Musicians...

[Dan]

Let's see if we can gather the players...
Been recovering for close to six months now. Been a great ride so far. Took my guitars out a few months ago for the first time since last November. Far too long... But you know what? I got my chops back
And I'm itching for a stage again, in a large way. We had a cool thread going before the Great Server Crash. Many of us sharing our stories of how our music suffered along with us while we were loaded...
My friend Mike in Buffalo especially, shared big time about his intense desire to play live again. I'm there baby! And of course, I've got some powerful thoughts about playing in a bar again. A little bit of fear, little bit of anxiety, but mostly a whole lot of anticipation at looking out at the crowd again and thinking...OK, fingers do you thing.
So I'm taking the plunge this friday evening. I'm going to do an acoustic set at a great Irish pub downtown. Almost nine months since I was fired from my last gig for falling off my stool face first while tuning up... in the same pub!
Recovery is feeling pretty sweet this morning
So let's go musicians. Let's make this our thread.
Groupies most welcomed.

[KelKel]

Oh My Gawd I would so love to be one of ya'lls groupies....




Do I have to do any sort of initiation to be a full honorary groupie?

[msnbuffalo]

Good for You Dan!

I would love to be there, I am a big fan of acoustic guitar music. I am still avoiding Irish Pubs for a while...lol

Remember it is all about the music, having fun and connecting with the audience...If you are like me, the jitters only last untill you play the first note!

Good luck to you...

I have also been playing a lot of guitar, bought two new books...4 months of playing sober has given me more improvment than the last 4 years.

Mike

[Dan]

.4 months of playing sober has given me more improvment than the last 4 years.

Awesome Mike!
Yep, I can't wait. I always enjoyed performing solo. Kinda was forced into it last year, as no one wanted to play with me anymore! Hey, by the way, anyone interested in suggesting numbers for the set list? I can get away with singing too! Still have some pipes left

[Chy]

I've been a groupie for 27 years to my drummer. I'll organize the backstage buffet for ya! *Hugs*

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Chy

I've been a groupie for 27 years to my drummer. I'll organize the backstage buffet for ya! *Hugs*

Yeah Baby!
I hope this thread takes off. Any musical experiences or stories.
Dang! Where's that pagan trailer goddess alice wonder when you need her

[splendra]

Dan,

Have you ever thought about playing coffee houses? Or playing in a church?

[msnbuffalo]

Good Idea Splendra...

There is a coffee house near me that has open mic nights and a few hired acts...I have it in mind for my possible venture back into playing out...Just need to find another guitar player in the area...

Mike

[Dan]

Originally Posted by splendra

Dan,
Have you ever thought about playing coffee houses? Or playing in a church?

Actually Splen, I played a ton of coffee houses in Toronto in the Eighties. It was a very cool scene. Also played quite a few churches too. I had a brief period as a "I'll play your wedding for beer and food" act!
Where I live now, the scene is the bars and hotels of my small city. And I'm cool with that. I mean I've been to restaurants with my kids since I've been sober and I've seen the beer taps, know what I mean!
It's just a little bit of trepidation really, at going back to the exact place where the music died for me, at least temporarily.
But I would just about give anything to experience the coffee house thing again. There were some memorable jams back then

[51anna]

Wow, Dan, I'm so impressed and happy for you! You'll be great and you'll put those fears of returning to that bar to rest.

I'd love to be a groupie too! I must confess I'm already a groupie for my son's band. He plays in bars (in another Ontario city) and loves it. All the guys have day jobs, but I think they envision themselves touring the world! Actually, one of the things I'm most happy about is the love of music that I gave to my son. A highlight of my life came in 2002 when he and I went to see Paul McCartney together. It was amazing and a very special evening to share!!

I hope to hear from you how the gig on Friday turns out! I bet you'll be asked back many more times.

Love, Anna

[alli61098]

My AH is a drummer who hasn't played since he's been clean (7+ mo.). I think he's afraid to approach it again, too many triggers, too many musician buddies that still use. I saw the look on his face when he saw the dust on his kit. I saw the sorrow in his eyes when he packed it up saying he wouldn't be using it again any time soon.

Good for you, Dan. I hope it went well.

Alli

[Dan]

Originally Posted by 51anna

A highlight of my life came in 2002 when he and I went to see Paul McCartney together. It was amazing and a very special evening to share!!

Anna, I saw McCartney at the Skydome in Toronto in 89. I was in the uppermost level, you know, the nosebleed section. But I swear he looked straight at me! I had a fairly good pair of binocculars and I saw his eyes.
Quite the concert.
Alli, I know that look your husband had. It took a real effort to pick up my instruments again. A lot of bad memories associated with those guitars...
Thanks for the good wishes.

[Ann25]

[mnj1024]

That's so awesome dan, I'm wicked happy for you. hey anytime your in billerica mass i know of an irish joint thats been know to have a few folks play in the pub. Also heard there is a semi-handsome sober guy that works in the kitchen that can make a h3ll of a cornbeef and cabbage. let me know and I'll see about getting ya booked. So go on get your pasion back, and i want details when your done mike

[1Marty]

Dan, Glad to hear your getting out there and doing what you love to do! I always wished I would have taken guitar more seriously. I have an old acoustic laying around that I like to bang some chords out on now and then. Now that I'm not drinking, I sometimes go out on a friday or Saurday to a coffeehouse that has an acoustic performer. Just to relax and listen. Good stuff!

[KelKel]

Oh the excitement of it all!

What to wear, what to wear.... Sorry i have never been a groupie before.
:band:

[Novemberphoenix]

(((Dan)))

Coolness! I'll be thinking of you Friday night. I've never been a sober groupie lol. Dated a few musicians - sheesh! They weren't sober either lol, what is it about musicians???

Rock on Dan

Hey what kind of tunes do you play - if I may be so bold?

[Gooch]

I used to have a black t shirt that said "It's ok i'm with the band"


I can help roadie this band as long as you do "Key to the Highway" in one of the sets.

[Gabe]

Oh hell Gooch,
if he's going to do "Key To The Highway", I'm going to have to roadie up with you.

[dotcom]

ROCK ON DAN! ohhhh the stories i could tell ... i first started rocking on the drums at 15. had a few gigs, even a chick band! wore crazy clothes ... then got more interested in the guys, alcohol, and drugs. my rockstar career was VERY short. short time, but LOTS of stories.

this time around, i prefer to wear all black when i perform. it brings out my paleness. at this point, i will rock out no matter what the music is ... just want experience. but the black clothes must remain ... and i play free ... umm, ive only played at house parties and filled in at recitals since being clean. perhaps one day i'll play at the old venues again, but i have bad memories of sleeping on the roof of one, LOL. what a night. :doh:

i have turned down rocking out ops because i cant live with myself if im rocking out with an active addict/alco. but unactive addict/alcos that rock out are sooo hard to find. id love to have a chick band again! that would rock!

[wingsfree]

(((Dan))) I'm so happy for you...go Dan go . Wish I was a bit closer I'd love to watch you...

I've never been a groupie ....but as of today I'm officially one...yipppppeee.

Love and hugs.....Denise

And a little back up dancer to help you along..woohoo

[Dan]

Gooch, you can roadie me anytime.
Key to the Highway? Done!
Hey Denise, what club were you working at when that video of you was shot
Well, today is Tuesday. Although it's only going to be a 45 minute set, I really should work on a song list. I'm thinking some U2, JT, Nickelback and maybe a couple instrumentals, fingerstyle!
Alice wonder, I know you're out there doing your pagan swinging thing. I also know you check in here once in a while to smile at us. Hope you drop a few words in here about how your summer's going so far.
Cool!

[zoomer]

O wow, would love to hear Dan play!!!! My brother was a drummer and I followed his band around sometimes. I have a cousin who wrote songs for Joan Jet. LOL the only music I get to hear now is my childrens! My daughter played the cello and the clarinet and my son plays the tuba. Besides Back Steet Boys and Brit Spears the last concert I went to was Ringo Star. Hummmmmmmmm too long for me and adult music!!!

[2dayzmuse]

Sounds cool Dan......I'd love to hop across the border and listen to you play.

Good luck and have a great set............

Are you familiar with the "Drunkin' Sailor" tune? I hear that is a popular one in the Irish pubs.

If your not, ask Mike. It's one of his favorites. HAHA. He knows all the words.


Talia

Is anyone familiar with Chris Cornell? Luv him. "I am the Highway" by Audioslave is one of my favs. They Rock!!!!!!

[Dan]

So far, I've been talked into a Springsteen tune and a Beatles number.
Suggestion box remains open until midnight tonight
I've got the pre gig jitters working already, and I'm loving it. I always enjoyed the anticipation prior to the gig. Doing it sober is a totally different experience. I rehersed a few licks this morning after getting home from work and I caught myself looking over where a bottle of vodka would have been by the amp, not that long ago.
It's a weird feeling. I've performed in various ways, shapes and forms for the better part of twenty years, and I honestly can't remember ever doing it without being loaded with something.
I'm getting that familiar tingle in my fingers. Must be 48 hours to the gig