Another month as passed and winter is starting to set in. During these cold winter months, I get a little stir crazy. This is the time of year in which I miss playing in a band. Not that I'm a touring professional on the local bar scene, but rather being able to step away from the computer and actually stand up next to bass player and drummer. It's a wonderful experience to say the least. It's an opportunity that only a few HOC members actually get to enjoy on a regular basis. It's a little disheartening to read about other member's complaining band-mates, not having the right gigs, negative feedback from audiences, and so forth. What they may not realize is just how lucky they are to be able get a whole band together, even if its just for a jam. I've tried to put together a regional HOC jam at a couple VFW halls, but they all want money, even though the purpose is to entertain ourselves and some of our nations veterans. I've tried to put together a band, but finding people willing to travel, like the same music, and having a practice space is near impossible. Everyone wants to be paid, no one wants to travel, everyone expects someone else to find a place to practice. What ever happened to enjoying the thrill of making music? What does money have to push us so much?

Tonight will be my first opportunity since last January to play with a band. Granted it will only be a three piece with myself and the bass player sharing vocal duties, but it still going to be a lot of fun. The anticipation for tonight is nearly killing me today as I sit down and write this blog. Both the drummer and the bass player are in the band I parted ways with. But as I have learned, there were no hard feelings when I left as they felt two guitarists were one too many as it was. It worked out for them that I left, for a short while anyway, until their lead guitarist quit because of volume issues they had with him. But I guess that's how it goes. We've seen so many of our guitar hero's come and go from bands and never truly understanding why bands broke up or a member went into a different direction. All we know is the music they produced together and that's how we chose to remember them. The small little behind the scenes parts we never see as an audience or as a fan make a huge difference. Members come and go. There always seems to be someone else ready to fill the shoes of the departing member. Never hurts to be ready on a moments notice if you're looking. Keeping up with contacts and making new contacts helps open doors for you if you don't like taking chances on Criagslist for bands seeking the next Guitar hero.

The first time I played with a real band was in fall of 2010. I loved the blues, I could do a bunch of bluesy licks, play some great I, IV, V rhythms. I thought I had it all down and ready to gig. Showed up for the first rehearsal, and wham! Smacked in the face right off the bat with songs, chords, and progressions I never did before. My guitar was tuned down 1/2 step because I was an avid Stevie Ray Vaughn fan and thought all blues guitarists were tuned down 1/2 step. I struggled to keep up, kept making simple mistakes playing rhythm and didn't have a good time. I was very unprepared. When the band told me "NO" the first time, I went and tried out with another band. But once again, not knowing any real songs killed me. They expected some blues guitar veteran to step in and show them how it's done. I felt like a fool when they asked what I knew or what I could sing, I had nothing. No song lists, no lyrics, nothing. I was stuck again and again had an awful time. I spent a couple weeks listening to the recordings of the first band, going over the rhythms, printing out the lyric sheets, and getting myself prepared. I was determined not to fail this time. I talked my way into a 2nd tryout with the first band. I was told "No" again, but this time I hung in there. No tuning issues, no lost parts, no flubby mistakes. I was having fun playing with a real blues band. I was asked to come back for a third time, but this time as a member of the band. I remained with them for three months, even got to take lead a few times. But doing my homework, being diligent, and pushing the door back open paid off for me. Taking chances and being prepared helped me so much.

As I said, tonight, I'm going back into a band, even if its just for a jam. I've become friends with these guys, there's no expectations, nothing to lose, and everything to gain. If things go well, who knows, maybe we very well could become a whole new three piece band playing a strong blues-rock genre. That's a lofty goal for sure, but at the least I will have some fun. I've been practicing a whole bunch of songs, know several of the song lyrics by heart, I'm ready to go. Will anything really come out of this? I don't know. Will I be prepared? Absolutely. Will this be a step in a right direction musically? Without a doubt. Keeping these contacts and knowing they're gigging regularly, it leaves the opportunity for the future. Who knows, they may know a band seeking another guitarist. It's a real blessing for me to be able to join these guys for a couple hours. I've very thankful I can do this. I hope that the rest of you that are lucky enough to be in a band realize just how wonderful it really is. For those wanting to do a band, know your stuff going in. Know what they're playing and bring the lyrics sheets. Those are valuable tools I need to have so I know when to make chord changes, breaks, and what key to play them in.

Until next month!

DetroitBlues