| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Arriving early for the Gig
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Arriving early for the Gig
Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 1:26 am    
Reply with quote

Whether I am playing solo or with other musicians, I always try to arrive an extra 15 minutes early. (not including normal setup time)

I find it more relaxing to unpack my steel, cords, effects etc. and lay out the cables neatly without rushing to get ready to play in such a hurry.

I often use the extra time to get a drink, use the restroom, wash my hands and get tuned up real good.

It is very hard to predict how bad the traffic on the freeway will be on any given day, but I would much rather be early than late!

Dom
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Joe Elk


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 3:27 am    
Reply with quote

Amen Dom
Joe Elk
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bill Hatcher

 

From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 4:18 am    
Reply with quote

im usually there 30mins to an hour early. warm up some. acclimate.....
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Frank James Pracher


From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 5:11 am    
Reply with quote

Yep, I hate feeling rushed at a gig.

I'm even earlier if it's a new venue.
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ray Montee


From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 4:57 pm     About time getting to a gig...........
Reply with quote

When I started out at age 15, my dad always stressed to me that adults would not tolerate a late kid for a musical gig.

I always made sure to get shined, shaved and showered with all of my gear stowed in my car so that I could arrive at the gig location at least one hour ahead of time.

I'd usually turn into the DIVISION STREET CORRAL at 7:00PM, listen to Billy Robinson and Grady Martin on Red Foley's portion of the Grand Ole Opry. It was ALWAYS a thrill for me. I had not a hint that those great days would ever end for me.

Oh, how miss those wonderful times.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bill Hatcher

 

From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 6:12 pm    
Reply with quote

PS also get there early...scope out the lays of the land.....
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 6:21 pm    
Reply with quote

I usually arrive about 45 minutes before the gig, but I know that's cutting it close. A flat tire, a dead battery, construction delays, heavy traffic... anything could happen.
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Joseph Napolitano

 

From:
New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 6:32 pm    
Reply with quote

Rushing to a gig is like rushing to a tee time. Adds stress
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2015 6:41 pm    
Reply with quote

I've also had GPS problems. Last week I played a gig in Rhode Island and my GPS sent me the "long, slow way". After I realized what had happened I had to drive like crazy, watching the clock tick, and I arrived just a few minutes before the gig. Very stressful!
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Chris Sattler

 

From:
Hunter Valley, Australia
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2015 3:39 am    
Reply with quote

The last band I played with full time insisted that we get there 2 hours before every gig. That really made for a long night. It was the beginning of the end.

A guitar player I worked with was always there with just 10 minutes to spare. You could set your clock by that. I often wondered if he actually got there one hour prior and just sat in his car until 10 minutes before the show and then walked in just to annoy me. Plus he drove the oldest, most unreliable car you ever saw. It was just nerve racking wondering if he was really late or would just show up at his usual casual time. And it took him all of about 30 seconds to set up. But what a good player and a classy singer. Not to mention one of the best songwriters in Australia.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
George Piburn


From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2015 4:49 am     Second Set
Reply with quote

Long ago when I was a gigging player , the Joke was , "You Know it's the 2nd set , -- That's when the Girl Singer Shows Up" Rolling Eyes

In my universe , being late is only being 30 minutes early.

When I toured world wide on Airplanes in the 1990's, we always took the later connection on international flights.

"You can always wait at the Gate , but it is a Drag to Miss a Flight"

Now of Daze I only take Happy Hour Shows maximum of 2 hours - I need to be in bed by 9pm.
_________________
GeorgeBoards S8 Non Pedal Steel Guitar Instruments
Maker of One of a Kind Works of Art that play music too.
Instructional DVDs
YouTube Channel
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Stefan Robertson


From:
Hertfordshire, UK
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2015 5:00 am    
Reply with quote

Arrive early and mingle. Gives you a good vibe on the room. If there is next to no one. This should change your set list. If lots of people are there play the songs you know best.

Laughing
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com

"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2015 7:12 am    
Reply with quote

When you are running late, you just know something isn't going to work when you turn it on! Whoa!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Paul Honeycutt

 

From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2015 11:14 am    
Reply with quote

Erv Niehaus wrote:
When you are running late, you just know something isn't going to work when you turn it on! Whoa!


Boy, isn't THAT the truth!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Terry VunCannon


From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 18 Aug 2015 4:55 pm    
Reply with quote

I always try to be on site about an hour and a half before a gig if we are doing PA. It takes about an hour to set up PA & Stage gear and that gives me about 20 to 30 minutes to cool down, tune, and check gear.
I hate starting late...and I hate being rushed if I have set up problems.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Clete Ritta


From:
San Antonio, Texas
Post  Posted 19 Aug 2015 3:53 am    
Reply with quote

I like to be early so I can set up in a relaxed manner with nothing in the way. It also gives me spare time in case something isn't working right.
I joke that I work 9-5, but its 9pm-5am. Still a few musicians have notorious reputations for always being late.

In the real world of business the equation is Time = Money.
Donald Trump's mantra might go something like this:
If you are early, you are on time.
If you are on time, you are late.
If you are late, you're fired.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Doug Finch

 

From:
Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 20 Aug 2015 10:33 am    
Reply with quote

I always tried to be there an hour early, I had just a real simple setup for amplification and my guitar.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron