What a treat for a job

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » 10 Dec 2002 3:26 pm

Played a private party, as is common for this time of the year, and the setup made it possible to converse back and forth with the first two tables. We did not play loud and kept the music under control which after 3 months of blasting out R&R what a joy. The ability to have one to one interaction with the crowd was such a joy. Can anyone else relate or have a story they would like to share.

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D 10 Thomas with 8&6, '61'D-10 Sho-Bud 8&3
S12 Knight 4&4
Nashville 400 and Profex II
81' Fender Twin JBL's
Asleep at the Steel

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 10 Dec 2002 3:31 pm

Yeah,great ha?
I played "Intercontinental" Hotel in Zagreb once and it was probably the best gig I ever had.Nice and quiet,people eating and listening,great buffet,we were treated as a stars.No noise or R&R krap.Great.If I could play like that I would be the happiest guy on the planet.Hope you`ll have some more gigs like that.saves your hearing too.

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 10 Dec 2002 4:24 pm

Hey fella's, I play three and four times a week and have been doing it for over five years now. I play for people who just want to listen to the music. We have sing-a-longs and can interact any time we want. I play a HWP Mullen, 8 + 4, with a Korg KR55 rhythum machine for my drums. I have a Mu-Tron bi-phase and a Roland Space Echo for effects. I use a mike that fits like earphones with the mike in front of my mouth. This arrangement allows me to sing and play at the same time. I have various switches set up so that I can makes changes while singing and playing without interrupting what I am doing.
If you are bored with the same old grind, try playing for nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. It is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. Also, they love everything you do for them, old songs or new.

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 10 Dec 2002 5:15 pm

I'm with Robert. My most rewarding gig (also low volume) is a monthly unpaid informal session at a local nursing home.
I'm fortunate that an exceptional fiddler calls me to do these. The low volume lends a very relaxed atmosphere, and the quality of the music is pretty darned good. Hard to compare it to a night of stratospheric volume in the bar, being bellowed at by some drunk... pay or no pay.
-John
<font size=2> And I hope somebody comes by and plays me a tune when I'm old and cooped up.

Michael Garnett · Post by **Michael Garnett** » 11 Dec 2002 12:34 am

My only one gig so far was like that. Small bar, Maybe 100 people, but a very friendly atmosphere. We played whatever we had time to play, plus a few requests and even backed up some people who just wanted to come up and sing. If you get the crowd involved, you get more tips

because they're having fun.

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 11 Dec 2002 7:39 am

I played for our college President"s retirement party last Thur. afternoon,about an hour.Maybe 100 people attented.I played in a small room with my CD rythum tracks burned from BIAB,quiet,mellow talked to people while I played.Played Bubbles in My Beer,Cheatin Heart,Wild side of Life,Kansas City,ect,ect.You get the idea.I even got invited back to play again for what we call Inservice,another nice get together for all four campuses.Since I'm the Facilities Foreman on one of our satalite campuses I got my regular salry plus travel expenses and meals.Wish I could do this full time for the college.

Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona