Well, I can die a happy man.

Bob Doran · From: Ames, Iowa, USA

I finally got the nerve up to play my PSG in my R&R band.
We play mainly 60s rock, but the band decided to play Heart of Gold and i switched to the steel.
I was so nervous i could hardly pluck the strings. And had no idea how it sounded while playing.
But afterwards all the band came up and said it sounded great and keep playing it.
I can't tell you what those words of encouragement mean.
I you have ever had the experience of having a bad night (I have-one night someone new in my bluegrass band changed all the songs just before we played and it really threw me), the sounds of silence echoing from one's fellow band members is something you never forget. It would have been much better if they could have said, "Geez, Bob, you were awful tonight!"
At any rate, it was the best night of music I have ever had. We had a great crowd, very appreciative.We finally had to just pack up and leave. They would have danced all night!
Bob

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Well, your Muse smiled on you.

Keep an eye on her ( him?), she's not harmless.

EJL

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I love '60s rock!

When I was playing regularly, I often did '60s rock songs as instrumentals (since everyone had heard them, and they remembered the arrangements from the records). I'd mention doing a standard country instrumental song like "Red Wing", "B-Bowman Hop", or 4-Wheel Drive, and they'd all just look at me kind of funny. But when I said "Chains", "I will Follow Him", "Sweet Caroline", or "I Feel Fine", they were right there! Of course, many of the guys I played with had never done these songs as instrumentals, but they knew them as well as any song. Curious...to me anyway. It seems that songs of that era just keep getting played and played, while the later hits of groups like Blondie, Men At Work, or Oingo-Boingo have just faded away. From my point of view, the '80s and '90s rock had about 10 from each decade that you still hear being played occasionally, while everything else is just a memory. Meanwhile, that simple old '60s stuff just stays in our psyche. The stuff from the '50s is the same way, though the oldsters who appreciate it are fading away. Still, some young people know that stuff, too.

I guess that the moral of the story is that there's hits produced every day, but very few of them will become "classics", or "standards", as we know them.
[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 30 October 2004 at 11:03 AM.]

Chris Forbes · From: Beltsville, MD, USA

Mr. Hinson, perhaps there were more lasting songs from the 60's because perhaps there was more talent involved? I think as a general rule (yes, there are exceptions to every rule) the people who were making music back then had more going for them then who we're forced to listen to today. For example, is there a touring band out there today as good as what Ernest Tubb had on the road in the 60's? Or the Strangers? or the Buckeroos? Do we have an embarrassment of hugely talented singers who are also hugely popular (Hmmmmmmm, Merle and George vs. Tim and Garth?)?

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

I think the main difference is that of audience saturation.

"Churn, Churn, Churn" is the remake of today's music industry.

Chris Forbes · From: Beltsville, MD, USA

And "burn burn burn" is what I want to do to most of the music coming out these days.

Paul Osbty · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Glad it worked out, Bob.

I don't understand why you were nervous and weren't sure how it sounded. Didn't it work out in rehearsal?

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

*******************************************
I don't understand why you were nervous and weren't sure how it sounded. Didn't it work out in rehearsal?
********************************************
Paul, I know why he was nervous. He is very concerned about making his performance great.
Most great artists are nervous when trying something for the first time. Some get nervous before every show. Elvis is a "great" example. Did you ever read about his pre-show nervousness?
There is nothing to be ashamed of when you get nervous. You just do your best and when the audience accepts you, you get over it.

Bob Doran · From: Ames, Iowa, USA

Actually i had tried to play it with the band only a couple of times, and once it went great and once not so good.
I am the only untalented member (have to practice very hard to get where i am at) and they all have such sensitive ears that the music stops when your instrument is off 5 cents.
Also I am only now getting how to block well, and you know what happens if a steel isn't blocked properly.
There was much riding on my little adventure and as it turned out, much was gained (confidence). I got about 10 times better overnight (along with that tip to put all your being into every note- boy did that help!)
Bob

James Quackenbush · From: Pomona, New York, USA

Bob,
I think that for the most part , when I play out, I have to look at it like a time to have fun...If it becomes a job, I am so concerned with things going right , that I forget to have fun, and the pressure starts to build.....If you go out there like it's a rehersal, and like it's a big party, and everyone in the audience are your friends, you will be surprised how much better you play ...NOBODY is spot on every night ! We all have our good and bad nights...Keep practiceing, and don't forget to have fun ...THAT"S what it's all about !...Good Luck ....Jim

Bob Doran · From: Ames, Iowa, USA

Amen.

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

Good thread..I have also had this happen.

We used to play a variety of music but in the last year or so most of our gigs are classic rock only...if I think that we will be able to slip in some country I bring my steel. (Usually for about 6 songs a night.)

One night we started into "You've lost that lovin' feelin'" and I sat down at the steel and everybody looked at me funny about half way through the song they were all smiling and afterwords said that it was "COOL".

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