How are the gigs in your town?

[olectric]

Live gigs, session gigs, all of it. How much of each do you do?

I'm in Kansas, where the scene is...."ehhh." I play every week at church, and usually 2-3 times out per month with one of 3 bands (two jazz, one rock) I'm playing in. I record with a local studio probably twice a month. I also have a 9-to-5 job, so that cuts my time back in a big way. I'm definitely looking to move somewhere to play guitar for a living, most likely LA or Nashville. I'm definitely interested in your schedules, especially if you're in one of the big towns.

[guitarzan]

Probably 10-15 gigs a month, not counting rehearsals.

I do services every sunday at a variety of churches (some small church-plants, some juggernauts for Jesus). I do about a gig a week with a handful of bands or sideman gigs (mostly singer-songwriter stuff in intimate rooms). Lately I've been doing at least one evening service a month. I don't do much session work because I'm home with the kids (or driving them to school) during the day while my wife finishes her Finance Degree. I'd obviously like that to change this Spring when she's finished, but that's a tough nut to crack as well. There are literally thousands upon thousands of little home studios (consumer and pro-sumer level) in SoCal. Most of the guys who own those are nickel and diming startup artists and either doing all of the tracks themselves, or using the same four or five musicians/ close friends for every project.

I only know one or two guys who just play, and most of them have a spouse who works as well.

I've found that MANY of the guys I play with here in SoCal also have a second job for when gigs run thin. Most would still consider themselves professional musicians, even though 100% of the income doesn't come from being on a stage. Philosophically, I'm trying to get comfortable with the idea that I just wanna be doing something creative for a living so I do marketing and design on the side.

My wife and I have talked about leaving SoCal for an area with an easier cost of living, but I've had to deal with the fact that I'd probably stop being a guitar player then. I don't know if other parts of the country are as saturated with churches that hire guitar players or with singer/songwriters who wanna make it big.

[guitarzan]

something else I just thought of:

watch the Metallica documentary Some Kind Of Monster. They audition bass players to replace the fellow that left, and when they actually hire the new one (who has had some successful gigs- Ozzy Osbourne Tour, member of Suicidal Tendencies), they show him going back to his apartment to rehearse the Metallica tunes and he's living in this little bitty room. It's just speculation, but I'd guess that even the guys who do a tour with Ozzy or are part of a successful band still have to fight to make bills and keep playing. Now that he's a member of Metallica, he'll have plenty of money, but before he joined the most successful heavy metal band in history, he was just another awesome player in Los Angeles... probably living with two or three other awesome players sharing an apartment. :) I'm sure one of them owns a home studio...

[olectric]

My wife and I have talked about leaving SoCal for an area with an easier cost of living, but I've had to deal with the fact that I'd probably stop being a guitar player then. I don't know if other parts of the country are as saturated with churches that hire guitar players or with singer/songwriters who wanna make it big.


Nashville. Actually, Nashville is the sole reason I'm not 100% on moving to LA yet.

[guitarzan]

Yeah, but this is the quote that scares the crap outta me...

"There's little ol' ladies here who'll smoke you on a tele."

that's from John Chandler who owns PedalTrain pedal boards and has a pretty extensive history in the nashville music scene (especially with christian rock and pop artists- Jars of Clay and Third Day).

once I heard that, I burned up all my dreams of being in Nashville. I'm pretty sure there might be residual psychological effects for guys who take an ass-whoopin from a little ol' lady.

[olectric]

Yeah, but this is the quote that scares the crap outta me...

"There's little ol' ladies here who'll smoke you on a tele."

that's from John Chandler who owns PedalTrain pedal boards and has a pretty extensive history in the nashville music scene (especially with christian rock and pop artists- Jars of Clay and Third Day).

once I heard that, I burned up all my dreams of being in Nashville. I'm pretty sure there might be residual psychological effects for guys who take an ass-whoopin from a little ol' lady.

I have heard the same quote. But I think that Nashville is the global hub for songwriters who want to make it big, so if you just know somebody, you can get a lot of demo work. Any Nashvillers want to chime in here?

For example, I know a very good rhythm guitar player who is able to charge $300 per song in Nashville. This guy would get smoked by any old lady with a telecaster, but he knows people. He's reliable, has all the right gear, and can get down on tape what the producer wants for any background texture or rhythm part. I think that's great.

[tom]

we need ryamn150 to chime in here, i hear he's got some news.

[olectric]

we need ryamn150 to chime in here, i hear he's got some news.

Definitely! Also, Mike (LonestarGtr) has some good stuff to say. He told me it's true that there are a buhmizzillion guitar players in Nashville, but there's always room for another good one. He also said that there are a ton of songwriters in Nashville who want to put out demos, and that good players can find good work that way.

[guitarzan]

true, true.


I just went to Ryman's site. that IS good news. What a blessing.

[olectric]

true, true.


I just went to Ryman's site. that IS good news. What a blessing.

Wow, me too.


...guess he's gotta find SOME way to pay for all those Andys. :eek:


Seriously, congrats!

[ryman150]

Well hey everybody!! Gee, thanks for the kind words. As for the good news, I have been given the wonderful opportunity to play guitar with Lonestar! I agree with you all, it is an amazing blessing. Thank the Lord for Tom Anderson guitars and this forum - because that's where it all started with this gig ;)

I have to say, I absolutely love Nashville. I wanted to come here for a longest time. I've only been here just over a year, but thus far, it has been a wonderful experience. It sure seems it's all part of the grand scheme of things.

Yes, there are guitar players (and all other instruments) all over the place. And yes, there are guys who can smoke your socks off.

Something important to remember, though, is that everybody has his own unique way of playing. There are guys that get called on sessions specifically because they can smoke those solos. There are also guys that get called in because they can lay down the simple stuff with taste. Or my buddy Rooster says, the "meat and potatoes" kinda guys. Haha!

I think Olectric was right in saying that there are many song writers looking for new guitar players for demos and stuff. If you have the drive and really want to get work, I think you can do it. I would say if you have the chance, try at least comming here and at least giving it a shot.

One last side note - I love this forum and the way everybody interacts on here. It is an honor to talk with all of you guys, and I've learned so much from y'all.

Thanks!!

[ryman150]

Wow, me too.


...guess he's gotta find SOME way to pay for all those Andys. :eek:


Seriously, congrats!

BTW - That picture with all the Andys - only half are mine. The beautiful guitars on the right side of the pic (split down the middle) are Mike's (LonestarGtr).

http://www.ryanochsner.com/gear/group1.jpg

Good times

[olectric]

BTW - That picture with all the Andys - only half are mine. The beautiful guitars on the right side of the pic (split down the middle) are Mike's (LonestarGtr).

Good times


I have to say my favorite in that pic is your M-equipped DTC (or HDTC?). Bee-you-tee-full guitar, man. Also, thanks for the input! And you're correct, this is THE coolest board online. I think I'm a member of 5-7 music/gear/artist forums, so out of those at least, it's my favorite.

[MikesTech]

HEY!! I took that picture!!...

Yes, actually, I did take that picture, because you see... I'm Mikestech... as in guitar tech for Lonestar.

I agree with Ryan's accessment of the Nashville "scene", and maybe have some other insights to add. First of all, the music business (that is... the "business" of making music)... is not coming to you. In almost every case, you can be certian of that. You must go to it. There is no substitute for being in the environment. Running into each other at the gas pumps, eating at the same restraunts, children playing on the same teams etc.

Let me ask a practical question... If you needed a player for a project you were involved in; it could be a band, a one-off side gig, a session, a jingle, whatever... who are YOU going to call??

Someone you know... or someone you've seen play... or someone that plays with someone you know...

Get it? If you are part of the environment, your chances for opportunities goes through the roof. Now, just being there is not enough. You have to network, make yourself seen, and all the while be a good person to hang with. We've all seen that "I never want to gig with that guy again" guy. Nobody likes a know it all, which I'm afraid many of us are guilty of more often than we would care to admit. Be a good person to hang with and good things will happen.

I've been blessed with a lifetime in music. As a player, I had the good fortune to experience some success at a pretty early age (sort of like Ryan is right now). I was always gratful that I got to experience that early on, so I wouldn't be "chasing a ghost" later. I've always been a gear head so when the opportunity came up to tech for some of the bigger artist, I jumped at it, and I absolutely love it!! I've toured with many great artist over the years (I'm 46 now), and this year in particular, I felt like I won the guitar tech lottery!! Michael is a remarkable player that is absolutely uncomprimising when it comes to his tone. He has the most incredible right (pick) hand I have ever seen and I've worked with some good ones... Michael is not afraid to tinker and experiment in a effort to get one more drop of whatever tone it is he's looking for at the time. He has a great collection of instruments (and yes, plenty of Tom's guitars), and was nothing short of inspiring to stand just off stage and watch / assist all year (in every conceivable condition ~wink~). If you ever get a chance to see these guys play live, I highly recommend it. Sit House Left... that's the guitar side of the stage.

I have to say some good things about Ryan too. He came in and replaced a really good player, Jack Sizemore, and fell right into the slot. He was open to suggestion about his gear, his approach, pretty much everything. He is an excellent player, but first he showed what a great guy he is. Ryan is a young player. He doesn't have the never ending library of guitar licks... yet. So Ryan plays the parts and never gets too far outside his comfort zone. He is gaining invaluable experience playing next to Mike. He's a great guy (with some pretty nice guitars ~grin~) and I believe he will do very well in this business.

I'm going to spend the winter teching for Gretchen Wilson (cuz winter gigs are hard to come by), which may be another lesson. If you want to be a musician for a living, you must be versatile. You can be teching one day, and playing a session the next, and rebuilding an old tube amp the next and so on.

Oh and one last thing... that saying about little old ladys playing tele's is true... and watch out for the techs as well ~knowing wink~

Mikestech

[Son of Anderson]

good post, good advice about all areas of work/life.

[olectric]

MikesTech--

Excellent gems of advice! Thanks for posting!

[ryman150]

You guys, Bobby (Mikestech) is just full of wonderful advice and wisdom. And not to mention he's the best guitar tech around. When I read the post, I could picture him saying all of that. I am very lucky to be able to work with such guys as Mike and Bobby.

As for his comment on getting involved and networking and all that - I couldn't have said it better.

[Casper]

Great posts and a big congrats Ryan! Glad to see a young player get a great gig! I play in a regional showband on the east coast and because of that, I have had the opportunities to sit in with other bands around Richmond and become what I always wanted to be..a good sideman. I don't have the killer chops, but I work to be a NICE, RELIABLE and EASY-GOING player without hangups. So many players I know and have played with unfortunately think they belong to an elite club and boast a huge 'HIP' factor. These cats think that if you aren't "starving for the art" then you are less of a player. Being laid back sometimes makes the difference whether you get a gig or not.
Being in the right place at the right time helps too ;)
Congrats Ryan and the cool cats in Lonestar...
Shaun