A while ago, I devoted part of my column to investigating "non-traditional" venues as a way to get work for yourself or your
band. Even in today's world of social media blitzing, tweeting and mass emails, I learned the old methods can still be viable.
I played one of the best shows in my 30 years of performing last Saturday. My band, THE FOUR WANDS, did the same show
last year, and were asked to return. Neighborhood Block Parties--with a restaurant, tavern or convenience store as an anchor-have the potential to draw very large crowds to see you. If the proprietor has food, liquor, or other items for sale, they will
jump in with both feet to promote the event. I used to be a snob about where I would play, saying such and such was beneath
me--and there was no way in hell I was gonna set up and play in a parking lot. Well, so many people came out to dance, eat
amazing BBQ and Listen to music, that we couldn't count past the first couple rows.
This has been an amazing past 18 months with a new record deal, guitar endorsement and offers for shows coming in left and
right. I am not bragging, because I have seen the pits too. The thing is, at 27 years old, I didn't have any of this stuff. At 47, I
am living my dreams. Do not quit. Success can be defined in different ways. But still being on the scene doing your thing after
many years is one of them.
***
Downtown Tommy's Guitar Lesson of the Month...I hope everyone is doing well and practicing up with what we have covered
so far. I purposely restrict what I cover in my guitar column to information I feel you will actually USE onstage playing for a live
audience. Not all audiences are nice people. I spent my 20s playing dives that smelled like cigarette smoke and urine. I got
heckled and hit with beer bottles. These experiences were valuable. They taught me not to go onstage unprepared. From a
technical standpoint, you can spend a lifetime playing onstage without being able to read one note of music, but develop that
ear! Learn to recognize musical keys like telling colors apart or knowing the difference between the smell of steak and
chocolate chip cookies. How? Gig relentlessly and practice, practice, practice.
***
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing RACHEL ROBERTS, with whom I am acquainted as a fellow musician in the Akron,
Ohio, music scene. Rachel performed on the main stage at MUSICA during ZACH FRIEDHOF’S "Big Love" Festival, and I had
the pleasure of catching her set before I had to go on at 4:45 p.m., two floors above. Rachel has paid her dues all over the
United States and abroad, and is one of this reporter's favorite vocalists. Covering multiple topics, I asked Rachel what--if
anything--would you change about your last ten years of being a stage performer? "Oh, if I only knew what I do now! Honestly,
I probably wouldn't change a thing. I've had so many amazing experiences, from playing with CHRISSIE HYNDE, DAN
AUERBACH and MARK MOTHERSBAUGH--to making a music video in Chicago, to living in Los Angeles, to singing on street
corners in New Orleans (which got me a gig at a ski resort in Lake Tahoe), to making five albums of original material." Rachel
Roberts has a keen, astute knowledge of the music industry, and she performs at A-List venues weekly. Thanks Rachel.