What MOTIVATES YOU..........to do it?

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 26 Oct 2008 4:31 pm

I could reasonably comforably set-in with just about any country band and play a fairly respectable even-ing of dance music with minimal personal stress.

Getting on stage, front and center, before a crowd of folks seeking little more than to be entertained, absolutely terrifies me.

I've performed for years on live radio & television, and twice daily flew traffic watch for Radio Station KEX here in Portland for a three year span. I routinely sparred with two veteran DJ's and always managed to hold my own. I was interviewed on more than 350 live radio talk-shows and survived.

TELL ME. WHAT makes you want to be 'stage center' in the bright lights of an auditorium......and exactly HOW do YOU manage to do it?

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 26 Oct 2008 4:45 pm

Ray , It's the rush

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 26 Oct 2008 5:03 pm

DAMNIFIKNOW.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 26 Oct 2008 5:25 pm

Mmmmmmmmm $200.00 PER NIGHT!

Austin Tripp · Post by **Austin Tripp** » 26 Oct 2008 5:55 pm

Hey Ray, I dont want to talk like this,,, but what motivates me to play a show like that is I think, this may be my last time playing a show like this.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 26 Oct 2008 7:18 pm

Here's how I do it. I was in the first guitar band to surface at my high school at the dawn of the 60s, and right there in the front row were the in-crowd with all their snide comments. (The rest of the crowd was too busy dancing.)

Here's what Mom said next morning when I told her about it:

"Listen, each one of them would have given their eye teeth to trade places with you. Don't ever let clowns like them get you down."

I've never forgotten it.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 26 Oct 2008 8:42 pm

....for me, it's the glamour, the groupies, the lavish pay, the luxury hotel suites, the public adoration...

...but mainly, the wishful thinking.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 26 Oct 2008 9:26 pm

I don't think about it. I just like to play and try to do my best. I end up center stage sometimes because that's the way it goes. I don't really try to be there.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 26 Oct 2008 9:37 pm

A futile desire for fame and fortune...

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 26 Oct 2008 11:07 pm

Bob Hoffnar wrote:I don't think about it. I just like to play and try to do my best. I end up center stage sometimes because that's the way it goes. I don't really try to be there.

What he said.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 28 Oct 2008 5:19 am

Satisfaction...

It's satisfying. Fills what Maslow called the "benefit" need for "self actualization".

'Tis fun too...

Matthew Prouty · Post by **Matthew Prouty** » 28 Oct 2008 8:37 am

Center stage? I thought all steel players had to sit in the back!

Can you see me way back there? That's by design!

My motivation is artistic expression, but the money sure is good.

Mateo.

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 28 Oct 2008 1:24 pm

I have been entertaining solo for 11 years. I entertain for nursing homes, Alzheimer units and assited living.
Why do I do it? Because the people enjoy it very much and I can do something worth while for them. They appreciate everything I do and I can be very comfortable knowing that they are not critical in any way. In my younger days it was frightening sometimes to be before a particualr type of crowd, but for the most part the joy of just making music on the Steel Guitar makes it all worth the effort.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 28 Oct 2008 1:32 pm

WHAT makes you want to be 'stage center'

To prove Santa is alive and well ... and plays a frypan ...

and exactly HOW do YOU manage to do it?

With enough sedatives to stop a charging rhino ...

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 28 Oct 2008 1:38 pm

Great closing line!

I'm proud of you and your quick wit!

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 28 Oct 2008 8:23 pm

Is this Topic “Closed” now?? Keep talking, I'm all ears, but; I don't think it will cure that!

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 28 Oct 2008 9:27 pm

How do you explain the satisfaction of playing in a band to a non-musician?

I'm much more comfortable playing in an ensemble situation, whether it's traditional country or other kinds of music. I've always enjoyed the collaboration of working on "teams".

But then, on rare occasions, I do a solo show because it's expected by the label and it's part of being a performer, but I'm usually so riddled by anxiety, in spite of the Inderal, that I usually don't enjoy it, until it's over.

If it's traditional music, then we're playing songs and we're in familiar territory. When I do solo stuff, I'm using "real time" loopers and I'm having to read scores and count numbers so that all of the sections line up, not to mention that it's my composition, so I have a special connection to its success or failure.

But then, there's not much that feels as good as an applause.

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 30 Oct 2008 4:23 am

I keep hoping to get to the level that Alan Brookes is at..........where are all those groupies.....

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 30 Oct 2008 6:41 am

Roual Ranes wrote:I keep hoping to get to the level that Alan Brookes is at..........where are all those groupies.....

Mostly in the imagination. At my age that's the best place for them.

The Steel Guitar Forum

What MOTIVATES YOU..........to do it?

What MOTIVATES YOU..........to do it?

'Stage Center'???

Only YOU..............my friend...