Re: [Harp-L] My Only Holiday Gig: Kamikaze Blues Karaoke takes a test ride....

[harmoniman@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Sounds like a You-Tube moment to me ! J.B.

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Warren Bee <wlb@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 

> I haven't been doing much gigging as of late but I did score one 
> interesting/fun gig that let me explore an idea that I have had brewing 
> around for a while. I was asked to play host, DJ and jam master at a 
> Christmas party. The guy that hired me is a harp student and he is a real 
> blues fanatic. My instructions for DJ'ing were to only spin the blues and I 
> was very happy to oblige! I have built up an awesome CD collection of da 
> blues with much of it of the harmonica persuasion. This is how the main 
> agenda transpired: when I arrived I set up my PA system with 4 microphones 
> along with IPOD/CD player hook-ups. When the guests arrived (40 or so) I 
> just let the blues tunes fly. What an honor to share my collection with a 
> bunch of 20-30-40 something rock n roll heads. This was my first set list of 
> artists; Jason Ricci, Kim Wilson, Lester Butler, Little Walter, George 
> Smith, Musselwhite, Butterfield, Jimmy Gordon and some Slide Man Slim to 
> smooth things out a bit!..As the night progressed and the group started 
> getting lubricated by the spirits I then gave each attendee a brand new 
> Hohner Blues Band harp in C. Then I started playing backing track CD's that 
> I have but only playing those in the key of G. This is where the kamikaze 
> blue karaoke starts to happen. I gave a very brief and simple "lesson" to 
> the crowd. Basically showing them the "3 bases" of the blues on their newly 
> acquired axe's. Then I just stepped away and let the masses take over! For 
> the next few hours people came up in groups and as solos and made up their 
> own words to the tracks. That along with some serious amateur harp honking 
> made for an incredible fun and laugh filled good time! 
> 
> 
> 
> Now some of you may cringe at what I just shared. It wasn't anything but a 
> good time and the guests had a blast! So what that everybody's name was 
> "Gus"! Perhaps the coolest part of the festivities were the smiling faces 
> on MANY of the folks. There was a genuine thrill and excitement for 
> receiving their very own harmonica from Santa. What was real interesting was 
> how a few of the guys really got into it. When the right key tune is playing 
> even a total newbie can "accidentally" hit some hot notes! Some of the made 
> up lyrics were hilarious. So that's what I did for gigs this Christmas! Four 
> hours of fun and 400 greenbacks in my pocket. The host picked up the tab for 
> the harps! 
> 
> 
> 
> Happy New Year All. 
> 
> 
> 
> Warren Bee 
> 
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