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

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I haven't really listened to country radio since country and pop became the same thing, but there's a lot of stuff going on with smaller labels, etc. You'll hear some harp on some of Hank Williams III's stuff. I even heard tremolo on one of his songs, I think it was " Five Shots of Whiskey."


Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 13, 2012, at 23:50, "Dennis M. Cooper" <dcooper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 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?
> 
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> SoundScan says country music has been the most popular genre of music in US
> and Canada for many years now. 
> 
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> Sirius channel guide lists 7 country stations. There is one blues station:
> BB Kings.
> 
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> 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?
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