Getting amped up for a big week

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:39 pm

First, let me tell you that I'm not that good of a bass player. However, I'm playing the "House of Blues" in downtown Chicago tomorrow night. Now, you ask, how does this happen to ol' Bassduke? Well, the drummer in my band "Room to Move" owns his own advertising company, and one of his clients is throwing a party for its clients and booked the House of Blues. It's connected with a large food convention in town. He talked them into hiring us for the gig. Get this: they are providing people to set up equipment, sound techies, light techies, free food served in the green room, etc., etc., etc. Hope I can get my head through the door at the MARC next week.

For those interested, we do classic rock, blues, and boogie. I'll be playing the Cheyenne with standard tuning, and the Fireglo Laredo with BEAD tuning. All going through my GK700RB15 with 2x10 extension. All that goes into the house PA, so my rig will be my stage monitor.

Wish me luck!

jaybic · Post by **jaybic** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:42 pm

Good luck Paul! Sounds like it will be a great time.

Speaking of House of Blues - my band will be dressing up as the Blues Brothers for a private Halloween party we're playing Sat. night

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:53 pm

Don't worry ... we can't all play like Squire and Geddy ... to be that good you have to spend a lot of time daily playing and playing and playing ... just be solid and don't make any big mistakes ... a lot of classic rock and blues can get by fine with a simple solid bass part ... know your limitations and stay within them ... and have fun with it all ... don't get caught up in worrying about stuff ... just have a ball ...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:10 pm

"First, let me tell you that I'm not that good of a bass player."

...second of all, don't believe that. I've heard Paul play and he plays very well.

Good luck with the gig Paul!!

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:15 pm

Paul's a steady guy to have in a band.

Enjoy your gig Paul, we all live for moments like this...

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:43 pm

Aw, shucks, folks.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:21 pm

John Simmons is already making the doors bigger!

Have a great gig.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:22 pm

Paul I'm not that good of a bass player either but what I wouldn't give to be gigging again,thats why I compete in bodybuilding its the same rush,I don't love bodybuilding I think its nutty but I'm good at it because of my genetics,I do love to win.So go up there and have fun and do what you love,and go win.Oh yeah if I can get up in front of hundreds of peaple in a pair of posing trunks,you can play in front of a few peaple at a party.good luck and play your heart out.Piece of cake.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:09 pm

Thanks, Ken. Good thing I don't have to wear posing trunks. I'd get laughed out of The Loop for sure.

jaybic · Post by **jaybic** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:17 pm

"Posing trunks" - now there's a band name

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:13 pm

Paul, just get a good sound and lay that bass down the way you would want to hear it.you might be nervous at first but once you get warmed up there will be no stopping you,Think of the alternative[posing trunks]again good luck and have fun.I guarantee after this you will want to play out every chance you get.

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:20 pm

Paul .. as has been said, relax, keep it simple, less is more, most of all have fun.

The opportunity to play in front of an audience is something once experienced, not easily forgotten, Ken's right, once you've played out live you'll want more !!!

Tempus Fidelis Regulus !!!!

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:51 pm

Congrats Paul......I played a few times at the House of Blues in Cleveland and I must say that it is great rush. Just relax and soak it all in....you'll have a blast. I find that I get less stressed at the bigger gigs (big for us anyway) since everything usually runs smoother and all I have to worry about is my playing and I stopped worrying about that years ago.

After hearing you play in Columbus I can say that you have nothing to worry about.....I am a complete hack compared to you and get compliments all the time.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:07 pm

"Nobody leaves till they sing the Blues..."

Rock out like Motorhead!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 5:14 am

I know! I'll just imagine the entire audience in posing trunks!

I've played for crowds before, so it ain't like I'm a virgin to this, but this is the first genuine night club I'll have played in about 30 years. I plan to have a great time, and I appreciate everyone's input.

Here we go.