More Things I Learned

Fresno CA

Description

Seeing my previous post, a friend wanted to contribute his observed Craigslist definitions: Working Band - A group of performing musicians who may or may not know one other, but manage to book gigs a couple of times a month, and generally make enough to pay their bar tab, or with enough left over, to purchase new guitar strings, or perhaps make a down payment on the monthly studio rental. The term Successful Working Band is somewhat of an oxymoron as there may be a few Working Bands (outside of Nashville) that are actually making a living. Touring Band - A working band that's finally figured out they can't make a living playing locally and delude themselves by thinking they can do better quitting their day job and hitting the road. Original Band - A group of musicians without the patience to learn how to play covers, who are destined to have their asses handed to them on a silver platter when they get to Nashville. Mercenary Talent - A particularly gifted musician who can jam with practically anyone, play practically anything, and make it sound good; thus dooming themselves to a life of welfare, poverty and squalor bouncing between Working and Touring Bands. Hack Musician - A musician of average talent with a practical day job and enough common sense not to chuck it all and go on Tour or head to Nashville. Hack Musician's typically form the basis of most local working bands as their day job affords the luxury of outfitting a studio, and buying gear. Many functional Hack Musicians often possess the skills to manage Mercenary Talent, book gigs, promotion, website, publicity, and so forth. Without Hack Musicians there would be very few local working bands. (I think my friend is talking about me.) Open Mic Bar - A place where professional musicians congregate when they aren't playing a paid gig with a Working Band, which is most of the time. Producer - A musician aspiring to be an agent or studio manager, who got his ass handed to him on a silver platter in Nashville, and returned home to troll, sign and produce aspiring local Working Bands. These all seem to be valid definitions. Hope this helps.