HarpNinja
709 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:30 AM
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Out of nowhere I get wind that a southern rock/classic rock band is in need of a frontman who plays harp. I talked to a member of the band at length yesterday and am excited to audition for the band.
All the rehearsal and gig details are exactly my best case scenario. I mean everything from number of gigs a month to the clubs to the money to the setlist. I literally show up and sing 2/3 the tunes.
It seems way too good to be true (but the band is for real, lol). I am a bit concerned the audition will fall through (I am quite a bit younger than the other members, live out of town, and I may not be able to make the day they set aside for the audition), and could use some good vibes to at least get to the point where I have some say in whether I play with the group or not.
The other musicians are really good, have excellent reps, and have some excellent connections around the Cities. The previous singer just moved out of state, and the rest of the lineup has been together for years. I was just talking to Buddha yesterday about how I am kind of in a funk musically regarding my motivation...running my own band is hard work and has really distracted me from actually playing music...and becoming complacent with trying to lineup a couple "bar" gigs a month just to get out of the house. The timing is quite interesting, lol!
I really would love to be a part of a professional quality group that goes all out - from gear to presentation, and these guys are already there! It wouldn't overlap too much with my group either, so I can still play with friends locally...IF they follow through with an audition and it goes well, etc.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
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Honkin On Bobo
423 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:34 AM
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GOOD LUCK!!!
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toddlgreene
1940 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:35 AM
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Best of luck to you, Mike. If it's a fit, then wear it! I agree;running a band is a bitch. It would be nice to step into an already-established outfit with a following and just take the ride, and concentrate solely on your music. Give 'em hell!
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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hvyj
730 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:39 AM
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Don't worry about age differential. If these guys are real musicians, they won't care. And a youthful frontman is never a bad idea anyway.
Break a leg!
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tookatooka
1812 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:49 AM
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Fingers crossed for you HarpNinja :)
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HarmonicaMick
207 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:54 AM
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This is probably a really dumb ass thing to say, but could these fellas let you audition live? I mean in a gig. You might be more likely to get the job. I don't know whether it's ever done that way, so maybe it's a daft suggestion. Fingers crossed for you, anyway!
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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nacoran
3029 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:55 AM
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Do you tell musicians to break a leg, or is that just theater folks?
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Nate
Facebook
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Honkin On Bobo
424 posts
Oct 20, 2010
11:59 AM
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Does TNFrank know about this opening? I understand he plays a mean Molly Hatchet Harp.
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toddlgreene
1941 posts
Oct 20, 2010
12:02 PM
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Now, now, Honkin'...
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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Honkin On Bobo
425 posts
Oct 20, 2010
12:05 PM
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What!............ ;-)
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HarpNinja
710 posts
Oct 20, 2010
12:06 PM
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Thanks for the well-wishes!
@HarmonicaMick,
That is their plan. They have a few guys invited to gigs on the 29 and 30. We would pick a song or two off their playlist and sit in with the band. I like the concept, but not that fact there might be several "auditions" throughout the night. I also only have one gig date in conflict with them throughout the rest of the year.
I am supposed to be out of town both nights, but may swing the 29. I would plan on playing harp through the PA. Good news is I could probably play a full night with them today if I had to. I knew that many of the songs and there were many more that I wouldn't sing but could play harp on.
Regardless, I know two things:
1. I'll be the best harp player, technically speaking, for the style of music.
2. I'll for sure exceed their expectations for working a crowd and having good business sense. Fronting your own band, even for a couple of months, is quite the crash course in that regard!
I know they appreciated me giving them audio/video immediately. I guess the other people who have responded haven't provided any musical evidence of their abilities, lol.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
Last Edited by on Oct 20, 2010 12:08 PM
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toddlgreene
1942 posts
Oct 20, 2010
12:07 PM
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Just show up and do nothing but warbles, Mike. Piece of friggin' cake. TNFrank was onto something. We work too hard.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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pharpo
379 posts
Oct 20, 2010
1:37 PM
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Mike.....Knock em Dead !!
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Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art. - Charlie Parker
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TNFrank
467 posts
Oct 20, 2010
3:13 PM
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Luck and MoJo sent. Got get em'.
Also, it's not always about playing all the fancy stuff or playing like Jason Ricci. Sometimes it's about taking what little that you DO know and using it in a tasty way to make the MUSIC(remember that, it's ALL about the MUSIC) sound better. Many bands don't want a KILLER harp player, they just want someone who knows enough harp to add a bit of spice to the music.
From what I've read about you, you should know plenty to really Wow em', just don't over do it, don't want the guitar player to get a complex from hearing how good a harp CAN sound.LOL.
Last Edited by on Oct 20, 2010 3:18 PM
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BAG
14 posts
Oct 20, 2010
3:18 PM
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You'll kill 'em Mike. Go for it!
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snakes
582 posts
Oct 20, 2010
3:18 PM
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From what I've seen and heard of your playing over the internet you just need to relax and be yourself and good things should happen. Serve the song.
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bigd
231 posts
Oct 20, 2010
5:35 PM
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So: As all have done I wish you very well but realistically it seems so in your hands and to your great benefit to show up for the audition. "Serve the song" is so brilliantly simple and such terrific advice. Did they comment on the media you communicated to them? I'm looking forward to your post 10/29 post! My best. d
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