Comment from Bobbe

James Cann · From: Phoenix, AZ

quote:
Another reason the steel players like
to play the old standard tunes is because everybody in the local backup band,
in order to backup the instrumentalist correctly, needs to know the songs.

This comment from Bobbe's list is significant. Given the changes in the music and the oft-heard comment about each of us developing our own styles, the provocative question occurs: is the local backup band a sacred cow?

Several of us, as we see often, play for our own enjoyment, using recorded tracks and other media. It takes no rocket science to understand that a player gets used to the backup s/he has, and for that, might be reluctant to perform publicly (at a show, perhaps)with an unknown factor

This is no anti-backup band idea, rather one of a mix of the two, utilizing both camps for an (easy-to-see) much broader spectrum.

Comments welcome, of course.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Answer: good charts.

The backup band at steel shows is usually top notch. They aren't afraid of good charts, and they do a good job on anything that's placed in front of them.

If a band can't follow your charts, then either the charts are weak or the band is weak. You can fix the charts.

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John Ummel · From: Arlington, WA.

Answer: Rehearsal

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

Hey John, what is that?

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

John! Watch your language! Please don't use the R-word.

John Ummel · From: Arlington, WA.

Oops sorry, I don't know what came over me

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

The positive "R" word here is Rosetta. If you have decent charts and Roy Rosetta on keyboard you can go for it regardless what the song is. The backup band at the Kansas Steel Show is so good that with charts you are not going to stump them either. Of course if you get on anyones bandstand with a "crooked" song and no charts it is impossible for anyone to follow you. This applies to our Opry show when a singer wishes to sing an "original" song and does not play a rhythm guitar so we can watch the chords.
Jerry

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

I read that and didn't quite get the idea. "Local backup band"? "Backup" for what? Seems like people are *in* bands and play shows...or they aren't and play at home.

Is there some kind of solo-artist backup band thing in clubs somewhere? It's either not common at all around L.A. or it's a country music club thing only.

(Never seen a steel show advertised around here so I don't know how those are set up).

[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 11 November 2005 at 10:18 AM.]

Ted Solesky · From: Mineral Wells, Texas, USA

Don't we miss the ol days where, when you got bored at home, you could throw your geetar in the back seat of the car and go to any club and sit in and tear it up? Now, it's top 40. I helped out about 3 or 4 different bands and they say they do top 40. One band did Kenny Chesny and Dunn and Brooks material. The other top 40 did Toby Keith and Tracy Lawrence material. Another one did Keith Urban and Tim McGraw.?? How do you keep up with all this?? The fun isn't there anymore. I helped out a local yocal who was upset because he said I didn't come prepared. The stuff he did, didn't have steel in it in the first place if any. When it came to the familiar stuff like 'Lot of Leavin to do', I really tore it up. I hate to say it, rehearsal or, if I was a top 40 singer, I'd be considerate and have charts.

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