Rascal Flatts at The Garden

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 1 Feb 2008 11:41 am

If I were 28 I'd be jumping at the chance to play out with them as well, though I would hardly find it satisfying.

I wouldn't do it. No amount of money is worth having the New York Times call my steel guitar merely "visible" and not "audible". That band couldn't pay me enough to play that gig. Besides. I don't like Top-40 pop music.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 1 Feb 2008 12:07 pm

Doug,your right[ten years from now]The REAL DEAL endures,Over a half century after his death Hank Sr. still sells,If he was'nt the record shops would NOT have his music taking up space in their stores,I wonder if RF,Chesney,Big and Rich,Cowboy Troy,and the rest of this top twenty[what ever it is]will be remembered fifty years after they are gone.I doubt it.DYKBC.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 1 Feb 2008 12:36 pm

You're right, Charles. Hank was real, raw, roots music... straight from the heart. People can hear that in his music. That kind of honesty is in short supply today.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Feb 2008 12:54 pm

Right on Doug. I wouldn't prostitute myself like that for any amount of money. Short term gain, long term loss. Strictly plastic.

P Gleespen · Post by **P Gleespen** » 1 Feb 2008 1:15 pm

Kevin Hatton wrote:Right on Doug. I wouldn't prostitute myself like that for any amount of money. Short term gain, long term loss. Strictly plastic.

Kevin, you've got a way with words.

I mean, sure, I can't stand Rascal Flats as much as the next guy, but give the guy a break! It's possible that HE may actually LIKE the music he's playing. As hard as it is to believe, it seems that a WHOLE BUNCH of normal people like it too.

Don't get me wrong, I love to sit in front of my computer and piss and moan about how things aren't the way I want them. I'm just saying that perhaps a tiny bit of tact might not be a bad thing.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 1 Feb 2008 2:09 pm

I think it's great that Travis has his gig with RF,at least he's WORKING,and believe me good jobs are scarce,I can remember when I had to turn down jobs,just could'nt get to them all,not that way anymore.As far as the music in general today,I think it sucks,That's my opinion and I WILL bitch and gripe about it,On the other hand anyone that thinks artist like RF,Chesney,Big and Rich,Cowboy Troy,is country music,they have has MUCH RIGHT to their opinion as I do mine,I can't stand it,some love it,SO WHAT.The world will keep on spinning[at least for a while I hope]regardless of what Mr.Gore may think.DYKBC.

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 1 Feb 2008 2:45 pm

Kevin Hatton wrote: I wouldn't prostitute myself like that for any amount of money.

Don't worry Kevin, I don't think it's a dilemma you'll EVER have to face...

Musicians are being treated as pawns in a sucker's game... The funny thing is that the muscians fall for it. Which is why I would NEVER be anyone's backup musician.

Well, you really are quite the expert... Please DO tell us again about your recent first time in a recording studio, as you shared recently. And maybe about some of the great big-time gigs you've been offered and turned down? From this and other recent comments we might assume that they're have been lots of them; or maybe not??? We know you're not TOO modest because you brag a lot about all the big names you've OPENED for!

And then by all means go back to acting superior to actual working pro players, as you've been doing for years. It's one thing to have differences of opinion about music, we all do at times, but you constantly cross the line into judging the intelligence, integrity or character of people who might actually play music you personally don't like (and sometimes make a REALLY good living at it!).

Posts like these are one reason that some of the "pros" that used to be regulars here can't be bothered with the forum anymore, I know that for a fact from many personal conversations...

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 1 Feb 2008 2:52 pm

You know Doug,awhile back someone here made the comment[I can't stand to hear a singer sing with a nasal southern drawl]Maybe that's the reason Hank Sr.NEVER MADE IT,DYKBC.

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 1 Feb 2008 3:05 pm

Funny, almost nobody chose to interact with the steeler who actually plays with the very artists at the core of this thread. Is it because nobody knew exactly what to say or is it that some folks just wanna have sour grapes? No offense to the forum itself or to some of the fine folks on here, but there are a few who just.......I'm sorry........talk outta their butts. Most of these guys, truth be known, would have given their eye teeth at some point in their lives to have a gig like Travis. And by the way, I agree with Pete, Travis is a GREAT picker, and a GREAT guy, and I'm really happy for him! Ain't no free lunch, you have to make a living somehow. It's the lucky few that get to make a living doing what they love to pay their bills.
Nuff said.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Feb 2008 3:54 pm

Wow. Sorry. I'm just not into that kind of music. Thats bordering on personal attack Pete. You suprise me. This Forum is to express opinions. I don't think I've personally attacked anyone here. Just expressed my opinion on playing. There are Forum rules here for expressing yourself Pete. You've just about crossed the line. I've already faced that "dilema" Pete many years ago. I have only ever listed my openers in the "Announcements" section for people who wish to attend. Bragging???? Sounds like you are taking this personal Mr. Finney. Acting superior to pro players???? Shame on you. You just violated Forum policies. I have attacked NO one's intelligence or personal integrity. I only expressed what I would or would not do. Mr. Gleespen, I hear you. I'm not perfect.

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 1 Feb 2008 4:12 pm

"Funny, almost nobody chose to interact with the steeler who actually plays with the very artists at the core of this thread. Is it because nobody knew exactly what to say or is it that some folks just wanna have sour grapes?"

Travis posted, and can post at will. Didn't know what to say? No. Sour grapes? Not on my part...just don't like their music. Who he chooses to play with is his business. He's doing what he wants to do, and that's cool...for him.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 1 Feb 2008 4:23 pm

…some folks just wanna have sour grapes? …It's the lucky few that get to make a living doing what they love to pay their bills.

I've been a full time musician my entire life. I have never done anything else. Gigging, teaching, and music sales have been good to me. AND I would Never play with a current Top-40 band... not for any amount of money, no matter how popular they are, or how big the shows are. No sour grapes here. I have played over 4000 gigs, including a lot of shows. I just hate contrived music and I don‘t need the money bad enough to put up with it. I can understand why some professional players would take such a gig however. Most full-time musicians have to take whatever they can get. When the wind blows they have to hop on the bandwagon and ride it as far is possible. Fortunately I am not in that position.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Feb 2008 4:33 pm

Mike, I agree. I respect Travis for pursuing his music career. Its just not something that I would do, and my language was a little strong. . If I implied any disrepect Travis you have my apology.

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 1 Feb 2008 4:40 pm

"If I implied any disrepect Travis you have my apology."

Kevin, that was cool.

"I have played over 4000 gigs, including a lot of shows."

Do we really want to make this a stick measuring contest?

"Most professional musicians have to take whatever they can get. Fortunately I am not in that position."

Glad for ya.

"When the wind blows they have to hop on the bandwagon and ride it as far is possible. They gotta do what they gotta do."

Kinda like that Emmons kid did with that Dickens character back in the '50's. Or that b*njo player from North Carolina. What was his name again? Earl I think it was.
What do you think Mozart's dad thought when he told him he wanted to be a musician?

Let he who has never hopped throw the first stone.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 1 Feb 2008 4:53 pm

Hey Doug, if they call you, give them my number...

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 1 Feb 2008 5:08 pm

"I have played over 4000 gigs, including a lot of shows."

Do we really want to make this a stick measuring contest?

Scott, you stated that most of the complainers here "talk outta their butts."

I posted the above to point out to you that some of us here are lifelong, full time pros... and we are not talking out of our butts... and we do not like RF and the genre that they represent. Some of us would not take such a gig. I did not post "4000 gigs" to brag... only to show that some of us are experienced players, not closet players who sit at home and complain. As I said before, I consider most of today's corporate country music to be formula pop and uninspired, and I have no interest in hearing it or playing it for any amount of money.

Doug, if they call you, give them my number...

Okay John, you got it!

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 1 Feb 2008 5:19 pm

No, I stated that a few talk outta their butts, not most. That was not intended as an attack on you, sorry if you thought it might have been.
I am fully aware that there are MANY not only competent but pro players on here with WAY more experience than me. I have nothing but respect for those folks, whether pro or hobbyists. Everyone has something to contribute here, even if just another point of view, and is certainly entitled their own opinions, which is the crux of the problem. Wouldn't it be more productive to discuss and share thoughts (even if sometimes a little heated) without getting quite so personal?
I learn a lot, good and otherwise, on here.

"... and we do not like RF and the genre that they represent."

Personally speaking, I try never to speak for others. Too easy for others to change their minds without lettin ya know.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 1 Feb 2008 5:27 pm

Thanks Scott, I understand your point of view. I have some stong opinions about music, and sometimes I get a little too fired up!

Regardless of what we say here, the music world will keep spinning on it's own axis.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 1 Feb 2008 8:47 pm

This topic has turned into a battle. It's not about music. I'm therefore closing it.

Please, folks, don't use this forum to throw insults at each other. That's not what it's for.