Connie Z Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Well, my rockin' oldies band played our first bar-room gig last night, and it was a blast! It was our first gig, where we predominantly played songs we've designated as 'dance' songs, as we are starting to advertise ourselves as a dance band. My ultimate goal was to get at least one couple up dancing... and... we did it! There were only about 20 total people in the house, and only three women in the mix, and only one of them was single... but the single lady danced with one of the men... and it was Heaven! They danced to a cha-cha "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." They only danced to that one song, and it was at the end of the evening, but it was great! I am so psyched! It was the greatest feeling to actually have people dancing to the sounds we were making. I knew it would feel great, and it did. Dance music is in my blood! I guess I enjoy dancing so much, and I've enjoyed so many great nights dancing to live bands in my life... I can just relate to what the audience members are feeling. We also had the one fellow (actually, the dancer) who had the most to drink, come up and request to sing "I Can't Help Falling In Love." It was not on our set-list, but we had the lead sheet, and we gave it our best shot, and our keyboard player did a beautiful job, and the guy had fun singing it, and he was joined partway by the lady he ended up dancing with. I told my bandmates my goal about getting someone up to dance, so they were excited too, when it happened. Now we can conquer the remainder of the dancing world! Thanks for helping me (and my band) get there. ... connie z "Change comes from within." - Jeremy Cohen The definition of LUCK: When Preparation meets Opportunity! http://www.cybergumbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Congrats Connie, That's a great feeling. Makes me miss being in that disco cover band from a few years back. It really does energize the whole band when you see people dancing. Keep on rockin'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornbread_medhotmail.com Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Sweet!!! That is a great feeling. It only keeps getting better. If you can get a drummer to play on the next gig, you might have the whole house up shakin their booties! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dohhhhh6 Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Disco Fever In Skynyrd We Trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Get those people shakin' their booties, Connie! http://craftsayings.com/projects/baby/burp_cloths/pink%20booties.jpg Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Woohooo! I'll tell you, there are few things more depressing than playing your heart out on stage, and nobody's dancing. Takes all the fun out of the gig. But when people are dancing, even just one couple, it can really energize the whold band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassaddik Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Im so excited for you! it truly is so refreshing to see your enthusiasm!!! God bless, go get 'em Connie!!! - - Adrian Praise ye the LORD. ....praise him with stringed instruments and organs... Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. excerpt from- Psalm 150 visit me at: www.adriangarcia.net for His glory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham56 Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Great stuff Connie! You're helping to inspire and keep this beginner and oldie plugging away... When I'm struggling with holding down a smooth steady beat I sometimes wonder if I'll ever good enough to play in a rocking band that will get people dancing. Then I read your postings. Yep, it CAN be done. And dammit - I AM going to do it. Thanks Connie! Graham www.talkingstrawberries.com - for rocking' blues, raw and fresh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 It's difficult to resist a well-played cha-cha! Of course, it's VERY easy to resists a badly played cha-cha. Congrats, Connie! This means that you played well! The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cup Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Great feeling, hey Connie! Everyone loves to have fun. Cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Congrats!!! It's nice to know when the audience has a pulse. - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouizel Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 That's awesome, Connie!! I'm so glad to hear that from you! I know I just love it when the crowd gets involved, even if they're not actually on the dance floor. You know, toes a-tappin, lotsa chair dancing going. It's an unbelievable feeling to know that you've touched someone else to the point of getting involved with the music. I hope it continues for you & your band! Congrats!!! **Standard Disclaimer** Ya gotta watch da Ouizel, as he often posts complete and utter BS. In this case however, He just might be right. Eagles may soar, but Ouizels don't get sucked into jet engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 It's not a good show unless someone dances, dislocates a joint or loses a tooth. Blood is always nice, too. Hey, maybe next show... \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibescotty Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Congratulations!! Thats great to hear. Audience interaction is what keeps us coming back for more. Double Posting since March 2002 Random Post Generator #26797 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 You've gotten a taste, now you'll be hooked. CONGRATS! You go bassgirl. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornbread_medhotmail.com Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Once blood is shed, you've moved beyond the level of stardom--you have moved into the realm of a diety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 On a personal note I like to "bop" when I see a band, which I recently did for BenLoy's and CMDN's bands. When I see people bopping in any sense, I know they are into it. Connice, your dancing story reminded me of another jam experience I had a few weeks back. I was at a club, and was called up with players that don't tend to take the lead (they don't call songs). I had had this happen before, and had prepared. I called "fast shuffle in G" - this is blues jam lingo for a fast 12 bar in G. We started cooking, and I started singing - a song that pretty much nobody knows ("The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man"), but the feel was pretty good, and people started dancing. This is unusual at a blues jam unless the songs veer into the rock world ("Mustang Sally" comes up every once in a while). I'm with ya Con - it felt great !!! Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie Z Posted September 16, 2003 Author Share Posted September 16, 2003 I am definately a person who bops, when I hear good live music with a beat. I just can't help it. I love to "participate" in the music. I am working on a theory that "audience participation" is actually the most important part of what makes music successful. As a songwriter, I definately find that some of the most successful songs on the radio, are the ones which allow the listener to immediately participate, such as having an easy to remember chorus, or a musical melody line that can be followed along in the mind of the listener, or by hummming along. Performing in a band, I can see that playing well-known songs, that they can sing along to, or dance to, are the best. But it's not so much that we are playing them so fantastically (cause we're not... yet!) but... it's because of the "audience participation" factor. They get to actually be "part of" the music, in a way. I find this especially true of people who do not play instruments or sing. It is the only way they get to "experience" the music. I recently wrote a song with this theory in mind, and have performed it on several occasions now. The second half of the song is almost a complete repeat of the first half, and it is designed in a way that has "buzz words" that the listener can remember pretty easily. It is my most successful original song thus far, based on audience reaction and participation. The first time they hear it, they already start to join in. The first time! It's a neat thing to observe. I don't know that I've explained these thoughts effectively, but I hope so! One day I'll do some research and maybe... I'll write a song about it! Thanks for all the kudos folks. ... connie z "Change comes from within." - Jeremy Cohen The definition of LUCK: When Preparation meets Opportunity! http://www.cybergumbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceman Irwin Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Once blood is shed, you've moved beyond the level of stardom--you have moved into the realm of a diety. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- man, i'm still forty-something more hardcore gigs before i reach that.... Hey Connie, great job. If Jaco's bass sound farts, please forgive me for doing it always! ONCE A LEVITE, ALWAYS A LEVITE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie Z Posted September 16, 2003 Author Share Posted September 16, 2003 Originally posted by CMDN: It's not a good show unless someone dances, dislocates a joint or loses a tooth. Blood is always nice, too. Hey, maybe next show...LOL Does it count if I am the one who sheds the blood? I cracked my head on a low hanging P.A. speaker, and it almost drew blood. I can certainly see that I will injure myself bloody somewhere along this journey! I'll try to make sure it's one of the audience members though, if necessary! ... connie z "Change comes from within." - Jeremy Cohen The definition of LUCK: When Preparation meets Opportunity! http://www.cybergumbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 Blood is blood -- as long as it is shed by someone at a show, you're doing OK. Technically, it's probably better if it comes from a virgin under the light of a full moon, but ya know, we can't always have everything. \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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