Hi gang-

Wanted to share an enjoyable experience I had over the weekend.

I played for the first time Saturday night at a local Eagles. Its one of the bigger ones in the area and had always proved elusive in previous booking attempts.

They usually use a DJ and from what I'd heard were very happy with them. There was an opening by a scheduling fluke so they plugged me in. The booker for the club said the DJ's had been there a long time and did a great job, so I shouldn't get my hopes up for a steady gig or anything.

The first sign that things were going my way was when I walked in to set up about 6:00pm and two men who are Trustees of the club came up and introduced themselves. They asked what kind of music did I play. They also complimented me on my appearance. I had on a matching shirt/tie combo with pair of dress pants/black shoes. They explained that the DJ's they always use show up in jeans and a T-shirt.

The club was packed by 7:15pm. They had a large drawing scheduled later that night. I started at 8:00pm...Playing my normal mix of Pop, Country, Oldies and some Standards the dance floor started getting filled. So far so good...

The rest of the evening went very well with the following comments standing out:

1) I kept the dance floor much busier than the DJ's ever do...

2) I kept the crowd around alot longer than the DJ's do as well. I stopped at Midnight...and there were still 35-40 pp in there, which seemed to impress everyone...

3) My volume while loud was appropriate. From what I heard, the DJ's were twice as loud and played lots of "hip-hop" to try and appeal to the younger crowd...

...There have been aditional dates booked here, which pleases me quite a bit. The club is 15 minutes from my house, which is also great.

...In a time when so many clubs have switched to DJ's instead of live bands, it was a nice feeling to go into a new club, do what I normally do and find out that a crowd of strangers would react so positively. I wasn't surprised as much as I was reassured. The contact commented several times how the crowd was NEVER this big this late...I'm sure that translated into additional bar revenues.

Just thought I'd share-

Bill in Dayton

Good for you and thanks for posting something inspiring. Maybe there's hope.

Good post, Bill. Congrats and Thanks.
Eddie

I've heard lots of comments about people enjoying live bands 'for a change.' My group is slowly booking more jobs and hopefully that is a good signal for the future.

Bill .... good going ... that's great for you ... (and US !!!) ....
t.

Live music is the better choice! Sooner or later they'll all know it...
Thanks for posting in here, Bill, and good luck!

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Greetings from Frankfurt (Germany),
Sheriff ;-)

Give that man an atta-boy!!

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...shboom

Sounds like this could turn into something good Bill.

Good Luck,

Gary

Great post Bill....we are all happy for you..
the good allways shines through...INDEED, chalk one up for the "GOOD GUYS"....
Tony

Bill, Fantastic!
Thats music to my ears.
Ed

Good for you!

Bill: Thanks for sharing your good news with us. There is, indeed, hope for the music world and the rest of us after all. RICE

Great to see something so positive. Made me want to come and listen, but it's a long way from Florida!


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Graham

Yay for you

Great story Bill. As someone just starting out, I would be real interested to know what your typical playlist looks like. I would appreciate your sharing it. I'm trying to figure what will appeal to exactly the kind of crowd you played for. Could you send your playlist it or post a link to it? Thx, Russ



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Russ Bolduc
russbolduc@comcast.net
817-714-0488

Russ- here's a rough playlist from last weekend...

(Not in order)

It had to be you
Cheating Heart
My Blue Heaven
Last Date
Don't Get Around Anymore
I Left My Heart in San Fransisco
NY, NY
Are You Lonesome Tonight/
All Of Me
I Can't Stop Loving You
On The Road Again
Blueberry Hill
Need Your Love So Bad (Blues)
Blue Bayou
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Bartender's Blues
Amie (Pure Praire League)
How Sweet It Is (to be loved by you)
Harbor Lights
Don't Rock The Jukebox
Neon Moon
Keeper of the Stars
Margaritaville
For the Good Times
Take It Easy (Eagles)
You've Got A Friend
Look At Us
Could I Have This Dance?
Don't be Cruel
Welcome To My World
Tennessee Waltz
Heartbreak Hotel
I Saw her Standing There
Can't Help Falling In Love
KC
Unforgettable
Georgia On My Mind
Lady In Red
Wonderful Tonight (Clapton)
Wasted Days & Wasted Nights
He Stopped Loving Her Today
I Guess That's Why They Call it the blues
Sad Songs
I Always get Lucky With You
Still the one
She Believes in me
Take Your Memory With You (V. Gill)
Back Home Again
Best Of My Love
Stand by me
Lyin' Eyes
Boot Scootin Boogie
The Look Of Love
Crazy
Misty
The Wonder of You
Dock of the Bay
Reminiscing
Chances Are
Shower the People
I've Got You Under My Skin
My Life
Sarah Smile
Bluer Than Blue
Bus Stop
Just The Way You Are


... a few comments...

The crowd was decidedly older during the earlier part of the evening, so I skewed the songs toward them. After the first set, I played more contemporary songs and had good success keeping the dance floor filled. I felt that I was playing a lot of slower stuff, but that's what this crowd was asking for, so why fight it?

I am currently looking for somewhat contemprary UPBEAT songs that I can work into my act.

Hope it helps-

Bill in Dayton

It helps to be a TALENTED musician too.
zuki