SXSW14…another year, another experience...

A year ago, I was beginning my first tour with an appearance at South By Southwest.  I was excited, I was nervous, I was … ready?  I don’t know that I was.  I dealt with a hotel that had “misplaced” our reservation and given away our room.  We had zero time to promote at the festival.  We grabbed our credentials and didn’t really see the convention floor.  We simply showed up, played a gig, enjoyed one day of music, and then hightailed it out of town headed for Nashville.

Now, a year later, I had a decidedly different plan.  And of course, as most plans do, it quickly got shot to hell.  Perhaps that’s a bit extreme.  It didn’t really get shot to hell  - but like often happens at such massive events, the best laid plans hardly come to fruition.

On the promotion front, I ordered flyers this year to be delivered to my hotel.  That way, I could get a full day of promotion in on Wednesday prior to our first show on Friday night.  I was headed to the venue where I’d perform, and there was a Country Showcase.  Great Plan!  But, the flyers didn’t arrive on Wednesday…they arrived on Thursday.  So, missed opportunity.  Such is life.  We move on.  With flyers in hand, I descended on downtown Austin Thursday for an interview for Sonicbids and SXSW…I was ready to promote!  I got a few flyers out after finding parking, then headed over to the interview.  But there were not any country showcases in the afternoon (at which I could promote), and I had rehearsal that night.  So, I drove back to the hotel to grab my guitar and go to rehearsal.  “I’ll take these flyers to the band, and we’ll all be able to promote tomorrow!” I thought.  Great idea - if I hadn’t left the flyers in a box by the door in the hotel room as I hurried out the door.  GAAUURRGHH!  Not to be deterred, on Friday (the day of our first show) I dropped off about 500 flyers to my drummer as he had friends who would be at a Willie Nelson show, and could get them out to Country Fans there.  Of course, that show didn’t end til well after our show began.  So… the chance on immediate return was basically zero.  But…will it turn into a big crowd TONIGHT?  Who knows?  Still, as far as promotion goes, it’s been a big step up from last year.  More people are retweeting and reposting social promo, we have physical promo out on the streets, and we had a lead-in show last night to tonight’s finale.  WIN.

As to the external parts of the festival, I received an invite to the Caroline BBQ on Wednesday.  The BBQ was fantastic, I got a SICK swag bag, and had the opportunity to talk to a few industry big-wigs in a laid-back setting.  I’ve found this is always best.  I’m not a shirt-and-tie guy, generally.  I’m not big on the bullshit.  I like to break things down to their basics and sort it all out from there.  That’s what happens at a BBQ.  People drop all the guises of being so important, and just enjoy themselves.  I guess that’s what happens when there’s a beer in your hand, and bbq sauce dripping from your chin - you can’t really pretend to be better than anyone else.  But in actuality, I doubt the folks I talked to fall into the “holier than thou” category anyway.  I’m fairly down-to-earth, and it seems I attract the same.  Had a great time “networking” (something I don’t really do) at that BBQ, and really need to look at expanding my exposure to these events if I come back to SXSW15.  WIN.

On the Convention Floor, I’ve been able to spend some time getting to know different vendors and artists.  Posters have always been a pain in the ass to create…and now I have exposure to a number of folks who actually do that for a living.  So, I can lean on THEIR expertise (and they on my money) to put myself into better promo position there.  A few conversations with Luke Van Whye from VanYTours  have opened the door to some cool potential touring opportunities.  Also, my creative mind has been turned on by seeing the way some people are designing new guitars, new studio-busses, etc.  It’s been a great Festival from that standpoint as well.  WIN.

And as for Shows…well, last year’s show at The White Horse was very well attended.  The bar had a natural draw, and we went on at 11:30 at night, so the crowd was already hopping.  At our first show this year, there was a small local draw, and a few folks we’d been able to promote the show to.  The dance floor was far from full, but those who were there were attentive and supportive.  Our Sound Engineer, John, was on top of things and dialed sound in well.  We borrowed a drum kit from a great country band, The Defibulators (@thedefibulators on twitter) who showed up in the nick of time to get it all set and ready.  All told, for a show that was minimally promoted and included 4 players who had only one rehearsal on the night before the show, it was a pretty good little show.  Of course, we’re expecting more tonight…a later time slot, more familiarity with the music and with each other…and people wanting to throw down on the last night of SXSW - could prove to be the recipe for a GREAT show.  WIN.

All in all, my second SXSW has been a huge step up from the first.  I’ve had a great time, made some great connections, and been able to do more of the thing that I love so much - play Country Music for those who want to listen.  Any opportunity I get to do that excites me - and SXSW has definitely given me reasons to smile in that regard.  Oh, and the hotel got our reservation right…which was awesome.


YEAHCOMEON.

Acoustically Challenged...

Last week, I was given the opportunity to return to a stage where I haven’t performed in quite some time.  Not much had changed at the Universal Bar and Grill.  The regulars surrounded the bar, downing beers and joking with one another the way that barstool friends usually do.  The stage was still in the corner, with a TV hanging above the performance space, a small PA and a lighting system that always defies logic.

This little stage is where I had my first solo acoustic show back in 2008, and it’s where I’ve worked out a number of my songs over the years.  So, naturally, I loved the chance to get back in there and play.  

The set started out as many before it have…just chatting with those in the room, drinking a beer, and strumming a chord or two.  The mic failed, so we switched it out.  The guitar cable popped, so we switched it out.  It was like being back home.  

For about 30 minutes, I played and joked and sang with everyone.  Of course, as it always does, the time came for the final song of the set.  So, naturally, I gave everyone the closer I’ve been delivering since that first show, a song I wrote back in 2004.  I brought forth The Lawn Boy.  

This is a song I’ve performed countless times over the years.  I’ve recorded it.  I’ve sat with it for hours while putting together a video.  Oh, not to mention the fact that I wrote it.  Still, somehow, as I performed it last Friday night, I somehow forgot the second verse.  It just fell directly out of my brain.  I attempted to laugh it off and come back around to it…but I couldn’t find it.  I made jokes from the stage, and even asked a friend if he knew what the verse was.  He didn’t.  So, I just kept playing the chords and talking.  And eventually, I gave in..and skipped the verse.  But Naturally, I did it in my own way.  After enough tension had built up, and I had explained how important it was that they heard the WHOLE story, because it’s a story song, and if you missed pieces, you’d miss the point.  Well…after enough of that, I started the third verse with the words, as written in 2004, “By now you’re wondering what happened that day…” 

It was the first time that line had brought forth laughter, and it was awesome.  

It was real, it was in the moment.  It was a screw-up of the highest level, and it was great.  

I remember a few years ago a bunch of folks made a big deal about the fact that Brad Paisley temporarily forgot a lyric in one of his songs.   

Guess I’m no better than Brad Paisley.  I’ll take it.

Yeahcomeon

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

Charlie Daniels, Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton

Today I’m recovering from a whirlwind trip to vegas and back in about 16 hours with 9 hours of driving, and 7 hours of concerts and poker.  I’m tired.  Beyond that, though, I’m very excited.  Last night, I was front-row for CDB and Montgomery Gentry.  What we have here is one of the true legends of Country Music as well as the top Country-Rock duo performing today.

Yes, I know that’ll disappoint many FGL fans out there, but those boys can’t TOUCH Troy and Eddie.

The show was incredible.  On Charlie’s second song, he noticed me singing every word back at him, acknowledged it, and tossed me his fiddle bow.  It now holds a proud place on the wall with my guitars.

About 9 years ago, I went to a show Rascal Flatts was headlining.  I didn’t go to see them.  I went because one of the featured acts that night was a young singer-songwriter on his way to stardom.  That was Blake Shelton.  At the end of his set, Blake walked to the front of the stage, handed me a guitar pick, and said “Hey man, hold onto this for me.”  I still have it.

Now, this blog isn’t just a chronicle of the pieces of memorabilia I’ve collected from my country music brethren.  It’s the sentiment behind both of those things that really matters to me.  Those guys connected with me at their shows.  Though Eddie and Troy didn’t toss anything out to me, they both interacted with myself, my friend Berwin, and many of the other fans around us.  They weren’t simply singing out into the ether.  It wasn’t “Look at me” - it was more “Let me look at YOU.”

Many of today’s artists seem to want everyone to praise them for being on stage.  They deal in adoration.  They appear to want people to care about them before they care about those people who have paid their hard-earned money to be at the show.   I don’t get that.  Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Montgomery Gentry - these are artists whose shows I’ve attended in the past few weeks, and all of those artists put their fans first.  They connect, they take the time and make the effort to do the SMALL things.

Today, Blake Shelton followed me on twitter.  Sure, that doesn’t seem like much to a lot of people…but he’s a guy who does it right…and taking that small step really means a great deal to me.

As I progress in my own career, I hope I will always remember these simple things that my heroes have done, and that I also will do things the right way.

Yeahcomeon.


- Dukes

Garth Live From Vegas - AGAIN

I hadn’t seen Garth brooks in 16 years until July.  Now I’ve seen him twice in six months.  The experience was no less awesome the second time, I’ll tell you that.  And in this one, I got to see even more of his personality.  I’ve been around televised musical performances for years now, and there all generally pretty similar.  The talent arrives on set, goes on stage, does the performance, and that’s it.  They leave.  If they’re doing multiple performances, they generally talk to the stage managers and such on breaks.

Not Garth.

No, Garth Brooks talked with the audience, introduced himself, shook hands, took pictures, even played not-for-air songs just for the crowd who was there to be with him.  The man can’t help it - every show he does has to be its own animal.  It has to be for the fans who are there in the room.  You can watch him twenty times, and get a different show each time.  Oh sure, the same basic script is there…maybe even the same setlist.  But, there’s always something new.  There’s always something different.   Some joke, some spontaneous moment, some song that he hadn’t planned but just HAS to play.

And that’s going to make that experience unique.  It’s going to make it something that you have, and he has, and the two of you share - forever.

Still learning from that guy.

He came down into the audience at one point, to shoot a “podbuster” in the middle of commercials.  As he passed me, he put his hand on my back and said “Thank ya bud.”  He’ll never remember that moment - but it will stay with me til there’s dirt at my door.  Once again, Garth found a way to connect solely with me - and it gave me pause.

I wonder if some kid will be thinking similarly of me in thirty years.  Who knows?  I doubt I’ll be touched with anywhere near the success and fame that Garth has been - but I do hope that I can affect someone out there the same way he has me.  THAT, my friends, is a gift that keeps on giving.

Yeahcomon!

- Dukes

House of Blues - ROCKED

Last night ROCKED!

We played the House of Blues, and I put the new show in full swing.  Storytelling, singing, the whole nine yards.  It was incredible.  There was no fumbling through the setlist, no awkward pauses while we re-tuned, or changed instruments.  No, it was a seamless show from start to finish.  Forty-One minutes and twenty-three seconds of kickass.

And that’s coming from the Fans, not just from yours truly.  Comments I heard last night:

“I Hate Country Music - But I love Your Music.  Damnit man, you made me like Country.”

“I didn’t know country could be so rockin”

“Your stories were awesome - they really got me into the songs!”

“I had no IDEA I could have so much fun with country music - can I buy a CD?”

“You guys KILLED it!”

I was blessed to be on stage with friends who are fantastic musicians, and in front of so many people.  Over 850 fans filled the dance floor, surrounding areas, and the balcony at House of Blues on Sunset in Los Angeles.  Sure, they didn’t know what to expect when the first downbeat hit, and we featured a BANJO…but by the time we were done with Merle’s classic “Mama Tried”, the whole place was on our side.

Thanks so much to all who came out.  This is only the beginning!

YEAHCOMEON!

- Dukes

(nearly all photos © Mike Danenberg - www.mikedanenberg.com)