CMA Week // The Railers

It’s CMA week here in Nashville.  The awards were last night, I didn’t go.  But I did go to an after party.

It was wild downtown.  I swear, countless middle-aged men had spiky hair with frosted tips DYING to be mistaken for Gary LeVox…the Rascal Flatts guy.

At these after parties, whatever record label is hosting the party, a few of their acts will play a handful of songs, and the crowd is a mix of industry people and tourists who wait in line forever to get in.

The band I went to see, The Railers, were first.  They’re a new country band with lots talent from lots of years of experience.  You do the math.

Everything was really great, but there was a subtle little thing they did that only pros would think about (or not think about it at all, but just do it instinctively).

Jordan sings bgv’s and plays a bunch of instruments all throughout the show.  He’s lined up right on the front of the stage equal with the lead singer and bgv/percussionist.  So right in the stage lights where everyone can see him.

But part way through their third song he disappeared from the front of the stage and went and hung out in the darkness with the drummer and bass player.  

At first I just thought, oh right on, he’s just takin a stroll for a bit.

But as the bridge of the song approached, it made sense why we walked toward the back of the stage for a minute.

So he could walk forward.

When it was time for him to solo.

So that when it came time, he could re-insert himself into the front of the stage and make his grand entrance back into the bright lights as he started his solo.  It worked.  The people cheered.

Would they have cheered otherwise? Maybe. It doesn’t matter.

—

In a live show, creating a temporary void, an empty space, taking something away, removing a constant, can be really powerful and a great way to call more attention to it when reasserted.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Fresh Road Talk

Being on the road is a lot more boring than most people think.  You know what I’m talking about.

You’ve heard everyone’s stories, you know about your bandmates weird fears, what they like to eat after the gig, their past lovers, their current predicament.

You need fresh.

If you haven’t jumped into podcast world, it’s a must.  Great dialogue, which creates great conversation afterwards.

This will get you started. Listen and talk:

RadioLab: Episode: Antibodies Part 1: CRISPR

The PatCast: Episode 51: Mark McGrath

Here’s The Thing: Episode: Jerry Seinfeld

Six Pixels Of Separation: Episode: 439 & 340: Seth Godin

TED Radio Hour: Episode: The Fountain Of Youth

What keeps you company on the road?

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

The Least Important Thing

What is the least important thing you do everyday?

I’m not talking about the fact you hate doing the dishes or picking your socks up off the living room floor.

You know what I mean.

How can you completely stop doing the least important thing you do everyday in favor of adding more time to the most important thing you do everyday?

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

If You Build It

I was on vacation last week at the beach and here’s what I saw.

People taking pictures.

In a lot of the same places.

Here’s the thing: If you build something big and symmetrical, people will come and take pictures in front of, next to, on top of, inside of, or beneath it. (giant doorways, Eiffel Tower, the beach, a flag, a bridge, a castle, a staircase, a tunnel)

Nobody builds the thing and then has a sign next to it that says “come take pictures here, they’ll look cool”.  People just do.

You know what else people just do: dance when there’s confetti, are impressed by high notes and low notes, clap easier at 130 BPM, feel special when you look them in the eyes, want to trust a lead singer, want to smooch the guitar player, remember a stage dive, remember a failed stage dive….the list goes on…

You barely even have to point people to these things, you just have to create them and the people will do the rest.

It’s no mistake that most of the pictures I saw getting taken last week were taken where they were.  The beach gods knew it would happen.

It should be no mistake what most people talk about when they leave your show.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

A Quick Question About You

Now that this blog has been rolling along steadily for a while, I’d like to take a day and ask your thoughts on a few things.

Basically, I’d love to know what you like and what you don’t like about the blog, but to actually get your brain going a bit more I’ve come up with some questions that you’re welcome to answer.  All of them, none of them, some of them…I’m just really interested in how I may be able tailor some things toward what you’re looking for.

What specific facets of the music business (the entertainment business) are you currently facing?

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about the industry in the last year?

Why do you like receiving/reading a daily blog?

What does your band/team need more of?  What does it need less of?

Would you be interested in connecting with other like minded people to discuss topics that have been covered in the blog?

If you’re reading this on the website and not in an email, why haven’t you signed up yet? (reply at gabethebassplayer@gmail.com)

Thank you for being the kind of person who wants to dig deeper than sex drugs and rock & roll.  I appreciate your willingness to talk about (and think about) meaningful insights about your life in the entertainment business.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Tuna Dip At Cocoon’s

It’s not called Cocoon’s anymore.  

And Tuna Dip is not on the menu.

There’s zero advertising and no reminders or triggers to remember it.

But if you’ve experienced it before, and you know to ask about this Tuna Dip at a place that used to be called Cocoon’s, you know that you’ll be sure to buy some every time you’re on the beach on 30A in Florida.

The Tuna Dip hooked me the first time I tried it.  And now I never forget to buy more of it when I’m at the beach.  

Do you have a hook like Tuna Dip? A song? A live show? A thing?

Something where the quality and the feeling are it’s own marketing, advertising and satisfaction? 

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com