just the 1 hour I played!

And a big fat welcome in return. A bit of intense sparseness is always good for the soul.

Welcome to Basschat Bruce. I must admit to a softspot for the 'Shads' having played a few numbers of theirs over the years. The first wave of 'Britpop'

This place is a bit far to travel for you, but they are only 15 minutes west from J23 of the M1. [url="http://www.leicestershire-luthier.co.uk/index.html"]http://www.leicestershire-luthier.co.uk/index.html[/url] They do my Fenders. Very well too. I know the owner, Nigel, has Ric experience because I've seen them in his workshop and spoke to him about them. Might be worth dropping them an email.

Sorry to hear you've been 'jocked off' as they say in horse racing. It'd be interesting to see if this new band that's taking your place have any family connections to the pub owners. Being less suspicious, a lot of the rural pubs in my area (Derbyshire) have seen a dramatic drop in takings since the Christmas period. It might be that they are short-sightedly cost cutting.

Here's a couple of ideas you might not have considered. A local band I know recruited a chap who's sung lead parts in an amateur musical theatre company (e.g Sound Pacific) but had an ambition to be a 'rawwk star'. He's got a superb voice and can project it really well (sung for years without being mic'd up) but he just can't stop doing the sweeping arm gestures! Secondly, I've always thought that buskers would be a good source. If you find a good one they've got the chops and the confidence. I've often thought about giving a good one some cash in the hat and saying 'fancy singing with a band?' Having lived in York I know you'll find a few good buskers. Of course, you can hang out at Ikea. Anyone spending just a bit too long in front of the mirror displays is a likely recruit.

Thanks for the reality check Happy Jack. Your story is pretty similar to mine here out in the provinces. My guess is that the majority of gigging Basschaters will be in a similar boat. Some personal friends of mine, the David Gibb Band, are making their Glastonbury debut today. I'm very keen to ask them lots about it, but the sound set-up in particular.

I've just bought a tweed case off Andy. It all went very smoothly and he took the time to ring me and check my address for the courier. Beautifully packed (the case, not Andy). Pleasure to do business with him.

Welcome to the community. You have a great gear collection. Do you play in any bands?

[quote name='KiOgon' post='1267877' date='Jun 13 2011, 08:54 PM']Roland Bass Cube - easily in budget & very well spoken of [url="http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=roland+bass+cube&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-Address&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GB&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=15105962479043582183&sa=X&ei=p2r2TZexL5OLhQeKjpXtBg&ved=0CDoQ8wIwAQ#"]Plenty of choice[/url][/quote] Another +1 I've got a Cube 100. Can be carried in one hand and loud enough for small to medium gigs. One of the best bits of kit I've ever bought.

Last night was a reunion gig. A band I was in, the A52s, folded 4 years ago. However Peter, one of the guitarists, had a 'special' birthday party last night and at his request we did a reunion set. We'd done no playing together for 4 years until we had a run through in the afternoon. In the circumstances we did alright and Peter had a great time, which was the whole point of the event. It was in a local village hall with a proper stage and lots of room for dancing. I was able to crank up the volume through my fairly recently acquired BareFaced BigOne and feel my jean legs flapping. The audience didn't know how lucky they were. An old git band who didn't play 'Mustang Sally'. For the record, it was mostly Beatles, Small Faces, Humble Pie, Neil Young and Chuck Berry stuff. Had a bit of a hangover this morning.

Welcome to Basschat John. Enjoy your time here. I like the idea of playing a doomsday device.

Churches, most of which have adjacent community/meeting rooms. However, they will almost certainly try to recruit you into their music group. Even before they've heard you play

+1 for Roqsolid. I've bought covers for both my Roland Cube and my Barefaced BigOne. I wouldn't go anywhere else. I decided to go for the optional internal speaker protection 'pocket' for my BigOne cover. I've slipped in some good strong cardboard (from one of those tray/boxes that greengrocers have), and it's given lots of extra protection without adding much at all to the weight. Buy with confidence.

Yep Pete, been there. Not an easy one at all. It makes me think of something I say to people (often youngsters) when they express an interest in becoming a performing musician - 'bear in mind that your work-time is other people's play-time'. My best girlfriends & wives have been other musicians/performers or in the hospitality industry. Slight aside. A friend of mine ran a conference centre in Glasgow. She was interviewing for a new head chef. One chap seemed to fit the bill perfectly, but he didn't get the job. He said he didn't like working evenings.

Midus Guerreiro. Bass player for the Aynsley Lister band.

Welcome Steve. What kind of stuff will your band be playing? Is it the same set list from 1995?

Good luck my friend. Let us know how it goes. I always think that if we wait until we feel totally ready and prepared for things - they often never happen. I know too many people, some half my age, who bemoan being stuck in a rut but never seem to do anything about it. Go for it! Have fun!

[quote name='JoshL' post='1260518' date='Jun 7 2011, 11:28 PM']and look forward to spendin some time here. Josh[/quote] And probably some money too Welcome Josh.

[quote name='jonblake' post='1260129' date='Jun 7 2011, 07:28 PM']That's great, Len, although I was hoping it would inspire people to dig out my book![/quote] I will, I will! It's just that the CD was already in the house! WaterofTyne - thanks for the picture of you and your mate Garth. He doesn't look a day older - still looks 97. Yes, it's a shame he doesn't do much with Levon anymore. That man drums like no one else I've ever heard, but it always sounds so right.

Played one of these garden gigs last Saturday. In spite of the canvas covering there was an unpredictable breeze wafting about. My setlist and cribsheets blew away the second song in. They were picked up and brought back to me by a rather nice lady, so it wasn't all bad. You've had plenty of good advice already, the only other one I can add is car/van parking. If you're playing a party in a residential street it's worth trying to negotiate a parking space or drop-off in advance.

Thanks for this Jon. The influence of The Band was massive, and continues to be so. Danko, like most of The Band, was a talented multi-instrumentalist who just happened to be playing the bass on most of their songs. I've kept up with Levon Helm's career, still great. Robbie Robertson less so. Don't really know what happened to Garth Hudson. I've always thought that one of the many interesting things about them was their backgrounds. Although they sounded and looked like a southern USA outfit, they were all, bar Helm, Canadians. Well Jon, your book extract has made me dig out 'The Big Pink' again for a listen. Thanks!