.....instead of DJ's!

I go through the Craigslist ads every day. I’m starting to see more and more of this type of post.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/evg/3214730528.html
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/muc/3202853204.html

I know of a local entertainer who does a great Frank Sinatra impersonation act. He does all kinds of gigs, but mostly the summer Festivals and cabaret-type shows. At one of the summer Festivals I heard him before I saw him. He sounded great, but you could have knocked me over with a feather when I found out the equipment he was using. A small case with an Ipad in it loaded with Frank Sinatra Karaoke tracks, his wireless mike gear, and a small PA amp that runs on batteries. All this loaded onto the small size R&R cart and he would wheel this around the fair grounds.

I’ve also heard my share of stories about people using Ipad mp3’s and a cheap stereo system instead of live music (or even a DJ) at their parties.

Then I heard of those who are connecting to Pandora for continuous music so they don’t even have to “press any buttons” during the event.

Here’s what I’m leading to...

On the one hand, I think it’s necessary to know what’s going on out there.
On the other hand, I’m thinking maybe it’s NOT necessary to “know what’s going on out there” and just do the best that I can do! Maybe “ignorance IS bliss” as they say ‘cause this kind of stuff can be very discouraging.

What do YOU think? How do YOU handle it when you hear scenarios like this?

I think it is a sign of the times as technology advances at a blistering pace. Eventhough there are some that may not realize or care about the skills required by a live musician, I think they are still in the minority.

However, I believe a performer should keep up with the times, and employ any tools necessary for a varied show. I will use Karaoke files, play over SMF's,use MP3's and an Ipod in a selective manner. The bulk of my shows are always featuring me as a live arranger player.

I hide nothing. The people can see when I am playing live, and appreciate that, and the use of other tools doesn't detract from that.

Just my opinion after 45 years.

Bernie

Mark

Its been trending that way since DJ's overtook live bands in the 80's. I saw it years ago at a restaurant in North Jersey. Friend tells me this restaurant has a good piano player so I go there. Guy sits behind a table covered with a black cloth and sings. I go look behind the table and he's got a CD player, his drink, and an ashtray. (This is when you could still smoke in bars so you know how long ago this was) I knew him from years ago and he used to be a pretty good guitar player.
After that a good friend who gets lots of great gigs in North Jersey gave up bringing his keyboard and sings along with two IPODS and then DJ's the rest of the night in restaurants and for parties.
Since moving fulltime to the South Jersey Shore area and getting around to see as much music as I can, I've seen 3 totally live acts. A pretty good full band at the North Wildwood Elks, a decent piano player at a restaurant, and a very corny guitar player called Capt. Larry. Depressing huh? Since selling a lot of my stuff before the move here I have the funds to re-equip myself and the only thing that makes sense to buy is a laptop and join the crowd. I really don't want to go that way so I haven't bought anything new.
So the BK7M sounds better than the BK5 which you can't program as well as the PA500 which doesn't have all the goodies of the PX3 Pro, but the Yamaha is still the best seller. Don't matter. People only care about what comes out, not how you do it. HA! Just gotta do what makes US happy. I feel sorry for the new "musicians"

Don't matter. People only care about what comes out, not how you do it. HA! Just gotta do what makes US happy. I feel sorry for the new "musicians"


Bill finally someone understands..........good post!

I had a relatively long weekend to play with my favorite toy this past week - my sailboat. Yeah, I know, the keyboard is fun, but being away from the board for a four-day stretch, sailing down Chesapeake Bay and getting to see the live bands performing at the various marinas and resorts was a blast.

I spent three nights anchored up adjacent to locations that featured live bands. The first, Jellyfish Joel's at Great Oaks Marina, was really rockin' when I slipped through the narrow inlet. The adjacent harbor was jammed with about 250 boats of all sizes and descriptions, dozens of inflatable dinghys were ferrying people back and forth to the beach and the beach itself was jammed to capacity with what some on this forum refer to as the "younger audiences." The crowd consisted mainly of what I refer to as "teeny boppers," kids ranging from 18 to 35 years of age. This was the same scenario in each of the locations I visited, young people blasted out of their minds with booze and drugs to the point they had no idea what planet they were on.

The music, in every instance, was provided by live bands - NO DJs, KJs, etc... Each band had a drummer that must have taken an hour just to set up his gear. The sound systems at each venue consisted of a series of monster speakers from various manufacturers, some of which were older than me and weighed nearly as much as me. I'm still trying to determine how they managed to lift them on the stage without a crane.

I managed to sneak a peek at some of the amps and mixers, all of which were huge. I've seen smaller mixers in some major studios, and everything had a mic line running somewhere. The stages had so many wires running everywhere that it appeared as if someone dropped a massive bowl of spaghetti on the floor from a hovering helicopter. I don't know how anyone could possibly have walked across the stage without tripping and becoming hopelessly entangled in the maze of wires.

Nearly all of the bands consisted of: a drummer, 1 or more lead guitar players, bass player, rhythm guitar player, and 1 or more singers that also used some percussion instruments, shakers, sticks, tambourine, etc... I didn't see a single keyboard or portable, electric piano.

Now, I've always prided myself in my onstage and offstage appearance. However, this was definitely not the case with the bands I saw. Most were wearing shorts that appeared to have been dragged behind their van on the way to the job. They were nasty looking and ragged, and some obviously hadn't been anywhere near a wash machine for weeks. Nearly all of the band members wore T-shirts, mainly black, with various themes printed upon them, none of which had anything to do with the band.

The bands that had female vocalist provided the male attendees with eye candy. The gals were wearing bikinis that resembled two Band-Aids and a cork, they were deeply tanned, had long hair tied in the back into a ponytail and danced better than they sang.

The music at each venue was all pretty much the same - extremely loud, (I had to wear ear plugs to prevent hearing damage), singers screaming unintelligible words, lots of obscenities, and very repetitive lyrics. I think some of the songs didn't have more than a dozen words total - just a lot of repeated words. Each set lasted about 40 minutes, then the band usually put on a loud CD, MP3, etc... and let it blare for 30 minutes before they went back on stage.

The drummer(s) in every instance, had several mics on their drums. The way it sounded to me, even from a 1/4-mile away on the boat, was that the drummers didn't have to worry about wearing out the heads - every hit was a rim-shot, and I think they must have mics attached directly to the rims. Almost sounded like a dump-truck slamming the truck-gate to dislodge the mud stuck to the gate. Thankfully, the music usually ended by 12:30 at night, which may be a county ordinance so nearby residents can sleep. I guess this must be that "in your face" drums that I keep hearing about. In this case, however, the drums reverberated through your entire body.

At two locations I asked why they didn't have a synth or keyboard player in their group. Both band leaders (I assume they were the leaders) said they had them in the past, but there was really no need for them because in the overall mix they were barely audible. After hearing the bands perform, I couldn't envision a keyboard in the mix of excruciatingly, loud, ear-bleed, distortion emitted from the vast array of speakers.

Maybe I'm getting too old for this business, but from my perspective, I'm so happy that I'm no longer performing in a live band for "younger audiences." And, after witnessing, first hand, those younger audiences, I'm really not sure they would be getting much out of the music if they were not stoned and drunk out of their minds.

In just six, short weeks I'll be putting the sails up on my boat and head south to the Florida Keys and maybe the Bahamas, where I'll spend the winter months. Some of that time will be spent playing music, but most will just be enjoying the land of warmer weather, tropical breezes, sugar-white sand, turquoise colored water and swaying palm trees. While I'm there I'll check out the Tiki Bar and beach bands that play in the resort areas, and I'll check out those that perform at the various marinas and waterside restaurants along the Intra-Coastal Waterway. It should be quite interesting to see, first hand, the groups and individuals that entertain the crowds between northern Maryland and South Florida. I'll also make note of the audience composition as well. And, when I find a location that has free WI-FI I'll log in and post the results and some photos.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary, we've been friends for a long time now. I wish you would reconsider sailing all that way. Sell the boat, take the money and load your gear and wife into the van, drive down there, and rent a boat to sail around on.
Find a motel that will trade out your music for a room and food.
You are too old and your health isn't strong enough for the journey you are planning. This way you can take your boss and all your stuff.
I know you won't pay any attention to this, and it truly is none of my business, but I said it anyway!
Don

Is Carol gonna be your second mate ion this long voyage or is it a solo vacation? just sayin?... as far as the venues you mentioned above at least your opening your eyes to the truth out there when us old dinosaurs from the old school music performing world are gone and so is our audiences it's over, thinking we can fit in is fruitless although some here think there can in their minds......the new will always move up....same will happen to them also,.. whats current now in 50 years it will be replaced also it's a viscous cycle my friend.......just enjoy the time we have here on this earth now and keep going day by day......

Bon Voyage good buddy!

Hi Mark:

I suspect you feel your post has been hi-jacked... LOL, but your sure bring up an interesting observation. I know that those of you who perform for a living may be concerned about things like this... and yet you probably will just "soldier on" and do what you do to the best of your abilities.

As a songwriter, I'm always looking for cheap alternatives to find ways to put my songs to music. Much as I love my keyboards, It will have to be something that allows as much creativity as possible and not Karaoke like. What would be interesting is an iPad-ish device that would emulate an arranger sufficiently to allow styles and chord playing. I'm not an entertainer and so the right hand parts and speakers are non-essential elements for me. (Wish I had you guys musical talents.) I envy folks like Don Mason, Gary Diamond and Uncle Dave plus all the other talents who lurk around this interesting site. (Gary, please consider Don's request... none of us [to my knowledge] are spring chickens and that is a pretty long voyage you've mapped-out.)

Anyway, thanks Mark, for bringing this up.

All my best to everyone,

Dave Rice

http://www.ShowCaseYourMusic.com/DaveRice/

Well guys and gals, this voyage is something I've worked hard to do for 50 years. I planned it pretty much when I got out of the U.S. Navy and it's a dream I've been pursuing for over a half-century. My only regret is that I didn't do it 10 years ago, when I was in better health and a lot stronger. Yeah, I know I'm an old fart--that's who looks back at me in the mirror every morning. My health is improving to some degree, I'm at cardiac rehab 3 days a week, I've dumped 20 pounds, and hope to dump another 15 to 20 before I leave on October 1st.

Rest assured I will not take any undue risks that may put my life at risk. After sailing down Chesapeake Bay, the remainder of the trip will mostly be motoring 1,000-miles down the Intra-Coastal Waterway to Miami, then sailing down the Atlantic to Marathon Key, Florida, a trip of about 100 miles. Most of the trip will be like a long, slow drive down a water-covered highway, and each night I'll be safely anchored up in some secluded cove along the way.

My loving wife of a half-century thinks I'm totally insane, which, of course, is not out of the realm of possibility. She is staying here in the frozen north, but may fly down and stay with me on the boat for a few weeks in December of January. My daughter said he just might have to fly down and spend part of the winter on the boat as well. Of course, this good ole' dad will foot the bill for the plane fare.

I'll probably sail to Key West, spend a week there, then provision up and sail to the Dry Tortugas, which is about 50 miles over open ocean. I'll pick my days for the trip, depending on weather patterns. I thought about sailing over to Florida's panhandle, but the Gulf of Mexico gets pretty nasty during the winter months, so I'll probably opt out of that leg of the trip. Same holds true with the Bahamas--it's getting a bit risky for single-handed sailors there.

I'll be heading north on or about March 1, 2013, which means I should get home by April 1st or earlier, again depending upon the weather. I've already booked my first jobs for 2013 beginning April 15, 2013, so one way or another I have to be back home by then.

I look at this trip a bit differently than most. I know so many people my age that retired from their daytime job and did nothing till they died, often at a much younger age than myself. Most said they wished they would have did this, or that, but never pursued those wishes. I, on the other hand, have aggressively pursued my dreams, done more in my relatively short lifespan than anyone I know, and hope to continue to live an active, full life until the day they pull the sheets over my face. You only go around once in this life, and the way I see it you had better make the best of what you have. In the next 6 weeks I should be in great, physical shape, and the doctors all said there is no reason NOT to make the voyage. A couple of them said they wished they could go with me. I wish they could too.

If for some reason I don't survive the trip, well, the wife and kids will have a lot of neat stuff to either play with of sell off.

Cheers,

Gary

Have a good time and safe trip.

I am looking at trading my fat song books in for a tablet or laptop that can store and scroll my current lyrics now held as documents in my home pc. Any suggestions?