What I'm reading in some of these posts is the old truth that as entertainers, it's not just about pleasing the crowds in attendance, but pleasing the Owners/Managers... who, as in UD's case couldn't even tell him what they wanted ... a guy's apparently got a good, mature clientele, spending money, enjoying themselves, not causing problems, and he wants 'something else' that, as Gary said, might bring more headaches than cash flow ...
We will NEVER be able to figure out this business, so just keep on keepin' on, doing our best to please MOST (?) of the clientele, and hopefully the owners/managers will realize that's what we're doing...

UD ... As I've said before, I might be able to pass as your older, bigger brother, and I often have seen patrons do a 'double take' when they've first heard my voice, and then see my appearance ...

dnj ... "Wearing headphones listening to cd players...."??? Where the heck were their parents to teach them manners and common (I guess it's not so common anymore) COURTESY?!?!? ...

Man, some days I wonder why I'm in this business, but then you get a heart felt "Thank you, the music was GREAT" and I KNOW why....
t.
PS Angeloooo ... how YOU doin'?!?...
t.

Tony,

Forgettabouttit!!! These kids today have no family moral stature. Traditions and alike are out the door! At weddings and most high-end functions I perform at involving families the children, sadly to say, are dressed very inappropriately for the function. This is to include Baggy Pants with the crotch down to their ankles, Big Construction boots with the Tongue hanging out "no Laces of course", Hooded Sweatshirts with the hoods tied tight around their faces, Ski Hats, Stocking Caps, girls and boys with Multiple Tattoos, Multiple Piercings everywhere you can see and then some, Headphones, etc....While I guess it's ok as their generations attire, there is a time and place to dress to suit the occasion. Which in turn gives respect to the family and the people having the affair.
As a musician when the crowd is so vastly mixed you have to be versatile enough to compete musically or face the stark reality that your in the wrong place as a performer for "that gig". This could lead to success or failure depending on your experience.
We are only human and to stay up with the huge musical gender gap that is changing every day you have to use everything available to accomplish that. This could include dyeing your hair darker to look younger, wearing hipper clothes, doing a half Live/half DJ routine etc. Whatever it takes to make your time there a success regardless of "What You Like to Play" this is a job and that’s the bottom line. There’s enough people and diverse contrasts in this big planet, with so many attitudes toward music. All you got to do is find what works for you and the people that want to enjoy what your doing if you got the "Goods" your on your way, if not, its a mean world out there my friends.


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www.donnypesce.com

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 04-14-2003).]

I wish I was as poetic as all you guys. After reading UD's post days ago, two thoughts came to mind: 1. At least the owner of the place talked to Dave in an apparant attempt to give Dave the chance to change the music before giving him his walking papers (but in retrospect, it sounds now more like a courtesy before dropping the other shoe) and, 2. Welcome to middle age, Dave.

One of my 30 year old nephews got married in Orlando, Florida not too long ago. The reception went through the usual routine of greetings, cocktails, dinner, speeches and finally hit the dancing phase...which, again, went through the usual routine starting with a gentle mix of standards, building its way to the music and volume level that bridal party and their peers like.

BTW, a very polished DJ supplied the music and got $800 for the gig. He did not sing..but was an excellent MC and programmer.

Techno, Rap, Hip-Hop, and some old disco favorites dominated the last 2 hours. The dance floor was filled with several tight "clumps" or groups of 12 or more who bumped, thumped and humped to the ear-splitting beat of bass and drums.

The concept and crowd psychology was about the same as when I played in wedding bands years ago...so, while the "songs" were different, the dynamics seemed about the same.

Those dynamics seem pretty consistent in older age groups as well...although the music is entirely different.

What I am trying to say here is, the younger generations are always going to want something newer and more hip than the matured folks...but the matured folks are hip in their own way and "shocked" the generation before them back at that age to.

For the entertainer that has catered to the hip set of the day, it is not the end of the world, but rather a sign to move with his audience to the next step. This means following them to their new venues...the country clubs, fraternal lodges, home owner association parties at rec halls, mobile park rec halls, private house parties, etc.

Ok, so all the jobs are one-nighters...but the money is just as good, the hours better and, when you combine your talent with an attitude of total accomodation to the people who hire you, the feedback, loyalty and repeat bookings you get are very rewarding.

Am I passionate about what I do? You bet! And I am gonna do it for the folks who like what I do for as long as I can. But, I will not take those jobs that I know I am not right for which do not provide me or the audience the pleasure we both seek.

As for the looks thing...that is just God's way of giving the young guys a chance to get going in the business.

Eddie

Great reply Eddie,

You said it all!!!
The road signs are Posted, .....
But which direction will we travel in our Musical Journey into the future?

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www.donnypesce.com

As Joan Rivers would say....Can We Talk...
Interesting points made here. My last solo gig (2 weeks ago) the owner approached me and commented that the feedback he'd gotten from the audience was that they particularly liked the Eagles and Henley stuff I was doing, along with the Phil Collins and Billy Joel. That was great to hear but at the same time it got me wunderin' what was it about those numbers that particularly grabbed them, as the audience was quite varied in age but young, mid, and older were all on the dance floor at some time during the night. Looking at the set lists, I could only come up with the way those songs were done, in relation to others. They all started acoustically, on either guitar or kb, percussion came in gradually, and the songs ended almost the way they began, with more of a string emphasis, so what I had done basically was take them on a little journey through the song and let the music and lyric line paint their own pictures for each listener.

Reality Check: That was this particular venue. There's a pretty good chance it wouldn't go across the same way two blocks down and across the street, but this particular night, everything seemed to click, so I'm leaning towards "If it ain't broke...don't fix it"

Good topic U.D. btw..Is this venue a "regular" gig for you....has management changed hands?? Just wunderin'....

[This message has been edited by Leon (edited 04-14-2003).]

Leon I agree every gig is different,
But SET LISTS? I never used a set list in my 35 yrs of gigging. I just look out there and do what is nessasary to make it a success!!



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www.donnypesce.com

in the 60's i played 3 to 4 concerts
a week to 10 to 60,000 people with a 5 piece
band
in the 70's i played 6 nights a week to
several thousand people (disco) with a 4 piece
band
in the 80's i played 4 nights a
week to several hundred people with a 3 piece
band
in the 90's i played 2 nights a week to less
than a 100 people with a duo
now my duo plays fridays at the local elks
saturday at local mobile home parks and special jobs during "peak" season.
i guess my point is you don't retire from
show biz.... it retires you.

Donny...It's a guide
Lighten Up...

leon,

No offense to you. But I often see bands or whatever performing and the'll use that
SET LIST as a bible. They will not alter from the list no matter what is going on upon the dance floor or in the room at the expense of peoples good time and dancing.Playing disco or rock while people are having dinner etc etc ...why? because they are following their Set List. Yes it might work this time ...but every gig is not the same. Some feel this way.............
"I Did my 4 Sets...Now Pay Me" regardless of the outcome, and usualy they dont have to worry because they wont be playing at that place anymore anyway because of it.
Leon a song list is fine, but for me,
Set Lists are Taboo. Just play the Energy in the room and you'll never go wrong.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 04-14-2003).]

Donny...None taken.
When I say a guide, I guess what I mean is that I scope the room days before the gig, unless I know from experience that it's this kind of venue, or that kind of venue. Let's face it..."Misty"...ain't gonna go over to well in Bubba's Wingding DanceHall & Reptile Emporium.....just as "Here's a quarter..Call Someone who cares", wouldn't make it in Vancouver Hilton's Candlelight Room. So I prepare a guide for the night, along with a reserve (more of an emergency) list, let's face it, as you're playing, you can be looking ahead for the next 2 or 3 numbers, particularly if you want to lace them together, with some kind of instrumental piece. That's all I was getting at. Thanx for the constructive critique though.
35 years....hoooo eeeee, Gotcha beat by 3.