RE: [Harp-L] future in country for harmonica?

["Dennis M. Cooper" <dcooper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Harmonica is alive and well in the country music genre. I regularly do
walk-on gigs with country bands that need an extra member for larger (better
paying) gigs.

Other options include folk, bluegrass, jazz, big band, oldies, and classic
rock acts.

I have worked with all of the above. In all honesty, I have a lot more fun
with a variety of musical styles than when I was a "blues-only" player.

The key to success is to recognize that you don't just step into a different
genre and play blues licks. Learn to play melodies in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
position. It freaks-out other musicians when I cover a fair portion of the
melody line before I embellish it during a solo. (they seem to like it)

It's a great idea to have lots of different musical styles represented on
your website so potential employers can listen to your ability to play
different styles first-hand. My Reverbnation player on the front page of my
website has music in many genres. 

I even wrote and recorded a second position Polka called "The Diatonic
Polka" and posted it online  in order to get several gigs with an old-school
country band that played lots of polkas!

Best Regards,
Dennis M. Cooper
http://dennis-cooper.com


-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of philharpn@xxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 9:11 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] future in country for harmonica?





 SoundScan says country music has been the most popular genre of music in US
and Canada for many years now. 


Sirius channel guide lists 7 country stations. There is one blues station:
BB Kings.


Since, I don't follow contemporary country, does anybody know how much
harmonica there is in today's country music scene. I know there used to be
lots of Charlie McCoy on all kinds of rock and country records. 


If country music is still growing, is there room for more harmonica? Or is
it the same 6 guys getting all the work?