From dougb415@yahoo.com Fri Oct 10 10:30:07 2003
Subject:Re: Gigs everywhere

I understand all the trepidation that most folks have about wedding bands. Luckily, the one I'm in *grooves* We do Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha, etc. My chops have improved considerably, as have my reading abilities. Also, without this band I'd not be able to get any new gear. My first gig with fls was New Years Eve 2001, and I made more that night than I had the entire previous year.

But to be sure, there have been times in the middle of a gig where I've thought "What the hell am I doing here?!?"

And, I got together with my old-old-old band this past summer, and we rocked out hard! That was a BLAST! To be honest, that get-together has stirred my creative juices more than anything these past few years.

So there are the plusses, along with the negatives. Sure, you have a captive audience that is there for the wedding, but let's be honest - how many times (when you play a club gig) are the people there to see YOU, vs just being there to get drunk and/or laid?

With fls, we usually start off with a quiet jazz set, and at that time we're just musical wallpaper. I doubt that most people would notice whether it's us, or a CD player in the background. By the time we start in on the dance sets, people DO take notice, and it becomes more like a "gig", complete with encores, cheering women and guys wailing away on air guitars ;-)

-Doug

paul p bisch wrote:
I also spent 3years in a wedding band. It was the most money I've ever
made in music. I was able to give up my private teaching gig which I
hated (babysitter). I did $45k gross a year. However, musically they
were the whitest most groovless band on the planet. In my 3rd year I
filled in with some old friends on a gig and I was amazed how bad my
playing had gotten. It was sloppy and uneven. I was embarrassed and knew
that things had to change. Now, not all wedding bands are this bad, but
the focus in on money and not music for these people and I got caught in
that trap. Needless to say, I gave notice and got in with my old
buddies and am struggling once more. But I drive home after the gig with
a smile on my face.

peebee@juno.com

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