Versatile country-rock guitarist and vocalist for working band

Great Barrington MA

Description

I’m an experienced country/rock lead guitarist, and a strong (male) lead vocalist, especially for modern and classic country. Been working weekend classic rock gigs in the NYC area most weekends for the last few years. I am searching for a band situation in Western Mass/Upstate NY, where I now spend more of my time. I bring a lot of versatility and coverage to a band. I have handled lead vocals *and* lead guitar for NYC-area classic rock bands in recent years, and can hold down the primary front person/singer role for a classic rock band, while playing some pretty sharp lead guitar. But my first love is country music, which I played professionally in Texas for a decade, and that’s my wheelhouse both as a guitarist and a singer. So I’m more interested in playing country than straight up classic rock, but a hybrid (which is usually necessary in the northeast) is fine for me too. I know hundreds of songs and can learn anything I don’t know fast. (I also sing and play Celtic music, which can be a valuable addition to the songlist in a New England setting). My harmony vocal skills are strong. Double competently on harmonica, bass, keyboards, and mandolin. I don’t want a situation where metal or pop are the focus. A little of each is fine. And while I love southern rock, and do it credibly, I don't want a strictly southern rock format either. Strictly country, however, would be more than fine, classic to modern and all points in between. I especially enjoy backing women singers and have done a lot of it. While I can do the "note for note" approach to cover material, I love to stretch out and make material my own too. Ideally I’d like to keep playing out most weekends like I do now, but at least a couple times a month in Western Mass/Upstate NY. I’m almost always in Western Mass on weekends throughout the year, and here most of the summer now. I own a nice QSC/JBL PA system (and am a competent sound man too, and also capable in a studio), obviously have pro level guitar gear, read music, and know music theory. I have a deep knowledge of country, rock, and blues history. I am also a strong fingerstyle acoustic guitarist (and open to discussing acoustic projects too) and can hold my own with bluegrass or gospel. I show up on time, know my parts, am easy to work with, and get along with most people easily. My ego, while not small, is under control. Image-wise, I'm mid-50s, fit, burly, bearded. and long haired, and look like I oughta be a southern rock musician. I'm quiet offstage, but I like to put on a show when the lights go down. My voice has been described as similar to Waylon Jennings or Bob Seger. I like to be funny and loose on stage. A working bar band that covers country and classic rock would be ideal. Open to a brand new project if the goal is playing out and the other players are serious about it. I don't do this for the money, but I like to do it professionally. Playing out for people is the point for me, and playing what they want to hear is the job I like doing. Please get in touch if you're representing a working project, or have an idea for a serious working project that's realistic (and on the other side, I'm not looking for any roadwork, thanks, been there, done that), and I'll share videos and tell you more. ----