Country/rock lead guitarist w strong vocals seeks band

Lee MA

Description

Mid-50s guitarist and singer here, weekend resident of Western Mass, looking to come out of the pandemic with a new band situation in the area. I have been playing with classic rock bands and acoustic acts around NYC for several years pre-pandemic, but now want to see what’s out there nearer my weekend home. Driving down to the city for gigs on weekends has gotten old, especially now that I’m back to working in the city midweeks and as the gigs are starting to come back. I’ve been playing for over 40 years, and was formerly a touring road musician based in Texas, playing mostly top-40 (of the 90s) country music as mostly a lead guitarist. But I’m also a very strong country and classic rock vocalist, which I foreground here because to me live popular music is first and foremost about the vocals, and everything else is in support of that, including “lead” guitar playing. I am as much a singer as a guitarist, and can sing anything from classic to contemporary country or most rock styles with conviction and Texas-tested authenticity. I know it all from Hank Williams to the present. I can absolutely own a George Strait or Dwight Yoakam or Merle Haggard or Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson or Brooks and Dunn or Ray Price or Alan Jackson song, as in I sound like the record, and not a parody of the record. But I’m solid on my Bob Seger or Lynyrd Skynyrd or Rolling Stones or Tom Petty or ZZ Top or Springsteen or Eagles -style vocals too, and not bad on classic R&B either. I can even stretch toward metal and heavy rock vocals, although it isn’t my main thing. I do love singing and playing rockabilly and early rock and roll (albeit not looking for an “oldies” vibe band) and am a credible blues lead player and singer as well, albeit not much of a slide player. Also play *excellent* acoustic fingerstyle guitar (truly my “main thing”), and some keyboards (but I don’t want to *primarily* play keys, if that’s what you need I’m not the guy), and harmonica. My harmony vocals chops are *top notch* and honed. Lots of stage experience over 40+ years means I’m confident on a mic in front of a crowd, and know it’s about putting on a good show as a band and — for me — making people dance and smile. For my age I look the rock and roll part, tall, in good shape with most of my original long hair and a non-ironic rough-edged “country boy” visual vibe and stage presence. I can front a country or classic rock band as a lead vocalist all night long, or just sing a couple songs a set and focus on guitar and harmony vocals. I do want to sing some though, and would get a little bored only playing guitar. Guitar-wise I’m first and foremost a country lead player, happiest chicken-picking on a Telecaster, but I can cover a wide range from hard rock shredding to mellow acoustic accompaniment. It’s all about the song. I know when to lay back too. I play with a full pedalboard with a wide range of tones, and own a wide range of guitars suitable to different styles (my two primary sidearms are in the photo above). I’m a devotee of Gatton, Lee, Anderson, Reed, and the like. (If you recognize the names, we should be friends!) Love playing rockabilly and honky tonk stuff. But I played metal and heavy rock a lot when I was younger. And I can play pop and R&B and even some jazz styles in the pocket and with the right tone. I read music, know music theory, have a deep knowledge of country and rock and blues history, and write good songs too. I have a lot of experience playing behind women lead singers too. Totally pro equipment, including a very nice compact QSC/JBL PA system of my own (I am also skilled at mixing live sound). I have a truly pro attitude (playing guitar was my full time job once!) and show up on time, know how to work with venue owners, get along with everyone, lose the ego, and learn my parts. Zero attitude and committed to sounding tight and rehearsed. I totally love playing and don’t need to pay my bills with it, although I’m not looking to play for free or just jam in a garage. Playing out regularly is my goal, preferably mostly weekend gigs around Western Mass/CT and upstate NY most of the time. Vaccinated, careful, but open to working indoors soon, God willing and the creek don’t rise. I hope live music is soon back for real. Sound like something your band might want? Get in touch. Maybe we are a match. I’m open to a brand new project if — and only if — you have prior professional gigging experience and an actual serious plan to play out soon. But if you are contemplating a serious new pro project. I can help get you a lot of the way there as a lead singer capable of going all night, a strong guitarist, and a soundman with pro PA gear. Open to projects that aren’t squarely classic rock or country too, including primarily acoustic projects (I’m experienced with singer/songwriter acoustic music, bluegrass and Celtic music as both a singer and guitarist, and can hold it down in Irish/Scottish — authentically sung, and I’m of Scots heritage so I can own it — or bluegrass/gospel or Western Swing styles too. I’m mostly looking to get back on electric guitar unless just the right acoustic-focused project appears.)