Some thoughts on performing

[Johnny Robbo]

I was going to post something like this just as a post on this site, but as I was draughting it, I realised there was a blog post in it. Anyway... here it is. Just my own observations...

https://jrobsonguitar.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/playing-to-an-appreciative-audience/

[Oldrottenhead]

Nice post Johnny. And you're  Bill Hicks fan to boot.

[Mike_S]

John that was a really good read. I am glad you have your niche here. The great thing about Songcrafters is that it is a great fit for a wide variety of people, who join for completely different reasons from what i can see.

It suits me very nicely as i get great feedback and encouraging comments on songs that only ever get heard here. I have been playing guitar a long time but only in the last say 5 years or so have i started to write "proper" songs and it is a great pastime especially given the newish world of home recording. I sometimes wish i had realised i could actually write a song years ago and wonder what path i would have tried to go down musically. Would i have been able to muster the courage to play them to a real live audience... dunno. I am too old now i think to go down that path and being of a slightly nervous disposition also, I am fairly sure the only folk that will hear me are internet only peeps. But you know what... I don't care, cause it is actually great!! Great fun and also amazing to listen to the stuff other folk make in their own home studios. Great!!!!!

Mike

[kenny mac]

An excellent read,I couldn't put it any batter myself.
This actually sums me up at the moment.
I've really struggled to get back in the gigging saddle again,it just doesn't float my boat anymore.
I'm happy to go out every now and again for that live audience thrill but it's just not like it was before.
More people are interested in their phones than what going on onstage,and there's more going up people's noses in the toilets than there is drinking at the bar.
It's a changed scene.
I love collaborating, that's my thing,I loved the scotmet with the guys and was realy chuffed when flash Harry made the journey all way from his neck of the woods,only thing we had against us was time.
I've probably collaborated with most people in some form or another on here.
I prefer quick collabs and not spend too much time tweaking as there's so much to get through lol.
I think it's also made me a better player as you collab on musical genres you wouldn't normally venture into.
Here's to making music with fellow songcrafters.

[Speed Demon]

Well said, and my sentiments exactly.

I still do occasional fill-in gigs but my days of every-week gigs are over with.
Dragging 400 pounds of stage gear out of a club at 2:00 AM and looking forward to going to work at 6:30 AM does not thrill me.

Much more fun to be had right here. 

[bruno]

Yip - sums up my thoughts exactly. I've never have done it as an income, but even doing it for next to nothing, people still try and take advantage. Its like they are doing you a favour. So, no more - I keep myself happy, doing what I love to do, the pubs will have to be content with their satellite TV (for which they pay an exorbitant amount).  It all seems like way to much work these days 
B

[Farrell Jackson]

I have the same thoughts at this stage of my life Johnny. Although I do get the urge to step up on the stage now and then but that passes quickly when I think of everything it takes to do that. I gigged solid with my two compadres for 35 years but drummers and bassist came and went. It was fun, a lot of work, and we made decent money but mine all went back into buying more gear and having a little pocket money.

Early on we played the pubs and bars on the cheap but as we got older and more experienced we didn't have to do that very often, only when things got slow. We were self managing and decided to just do casuals, corporate party gigs, and the Indian Casinos that started to pop up locally. That's where the money and good times were. People were appreciative and just wanted to dance and have fun at those gigs. Then the one man mobile DJ's started to get the gigs and the good times and pay for bands went south.

My favorite response when people used to ask how much we charged to play was " We play for free but you'll have to pay us to load and set up the equipment" 

Now it's music sites like Songcrafters that keeps me going.

Farrell

[Hilary]

out of a club at 2:00 AM and looking forward to going to work at 6:30 AM does not thrill me.

Oh I can relate to that one (also being stuck in traffic, desperate for a pee and starving hungry at 1am with 2 hrs still to get home). I couldn't gig for 2 months over the Christmas as I was ill (all good now), what was really nice was having a regular sleep pattern. I'm always on the brink of giving up. I suppose what drives me to carry on (atm) is the belief that it'll get better at some point - the minute I lose that belief will be the time to give it up.

I have met some really lovely people along the way (fellow comics and superfans) and had some memorable evenings (good and bad). I've also done things I'd never thought I was capable of in a million years.

Do what makes you happy but you are never too old to try, look at ahem me

[alfstone]

I've read carefully what you wrote, Johnny, and all I can say is that by my point of view (a 60yo family doctor with some passion for music and home recording), I've definitely found my musical dimension thanks to Songcrafters and the great people who gave birth to (and keep alive and well) this wonderful web community.

Sure, when I was young I too had some gigs, but I never thought about *living of music*...when I was a journalist I met several *real* musicians, and I saw how difficult and hard, life can be for artists...so I've always played for my pleasure. BUT, playing just for myself was beginning to become a little boring  and it was right at this point that I met Songcrafters...and my music had a re-birth! 

Alfredo

[Hook]

I enjoyed your post Johnny, as well as this thread but since I support my wife and my four kids with performing my take is a bit different. Granted I have found a niche (kids music), I spent years playing the bar/resort circuit, 10pm-2am shifts on the beach a good hour and a half away from my house. Audiences that don't care, playing the same crapapy covers night after night, management that thinks it's my job to not only play well but bring in a following and put half my earnings back into their till. Regardless of the issues, when i could count on $150 a gig it was cool with me. When the recession hit that $150 dropped as low as $75 but luckily I had built the kids thing up to just about full time.

When I finally built the kids show into full time work I was overjoyed at giving up the bars. Kids respond well, they laugh, dance, clap and generally show their enjoyment; not the perfect audience but pretty close. I did find myself unstimulated by the music itself and thats when I began my now addiction to songcrafters. Since then I have found it difficult to get back into writing the stuff that really pays my bills.

I agree wholeheartedly that it's great to have a place to share our tunes and knowledge with each other. The support, commraderie and inspiration have been huge in my musical improvement; as well as the daily performing. I have recently taken a cover gig here and there (I do have 4 kids!) and i really enjoyed the last one. A little tap house, The Pint & Brew, $125+tab for 3 hours, people clapped and they booked me again. I'm hoping it becomes a monthly thing and I might try to find another but the kids stuff is way more lucrative and less taxing physically.

As much as I do have a dream of somehow making a living with songwriting vs performing, I don't see that coming to fruition any time soon. I also have no degree and have been self employed for almost 20 years so there is no back up plan. I a musician...so no retirement plan...I hope to (at this point) perform until I drop!
Rock on!