My first (ha ha) paid gig, today...

[zambizzi]

So, my boss is a guitar player of the singer/strummer acoustic variety and he suggested we play the company BBQ today...so I foolishly agreed. It'll be a 3-piece mis-adventure w/ another co-worker who's a killer harmonica player. We're doing some safe, simple classic rock tunes:

Who'll Stop the Rain - CCR
Son of a Son of a Sailor - Jimmy Buffet
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
House of the Rising Sun - The Animals
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
Take it Easy - Eagles

The set list, as it were, was chosen mostly by my boss because he could already play them. We put in a whopping 5 hrs. of practice, two days this week...so we're hardly prepared, but it's just for fun, anyhow.

Wish me luck!

[aydee]

Don't mock it, Vin ; )

seriously........its terrific experience to play a gig which isn't really 'your music'. If you remember my trials & tribulations some months back stuck with something I didn't completely vibe with... well, I was eventually thankful I went through it because it taught me to be creative & effective in an alien environment, and hopefully I discovered some new aspects of my playing potential, which I probably wouldn't have if I'd always stayed in my comfort zone.

I know that recently you've kinda been asking yourself questions about your playing, and this might be a blessing of sorts.

Play a game with yourself. Pretend its not an office party.Think that you are playing in front of a big crowd, and pretend that people whose musical opinion you deeply respect stand amongst the crowd before you.

Take the gig very seriously, and play your ass off.

[zambizzi]

Don't mock it, Vin ; )

seriously........its terrific experience to play a gig which isn't really 'your music'. If you remember my trials & tribulations some months back stuck with something I didn't completely vibe with... well, I was eventually thankful I went through it because it taught me to be creative & effective in an alien environment, and hopefully I discovered some new aspects of my playing potential, which I probably wouldn't have if I'd always stayed in my comfort zone.

I know that recently you've kinda been asking yourself questions about your playing, and this might be a blessing of sorts.

Play a game with yourself. Pretend its not an office party.Think that you are playing in front of a big crowd, and pretend that people whose musical opinion you deeply respect stand amongst the crowd before you.

Take the gig very seriously, and play your ass off.

Thanks Abe - it was mostly self-deprecating humor...I'm actually excited and after learning the music I have an appreciation for it. I never would have intentionally listened to Jimmy Buffet or James Taylor...but it's good music and I even like the drumming on it, no matter how simple it is. We sounded pretty hot last night, actually...I was impressed w/ both of the guys and myself....for a bunch of amateurs who have never played together before.

We're doing it out in the parking lot, facing the greenbelt - which is very busy that time of day so I would imagine it'll attract some passers-by...so yeah I fully intend to play my best!

You're right, too - this was a nice shot in the arm!

If there's pics, I'll post 'em later on today.

[aydee]

Thanks Abe - it was mostly self-deprecating humor...I'm actually excited and after learning the music I have an appreciation for it.

goddang internet!

Pics would be great..have fun and remember to keep the hotdog grease off your hands ; )

[bonzolead]

So, my boss is a guitar player of the singer/strummer acoustic variety and he suggested we play the company BBQ today...so I foolishly agreed. It'll be a 3-piece mis-adventure w/ another co-worker who's a killer harmonica player. We're doing some safe, simple classic rock tunes:

Who'll Stop the Rain - CCR
Son of a Son of a Sailor - Jimmy Buffet
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
House of the Rising Sun - The Animals
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
Take it Easy - Eagles

The set list, as it were, was chosen mostly by my boss because he could already play them. We put in a whopping 5 hrs. of practice, two days this week...so we're hardly prepared, but it's just for fun, anyhow.

Wish me luck!
Good luck Zambizzi,
Those tunes are fun to play not over the top and everybody knows them(#1 rule).you should be fine.doing the Eagles though hopefully you guys have good vocals.

Break a leg,
Bonzolead

[stasz]

Cool. Have fun! Looks like a great set list, fun tunes to play. Makes me wonder if your boss has seen that scene in the Big Lebowski about the Eagles... ; )

[zambizzi]

It went great, was a really good time, and I think we sounded pretty good! It's always fun to see people singing along and tapping their feet. Watching a crowd enjoy what you're doing is what it's all about, for sure.

Here's some shots...

[stasz]

Looks like you guys had a good time! You should take pictures of the 'wigs outside more often...

[zambizzi]

Looks like you guys had a good time! You should take pictures of the 'wigs outside more often...

Yeah, they're just damn sexy drums, eh? They look like toys beneath me though...I had no idea how disproportionate they were to me, physically. That's a 20" kick!

Oye, I need to lay off the steak and beer.

[zambizzi]

...keep the hotdog grease off your hands ; )

Yeah, the band got paid in food, it was a good day. I work for Agri Beef though, so it was premium wagyu Prime Rib!

[Deathmetalconga]

Hey, looks like a fun gig! Congratulations. Playing with the boss is always a good idea. I've never had a musical boss, though. Where is your office- looks like ParkCenter by the Boise River? Nice looking little set, perfect for a gig under the canopy.

Sorry for the short notice, but Klezmer Prairie is playing at the Hidden Springs Merc today from 6 to 9. Bring your family down if you get a chance. Myself and a fellow who plays acoustic bass/guitar/oud/piano and his wife who is a concert violinist playing some hard-partying Jewish folk music!

[burnthehero]

If it went well, consider it more job security.

[Just Drums]

I was the drunk in the crowd yelling "Freebird!".

[zambizzi]

Hey, looks like a fun gig! Congratulations. Playing with the boss is always a good idea. I've never had a musical boss, though. Where is your office- looks like ParkCenter by the Boise River? Nice looking little set, perfect for a gig under the canopy.

Sorry for the short notice, but Klezmer Prairie is playing at the Hidden Springs Merc today from 6 to 9. Bring your family down if you get a chance. Myself and a fellow who plays acoustic bass/guitar/oud/piano and his wife who is a concert violinist playing some hard-partying Jewish folk music!

Oh yeah, it never hurts to get in good w/ the boss. Our office building is on the corner of Shoreline and Americana, just across the river from Ann Morrison.

Sorry I missed the ho-down (just getting home now), I'm a huge fan of hava nagila!

[zambizzi]

I was the drunk in the crowd yelling "Freebird!".

*cringe*...oooh...sorry dude, if I had known it was you I wouldn't have had the cowboys in the livestock dept. dole out that savage beating.

[nhzoso]

Congrats, I am dreading my first gig on the 19th of august, although we are not being paid it's more a learning thing at the local music store with a bunch of us who never played in a band before.

How did it go anyway, did you have any brainfarts in the middle of a song or broken stick??

[zambizzi]

Congrats, I am dreading my first gig on the 19th of august, although we are not being paid it's more a learning thing at the local music store with a bunch of us who never played in a band before.

How did it go anyway, did you have any brainfarts in the middle of a song or broken stick??

You know, I was terrified before my first public appearance and I can tell you, it's nothing to be afraid of and everything to enjoy. Take this from a guy who's only been playing for about 19 mo. and has played in public twice now.

No brain farts...I was actually in control and not nervous at all this time, I quite enjoy playing for an audience and I'll be doing it as often as possible, going forward...I think. You just gotta breathe and enjoy what you're doing.

That pair of sticks in the photos is more than 6 mo. old now...so no, no breakage ;)

[Drummer Karl]

Great pics, looks like you had a great time and amazing weather. I love to play outside when the weather is like this, feels so good.

I`d have a long (and paid) Jazz gig 26th of July. Not with the trio but with the expanded version: The quintet. They were looking for another drummer for this gig and I hope I can make it over there.

And of course it`s nice when a gig is paid, after all for many musicians that`s their life. For us it at least is an adequate pocket money, isn`t it? :-)

Well done mate...

Karl

[aydee]

Vin, you look solid behind that kit. ( ,.....I love your set - up too.. looks perfect for the gig and its got a killer look to it). Looked like a pretty day, sunny, good food hopefully.. and a good boss. ( he's got a tattoo on his calf...thats cool as far as bosses go )

Hope ya had fun.

[zambizzi]

Thanks Karl, and good luck on the upcoming gig...I hope you get the opportunity! I'm playing in a quintet myself but the music is a mixture of traditional jazz, fusion, and funky/fusiony/jazz :) I hope we can gig eventually because you don't see many (if any) groups around here like that.

Abe - he just got that tattoo. I was a little surprised myself but it's pretty cool. It's a cartoon of Buddy Holly in a blue suit, playing a guitar, with musical notes floating around him.

Another piece of interesting trivia - the harmonica player is Rick Bourbonnais, he was a pro NHL hockey player for a few years:

[DestinationDrumming]

Well done matey!

I liked the way you chose your shirt to match in with your drum mat ;o)

[zambizzi]

Well done matey!

I liked the way you chose your shirt to match in with your drum mat ;o)

Thanks, man! Yeah, totally I'm fashion-forward. That was probably a real assault to the eyes for those that were paying attention.

[bojangleman]

was the guy holding the mic beatboxing? :p

ahaha

looks like fun man!

Alex

[zambizzi]

was the guy holding the mic beatboxing? :p

Yep! We're helping to establish "Gangsta Folk" as a legitimate genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZfprqjQr8

[Ozzy Biz]

Yep! We're helping to establish "Gangsta Folk" as a legitimate genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZfprqjQr8

It has been a legitamate genre for a while now....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbbxA8a_M_s

[aydee]

- the harmonica player is Rick Bourbonnais, he was a pro NHL hockey player for a few years:

Aah, not having any front teeth helps you rip on the harmonica, I'm sure.........: )

[crdirtRider856]

Yep! We're helping to establish "Gangsta Folk" as a legitimate genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZfprqjQr8

LOL! I m all smiles man! I love seeing someone break into the world of joy that is playing live! I dont have much else to say except for- ENJOY THE RIDE! (or hat)I would love to hear some sound and I wish you all the luck in the world! I am really happy for you ma' man. Just take it as it comes and you will see.....By the way, YOU ARE IN! as far as the "bossman" is concerned... LOL

Good stuff Z