Lack of gig's.

[slimbo]

Just been reading,(yes I can read) the April edition of Cross Country, and cannot believe how many Solo's and Duo's are workin, some Trio's and very few band's.
Where is it going for us steelies, so many people rant on about using backing tracks, but how else can we work, and I did notice that most of the duos are guitar and bass, not a steelie in sight, if this goes on much longer they will start having a cull and thinning us out, or we could do a John Davis and go solo, he say's he can do three hours, I can't even remember three hours ago.
Think I'll have to fire the old leith up and do some wood turning, and furniture repair again, don't mind the turning, it's the bloody mask I have to wear, anyone want a bud vase for your mum?.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Understand Your feelings.
The Scottish scene is very bad indeed.
I hate to see a guy on stage with an accoustic guitar which He can barely play doing what is really Kareoke.
Another dislike I have is that a Singer/bandleader with a four or five piece band will often go out as a solo,duo or trio,these guys would get a shock if their bands were to take work elsewhere and be unavailable when He needs a full band.
Attendances are dwindling for many reasons which I will not begin to list.
If the BBC and ITV were to put on some good Country progs then theere may be a bit of interest generated.The fans are still out there somewhere,Emmylou and Rodney Crowell have sold out their visit to Glasgow months ahead.
Billy

[Malcolm]

Zumbilly is correct, if TV companies were to put on more country programmes it would help.There is a major problem within the "Country Scene" its self, there are major differences in the audiences, the Country clubs are not attended by a large section of punters because of the cowboy and indian image, then there is the "music venues " where there is another batch who listen only to "alt country/Americana" and who look down on what I personally regard as REAL COUNTRY (most of the stuff coming out of Texas and very few out of Nashville), a lot of so called experts from BBC etc fall into this category .Then of course there is the dreaded line dancers who have driven a lot of country fans away with their dancing to Madona etc etc.This is where the Kareoke bands come in(the majority of who have little or no talent,and some who actually mime to backing tracks) pandering to their non country needs.It always amazes me how many people will pay to see some second rate act from the States, who are only over here because they can't get work over there, but will complain about paying to see some first class British acts, the same people will pay a small fortune to go to the cinema or a football match.What can we do about it?? Not much, as long as there are those in our ranks of musos who are prepared to get rid of other band members in favour of backing tracks.I was told by one who had recently ditched his band, "I've got to make a living", what about the other three guys you just put out a job ? I asked --no reply
I personally refuse to go and see these Kareoke bands, I wish others would do likewise.