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Topic: Most Gratifying Gig |
Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 3:26 pm |
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One the other post,we talk about bad gigs,What was your most gratifying gig you ever played,I always enjoy playing benefits for people that REALLY need it,But the ones that always made me feel humble was playing at VA hospitals,To have these guys with arms and legs missing to tell you how much they appreciated you[when it should be the other way around]is worth every effort you made to do it,GOD bless our DAV's,don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 3:36 pm
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Bama Charlie,
Like yourself, benefit gigs for Vetran organizations are very gratifing for me. As a life member of the DAV, even though it's non service connected I can relate.
Also benefits for Crippled Childrens Hospitals are very dear to me, I never turn down an opportunity to contribute to these causes.
Larry
_________________
Carter SD/10, 4&5 Hilton Pedal, Peavey Sessions 400, Peavey Renown 400, Home Grown Eff/Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY" |
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Steve Gorman
From:
Gilroy California
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 3:43 pm
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| Our band used to play for the Special Olympics each year. Kind of unusual to have a live band at a track meet, but it worked. These kids and adults loved us and our music, and they had no problem at all demonstrating their enthusiasm for our music. They were so uninhibited when expressing themselves, I always felt like we could all learn a lot from them. We were hired to play for their prom, and it was probably our best audience of the year. They formed a train and chugged around the dancefloor, cheered wildly after every song, and just wanted to get closer and closer to us. Made us feel very special. I learned a lot from them about what it means to show your emotions and not worry about what others think. A great lesson. |
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Rick Nicklas
From:
Verona, Mo. (deceased)
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 4:01 pm
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I spent many years taking care of kids with Muscular Dystrophy and Cerebral Palsy and even taught guitar and drums and got them bands together for some cool gigs..... but I have to say...
My most gratifying gig was at a topless nightclub right across the street from the old Brown Derby Hotel in Denver.  It was a promotional thing to play at rodeos and fairs. We shared the stage with some of the best talent I have ever seen.!! 
Last edited by Rick Nicklas on 15 Dec 2007 5:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Brendan Mitchell
From:
Melbourne Australia
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 4:09 pm
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| This time last year our newish band played for free at a street party for a friend of the band .With a one speaker PA and playing on the footpath {curb?] outside one of the houses , we played the best I can remember playing . It was very rewarding and one of the residents who enjoyed the band was in charge of the Melbourne Festival of the Arts and booked us for a very prestigious {well payed }gig on that festival . |
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Chris Morano
From:
Rowe, Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 6:34 pm
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| For about three years in the mid 90's my band was hired to play the halloween party at the local mental institution. We were treated like famous rock stars by the folks at the dance. They appreciated everything we played, danced their butts off just for the fun of it, not to look cool or sexy. It was one of the rare experiences I've had as a musician when I felt I brought real joy to someone. Seeing these unfortunate people and imagining the lives they must live really put into perspective how trivial most of my problems are. It was a real blessing for me to experience. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 7:07 pm
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Ken Lang
From:
Simi Valley, Ca
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 8:17 pm
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Many years ago we played at the State mental hospital in Warren Pa. The first part was playing for folks that were almost normal.
Then they moved us to the house of keys, so named because every door in the place was locked. There, the inmates were pretty far gone, some drooling, some staring out into space. Our guide said not to worry, the people will remember us for a long time.
The booking agent said to bring a lot of old magazine and stuff. The guide told us just to throw them randomly on the floor. The inmates, who could not read would spend hours just stacking them up and looking at the pictures. It was a humbling experience and one that left us grateful that we were fairly normal. |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 8:31 pm
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I think it would have to be playing for a school for the deaf. Those kids could feel the beat of the music and could dance like you would not beleave.
Although worried when we started it turned out to be a very fun gig. Those kids treated us like we were stars.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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G Strout
From:
Carabelle, Florida
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 9:10 pm
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| A few years back I let myself get talked into packing up my guitar (6 string) and spending an afternoon at St Judes Hospital in Memphis TN. I'll never forget it. The kids had a blast... I had a ball. Never had I seen people so young exhibit so much courage and strength. I'll never forget it. |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 9:37 pm
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That's why I enjoy doing these kind of things,Makes me forget my little petty problems at least for awhile.I have seen so many handicapped people[young and old]that show so much courage than I doubt I ever could.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 15 Dec 2007 11:50 pm
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Several years ago, we played a benefit for a fellow bluegrass musician, who made his living as a welder.
He was diagnosed with inoperable cancer, so we got invited (along with several other bands) to play a benefit---Not for the hospital/doctor bills, but for grocery money, and because the Guy could play the NECK out of a guitar or mandolin, and he wanted to hear some bluegrass. We all played as hard as we could, and when the event was over, somebody passed the hat. I didn't know the guy, but he came up later, REAL frail, shaking hands, and said,"God bless you, brother." He had tears in his eyes, we all did. He died about a week later.
RIP, Bo Barnes. We miss you! |
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Dave Stagner
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2007 9:06 am
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Tonight, I'm playing the last show at a beloved venue that's closing. It's a coffeehouse with a WONDERFUL stage, great-sounding room and elevated seating. They won't pay their BMI/ASCAP fees, so they only permit original music, no covers at all. This led to the place becoming the "home" for a few different long-running series for original music. Tonight's show is the "Tuesday Night Improvisation", which is for purely improvised music (no compositions). I'm playing with my friend Ryan... he and I have been playing the Improv night for several years now, so it's special for us.
Another friend is attending, a singer-songwriter. I'm currently producing an album for her. She regularly plays DEMO shows there, a local organization for promoting singer-songwriters, and another ongoing series that will be ending with the loss of the venue.
I really, really hope someplace else in town steps up to fill these gaps. The Acadia provided a home for a lot of music that would be downright unacceptable anywhere else.
_________________
I don’t believe in pixie dust, but I believe in magic.
1967 ZB D-10
1990 OMI Dobro
Recording King lap steel with Certano benders |
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