Your first gig!

[thevisitor]

It was the mid '60s at a tiny coffee house in Chicago's Old Town, I don't remember the name anymore, though it may have been The Loft. The place was run by Ira Rogers, of the folk music/poetry/review team Inman and Ira. It was the only place my friend Jim and I could get into legally since they didn't serve alcohol. Jim and I did all the usual stuff for the time -- Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, Gordon Lightfoot, etc. Those were the days when you'd just grab yoru guitars and start playing on the street. One time during a break we were playing in the stairway (too cold to be outside) and they asked us if we'd like to sit in the following week as an opening act. No pay, but no cover and free spiced cider. The name that I do remember is they guy we opened for -- John Düsseldorf. Later on he replaced Chad Mitchell in the Mitchell Trio, and then had a nice career on his own as John Denver. We were a couple of high school kids and tried to play it cool, but I think we were probably scared sh---less! Couldn't have been too bad though, they asked us back. Not sure if it was because we were any good, or because we'd work for free.

WOW! You opened for John Denver?! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Didn't know it at the time.....

That's incredible! That's an honor I'd love to have. :mrgreen: You're lucky!

 

[Guildmark]

I need to find a gig. I miss the feeling of being up there doing my thing. Maybe the '09 LTG meeting? :mrgreen:

No. Wrong.
If you "need to find a gig", do not wait that long. When you and the wife are ready to resume going out together, leaving the new manchild with his grandma for an evening, find an open mic near you and start playing in front of people ASAP.

Start looking here: http://www.openmics.org for some sites near you.

And be sure to bring some popcorn or something back to the babysitter.

 

[thevisitor]

I need to find a gig. I miss the feeling of being up there doing my thing. Maybe the '09 LTG meeting? :mrgreen:

Prolly have a couple gigs near Buffalo, NY later this year, & I can always use another aspiring guitarist.........vocals a plus! We primarily use acoustic gits and small 15-20 watt amps, plus I now have a Fender PD150 PA system for vocals.
We cannot accept pay (due to pension restrictions), but We generally drink (free) imported beer, and lot's of (free) grill offerings. Anyhoo, We're well fed, and appreciated; so "two out of three ain't bad!" :lol: :lol: :lol:

Usually two out of three is a blessing! :lol: :lol:

 

[thevisitor]

I need to find a gig. I miss the feeling of being up there doing my thing. Maybe the '09 LTG meeting? :mrgreen:

No. Wrong.
If you "need to find a gig", do not wait that long. When you and the wife are ready to resume going out together, leaving the new manchild with his grandma for an evening, find an open mic near you and start playing in front of people ASAP.

Start looking here: http://www.openmics.org for some sites near you.

And be sure to bring some popcorn or something back to the babysitter.

That's a very good idea! The only hard part would be to concentrate and not worry about him, but I'm sure I could manage.

 

[Default]

I need to find a gig. I miss the feeling of being up there doing my thing. Maybe the '09 LTG meeting? :mrgreen:

Prolly have a couple gigs near Buffalo, NY later this year, & I can always use another aspiring guitarist.........vocals a plus! We primarily use acoustic gits and small 15-20 watt amps, plus I now have a Fender PD150 PA system for vocals.
We cannot accept pay (due to pension restrictions), but We generally drink (free) imported beer, and lot's of (free) grill offerings. Anyhoo, We're well fed, and appreciated; so "two out of three ain't bad!" :lol: :lol: :lol:

Clean restrooms too? :lol:

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

I need to find a gig. I miss the feeling of being up there doing my thing. Maybe the '09 LTG meeting? :mrgreen:

Prolly have a couple gigs near Buffalo, NY later this year, & I can always use another aspiring guitarist.........vocals a plus! We primarily use acoustic gits and small 15-20 watt amps, plus I now have a Fender PD150 PA system for vocals.
We cannot accept pay (due to pension restrictions), but We generally drink (free) imported beer, and lot's of (free) grill offerings. Anyhoo, We're well fed, and appreciated; so "two out of three ain't bad!" :lol: :lol: :lol:

Clean restrooms too? :lol:

One of the gigs is at a Yacht Club, so choose a nearby boat's potty, and remember: "In these Isles of Sun and Fun, You never Flush for Number #1" :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[West R Lee]

It was the mid '60s at a tiny coffee house in Chicago's Old Town, I don't remember the name anymore, though it may have been The Loft. The place was run by Ira Rogers, of the folk music/poetry/review team Inman and Ira. It was the only place my friend Jim and I could get into legally since they didn't serve alcohol. Jim and I did all the usual stuff for the time -- Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, Gordon Lightfoot, etc. Those were the days when you'd just grab yoru guitars and start playing on the street. One time during a break we were playing in the stairway (too cold to be outside) and they asked us if we'd like to sit in the following week as an opening act. No pay, but no cover and free spiced cider. The name that I do remember is they guy we opened for -- John Düsseldorf. Later on he replaced Chad Mitchell in the Mitchell Trio, and then had a nice career on his own as John Denver. We were a couple of high school kids and tried to play it cool, but I think we were probably scared sh---less! Couldn't have been too bad though, they asked us back. Not sure if it was because we were any good, or because we'd work for free.

WOW! You opened for John Denver?! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Didn't know it at the time.....

Personally David, I think you were Jim Croce in your past lfe, you still bear a remarkable resemblence.

West

 

[thevisitor]

[/quote]

WOW! You opened for John Denver?! :shock: :shock: :shock:[/quote]

Didn't know it at the time.....[/quote]

Personally David, I think you were Jim Croce in your past lfe, you still bear a remarkable resemblence.

West[/quote]

Ole Jim. Can't beat him.

I know it's kinda late,
Didn't mean to wake you,
But what I have to say can't wait,
I know you'll understand...

I might have got a word or two wrong, it's been forever...