Starting a Cover Sing Along Band

Erie PA

Description

I'll start with... Frustration led to this Ad. I will provide a lot of detail, so as to not waste your time - nor mine. I didn't really 'want' to start a band. I own & run a successful small business, and that dominates my time. That is my living - Music is my Hobby. Due to 'running' my own business, it's demands & constraints, it's always been easier for me to just 'join up', with a band that needed my services. The 'leader' of the band has a hard job! I've watched / experienced dozens doing it. They're responsible for the Practice site, the Song selections (as well as making sure everyone has copies), the Practice Schedule, Scheduling Gigs, Accountant, Band Psychologist, Judge - Juror - and Executioner, Social Media, Website, but mostly "herding cats". Musicians are 'Artists'. 'Artists' tend to think with their left hemisphere, which is the 'Emotional' half. So, the 'leader' has to try to keep 4, 5, 6 Artists going in the same - logical direction and keep everyone happy & satisfied. They have to spend time on the phone pacifying a player who got hot because someone didn't respect their thoughts, or got mad when someone told them to turn down their amp a bit. They have to set the tone, pace, and sort out all the bugs... I really never wanted that job, I just want to happily play good music that people want to hear & come out and see once in awhile. BUT - I know I'd be a good leader. I have the resources, patience, sensibility... just maybe was a little too lazy to 'Start the Project' until now. In doing so, I've wasted a lot of precious time joining up with bands that are not going anywhere in a hurry. Or, I am pigeon holed into a band that is stuck in 1 genre of music - with a very limited following & ability to secure gigs. Now, out of frustration, I'm willing to do the work - get it right, and enjoy the "Band Experience". So... I'm starting a Band! Here's the pertinent information... * Age: I'm 55. I start with this because my son is 25 and has a great band of his own, but I couldn't see me joining up with them. However I DO like many Genres of Music that span the 1950's thru Today. There are very few Genres I don't like - among them... Rap, Grunge, Thrash, Screamo. * I'm a Keyboardist / Singer. I'm a 'good singer' at some songs. As a keyboard player, I love Bands like Journey or Yes, but there is no way I can't hit those 'High Notes', so - I likely am looking for other people who can play & sing / or a lead singer that doesn't mind the occasional role as 'back-up' singer. I like some songs with Female Vocals or Duets, so a Female voice / player would be optimal. For the songs I do sing and sing well, I have that Smoky sort of "Bob Seger / Joe Cocker / Springstein type voice. Great for some songs - not for all. * My Keyboard Talent: I'm not Elton John, nor Billy Joel - although I can play some of their stuff. I'm however much better than Keyboard Cat. In saying that, I'm not looking for Musicians who are the Jimmy Hendrix of the Guitar nor Neil Peart on Drums. However you have to know your chords and/or be able to keep a beat. * My Vision: Bob FM! We play Anything! While I rarely listen to Bob FM, I like it! I usually listen to Sirius in my car & at work, but rarely do I remain on the same channel. I'm constantly flipping between the 70's, 80's, 90's, today's hits, Classic Vinyl, and if there's nothing on those I like at the moment, I flip to Jimmy Buffet, 60's, Country Hits, Show Tunes, hell even the 50's Doo Wap. My Vision is 'Sing A-Long' songs. Playing and Singing Songs that everyone knows the words to and can get up and dance or just sit, drink, and sing along with me. Anything is 'Fair Game'. * Close but not necessarily Exact: Right now I'm playing in one project that is 'obsessed' with 'exactness'. Practice is brought to a halt because we go over the same 8 counts for an hour because we're missing some little 'riff' - that I'm positive only the Band who wrote the song would notice. If people are happy, singing, dancing, drinking,... they're not worried about that minor run. * "Every Band does that Song" <-- Wrong! Lousy example, but I've played in several bands recently where someone will say... "We're not doing that song- because every band does that song!" I have never seen a Band play "Sweet Home Alabama" in Erie or anywhere else, yet all claim everyone does it. If a song is played a lot, it's probably because it's popular, and people want to hear that song! So, 'Sweet Home Alabama' might show up on the list. * Get something going -- THEN -- start the really complex and hard songs! Another few projects I've been in - failed because they take on the Holy Grail songs. Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody is a Great Song!!! However it's complex in both the Lyrics & Singing, so that goes on the Back Burner UNTIL - we have 40 songs on the board. We'll start with 3 / 4 chord jams and work our way up from there. * On my own... I probably can play maybe 200 songs. If given the chords, I could decently fumble my way through another 500 songs. With reasonably thought out songs - easy for everyone to spend a few minutes with through their busy week -- practice should accomplish 3-5 songs - start to finish -- in a 3 hour practice. Two or Three months - 1 day a week, we should have enough material to start booking gigs. How many gigs? Again, this is my Hobby - maybe 1 or 2 a month. Maybe a couple more in the Summers.... * Me - I'm low key, funny, happy. I'm not into Drama. I want to play, not get caught up in other stuff. I own my own equipment, have place(s) to practice, and if I really need it, can buy it tomorrow. While I do want paid to play, It's only for my EGO - not because I need the $20 bucks! * How many Band Members??? I dunno? With my keyboards, if needed, I can be a Saxaphone or a Mandolin. However if someone plays those instruments, that only increases the 'stuff' I can add to the play list. I'd say to Start - Drummer, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass & me on Keys. Additional instruments would be welcome including more Keys, Wind, Percussion, Male & Female Vocals. * Mostly Cover Band = Like I said above... When I go out to see a band, I want to Sing along and enjoy the Music. I don't mind if they throw in one 'Original' - into the set. Hey, it lets me see some of their talent. However I don't want to sit for 3 hours listening to songs I've never heard before. I'll wait until they're really big, and buy a ticket. What's an example of a Setlist??? This is NOT in Stone, but an example..(and not necessarily in order). It really will depend on the fellow bandmates, their strengths / weaknesses & preferences. Matchbox 20 - Unwell Hootie & the Blowfish - Only Want to Be with You Eagles - Hotel California Prince - Purple Rain Journey - Don't Stop Believing Billy Idol - Dancing with Myself REO Speedwagon - Time for me to Fly Styx - Too Much Time on my Hands Jimmy Buffet - Margaritaville Whitesnake - Here I go Again Van Halen - Jump Boston - Feels like the 1st time And tons & tons of others... *** I have friends who are Drummers, Guitarist, Bass, Singers.... So, when I've collected enough Seriously Interested Mates, I'll bring in anything we're missing. Please Respond Back - IF -- You are Interested!!!