Larry
"Uncle Larry"
The backstory:
Last April, (2012) I joined a 6 piece original Blues band. (Called The Porkroll Project) Guitar, bass, drums, harp, a B3 player and a piano player. Everybody in the band sings too. How I met them, the band I was in at the time did a co-bill with them, and during that show, I found out that their drummer was leaving the band due to health issues. (arthritis).
They went first, I was in Blue Bizness at the time, but really, we should have opened up for them. They put on a really great entertaining show, the music was superbly played, they are mostly original with a few reworks of existing songs. I really liked their original songs, and they delivered them in a fun way, with a high level of musicianship and humor. So that band was a home run in my book. I really didn't want to follow them with the lesser Blue Bizness.
Luckily, the bass player from Blue Bizness was late for sound check, so we used Porkroll's bass player for sound check. Little did I know that they were informally evaluating me as to how I work with their bass player. When I found out that it was their drummers last gig, I told them I wanted to throw my hat in their particular ring to be considered for the spot.
Long story short, I did a real audition with them at a later date and was offered the spot. Another rehearsal later, and I did a full night with them, trial by fire, but it was a piece of cake. Their music was right up my alley.
Now this band isn't your typical bar band. They are well monied, well equipped, well connected and they go for the good gigs, festivals and higher echelon gigs than bar gigs, although we do play a few bar gigs.
Anyway, this past Sunday, we entered and played in a local Blues Society competition. The winner gets to go down to Memphis in 2014 and compete in the International Blues Challenge, where winners from local Blues Societies from all around the country converge in Memphis to battle it out.
We won! Woo hoo! I'm going to Memphis early next year to compete in the IBC! I'll be there about a week! Kinda psyched about that. We get to open a festival with national acts this June for winning, before we even go to Memphis. If we win in Memphis, we get to open a whole lot more festivals, recording time, cash and gear.
I never had a gig of this level before, and I was looking for others experience in the competition realm. Would love to hear others experiences on the competition level. Can you indulge me with your stories?
Last April, (2012) I joined a 6 piece original Blues band. (Called The Porkroll Project) Guitar, bass, drums, harp, a B3 player and a piano player. Everybody in the band sings too. How I met them, the band I was in at the time did a co-bill with them, and during that show, I found out that their drummer was leaving the band due to health issues. (arthritis).
They went first, I was in Blue Bizness at the time, but really, we should have opened up for them. They put on a really great entertaining show, the music was superbly played, they are mostly original with a few reworks of existing songs. I really liked their original songs, and they delivered them in a fun way, with a high level of musicianship and humor. So that band was a home run in my book. I really didn't want to follow them with the lesser Blue Bizness.
Luckily, the bass player from Blue Bizness was late for sound check, so we used Porkroll's bass player for sound check. Little did I know that they were informally evaluating me as to how I work with their bass player. When I found out that it was their drummers last gig, I told them I wanted to throw my hat in their particular ring to be considered for the spot.
Long story short, I did a real audition with them at a later date and was offered the spot. Another rehearsal later, and I did a full night with them, trial by fire, but it was a piece of cake. Their music was right up my alley.
Now this band isn't your typical bar band. They are well monied, well equipped, well connected and they go for the good gigs, festivals and higher echelon gigs than bar gigs, although we do play a few bar gigs.
Anyway, this past Sunday, we entered and played in a local Blues Society competition. The winner gets to go down to Memphis in 2014 and compete in the International Blues Challenge, where winners from local Blues Societies from all around the country converge in Memphis to battle it out.
We won! Woo hoo! I'm going to Memphis early next year to compete in the IBC! I'll be there about a week! Kinda psyched about that. We get to open a festival with national acts this June for winning, before we even go to Memphis. If we win in Memphis, we get to open a whole lot more festivals, recording time, cash and gear.
I never had a gig of this level before, and I was looking for others experience in the competition realm. Would love to hear others experiences on the competition level. Can you indulge me with your stories?