Author Topic: Advice on New Band (Read 205 times)

rockbassist · « **on:** October 14, 2005, 09:41:38 PM »

I have the opportunity to join the band of a country artist who is currently getting airplay on over 300 stations in the US, Canada and abroad. I have always played rock but this guy is so good that I am giving serious consideration to joining his band. He is managed by a good friend of mine from Nashville. The artist is Bo Billy. Country music superstar Lee Greenwood recently said that he feels that Bo has more potential than Lee did when he first moved to Nashville. Check out Bo's website at www.bobilly.com. You can read his bio, listen to song samples and buy his cd. Let me know what you think. I am not a big country fan but I do like what he is doing. If anyone wants to book Bo or wants more information, contact Harry R Vance at 615-907-0302. FYI, I have 2 Epic 5 strings that I plan on using whether recording or playing live. In any event, let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Kevin

gbarchus · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2005, 10:06:24 PM »

Go for it! There's a lot of good country music and you can be part of making it good. You'd be surprised how many jazz, fusion, and rock players are making a living playing country. I did!

Gale

richbass939 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2005, 10:49:54 PM »

Kevin, if you think you'd like it, I say Go for it, too. There are some country artists who let their sound get jazzy and rocky at times, especially on tour. A lot of the country audiences used to be rock fans, so a lot of the artists aren't afraid of ticking them off by putting different stuff into their songs. Listen to Garth Brooks' Passport for one example. Who knows, maybe they have heard your playing and want you because you can help them stretch out a little.
Good luck getting the gig.
Rich

beelee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2005, 07:07:40 AM »

I agree with what Gale and Rich said Go for it

definitly if you like what he is doing it could be a great opportunity and lead to others as well........

I was never a big country fan myself but I do like southern rock ( Skynyrd, Outlaws, Hatchet, Poco, Eagles, Allmans etc.) which is not too far from what's been going on in country for many years now.

also the past few years now I've been watching CMT on cable and have liked alot of things I've heard ( Diamond Rio, Rascal Flatts, Emerson Drive etc.)

as for your Epic 5 strings they should fit in to any style of music you want to play, I caught The Grand Ole Opry a while back, I forget what artist it was, but the bassist was playing a Zon Legacy Elite 6 string bass, he had an excellent sound, ( sometime in the future I'm tempted to have one made after hearing how good it sounded and looked)

bottom line, if its a good gig, and your into it, no matter what kind of music it is, don't pass it up......I wouldn't
I have people call me up and ask me to play or fill in often, I only turn them down if I am unable to fit them in my schedule.

good luck and best wishes,
Bruce

811952 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2005, 07:57:19 AM »

Kevin,

Sounds like fun, and an interesting change of scenery from what you're doing now. Very cool. It will be nice to see another Alembic or two in the Nashville scene. Go for it and enjoy the ride!

John

richbass939 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2005, 08:40:54 AM »

Kevin, another thought. It would be helpful to familiarize yourself with the Nashville number system. It is very simple, and it's easy to pick up even if you have never heard of it (you probably know how it works already, just not familiar with the name). If you don't know about it, there is a really good Bass Player article written by David Hungate (top Nashville session player). I'm sure I kept the article. Let me know if you want me to find it and I'll get it to you.
Bruce brought up a really good point, that the Bo Billy gig could also lead to other opportunities. More people would see and hear you and may call you when they want your style &/or sound on another project.
Rich

811952 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2005, 10:40:24 AM »

Keep in mind that just about every style of music on the planet is represented in Nashville. When I lived and worked there a brazillion years ago, most of what I did was alternative/punk rock with country stuff as a distant second. If you really want to play music for a living, then any decent gig that will get you to town and keep you fed for awhile can be an excellent way to hook up with people whose music really connects with you.

As for the Nashville Number System, if you've done any jazz gigging at all then you'll have no problem at all. The differences are minor, so to speak.

John

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2005, 08:10:12 AM »

Thread hijack.

Bruce; I'm probably splitting hairs here but .. Poco and the Eagles are not what I would call southern rock. Country rock might be a little more appropriate label. Both groups are descended from Buffalo Springfield; Poco directly and the Eagles indirectly.

beelee · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2005, 09:50:39 AM »

yeah Dave I knew that.......not splitting hairs.......lol
I just kinda quickly used them for examples of how rock and country mix together....

Should have mentioned The Outlaws, Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker also ;o)

I knew Randy and Timothy were bassists for Poco B 4 moving on to the Eagles, but not sure where Buffalo comes into play in the Eagles or Poco's history.

Dave you thread hijacking terrorist !!

LOL

(Message edited by beelee on October 17, 2005)

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2005, 10:40:29 AM »

Springfield members Richie Furay and Jim Messina formed Poco after Springfield fell apart. And then as you mentioned, fellow founding Poco member Randy Meisner eventually became a founding member of the Eagles. The Springfield and the Byrds were probably the two most influential bands, along with other groups such as the Dillards, in the genesis of the country rock sound. Those two groups were then immediately followed by Poco and the Flying Burrito Brothers. All of these groups were located in California and knew each other. The beginnings of the Eagles initial sound can be said to have derived from these earlier groups.

(Message edited by davehouck on October 17, 2005)