Re: [Harp-L] Worst Gus incident ever - Origin of the term

[Robert Coble <robertpcoble@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The origin of "Gus" (as a noun) and "to Gus" (or "gussing") (as a 
verb) originated on Harp-L, according to the Harp-L archives and fjm.

Do a Google search for:

[Harp-L] origins of the term "gussing" - Yahoo Groups

The originator of the term is "Barry B. Bean," which might be a 
user handle rather than an actual name. His first post was in MAR 1996, 
describing an incident that he attributed to a fellow he nicknamed "Gus." 

*Story of the original "Gus":*

I broke a cardinal rule this weekend. I let a harp player I'd never
heard walk up in mid-set and gave him a mic.

Now you'd assume that someone walking up and asking to sit in wants to
play the same sort of music the band is already playing, right? You'd
assume that you could just launch into the next song on the set list
and simply hand the solos over to the guy sitting in, right?

Whoah, nellie!

My man Gus (a mountain of a man, complete with with crewcut and
gravelly voice) walks onto the stage, whips out some sort of a chord
harp and says "Oh Suzanna, boys!" After 3 or 4 verses of oh Suzanna,
we thank him profusely and start to vamp on the next song (Further on
up the road). Before we can get into it, Gus announces that his next
number will be You are My Sunshine. Again, we thank him and try to
start our next song, but Gus isn't leaving. He says "one more boys!"
and launches into Blue Eyes Cryin' In the Rain. Finally he leaves the
stage and we gat back on with the show.

So its back to the old "audition during break" rule for us. Sheesh.


Barry followed up with a formal definition of noun and verb forms of 
"Gus" in MAY 1996.

*Definition:*

Gus: (gus) N. 1) An amateur harmonica player who forces professional
musicians to accompany him in inappropriate situations. 2) A visiting
musician (see: sit-in) who does not leave the bandstand at the
appropriate time. 3) A musician whose skills are substantially below
those of the other musicians onstage with him. Ex.: Don't look now,
but there's a Gus at 3 o'clock.

V. 1) To force one's way into a musical performance against the
wishes of the scehduled performers. 2) To remain onstage for longer
than appropriate when asked to accompany previously scheduled
musicians. Ex.: Primich was great last night but some old codger
Gussed his way onstage and played Oh Suzannah.

The appellation seemed so appropriate that it immediately became part 
of common Harp-L usage.

It is NOT confined to harp players. My older brother has had many gigs
with his gospel group at churches, where the house musicians (usually
guitarists and bassists) insist on playing along with HIS group. The
bad thing is that they (1) don't have the professional chops, and (2)
they have no idea how the arrangement may have been altered to provide
a different take on the songs. The result (usually) is the proverbial
"train wreck." He doesn't go out of his way to cause them to fail; they
manage that all by themselves. Unless pushed, he politely demures from
having unsolicited "assistance" with the gig.

I know from personal experience that there IS a strong desire to play 
whenever you can, especially with a group of really good musicians. 
RESIST THE TEMPTATION! Unless asked to "sit in" before the music starts, 
simply enjoy the show - as a listener. The band or group who is scheduled
to play will appreciate it greatly, and you just might learn more than
if you get up and try to grab some attention for your "chops."