harpdude61
2226 posts
Jan 19, 2015
11:25 AM
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Hey guys,
Before I talk about my topic I need to get something off my chest.
Some of you won't know what I'm talking about and I apologize for wasting your time.
A friend on this forum sent me a personal note about a mindset condition that I could possibly have. I researched. I pretty much got too big for my britches. I thought I knew it all. Arrogant, cocky, and if you didn't agree with my way on how to or my opinion on a performance, I thought something was wrong with you.
My bands modest successes put me on top of the world. Instead of welcoming you to help me grow my journey, I looked down on you. Instead of listening and learning from you, I shoved my way in your face. Instead of sharing my knowledge gained to be part of a "help one another" community, I caused commotion, disruption, and hurt feelings.
If you ever wonder whether or not your comments on this forum are crossing the line, simply let your wife read them. She was standing over my shoulders fuming..twisting my ear and smacking my big head. I really started thinking and rereading posts, talking to close friends and family, bandmates, and basically doing everything I could to "fix" me.
I won't name names, but I would like to deeply apologize from the bottom of my heart to many of you. I hope I can again be a part of the discussions and I hope I can help someone in some way once in awhile. I know I have much to learn. Of course I'm not going to always agree, I just want to respond in a gentlemanly manner with class and dignity. My goal is for you to feel respect from me.
OK...a friend of my bands sent me this from a picker's convention. She thought it was funny that a harmonica stand was behind a pair of Frye (my name) boots.
Any idea the year? Harmonica types? Great pricing by the way!
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www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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SuperBee
2343 posts
Jan 19, 2015
11:31 AM
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Nope, I don't know about the stand. Classy post though Catfish. All the best.
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Danny Starwars
9 posts
Jan 19, 2015
12:54 PM
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Regarding your opening comments, I'm too new here to know what you could be referring to, but I heard a wise person say once that we have two options: being humble, or being humbled. Sounds like you're in the right place now regardless of the past.
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timeistight
1680 posts
Jan 19, 2015
1:24 PM
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Classy apology, Duane. Welcome back.
About the stand: harmonicas were mounted over the model numbers down the middle of each of the four sides, leaving the prices on the edges for view. A crank could be inserted in the base to wind a clockwork motor that slowly turned the stand, displaying all four sides.
   
Last Edited by timeistight on Jan 19, 2015 1:35 PM
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kudzurunner
5258 posts
Jan 19, 2015
6:04 PM
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You're always welcome here, Duane. I think it might be instructive to new members if you inventory where you were five or six years ago vs. where you are today, playing-wise and profession-wise. You've had a pretty remarkable upward swing in your playing and band-fortunes since we first crossed paths at a Gindick camp back in....when? 2009?
Point is, you're an excellent example of what is possible when a player decides he's going to bear down hard and steadily and see where his talent can take him.
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jbone
1865 posts
Jan 19, 2015
9:36 PM
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Duane, I will always accept an act of humility if you are man enough to offer. I doubt you ever irritated me personally, but I know I've been where you just came from. It is a truly sobering experience to realize one is not right all the time.
Some years ago when I had been invited into a band, I was dumped without a word after a couple of months. My crime I think was maxing out my amp so I could hear myself, but the real deal was I was trying to teach the loudass drummer a lesson. He learned all right, how to dump me and never look back!
At a jam some years later I was really just in a phase where I wanted a bigger louder amp and nobody had a good answer for me. That I heard. A guy walks on stage with a harp, steps to the mic, and does stuff straight in the p.a. that I had never had a clue how to do. When I first saw him I thought "lightweight". He really schooled me just by doing what he did, no gimmicks, not 50 watt 4x10's, nothing but him and the p.a. I later saw him on the street busking and you could hear him from half a block on a busy street. Then for a time I just hated the guy. Eventually I got my head out of my ass and approached him. He was on his way to Europe on a Hohner tour. Never got a lesson, but he was one of the nicest guys to talk to.
At one point I had my own band which I had co-founded pulled out from under me. In fact it happened a couple of times. I was told later that I was seen as an elitist prick, something I had never intended to be. Yet that was how I appeared to my fellows.
You are 100% right about a wife being a good sounding board. I almost hate to admit how much Jolene is right. Yet she keeps my head out in the world instead of where the sun don't shine.
Please, carry on sir. Whatever you said or did is forgotten over here at my house. Kindred spirits.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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florida-trader
613 posts
Jan 20, 2015
7:59 AM
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One of my customers sent me a 1936 Hohner Catalogue. I took pictures of all the pages and uploaded it to PhotoBucket. I'm not sure if it from exactly the same time as this display rack but it looks to be very close. For example the Model No. 34B is the Old Standby and both the cataloge and the display rack who the same price of 50 cents.
Here it is:
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Jan 20, 2015 8:01 AM
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orphan
402 posts
Jan 20, 2015
8:14 AM
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That is really neat Tom. Thanks! That echophone on pg. 8 looks interesting. Anybody ever heard one?
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florida-trader
614 posts
Jan 20, 2015
9:20 AM
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@ Orphan. Actually you see them pop up on eBay fairly often and I am pretty sure they were re-released some time maybe in the 80's.
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Tom Halchak
www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Jan 20, 2015 9:20 AM
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harpdude61
2227 posts
Jan 21, 2015
6:34 AM
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Thanks everyone and Adam I appreciate all you have done for me and the harmonica world in general.
I was 45 when I picked up my first harp. My wife noticed I liked blues and rock tunes with harp so she bought me a $5 Cracker Barrel special.
I found Adam and others on youtube and fell in love with my new hobby. I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Ricci a few weeks after I started at a show in Knoxville. He was so kind. He sat and talked harp with me for a 1/2 hour before his show. On to jam camp the next year where Adam taught me to set up my harps. I remember telling Jimi Lee that I was hung up on getting good tone. He said "Great! Stay hung up on getting good tone".
After that, two wonderful Hill Country Harmonica experiences that taught me more than I could ever imagine.
Now, 8 years later and I have my own band. We do pretty good for a band that doesn't want to stray over 100 miles from home.
One key for me has been passion. No matter what level you are, if you have the hunger to learn then you shall.
Woodshed! Develop the mindset that the woodshed is the coolest thing ever. I have never once dreaded to practice.
I am a strong believer in visualization. I told my wife a few days after I started that I would play in a band someday. "Yeah right" she said.
Always do your best. I remember watching an interview with SRV's bandmates. They said he sounded the same sitting in a room by himself, as he did in front of 30,000.
Same with emotion. I believe it is never to early to put "feel" into what you play. SRV again comes to mind. "The blues ain't about how you feel when you play...the blues is about how you play when you "feel".
Listen, ask questions, try to figure out the licks you hear. I have never been shy about picking a players brain.
Don't get to big for your britches. Nope, I'm not a cross between Cotton and Ricci...far from it! I have discovered that my playing skills leveled off for awhile. Back to Earth now and the desire to improve has increased.
A huge blocker for me has been singing. Many on here encouraged me but I just could not get the fires burning. My problem was I wanted to sound like Muddy Waters or one of the greats. I started listening to a lot of artists trying to find the influence I needed.
I finally stumbled upon an old George Thorogood CD of mine. Many would say he can't sing a lick. I discovered he uses what he has and puts his heart into it. Fair singer, but fantastic performer and entertainer. I actually chose "Who Do You Love" and "Bad to the Bone" as my first vocal tunes. Both are great one chord blues that harp fits nicely with.
Lastly...Have fun! With an inflated ego came pressure to play everything to perfection. A missed note was a disaster that caused blushing and a tightening up all over!..lol...Now I just bring it without a care in the world. Even if I make a mistake like starting a song with the wrong harp I make a joke out of and keep rolling.
I feel a little funny offering advice. I feel I have much more to learn than I can teach. They say you can learn something from anyone. I believe it!
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www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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timeistight
1681 posts
Jan 21, 2015
11:18 AM
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There's a broken Hohner display on eBay now. Only $400, plus shipping!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hohner-Harmonica-Wooden-Display-Case-/251800728210
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This should probably go without saying: If you’re not learning everything you can, you’re probably not that interested in it.Kid Andersen
Last Edited by timeistight on Jan 21, 2015 11:20 AM
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Harmlessonica
24 posts
Jan 21, 2015
2:20 PM
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Hi Harpdude,
Thanks for the advice and enlightening backstory.
Hope to see more of you round these parts.
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