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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Do I Really Want To Do This?
So I posted something on a music website saying that I was looking for some musicians to record some songs with. Got a hit the other morning from a couple guys, a keyboard player and a drummer that said they were interested. Talked to the one guy on the phone and he asked what I was looking for and as I was telling him, he started telling me that they were an established local band that was looking for someone to join the band that was a writer that could bring some original music and mingle it into their live act of covers.
Now I havent played any covers in maybe 4 years except for when I played at a wedding last summer and when Jen asked me to play "Handle With Care" for her.
Now there's nothing wrong with doing covers, but as many of you know, I'm a bit of a head strong asshole. I dont know if I want to attempt to learn their set list. If I wanted to do covers, I would pick the ones that I want to do. I know that sounds arrogant, and I dont mean to be that way. But at this point in life, I want to be making the choices. Besides, I could do a 3 hour set of originals and never have to worry about playing Mustang Sally for the millionth time.
The only plus that I heard is that they play early gigs. I'm in my mid 50's and have ZERO interest in starting to play at 10 for a bunch of drunk 20 year olds that are texting
BTW, for those of you that know my reverbnation page, check out President Stewie. Not a song,not great production, but it's pretty damn funny!
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| January 7, 2014, 01:49 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Hell man, at your age you should do what ya want.. .I'd be leary of a "local group" that is looking for a writer. Apparently they need someone to teach them lots more than what they know. If you go in with them, make sure the contract reads you alone are the owner of any original material you provide them.
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| January 7, 2014, 02:06 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
QUOTE (WTFU @ January 7, 2014, 02:06)Hell man, at your age you should do what ya want.. .I'd be leary of a "local group" that is looking for a writer. Apparently they need someone to teach them lots more than what they know. If you go in with them, make sure the contract reads you alone are the owner of any original material you provide them.
Excellent point my friend. There are a bunch of red flags that have gone up. Part of me is looking to go out and play live again, but I never did originals. So it would be kinda cool to see an audience reaction. But all of my songs are copyrighted. No one owns them but me. Every time I write a few, I copyright them before I post them on any websites
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| January 7, 2014, 02:19 |
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funlovingpair
59 / couple
Frozen Tundra, Minnesota, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
WTFU has a very good point. and if your getting Red Flags don't rush into anything.
Ma
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| January 7, 2014, 02:31 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
I always cover my ass. Especially when I was in prison. But thats a whole different story.
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| January 7, 2014, 02:33 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
if you start playing live gigs, just remember, you're gonna have to play about 50% covers at least, until you get a reputation as being a good song writer. and remember, a drunk 20 yr old probably has a ton of friends that he/she will convince that you are the next big thing, and that they HAVE to come with him/her to see your next show...and it's those young kids that help jump start a career...just sayin' your best bet is to mix some originals in with some classic standards. unless you really like playing polks\as at the local nursing home..(i mean i know that's where you go cruising for dates...  )
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| January 7, 2014, 02:34 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
I dig what you're sayin, but I never have had any aspirations about being the next big thing. I just want somebody with real talent to grab one of my songs, run with it and make a ton of money. Then I'll be able to open my own garlic restaurant.
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| January 7, 2014, 02:44 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Move To Nashville. someone will buy your songs there. (and hopefully you've got some good exhaust in your Garlic Shop)
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| January 7, 2014, 03:49 |
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sybianwatcher1
49 / male
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Thats the cowboy in us all Free ,....and man or woman , it's a quality that I admire in a person , above all things.
Pride......
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| January 7, 2014, 03:53 |
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oldcowboy666
74 / male
bennett, Colorado, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This
I do think at 50ish do what you want to do. I find the older i get the less tolerance i have for crowds and young people that have no manors. I had no problems in prison with my pooper but the three times a tried a partnership in business i got reamed every time. Good luck my friend OCB
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| January 7, 2014, 13:44 |
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wandering5tar
53 / male
London, England, UK
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Having spent 2 weeks listening to every song I've ever known being butchered, I'd be quite happy with a mix of covers and originals if they were played with some commitment and feeling!
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| January 7, 2014, 15:22 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
I be very careful in dealing with anyone where it concerns your original material. Far too many have ended in the court system.
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| January 7, 2014, 22:40 |
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ashkats
65 / couple
crystal falls, Michigan, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
go with the gut, place I use to work made buckles, some folks lost the design, juat changes one part or added a flower or mushroom or something was all it took. as they had no copy on it.
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| January 8, 2014, 22:20 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
I'm going to get together with these guys tomorrow for a visit. We'll see what happens
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| January 13, 2014, 17:21 |
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sybianwatcher1
49 / male
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
QUOTE (Freensleazy @ January 13, 2014, 17:21)I'm going to get together with these guys tomorrow for a visit. We'll see what happens
When artists get together and colaberate, usually they will inspire new uncharted roads.....you may have some fun...just don't let anyone cross into your personal and professional space....
Point out your Copyrights..I know an artist, who created a piece of art, and was approached by the most famous sculptor in the world, to engrave his name on it...and was offered almost One Million to file his name off...
He refused, and they were going to do it anyway, and tried to corner this artist into submitting, it didn't work out for them to well....Copyright Laws are very clear..and are there to defend your painstaking hard work...yet another artist performing your work, may give you some fresh insite.
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| January 13, 2014, 19:09 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Good advice from all of you, and I appreciate your concern. My songs are posted on several sites online so there's plenty of opportunity for someone to try to steal them. But I dont post anything that isn't already copyrighted.
The thing is though, these guys have heard me. I put the maximum number of songs that the site they found me on allows. They had nothing but good things to say. However, when I looked at their page, there was no music uploaded. Not even any covers. And according to what they told me, they've been playing around this area for many, many years and I've never heard of them. So my radar will be on. I hope it sounds good, but I'm prepared to walk away if it doesnt feel right.
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| January 13, 2014, 22:14 |
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Iwant2kssuallovr
62 / female
Bendover, Florida, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Fair enough
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| January 13, 2014, 23:36 |
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sybianwatcher1
49 / male
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
It just might be possible that you are a genious, and you may not know it...
.......3 minute delay..........
O.k....I'm done laughing......But it could be possible.
People in the creative fields of any kind,have many other people who want to be drug along for the ride on their sucessful shirt tails, and THAT can take up a lot of your time...and you know what my other occupation is, and you can figure out ,that I may know what I'm talking about.
I've heard your music....and I'm just a cowboy , with black and white taste..but I'm aware of what I like, and what has an essence that stands out among the thousands of others.
Your talented.
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| January 13, 2014, 23:53 |
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Iwant2kssuallovr
62 / female
Bendover, Florida, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
I cannot help but think of the movie Edfie anf the Cruisers
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| January 14, 2014, 01:16 |
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sybianwatcher1
49 / male
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
QUOTE (Iwant2kssuallovr @ January 14, 2014, 01:16)I cannot help but think of the movie Edfie anf the Cruisers
You know ....So did I.
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| January 14, 2014, 01:42 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
As many snarky jokes as I make, this time I'm not. You guys are the best, bar none. A lot of you have supported me, encouraged me and know that I gave up playing out about 5 years ago because of egos and attitudes. And nobody has a worse ego or attitude than I have. We'll see how it goes. Film at 11.
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| January 14, 2014, 02:02 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
QUOTE (Freensleazy @ January 14, 2014, 02:02)As many snarky jokes as I make, this time I'm not. You guys are the best, bar none. A lot of you have supported me, encouraged me and know that I gave up playing out about 5 years ago because of egos and attitudes. And nobody has a worse ego or attitude than I have. We'll see how it goes. Film at 11.
You have hat with expandable headband?
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| January 14, 2014, 03:11 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
All I can say is...I've never seen any band get along with each other a strong percentage of the time.
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| January 14, 2014, 14:33 |
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Iwant2kssuallovr
62 / female
Bendover, Florida, US
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Re: Re: Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
QUOTE (WTFU @ January 14, 2014, 03:11) QUOTE (Freensleazy @ January 14, 2014, 02:02)As many snarky jokes as I make, this time I'm not. You guys are the best, bar none. A lot of you have supported me, encouraged me and know that I gave up playing out about 5 years ago because of egos and attitudes. And nobody has a worse ego or attitude than I have. We'll see how it goes. Film at 11.
You have hat with expandablep headband?
You can borrow one of Sy's hats.
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| January 14, 2014, 22:28 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
I dont wear heats. They dont make them small enough
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| January 14, 2014, 22:29 |
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sybianwatcher1
49 / male
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
QUOTE (Iwant2kssuallovr @ January 14, 2014, 22:28) QUOTE (WTFU @ January 14, 2014, 03:11) QUOTE (Freensleazy @ January 14, 2014, 02:02)As many snarky jokes as I make, this time I'm not. You guys are the best, bar none. A lot of you have supported me, encouraged me and know that I gave up playing out about 5 years ago because of egos and attitudes. And nobody has a worse ego or attitude than I have. We'll see how it goes. Film at 11.
You have hat with expandablep headband?
You can borrow one of Sy's hats.
Like I've said before...my HEAD...is in PROPORTION.....to the rest of my BODY !!......but ok that was funny. 
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| January 15, 2014, 02:15 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Not sure what to make of these guys today. His equipment was probably worth more than the house was. His name is Bob and his piano player is Paul. We didnt really play much, but talked. He's telling me about the booking agents he has and how he wants to play out no more than one night a week and how we have to be devoted to the job, and, and, and. He's about a 5' 2' bald and grey curmudgeon with a hearing aid and a speech impediment. Paul looks like he could have been in Revenge of The NerdsBut I heard him play the piano and he seemed pretty good. Anyway, I sat and listened. He went on to say that he wont stand for people in the band getting into relationships and told me that he has a female (who is really, REALLY good!) that he wants for a co-lead singer. I asked who the other co-lead singer was and he said he was hoping I would take that position. He said he had another guy that wanted the job, but he couldn't have it unless I declined. But he also said that if I had any intentions of getting involved with the female singer, I'd be fired. I fucking laughed in his face. Then he said, "I heard the song you posted, could you play it so we know it was really you singing it?". Again, I laughed, but said "sure".
So I started playing it, but the sound was so bad, the piano player had no idea what I was playing (I gave him the key and told him the chords), Bob, (with the hearing aid) started banging on the drums so loud that he drowned me out completely, Paul turned his keyboard up to drown out the drums and then they both asked me to turn my guitar and mic up so they could hear me. It was stupid, but Bob went over to Paul and said "Yep, thats really him"
I stood up and said "Stop, stop, stop". They both turned around and looked at me and I told them, "Look, I get what your looking for. You told me what you want, but now I have questions". They looked a bit stunned and I said "Guys, I have no intentions of getting into a cover band. If I wanted to do that, I would start one on my own. I have my own rules, morals and values and dont need yours imparted on me. What I need to know is what percentage of my songs are going to be played?' He told me a minimum of 25%, but he wanted to have the female singer sing every other one, which didnt really bother me. She's really good. But then I said "Guys, before we go any further, listen to some of my songs and see if they're things you want to play. We just spent a half hour on one song, and it wasnt happening. If it was Peaceful Easy Feeling, then we'd know if we had any chemistry, but you dont know this song, and thats cool. I'll email you a dozen songs that I think would fit. Listen to them. If you like them, learn them. And then lets take some time to do it right. You keep on saying that you want to be playing out in 6 weeks, and if I wanted to do that, I could do it on my own. Hear the songs, and call me if you want me back"
They both sid "Oh man, we want you to run everything!" I smiled and said that I was flattered. But I told them again to listen to the songs and call me back. I aint doin covers. Besides that, except for Paul playing a few things on the piano and Bob banging on the drums WAY too loud, they've heard more from me than I've heard from them. If I go back, I'll ask Paul to play New York State of Mind. Then I'll know what I'm dealing with.
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| January 15, 2014, 02:26 |
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sybianwatcher1
49 / male
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Good for you man....I would have walked when they told me hands off the female singer.
Sounds like you handled it very well...
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| January 15, 2014, 02:35 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Thanks, Little Brother. I dont judge people by their looks unless its a female that Im just not attracted to. And that doesnt make her a bad person, it just means that I'm not attracted. But a person's ability to perform has no bearing on their outward appearance. Whether its creating a masterpiece, trading stocks on Wall Street or hauling in sharks from the ocean. If ya do it well, DO IT! Im sorry if that came off about looks. I truly didnt mean it that way
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| January 15, 2014, 02:48 |
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sybianwatcher1
49 / male
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
It didn't come off about looks...
I took it like you had taken the high road....and thats not a smartass remark.
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| January 15, 2014, 02:54 |
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Freensleazy
65 / male
State of Confusion, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: Do I Really Want To Do This?
Merci, mon ami
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| January 15, 2014, 02:59 |
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