[Harp-L] A formula that is working.

[Kevin Keith <revinkevin@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey  Everyone,
I sure can relate to what Randy said about the 3 D syndrome. Drunk, 
Drummers, and Drag. I love it. And the volume war thing. I have found a 
way of getting around both those situations and also making myself more 
marketable in an ever increasing slow down of live music venues. I have 
teamed up with a guitar player who shares the same interest and 
commitment level as myself. He is very talented at making his own 
backing tracks that sound very human like.We can do whatever tune we 
choose. Once he does the tracks( which can take him (10-60 hrs a tune) 
we have a working band that shows up for every practice, they are never 
late, they never play to loud ,they don't drink or drug, the tempos are 
always right on, they don't have attitudes and egos, there is no 
conflict of not liking the material, and they work cheap! They don't 
complain about doing a benefit here and there or complain about the 
money that they are spending on gas to get to the gigs.The list goes on 
and on.   We can drive to a gig together with all our gear, set up in 15 
minutes, we don't need much room. We can play much smaller venues that 
get done much earlier if we choose. We can play for short money and 
still each make a hundred or more without to much difficulty. We can 
open up for other bands for all those same reasons. We play at a nice 
volume( the Princeton Reverb is nice and lightweight) so that I can play 
easy and  hear every little nuance that I may choose. The people are 
really loving it because they can actually have a conversation without 
having to yell in each others ears and wake up hoarse and with an 
earache. Anyhow it is a formula that is working for me. Maybe it can 
work for others out there if you can find a guy like I did that  is so 
talented with the backing tracks.
 We also share the responsibilities. He does the tracks  and website 
stuff which can  take  considerable time and I get most of the gigs and 
take care of the bookings and scheduling. If we do get a gig that wants 
a full band then we go that route and can do allot of the same material 
with a pick-up band . Revin' Kevin