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Post by jbone on Jul 25, 2019 6:03:07 GMT -5
Our history as a duo has been in part street corner/storefront/farmers market stuff. If you want to develop a thicker skin this is a good way to do it. There were times pretty much nobody paid much attention to two musicians plugging away as they walked on by. Homeless people tried to get something from us. Yuppies let their dogs just come up and sniff around, and more than once I ran a dog off before it marked my harp case. Disgusting and annoying but that's the street for ya! One lady who ran a local market always wanted $5 from us, or to sell a season permit for $20. Which we got the permit once and she always stuck us out of the way where we would never make any $$. She did not last long and then the new guy let us play free any time we showed up. Markets across the country have been pretty cool to us, in a good way. Some even pay, not to mention the tips, CD sales, and vendors giving us produce.
Not that we're getting rich or anything but it's usually worth the trip. We learned a long time ago, you suit up and show up for a deal like that, and you see all kinds of people and all different responses. One Mother's Day many years ago we headed to the local farmers' market space, even though it was not open for business. The acoustics were good and there were a few homeless people and folks out for a walk by the river, so it was a good trip. But what put it on the top 10 list was, here we are standing and playing, Jo singing some Memphis Minnie, and a gal maybe in her 50's, obviously homeless, comes over and stands not 2 feet from us, listening raptly and tears on her cheeks. She did not speak nor did we, we just did our thing and she soaked it in and gave us back some real love, in just a look.
Another time we were at a market and 2 young guys, maybe late teens, were sort of hanging around and talking to each other in low voices and eying us. Scruffy hair, jeans, death metal t-shirts. We plugged along and stayed on course. After a while they came over and Jo and I got ready for some heckling. But NO. "Excuse us Ma'am, Sir, could we buy a CD from you? They are $5 but we only have $4, could we still get one? We LOVE your stuff!"
The kids. From stroller bound babies to maybe 7 or 8 years old, kids respond to music with no inhibition. Smiles and dancing ensue. Precious. One memorable time, a red haired boy of maybe 7 or 8, wheelchair bound, begged his folks to bring him over. Which they did, an he was everything you could want in a fan or audience member. No dollars came to us on that one but the sharing of pure joy was worth more than cash.
Along with some hard times out there we've had many good ones. Yesterday we did a couple of sets locally here at the market and were very well received. It took a little while for folks to show it but they were having almost as much fun as we were! We came home with tips, one less CD, and 2 bags full of local produce, plus possibly some other gigs. And we'll be back at the Saturday market and maybe the Wednesday as well.
So if you want to work on your chops, presentation, whatever, get over your stage nerves, maybe get gas $$, then find a public place where you can play. Spend time with it even if you are ignored. If you're given the boot by a store owner or cop, be polite and move along but ask if there's a better place to play. Keep faith and keep working it!
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Post by whitefang on Jul 25, 2019 9:57:06 GMT -5
Kids can be great. And in other situations than the one you mention. Back in the "day" (this time, it was maybe near 30 years ago...) when VHS camcorders were still pretty much the norm, I took mine to a family Christmas gathering and for kicks, I went around to where some people formed groups of four or five people, and walked up asking, "Quick! Everybody sing their favorite Christmas song!" Well, they'd all look around at each other, and someone would offer a suggestion and then all would sing "Jingle Bells", "Deck The Halls" or whichever, and all striving for a uniform delivery. So, I'd move on to another group of 18 and over folks and make the same request and get the same result. But..... I then approached a bunch of kids, the oldest of the bunch looking no older than 5 or so, and asked, "Hey! All of you sing your favorite Christmas song!" And in no time I was treated to six tykes all singing( at the top of their lungs!) SIX different songs at the same time! JUST what I was looking for.  Had to wonder why the "grown-ups" didn't get it......  Whitefang |
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Post by jbone on Jul 30, 2019 5:21:45 GMT -5
We lucked into an outdoor burger stand gig yesterday, for this coming Friday, 5 to 8 pm. We'd talked to them a month or so ago and they had a cancel so there you go. It pays a little and of course we'll market CD's and have the guitar case open for any loose bills floating around!
This is next to an actual farm stand on the edge of town. A lot of these farms have some sort of tourist targeted business open to the public and this one- at Allenholm Farm- is one.
We'll be at the actual Saturday farmers' market in 2 weeks as well. Morning gig, 10 to about noon.
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Post by whitefang on Jul 30, 2019 9:56:13 GMT -5
As they say...... "Break a leg!"  Whitefang |
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Post by jbone on Aug 1, 2019 21:04:04 GMT -5
Does a wrist count?
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Post by whitefang on Aug 2, 2019 12:01:29 GMT -5
Not unless you can play with your FEET! Whitefang |
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Post by jbone on Aug 10, 2019 21:26:53 GMT -5
So today we went to the farmers market about 7 miles north, in Grand Isle, Vermont. About 2 dozen vendors all in a row under canopies on a grassy lot. We set up across from them and played on and off for about 2 hours or a bit more. Beautiful morning but we stopped just ahead of a big rainstorm in the early afternoon. People liked what we were doing pretty well. The dog owners mostly kept their "babies" away from us. You haven't lived until you're in the middle of a song and a dog starts to lift his leg on your gear. Disaster averted. No asses kicked.
The patrons and vendors were generous. Last time the gal who runs the market went around and got us 2 bags full of produce and goodies from the vendors, this time she sent us around. We made out. Amazing good stuff from eggs and high end beef to maple syrup, bagels to pickled quail eggs, and a lot more. Plus, a gal who is partners on a farm just up the road from there- 11 miles from us here- booked us for next Friday! They do Flatbread Friday, a pizza night at the farm. Acoustic so no gear to lug except the minimum like for a street gig.
So we have dates on the horizon. Always a good feeling. Next weekend is a 2 nighter since we had one for Saturday already.
I'm in hog heaven here. Fridge and cupboards are stocked and we put a few $$ in the kitty too.
Jo is amazing. She has risen to the occasion for the third time since her injury last spring. She's confident we can knock out these two coming dates too.
So that's that!
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Post by whitefang on Aug 11, 2019 10:07:34 GMT -5
 "Hog Heaven"? Isn't that what WOODSTOCK was? You know, with all the MUD and all.... Always DID wonder what that phrase was all about and how it came to be.... Whitefang
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 10:24:49 GMT -5
I tried gigging in clubs a few times, at which point I decided it was work, and it was no fun for me at all. So music became a beloved hobby for me. And that is where it will stay. I have no desire to go out and play for small change......
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Post by jbone on Aug 11, 2019 16:45:37 GMT -5
I've been a gigging musician since the early 90's. The dream has morphed a lot. At first it was a way to both hang with some of my betters and learn, and maybe get some audience reaction, then it sort of got to be a challenge to keep improving my skills, maybe get hooked up with someone who would get me on a tour. With time and dues paying, I began to just want to play out more or less locally because it was a hassle trying to travel any distance.
Enter Jolene. We partnered up 15 years ago and began hanging out in Little Rock, where we lived, and in Helena Arkansas and Clarksdale, Mississippi some 10 or 12 years ago. Partly it was to soak up the blues thing, partly to see if we could improve our craft. A bit was to see if we could play some places in the Delta. Part to be blues tourists, which we did. Dockery Plantation, Riverside Hotel, Wolf's memorial in West Point, all were stops on our travels. We played on Cherry Street several times at King Biscuit as street buskers. We found a few places in Clarksdale that hired us along with Roger Stolle, who brought us in at the Juke Joint Fest 3 years in a row and an act, among many others.
She and I began the live acoustic thing at the big farmers market in Little Rock. It just became the coolest place to get that vibe going with patrons and vendors. There is also a vintage furniture store across the river in North Little rock we played in front of many times and had that same kick. Our skill set as a duo has steadily improved over the years. Our skill at booking here and there has too.
Since we're retired it has been our "thing" to bring in a buck as well and maybe wow the people! An avocation, and one that had been in my mind, way in back, for a long time. I think too, we could sit at home and play, or we can get out and spread some joy.
Our plan became to travel, see the country, and play every joint we could! Which we are doing. We pretty much play on our terms and where we know we can connect with people. Granted we've had a few gigs where we were "it" except for the bartender and cook. But the other end of the spectrum is, we've played a few times and places where we were very well received indeed.
At the core though, is a desire in both of us to keep live music alive. No pedals, no amps unless requested, just Raw, Real, Right Now music. And to maybe inform and inspire some part of the young listeners we reach to maybe carry the torch one day.
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Post by whitefang on Aug 12, 2019 10:24:07 GMT -5
That's where you have the advantage of me.
If I were to start "gigging" anywhere it would have to be on the "sly", y'know, paid under the table in cash, which most places won't do because they can't write off the expense. And since my retirement is a MEDICAL/disability retirement, it means earning ONE DIME would jeopardize my still receiving my pension. Which too, would cost me my medical benefits. So, like DBM, my music making will have to remain a beloved hobby/pastime.
Whitefang
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Post by jbone on Aug 14, 2019 14:42:11 GMT -5
We like cash. Sometimes it's a check which we rush to cash asap! If the bar will cash it we do that. We don't make that much to have a tax issue.
Farmers markets and street gigs are produce and tips. Or just tips. A lot of places-restaurants and bars- throw in food and a drink or two as a deal sweetener. Of course me being sober 32 years means I don't drink but Jo does, maybe one drink or possibly two. But it's great bringing home some menu items they put on the grill last thing of the night so it's still nice and fresh when we get home. Last place, a burger stand, had 1/3 lb burgers and slaw, and they had sold out of mac and cheese but we went by a few days later and they gave us some. Top notch!
Farmers' market here loads us up with beautiful produce and products. Maple syrup, bread, bagels, eggs, quail eggs, cookies, hot sauce, artisan jellies, black currant syrup, just some amazing things.
I'm no bragging. This may be food for thought not to make a pun!
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Post by whitefang on Aug 15, 2019 9:50:30 GMT -5
 QUAIL EGGS??? How many of THOSE do you need to make an adequate omlette? Whitefang
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Post by jbone on Aug 15, 2019 13:13:02 GMT -5
I dunno. They hard boil and pickle them. Delicacy. Very nice.
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Post by jbone on Aug 17, 2019 6:36:31 GMT -5
We played here last evening for the diners on Flatbread Friday. Nice laid back gig. Very nice folks, Amanda, Hugo, and the youngins along with tall he patrons. Tables and canopies were set up on knoll, nice breeze, nice sunset! Wood oven fired flatbread pizza was great! These folks and this place are a big part of why we've fallen in love with Champlain Islands! Real deal down to earth farming and wonderful ethics along with fine produce, eggs, meats and all of it. Savage Gardens Farm Flatbread Friday! |
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QUAIL EGGS???