Full Band and Solo

[mick hearn]

I don't know if anyone is the same as me. I listen to a record production of an artist and as a musician (some would doubt that) I am interested in the arrangement and the skills of the musicians as well as the lead vocal. Then I see the same act advertised "on tour" only to find that all you are going to get is the artist with an acoustic guitar. I would not pay to see them as this is well away from what was selling their records in the first place - the production - and my interest has suddenly vanished.

Am I alone?

[Zebedee]

You are most certainly in the minority.
Mainstream concertgoers are not remotely interested in the musicians, they go to see the star.

[Ken Byng]

I went to see a number of bands in the very early 70's, including Merle Haggard and The Strangers (twice), Buck Owens and the Buckeroos, Bill Anderson and the Po' Boys and Conway Twitty with John Hughey. With the Haggard shows, my eyes were firmly glued on Norm Hamlet and Roy Nichols, with Buck Owens it was J D Maness and Don Rich, with Conway Twitty it was John Hughey and with Bill Anderson it was Sonny Garrish and Wayne Gray. The singers were great, but the musicians were greater in my eyes. Have to agree with Mick.

[johnherring]

Like others, I've seen a few names in my time and have always preferred the big show, but most of us see shows as musicians and tend to pay particular interest to our instruments as played by our peers and betters(?) rather than taking in the performance as a whole. So while my sympathies lie with Mick and Ken, it gives me no pleasure to admit that it's Richard who has it right, whether we like it or not.

[Shaun]

I agree John, whilst my heart is in total agreement with Mick and Ken, the general public only want to see / hear the star (Singer). Unfortunately the majority don't notice and have no interest whatsoever in the musicians. That is why the Singer and Backing Tracks is accepted so readily in the clubs. That's Life.
Another reason why its so good to get together when we can and enjoy each others company.

[Ken Byng]

I wouldn't walk to my front gate to see a karaoke act. Apparently there are even bands around who are miming to backing tracks. What's that all about?

I recently went to a local country music club where a fairly well known UK country band was advertised to appear. One guy with a guitar turned up with a load of backing tracks. I couldn't sit through that under any circumstances, so I demanded my money back and went to my local pub where there was real live music going on.

I enjoy playing in large bands of experienced and seasoned pro players, and I'm quite happy to take a cut in money. I have done the duo thing, and it drove me bonkers not having a great rhythm section to play with and a good lead section to interplay. It's little wonder that so many so called country music clubs have gone to the wall when they employ karaoke acts. It hasn't taken off in the States yet - live music is alive and kicking over there.

[coolsteel]

A few years back I was in Texas, one evening I decided to visit a local dance hall. There were masses of people on the dance floor all line dancing along to records I could not believe my eyes, if it happens there, there is no chance for us musicians over here. Getting back to the question in hand I tend to go along with Richard's line of thought most people go to see and hear the star attraction the bands fades into the background. Having said that if I go to a show my eyes are glued to the pedal steel player in the band.

[derek evans 15]

That,s the reason that I went to see Albert Lee and Hogans Heroes ,as many times as I did.
everything you can want to see and hear . Each member as talented as the next ,instrumentally ,vocally
and music so tight ,it,s an amazing act to to see. Regards Derek.

[Shaun]

Totally Agree Albert Lee and Hogan's Hero's are everything you would want to see and hear in a Band.
Like Ken I hate Karaoke Type Acts, Give me a proper live band anyday.
Even if they're not as good as perhaps they could be, you can't beat live music - worts and all.

[Woodentop56]

hi guys well this it seems is the way for a lot of clubs its cheaper to pay one guy with a guitar than a band i have found this after a gig recently with a lot of comments about the choice of songs the singer what do you expect from a country night rock and roll we decided if asked again to decline this was as a free night to raise funds . later we here that the same place had booked a guitarist who played along to backing tracks and how great it was. sorry guys i feel like you you cant beat live bands it there choice give me a live band anytime a final thought who will put down the backing tracks for these musicians ( A Band )