BGUG demise leaves me gigless...

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 16 Feb 2002 10:54 pm

Well, I suppose some would say "what do you expect from a b@njo player?"... but our crazy bandleader finally had a meltdown and broke up Blueground Undergrass after a nice four year run. No notice, just before what turned out to be our last show at the Bottom Line in New York last Thursday. So I'm back to working in my recording studio and actively SEEKING A NEW GIG! So if you guys hear of anyone looking, I'd appreciate a heads up...Thanks

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Mark van Allen- Lookin' for a gig! Pedal, Non-Pedal, Lap, Dobro and Lead Guitar- c'mon by and visit: www.markvanallen.com

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 17 Feb 2002 5:04 am

"what do you expect from a b@njo player?"...

He is expected to take up the pedal steel, a natural transition

Gary Lee[This message was edited by Gary Lee Gimble on 17 February 2002 at 05:05 AM.]

Tom Stolaski · Post by **Tom Stolaski** » 17 Feb 2002 6:56 am

I don't think that a banjo player should front a band. Banjo players should be way in the back with the pedal steel guitarists.
Banjo players are known to distract the crowd while the steel guitarist is playing his big instrumental of the night.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 17 Feb 2002 8:12 am

Mark: A variation on the same plot.... We got tired of our boss coming in three or four sets late, singing a song or two, saying goodnight and collecting his pay !!

That was a lot to digest but he topped it off last saturday at a show for The Shriners by saying we wouldn't be playing "JUNK" like Harbor Lights and Sleepwalk anymore. A direct slap at me since I play the steel work on both of these. That was the final blow so:

WE FIRED HIM !!

We played this weekend under a new name and with a thousand dollars of new gear to replace what he had. Larry Miller is going to like this too...we bought WWBP a like new Fender Jazz Bass (NOT A SCRATCH ON IT !!) with a used Peavey amp and he is in Hog Heaven. Heck, we even gave the Boss twenty dollars for those spotlights he bought a couple years ago just to get him out of the club.

I never understand these things but Live 365 is playing Santo and Johnny's Sleepwalk as I'm writing this. It's 10:52 eastern time; check the play list if you think I'm fooling around. Now it's Jimmy Day with Release me.

Anyhow, we have a good sound and the band is relaxed and free with the music. The drummer did get pretty relaxed though.

They had a surprize Birthday Party for me as it was that time. First one I've ever had in a club !! All it all it was a really good night for all of us.

Regards, Paul

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 17 Feb 2002 10:20 am

"Banjo players are known to distract the crowd"

Who told ya?[This message was edited by Gary Lee Gimble on 17 February 2002 at 10:21 AM.]

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 17 Feb 2002 2:37 pm

Mark,

I am playing with Darrin Robbins in Macon, Ga for the next 2 weeks at Whiskey River and I have a conflict one of the nights and need coverage. Let me know if you're interested. I sent you an email on it but wanted to post here just in case.

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Gaylon's Homepage
www.geocities.com/nashville/1064

Craig Collins & High Lonesome
www.craigcollins.org

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 17 Feb 2002 3:15 pm

Paul, you never know, that might just be the motivation WWBP needs to become the WBBP!?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 17 Feb 2002 7:44 pm

What's the difference between a b@njo and a trampoline?

You should take your boots off before jumping on the trampoline.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 18 Feb 2002 1:35 pm

BUMMER!!

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Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 2 Mar 2002 9:12 am

Mark: We had a girlie show at my gig last night so we were off. We went to see Gaylon at Whiskey River and heard you were going to be there tonight. I'll be back playing again so we'll miss you but wanted to take the opportunity to Welcome You To Macon, GA.

Gaylon and the whole band was a fine show and we really enjoyed it. Hope you have as much fun as we did and watch that young man on the bass. He won't be with them too long because one of the big mainliners is going to take this guy with them. What a performer and I wish I could remember his name but it was too noisy to catch. Maybe Gaylon will pop in here and make up for my senior moment !!

Regards, Paul

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 2 Mar 2002 2:27 pm

Paul,

Thanks for the kind words. I'm sure I have left them in good hands with Mark for tonight. The bass player is Brad Williams. What a treat to hear him sing Borrowed Angel and the likes!

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Gaylon's Homepage
www.geocities.com/nashville/1064

Craig Collins & High Lonesome
www.craigcollins.org

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 3 Mar 2002 6:49 am

Gaylon: Back atcha man !! Thank you for the nice music and speaking of Borrowed Angel; you nailed that one ! Both Eddie and I were looking at each other when you intro'd that and on the turn. It really was the genuine sound of the original song. His vocal rendition must inspired you.....

I've seen a lot of the big shows at Whiskey River and you guys were one of them. Thanks for the memories !!

Regards, Paul

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 3 Mar 2002 9:09 am

Tom. SHAME ON YOU. The b@njo player should be in the back, but the STEEL PLAYER SHOULD BE UP FRONT.

Mark, sorry to hear of the lost gig. I was looking forward to seeing you guys if you came back to the Bay area. Keep the faith, you will find something.
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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

[This message was edited by Richard Sinkler on 03 March 2002 at 09:11 AM.]

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 3 Mar 2002 9:20 am

Paul, Thanks for the welcome, I had a blast in Macon...nice scenery there at W. River... and Gaylon, thanks for the gig- those guys have a lot of talent and energy. Fun band. I'm lookin forward to hittin' it again in Milledgeville!

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 3 Mar 2002 10:02 am

Ditto on the scenery Mark. Eddie and I both noticed it but I forget what her name was too !!

Regards, Paul

Tom Stolaski · Post by **Tom Stolaski** » 3 Mar 2002 6:00 pm

What if you play banjo and steel guitar?
Do you set up on the runway in front of the stage?

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 3 Mar 2002 6:47 pm

Where's Don E Curtis when you need him ?? He plays both equally well !!

Regards, Paul

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 3 Mar 2002 10:59 pm

Deleted for being dated.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 28 February 2004 at 03:50 PM.]

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 4 Mar 2002 2:25 am

"What if you play banjo and steel guitar?"

Collect twice the $$

Gary Lee

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 4 Mar 2002 5:41 am

Jeez Mark! Too bad. As difficult as it may seem at the time, change usually is for the better.

Does this mean you might have time to make the sacred Steel Convention In Orlando April 5 and 6? I Hope so.

All the best,

Bob

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 4 Mar 2002 10:05 am

Thanks, Bob, actually it's been a relief in some ways (!). One door closes, one opens as they say. I've got a number of fill in gigs lined up while I'm looking, and it's given me time to get my studio back up to speed- Just finished tracking a rock project with Buddy Miles on drums, Vassar Clements is coming in next week to drop fiddle onto another CD project, and I've been blown away by a local band that's in here bringing celtic/eastern european/folky/jazz/gypsy noises to the table. I'm hoping to get to ALL of the great conventions I've been missing- the last time I got to Scotty's was 1977! (I'm sure you can hear me howling on the live BE CD)- I've been playing somewhere every year ever since. Hope to see you again in Orlando- I have a gig with an act opening for Vince Gill on that Friday, but it's down that way. I have to tell you, everywhere we played this last year, the buzz is all about the Sacred Steel gang- Robert Randolph is making a big splash, but there's a tremendous interest in the Campbells and others- I'll bet the convention will really be swinging!

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 4 Mar 2002 10:21 am

Hey, Jim, nice site Lorena's got there- you guys sure have some nice gigs lined up. Kansas is a bit of a hike, but I'd love to come out for a weekend and see what clicks- looks like my kind of music. I'll get in touch! And Tom- I love how you slide in the b@njo cracks without admitting that you're a B@NJOIST yourself... sneeky...

Kathryn Stratton · Post by **Kathryn Stratton** » 4 Mar 2002 1:41 pm

I am SOOOO bummed! I have NEVER enjoyed a band as much as BGUG when I saw you in Asheville last year. Good luck....