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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
My first "REAL" concert
My first "REAL" concert
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Randy G. Blues
23 posts
May 26, 2009
12:58 PM
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I have been rehearsing with our blues group for about 6 months now. We just finished our first album which admittedly could be better, but considering that we only have a two track recording system and cannot do over dubbing, and our lead singer/guitar player is the sound man (meaning that, when we are playing we don't have a sound man), it is not terrible. At least to say, it is probably easier for you to listen to than it is for me. The album is (or will be) available soon on all the usual download sites- iTunes, Napster, Amazon, Rhapsody, etc. (search for "PHAT Boyz Blue"). One tune on the album, "Midnight Air," is interesting in that we have only ever played it once, with no run through, and so you can get an idea of how well we work together as a group. Other than our leader, Frankee Z. telling us what key it is in and the basic progression, none of us had heard it before that recording took place.
Anyway, we are all more motivated to play live than to record, and to that end we gave our first concert last Friday. We were chosen as one of the groups to play at the "Concerts in the Park" summer concert series in Chico, CA. Each week there is one group featured for a 90 minute free concert in Downtown Chico, CA. This has been going on for over 30 years! Fifty groups applied, and only 20 were chosen!
The concert itself was a great success. We sounded great, and the crowd seemed to think so as well. I didn't count, but there were well over 200 people there, and with folks drifting in and out during the evening there were probably at least 300 folks who got to listen to us.
Unfortunately there was no recording going on, but my wife took some short video, and I condensed and put one on my MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/RandyGblues
Click on the "Video" at the top of the page. Forgive the video quality as I am on dialup and it would take hours to upload a decent video (maybe in the future when I have access to a high speed connection). There are also a couple of still images- one of us on stage and one of part of the crowd.
I am still fairly buzzed about that evening. Although none of the dozen or two of my friends or community members who promised to be there showed, it was still cool because my wife, my Mom, my youngest brother and his girlfriend were all there.
Last Edited by on May 26, 2009 1:02 PM
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Buddha
508 posts
May 26, 2009
1:13 PM
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congrats!
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Buzadero
79 posts
May 26, 2009
1:38 PM
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RGB,
I am bummed I didn't get home until Sunday. Any idea when and where your next performance effort is likely to be?
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Buddha
511 posts
May 26, 2009
1:41 PM
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wait a minute buzadero, are you telling me I got my dog ready to chase down motorcyclists for nothing? HMMMM!!!
Last Edited by on May 26, 2009 1:42 PM
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Randy G. Blues
24 posts
May 26, 2009
2:04 PM
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Buzadero- I was hoping to meet you. Sorry you couldn't make it. I don't mind hecklers, but it's nice when the heckler knows something about playing the blues harp!
At this time, our next scheduled concert is on June 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Concow Campgrounds at the Wild Mountain Faire. We are closing the show on Sunday, and are the headliner that day. The Chris Scadt band is headlining on Saturday. Details, as they get posted at:
http://www.wildmountainfaire.bravehost.com/
This is a benefit for the victims of the Camp Fire that destroyed a great portion of the Concow Valley. it's a three day event with camping. A lot of friends and acquaintances lost everything they had in that fire.
We are playing for free, of course, and day admission is only $10, all three days, with camping, is about $40. Details at the link above.
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MagicPauley57
43 posts
May 26, 2009
6:17 PM
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Hi Randy Gblues , I put up a friend reuest on myspace , kepp it up .Theres nothing like playing live!
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Randy G. Blues
26 posts
May 26, 2009
8:03 PM
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MagicPauley57 - Thanks for the request- done!
I was in London in '87 and had a great time! Wish I could get back.
While that was my first "real" concert, as you might have read on my MySpace, I had been playing an open jam weekly for over a year, and played one benefit concert, so being in front of an audience was nothing new, but this one was very large. It is different when you have a set list of songs that you have practiced for 6 months. It breeds a range of confidence that really helps one relax and concentrate on the note at hand and not the one coming up, if that makes sense.
With my open mic experience, and the half of a year of rehearsals with our group, I find I can spend a lot more concentration on tone and tempo and not so much on the next note. It has improved my playing quite a bit. I listened to a concert tape I did 6 months ago and it was embarrassing. Although I felt I had done well at the time, I am a MUCH better player today. And I can just about guarantee that I will say the same thing 6 months from now.
But that's what it is all about. Practicing till your lips are nearly raw, working on the nuances of tone, learning all the lead ins and lead outs, then getting up on stage and making it look easy, and having fun doing it.
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MagicPauley57
44 posts
May 27, 2009
5:36 PM
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usually we only rehearse when we have to come up with new stuff.
also I get and and busk etiher with the harp or snare drum with local rockabilly mates and band mates( one and the same )
also we try and get together once a week to chat , jam and drink coffee inthe week and beer at the weeekend.
One thing i can offer you as advice which came from a great harp player( west weston) is if your playing harp make sure you can be heard , and be in control of the band ( make sure they don't drown you out with drum/ guitar fills)
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Randy G. Blues
28 posts
May 27, 2009
10:10 PM
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MagicPauley57 said: "One thing I can offer you as advice which came from a great harp player( west weston) is if your playing harp make sure you can be heard , and be in control of the band ( make sure they don't drown you out with drum/ guitar fills)"
LOL! Not a problem. I play a Genz Benz Black Pearl 30-112 watt class A amp. Even when set at the 8 watt setting (two output tubes and pentode) it is quite loud. I practiced in my garage one day, and the neighbor across the highway on the next ridge (about 1/4 mile away or more) could hear it and said it sounded great!
My little 10 watt amp (late model Electar tube 10) arrives tomorrow.
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MagicPauley57
45 posts
May 28, 2009
5:19 PM
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I use a 40 watt fender custom vibrolux , fat harp tone , also use as my number 1 guitar amp, better than twin and it doesn't give you a hernia lumping it about.
Usually most people on my road know when i'm practicing at home, it's on about 4 on the volume , kicks some major ass
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