An “Industry Night” Experience

In continuing my goal of getting on stage as often as I can this year, I drove back out to Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth, CA last night.  Chris Johnson and the Hollywood Hillbilles were throwing an “Industry Night”, and all local country musicians were encouraged to come out and join in on the Jam.  

To say the turnout was low is quite an understatement.  

I’d never been to the Jam there before, so I didn’t know what to expect…but I certainly didn’t expect less than 30 people in the entire venue.  Now, for those who don’t know the place, Cowboy Palace is a true honky-tonk.  The majority of the music coming from the stage is classic and outlaw country.  Not many new bands roll through town and get a spot on this stage.  It’s been populated by a number of the same circuit bands for years - and maybe that’s the fatal flaw.  

Country Music in Los Angeles is a hard sell, and driving 30 minutes outside of town to hear it is even harder!  Even though Country Music is seeing an all-time high in interest from 18-30 year olds right now, this bar rarely seems to see a large number of folks from that age group.  Part of me understands it, and the other part of me is screaming for musical justice!  

The idea of an “Industry Jam” is incredible.  When you’re in Nashville, and you stumble into Winners or Losers or Silver Dollar (or any number of other bars), that’s exactly what you’re getting.  You’re seeing performers who are making money in the industry.  You’re hearing songwriters whose songs are being cut by the biggest names in radio.  You’re hearing players whose haunting melodies you’ve heard on those same cuts.  Out in Los Angeles, the likelihood of finding those types of credits are lower.  However, you do find touring musicians.  You do find songwriters who’ve had big cuts.  You find guys who play 7 days a week, and may need other players.  

To put it simply: you meet other folks fighting like hell to make it in their own way - just like you are.

That’s why I want to see this Industry Jam Night grow.  I want to see more folks coming out.  I’ve heard tales of the old Cowboy Palace Talent Night -how it was the hottest night of the week.  All the young aspiring musicians were there supporting one another, pushing one another.  A lot of them became gigging musicians who are currently touring the circuit and playing all the time.  What apparently didn’t happen, is that they weren’t succeeded by another group of similarly motivated artists and musicians.  Instead, everyone is busy plugging themselves on Facebook and twitter and youtube, and sending out countless emails and marketing, marketing, marketing…instead of playing and networking.  

Chris invited myself, Heath and Mike up to perform for the few folks in attendance, and when we pulled out some Haggard, the folks were happy.  Chris told us to stay up for another song, so we hit ‘em with the Cash - again…very appreciated.  After the night, Chris told me to bring the whole band next time, and to come play a full set.  Now THAT is awesome.  It’s Chris’s night with his band, and he’s offering away a set to me and my band.  That’s what it’s about folks - supporting one another, helping one another.  

As such, that’s exactly what I want to do.  I want to help grow this night - to prop us ALL up and bring some prosperity back into the lost Country Music scene of Los Angeles.

Yeahcomeon!

A New Year, A New Goal, A New Stage…or many of them!

In 2013, I made some very cool strides with my music, and I’m dedicated to building on that in 2014.  Do I expect to return to television?  Not really.  That’s a hump that I just don’t know comes around thrice in three years for an unsigned, very regional artist.  But hey, if someone will take me, I’ll be glad to play!  

I will return to SXSW this spring, which is awesome.  

But, and more importantly, I’ve made a move to sing SOMEWHERE on a stage every week of 2014.  One week in, I’ve succeeded in that goal.  Only 51 more to go!  Where did the goal take me this week?  Well, all the way up to Chatsworth.  Some of you may not know where that is, so I’ll just tell you…it’s whopping 25 minutes from my home.  Ok, so maybe that’s not a huge distance to travel.  Here’s what’s important to know - at Cowboy Palace, they love country music…and on Mondays, they allow any ol’ Joe to get up and sing as part of the Talent Contest.

Now, I’ve been to the Palace a number of times over the years.  I’ve had birthday parties there.  I was there when my Kickstarter ended last year and I saw that my fans had given me an amazing $10,000 to go on tour.  The Cowboy Palace has been a mainstay of my life here in California.  This week, though, I added a milestone there.  The Cowboy Palace was the site of the first Talent Contest I’ve actually WON.  Now, there were only 14 competitors, and it was a “preliminary” round of their larger contest, but still - to walk away a winner was pretty cool.  I ran into Jeffrey Michaels, another local artist, and chatted with him while awaiting my turn on stage.  When I stepped up and announced I’d be doing some Merle Haggard, there were a number of cheers from the crowd.  By the end of “Mama Tried,” I had a feeling that it had gone pretty darn well indeed.  

As I stepped off the stage and back to the bar, I was greeted with a number of “Way to Go”s and “That was Great”s.  Ten competitors later, we were sitting at the bar awaiting the announcements…and then it came, 1st Place belonged to yours truly.  It was a nice moment.  I got up and sang an encore, Cash’s "Folsom Prison” and then headed on home.  

Sure, it was a small-time contest.  It was a song that wasn’t mine.  It was a small cash prize and an opportunity to come back to compete again for a shot to make the finals.  All of that is true…but the most important part, was that it was a chance to get on stage and do what I love - and to make an impression on a few of the folks there at the Cowboy Palace that night.  Maybe I’ll sell a download out of the deal, maybe I made a new fan.  I don’t know…but I know that I said I want to get on stage every week…and I did that.  And the $50 helped pay for the gas.  

Yeahcomeon.

Dukes