  Yes, a painless reminder that . . . not every ____ is perfect (you fill in the blank).
I was supposed to play guitar and sing for four hours outside at a restaurant housed in a colonial house. When I got to the gig, management really couldn’t decide where I should set up, knowing that the weather sort of sucked and most diners would chose to be inside. They first suggested I set-up in a corner in the bar which I agreed to immediately but then they just as quickly reconsidered. Apparently, someone remembered that the same scenario occurred a few weeks ago and the patrons in the adjoining dining room objected to the bar music. I told them that while my amps go up to 11, I can easily and willingly turn them down to 1, but they would have none of it. So “hello, corner-by-the-bathroom”. On the negative side, there was no interaction with the listeners. I contacted people who I knew were coming before the gig started that I wasn’t going to be anywhere where they could hear the music – but some friends showed up without seeing my FB up-date. While I was promised by management that “the sound carries”, I knew it would be several degrees south of a suggestion of musical wallpaper in the bar or dining room – so I was playing for myself. The small Bose wall speaker right next to the bathroom door continued to leak a small trickle of house music while I played but I tuned it out. On the plus side, I knew the gig paid the same no matter where I set up. Set-up was easier. Coincidentally apropos, the acoustics were like singing in a bathroom – so getting a good vocal sound was easy. With great acoustics and lighting, there was no need to bring in the sub or lighting that would be needed outside. The young manager was caught between a rock and a bar space and did the best he could. The bartender Laura comped me my beers for free. I had some good conversations with the people waiting to get in the bathroom. My solution? I offered to play continuously for 3.25 hours and take my breaks at the end, to which they agreed (it ended up being 51 songs). For the last few years, I always make a digital recording of my gigs to check for intonation and grooves the day after and while I haven’t listened yet, I’m pretty sure the last hour’s energy and intonation was Maxell-House-Coffee-quality: “good till the last drop”. I’ve been known to say “Why be philosophical tomorrow when I can be pissed off today” but I rolled with the low-level punches and, in retrospect, that feels good today. I knew in the moment yesterday how lucky I am: despite the set-up location, I was playing a beautiful sounding guitar and singing into well-tuned PA. Most of all, I get to be a musician – and that’s something that never gets old in my book.  Yep.
As Gene Autry would sing, “I’m back in the saddle again.” I’ve returned to the Colonial School District and will be teaching general music as well as chorus at the Eisenberg Elementary School this year. This little poster will be outside my classroom door for all who enter to read. Details to follow.  I'll be guitaring and singing along with Michael Hunter who will be pianoing.
 I was in a music store a month ago giving some acoustic guitars a “test drive”. A father and his young novice guitar-playing son were checking out the top-end Martins and debating the prices. The dad asked if I could give his son some advice.
I asked how many songs he knew and he he replied that he hadn't leaned any yet. I played a bit on the $3K Martin and then picked up a used $125 Yamaha and played the same thing again – and they were stunned how similar and good both guitars sounded. “Given how many hours you’ve only played, for the most part, it’s all in your head, your hands, and your heart - not the guitar. When I buy a guitar, its primarily about listening; not looking. Listen to the sound, don’t look at the price. Do your dad a favor – don’t get that expensive Martin now – get it somewhere down the road. Someday you’ll be ready for it and appreciate it much more than you would today. In the meantime, learn that if you want to buy things like guitars without looking at the price, learn to work and practice without looking at the clock.” |
AuthorBoyd Holmes, the Writer Archives
February 2025
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