Another fine night at the Club House last evening at the Blues Jam - all participants appeared to be in fine form. I spoke to Art, the owner of the Club House about booking NDY. He asked me if we were a blues band and when I replied to the affirmative he laughed - said every time he books a blues band attendance, and of course sales, are not very good.
That got me to thinking (often a dangerous thing at best). Last weekend when we played in Reidsville the place was packed, and with lots of younger folks that were hoopin and a hollerin and dancing and having a grand old time. Then the light bulb went on - these kids liked the blues - they just didn't know that it was the blues they were a hoopin and a hollerin too. Of course the reason this is a random thought and not a brilliant idea is that I haven't figured out what to do with this new found knowledge.
The answer, of course, is in reaching and educating the younger generation so that they not only show up at these shows, but, more importantly, can keep the blues alive once us older guys are not Not Dead Yet. I love it when I see someone like Matt Hill take the stage with the passion he has for the blues, but he is outnumbered by us old folks.
Ideas? Comments?
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3 comments:
Dear Rockin,
The answer is "reach more people". Add more rock songs (Cream, Beatles) and when you inquire at those clubs, bill it as a Rock or Oldies Rock band. More people will hear the band and although you're not playing as many true blues songs, you reach more people. Besides, the band already plays 25% rock.
I agree with BlackJack - it's kinda of a marketing thing really. I've heard people say, "Oh, I like rock from the 60s, but I'm not a big fan of the Blues" - that just leaves me scratch'n my head - what's the difference? I've been listening to a lot of early Clapton and early ZZ Top recently and the line between rock and blues is getting quite fuzzy for me now.
Throw in some ZZ, some early Zeppelin and a couple of Stones' tunes and I think you're golden as Oldies Rock band.
Both good comments - heck, old Cream, Stones, Zep et al is mostly blues anyhow. Just never thought of myself as an oldies band kinda guy!
On my original post I wasn't really thinking of getting NDY out to the people , but more how we get the younger generation to appreciate the fact that they actually the blues to promote the overall health of blues. Of course both of your fine comments would apply to all the blues bands trying to eke our their share.
Don't know if that makes sense or not, but it's early!
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