Why does my band keep failing?

Having trouble getting success with your band? Yeah, I don't doubt it. There is ALOT of competition out there.

A great many of the bands out there playing are not as good as you, but they bring a crowd -so they'll get booked LONG before you and 3 times as often.

Of course sound quality is important, but without a crowd, your sound doesn't matter. Here are a few tips to help you build that crowd.

1. Always make the effort to make your crowd feel special. This means take the time to LISTEN to them when they are talking to you. They believe that you are worth the cover charge and are excited to have your attention. Listen to what they have to say and engage in true conversation with them. It goes a long way.

2. We musicians are a strange lot...we are arrogant and uncompromising, but often we need reassurance that our direction is right. We can get that from an outside source or build it in ourselves but having supreme confidence is like a poker player having an extra card.
Not Confident? GET confident.

3. Whatever you do....COMMIT to it. Don't go in tentative and apologetic. There is nothing worse than some middle-aged guy half-heartedly wandering his way through a Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, or Adele song. You're thinking of singing "Let it Go"? BELT it out. Some people might hate it, but at least they will respect the courage you had to give it your all. When I sing "Baby, One More Time" I give it all I've got. If passion pays the bills....my bills are paid: and everyone in the room knows it.

4. Stop compromising on the members you choose for your band. Wait for someone you gel with. Like a car, a band NEEDS a destination, guidance, and motion. If you ain't steering, why are you surprised when you end up in a ditch? TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR BAND. Lead, guide and direct it. Sometimes that comes from a mutual understanding of 'common sense'. Sometimes someone has to step up and say, "NO. We need to spend more time promoting THIS show than trying to find another one next month.". Drive your snowmobile-It's cold out there.

5.  I'll also add, wait until you're ready before you get out there. You got a gig coming up? Are you at your peak performance wise? No? GET AT YOUR PEAK. You can't afford to put on a shitty show.
Don't know if you're ready? Then you're not. Stop booking gigs and go back to the garage. You're screwing up the music scene with your out of key, off time, amateurish demeanor. GET IT RIGHT. Then get out there and kick butt.

6. BRING a crowd. Nothing attracts a crowd, like a crowd. Promote. Advertise. Be consistent with your logo. Offer incentives to your followers. Know that your niche helps you target your customer. Know your niche. Dress for your niche. Name your band for your niche. Let your niche dictate your bands 'personality'. Your niche should be painfully evident in every ad, post, pic, comment or interview you do. YOUR crowd will be able to find you, and they will be more dedicated to you than the ones just looking for something to do. A RABID following of 20 is 10 times better than a "doesn't care" crowd of 100.

Now ......Quit whining and get to work.

Josh Graff

From a recent press release:

 “Josh Graff is a real bluesman!” -Joseph Palmer, owner of The Hangar Bar and Grill

On Friday, June 1 the walls of The Hummingbird Stage and Tap Room will be reverberating with the sound of traditional blues guitar. Josh Graff has been making a name for himself in the Macon, GA area for nearly fifteen years now, and says, “I finally feel like I’ve found myself.”, and where better than where it all began. The twenty six year old guitarist/singer/songwriter has gone full circle, playing everything from blues, R&B, gospel, country, pop, and rock, to hip-hop all over the country from coffee shops, bars, churches, frat houses, festivals, and music venues, to opening shows for Blues Traveler, Huey Lewis and the News, Kansas, and .38 Special.

Josh Graff spent his early teens playing blues guitar and sitting in with bands like Stillwater and The Wall. By the time he had graduated high school, Graff had released three independent albums of mostly original music, and gained a local following doing solo acoustic shows. Then came the creation of Josh Graff & Co., which played relentlessly all across the southeast, and in 2006, recorded an EP in Atlanta, GA with Grammy Award Winning producer/singer/songwriter/musician Clay Cook (Zac Brown Band, John Mayer, Sugarland, Shawn Mullins, Marshall Tucker Band). After a few years together, Josh Graff & Co. went their separate ways and Graff found himself moving to Atlanta, GA to play guitar in Ben Deignan and Suburban Soul. Two years later you could find Graff on stage every Sunday playing guitar at a local church. Still not feeling as though he was doing what he knew he was here to do, Josh Graff found himself at a crossroads.

In early 2012 Josh Graff decided go back to his roots, and be true to himself, as a blues guitarist, doing something he has always wanted to do, put an all-blues band together. Graff throws a few original tunes into an eclectic mixture of traditional blues covers from Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, JB Lenoir, Otis Rush, Freddie and B.B. King, to name a few. With his ever-evolving and rotating backing band of A list musicians, Graff and his band keep the house rockin’ and the good times rollin’ all night.
The first time I met Josh, he sat in with a friend of ours to play lead. Josh proceeded to rip his guitar apart. He played behind his head, behind his back, he walked out to the crowd and stepped up on the fireplace. He really got the crowd going, and when he walked away, many thought the show was over.
In many ways, it was.
I'm bringing this to light, because it appears that Josh is trying to downplay his amazing stage presence. Does he play the blues? Yes, very well; but he is a professional showman waiting to scorch the venue with searing licks AND attitude.

Uncle Earl and Friends

Uncle Earl and Friends promo video on Facebook!!

Band Name & Members "Uncle Earl & Friends"- Uncle Earl Tribble (Drums & Vocals) Al Scarborough (Bass & Vocals) & Ben Caldwell (Guitar & Vocals).

Contact Earl for booking! prodrummer67@windstream.net

Uncle Earl wanted to put a band together but found all the musicians he wanted to work with were committed to other bands and projects. He worked around the musician's schedules by calling on other friends that played. About 6 months into scheduling gigs, he had his core players in Al Scarborough (Bass & Vocals) & Ben Caldwell (Guitar & Vocals). The result is a 3 piece group that focuses on tight harmonies and grooves. The band, when needed, also adds Sax, Keys, Trumpet, Harmonica and occasionally a female singer. These are Uncle Earls "Friends". We also have a lot of horn players that sit-in on regular gigs. It would not be uncommon to see 3 different sax players at any given show!!

Influences and artists they cover: Wet Willie, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty,Otis Redding, ZZ Topp and 60's Rock & Soul (Temptations, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, etc.)

Any recent gigs that stand out?

We had some crazy moments on stage with the crowd when we were booked on Tybee Island at this year's Pirates Fest. The whole crowd was in Pirate costumes and partied ALL day and night long. If they liked a certain song they would hold up their mugs and yell "AAARRRHH!!". We drove an electric golf cart to the gig but ran short on power. We were pushed by 4 Pirates to the front door of the club. The whole weekend was an insane party from dusk to dawn!

We really enjoy playing all the clubs around the Middle Georgia area but we call The Dawghouse and Shooter's in Gray our home clubs. The owners/managers/staff are so good to us and all of our friends! The Dawghouse is a great biker bar and Shooter's is great for the whole family. We do different shows for different clubs. That's the great advantage of having 3 lead singers in the same band. What do you see as the best part of the Middle Ga. music scene?

"What we love most about the Middle Georgia music scene is the wide variety of music that is played in the clubs around town. We along with other bands will start a set with some Otis Redding move into Charlie Daniels and end with some Pink Floyd. No where else are you going to hear that!!"

Mystery Road

      
If you're looking for a band who can really perform in the spirit and sound of the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughn; you must look no further! These guys rock!!Check 'em out!!!

 




 www.facebook.com/mysteryroad  
www.reverbnation.com/mysteryroad1 

 Email: mysteryroad1@yahoo.com


Mystery Road was forged in early 2010, from the ashes of various Middle Georgia bands.

The band plays evocative cover versions of songs by influential blues, rock, soul, and funk artists, and is currently rehearsing original songs that will become its debut album.
In 2011 the band opened for country music legend Marty Stuart at the 2011 Smoke on the Water BBQ and Bluegrass festival, and female blues legend E.G. Kight at the 2011 Barnesville BBQ and Blues Festival. They were also featured on television on Channel 13 WMAZ “Summer Concert Series,” played the Hummingbird’s “Big Bird Bash,” the 2011 Bragg Jam, and Third Street Park for First Friday Fest, all in downtown Macon.

Mystery Road played a large part in the 2011 GABBA Fest, opening the weekend-long celebration with a show at Cox Capitol Theatre and opening for Cowboy, and hosting the “members jam” at the Big House the following day. A New Year’s Eve show at the historic Grant’s Lounge closed out 2011, about the same time the January issue of Hittin’ the Note magazine hit stands, which features a review of Mystery Road’s five-song demo, recorded in August 2011.
The year of 2012 was a promising one, even through various changes in personnel. Again, Mystery Road played a huge part of the 2012 GABBA fest, opening for the band Kettle Of Fish at the Cox Capitol Theatre and again hosting the "members jam" at the Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Ga. In 1970, the Raceway was the site of the historic 2nd Annual Atlanta Pop Festival, which included acts such as The Allman Brothers Band, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, etc.



Mystery Road is:
Gregg Brooks - vocals
Chance Royal – guitar and slide
Chris Patterson - guitar and slide
Justin Raffield – drums and vocals
Robin Mauldin - bass and vocals
Wayne Pierce – keys

Check out this video by Gregg and Lisa Brooks!


In 2011 and 2012, Guitarist Chance Royal was a District Finalist in the Guitar Center King of the Blues contest, a search for the nation’s best undiscovered guitarist. Chance was one of eight finalists in the GA-SC-NC district, selected from 250 contestants.
Mystery Road creates a genre-bending sound, fusing rock, blues, soul and funk. But their focus is the fun and fellowship enjoyed through powerful, liberating music.
For more information

 email mysteryroad1@yahoo.com
 or call 706-975-3684.

Check the calendar below to find out where to see them next!!!

Fiddlers Blues Band

Fiddlers Blues band out of Columbus brings the 'Kit Shickin'" back to Middle Ga.
Check out their website!

http://fiddlersbluesband.com/

Pull on yer boots and get ready for the kind of hoe down you write home about!

They read the crowd (cause readin' print is fer city folk) and give you what you came for.....A moonshine swillin', dance floor killin', rockin' good time! The keep it focused on real music. From classic and new country to southern rock..... from bluegrass stomps to jazz standards. And, of course, the blues.

Git in, Git down, and be proud of your country roots....Fiddlers Blues Band will make you pine for that old pickup truck, the sweet smell of fresh cut grass, and swimmin' in the crick.

Wayne Minor Band

2 keyboards, guitar and drums. An unusual setup to be sure, but the Wayne Minor Band makes full use of this setup to rock the crowd.

The songwriting will remind you of Leon Russell. The execution is flawless and the arrangement is painstakingly tight and purposeful, but doesn't lose that all to elusive feel.You won't spend a moment at a Wayne Minor Band show, wondering who else is playing around town. These guys know how to craft the soundtrack of your night. Check out this live recording done by Mark Foley:
 Wayne Minor Band Live at Fountainfest

This is one of the rare bands that other bands seek out to learn from.Don't pass up an opportunity to check them out live.

 

http://www.wayneminor.com/

 

LegenDerry Vs. the Big Hairy Monster

The outrageous frontman for Ran$om has teamed up with the oddball geniuses of Big Hairy Monster to provide Middle Ga. with a much needed kick in the nuts.....(or maybe that was just me).

I want to add more to this article, but I simply can't- If the first sentence doesn't excite you then nothing I say could.

Derry has been a staple a round town for a few years now, and has always put on a great show. The band playing behind him as Ransom, have always been great musicians  able to pull out an obscure cover with no preparation at all. Derry has always taken this quality of the band and highlighted it to the thrill of the crowd. His shows are always fun to watch, as there is rarely a repeat from the gig before.

Big Hairy Monster is band of music afficionados who had gotten tired of the same old music being pandered around town.They started writing originals, and playing covers that lesser bands were afraid to touch. This led to Big Hairy Monster being considered by many to be the "cream on top of the cream of the crop".

Combining these two will undoubtedly be the highlight of the year. I can't wait.

LSD Crescent Moon Dogs

I wasn't expecting to go out on Friday, February 2, but fate pulled me to Friends On the Hill where I found Steven strumming his guitar and singing, as he was in a Lenny Kravitz hair fashion. I enjoyed the music as I found out that Steven was warming up the crowd for a bigger show to come, gaining word that Lance Rodriquez and Dustin were there as well.

The crowd anticipated.

To set the mood of what was to come, center stage was a bison skull, atopped with an inscent aglow and setting the scene with a vibrant fragrance. After much anticipation, Steven returned to the stage on guitar, bringing Lance to the drums, and Dustin on bass and lead vocals for most songs. Jokes broke out on stage and were woven between songs. The crowd jammed out to rock, hard rock, and metal songs performed through the night as LSD Crescent Moon Dog performed originals and additional cover songs, which are a rarity from this predominently original band.

This show was a treat for fans as a prequel and fundraiser for the new EP that LSD Crescent Moon Dogs will hopefully be releasing this upcoming March. Keep an eye out for these guys!

Lance Rodriguez

Lance Rodriguez is the hardest working musician in Middle Ga. these days. He plays bass for American Lesion, drums and vocals for Holocaustion, and for Crescent Moon Dogs AND he performs solo acoustic as Tooley Deviljuice.

One glance at him and you know you're looking at the real deal. In 5 minutes of conversation, you find a humble friendly man with the mind of a poet and the heart of a lion.

His music ranges from heavy metal, to soulful acoustic. He delivers it all with the conviction and passion of  a world class performer.

The first time I saw him perform, I was hosting an 'Open Mic Night' at a nice little upscale restaurant in Warner Robins. He signed up to perform a few songs with Tom Harbs; another of the great talents in Middle Ga.

I was immediately nervous.

I didn't know what to expect. I knew that they were both in a heavy metal band called "Holocaustion" which was known for heavy guitar and screaming vocals. Tom shaves his head and Lance hasn't seen a pair of scissors in years. Lance appears to be the offspring of Rob Zombie and Prince. I was so afraid that they were going to rip into some death metal and screaming....I thought I would have to cut their performance short.

Tom grabbed the microphone, and Lance started playing his acoustic....and they BLEW ME AWAY.
Tom's vocals were beautiful, and passionate. Lance's guitar playing was intricate and nice and ....You can't say this about every acoustic player out there;....His playing was musical by it's own merit. They played country/ irish folk songs, and when they finished, I went looking for the original versions of those songs online. Now I know, not to judge a book by it's cover.

Whoever he is performing with, Lance makes the audience take note and his bandmates sound better. He takes the time to promote and push the local music scene like no one else does....

With all this in mind, I consider Lance Rodriguez to be MidGa's Most Valuable Player.

Lance on facebook
Or contact Lance by email~              The138Records@yahoo.com
And Check him out on Reverbnation

Lane Richardson

I met Lane at an open mic recently, and found him to be VERY talented. He is young, in his early twenties, but he has the soul of an old man. His songs paint vivid portraits of heartache and pain, stained with the ironic relationship of love and hate and with a paintbrush dipped in influences of Irish folk, and American country.

He has many originals (which are totally worth the cover charge) but he can also fill the night with covers ranging from Hank Williams and Johnny Cash all the way to Mumford and Son's.

Find out more about him and his schedule on Facebook!

Free Lance Ruckus

Genre: Mixture of many.
Members: Richard Martin, Emmett Hardwick, Chris Covey, Dustin McCook
Hometown: Haddock, GA

Mostly influenced by popular rock-n-roll of the sixties and seventies. Modern influences include Sublime, Phish, Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, 311, Rage against the machine, ...you get the idea.

 Richard Martin (Lead singer) is a great showman, his vocals are in key, on time, and powerful. He can convey the emotion and attitude that the song requires and he does with gusto. He weaves together a tapestry of music that stretches across decades and genres and makes it look easy.

Dustin McCook (Lead Guitar) is widely regarded as a child prodigy. I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked if I have heard about that 'new kid'. Now that I have seen him play, I know what everyone is talking about. He has the SRV tone NAILED. He's got the licks, but seeing him play is an added treat. This kid is BAD. Every moment he has his guitar in his hand, is a photo opportunity. He is definitley someone to keep an eye on as he continues forward.

Chris Covey and Emmett Hardwick hold down the rhythm section like seasoned pros, while Richard and Dustin tear up the stage, give musicians inspiration, and the crowd perspiration. These guys are a REAL band. Without a doubt; one of the best-kept secrets in Middle Ga.

Bit Covey has gotten the best videos of Free Lance Ruckus around.
Start checking out the Bit Covey videos here, but don't stop! scroll through them all....and then go catch 'em live.

Booking Agent/Press Contact
Jeanne Hardwick (478) 414 - 8322
Or contact Richard Martin through facebook

Back City Woods

Southern Americana at it's finest! These good ol' boys bring out the footstomping mountain man in ya.
Their energy is infectious and their style unique- but in the best way possible.

Just try to imagine a bottle of moonshine beside a spitoon; both being shaken off the stage by a crowd of college kids stomping to a set of  "homegrown country/bluegrass" flavored "GIT DOWN" music.

This is what your Grandma got aroused by when SHE was in college on Cumberland Mountain. The formula worked back then...and it STILL gets the ladies sweatin'.


For Booking: contact Adam Smith:  His email is.....    booking@backcitywoods.com

http://backcitywoods.com/

You can hear them here.
or Reverbnation



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The Missin' Links Showband

This band is FUN! Here's a list of the bandmembers...

	Dusty Malone Rocky Malone  Killer Malone Hatchet Malone Caveman Malone Slick Malone Doc Malone Sparky Malone Crystal Malone China Malone Diamond Malone.

Ok, yes. It sounds like a bunch of gangsters and flapper girls got together and formed a band...And the name...The Missin' Links Showband makes me think that they all look like Sasquatch.....Far from it Ladies are gorgeous and the fellas are gentlemen. They've put the time in to get great at puttin' on a show and it is immediately apparent when the walk in the door!

"Georgia's #1 beach music band, The Missin' Links Showband, has been thrilling audiences throughout the southeast since 1965. The group's powerful horn and rhythm sections have been heard at venues like Savannah Ga's Oktoberfest, The Ga Peach Festival, The Ga Peanut Festival, The Cherry Blossom Festival, and many other private venues through out the south."

 "The Missin’ Links Showband is recognized as Georgia’s premiere oldies and beach music group. The group continues to perform at select night clubs, weddings, reunions, and corporate events. The sound that was born in 1965 has not changed, but has grown more powerful over the years. The music of a generation lives on in The Missin’ Links Showband."

Check 'em out here!

Highclass and Homeless

A FIRED UP rap group from Macon/Warner Robins, GA formed by 2 former members of Sinville! these guys are really making a lot of noise and getting attention in Middle Ga.!!! If you can picture Hardcore HipHop meets an Electronics Doctor...."Boxxx" and "Famine" will help you to understand!

Famine-Vocals/Mad Scientist
Boxxx-Vocals/Laboratory Manager

You should check 'em out!!!
www.reverbnation.com/hiho2011

SeVeR

A Heavy Rock trio with heavy breakdowns, powerful choruses and a great stage presence.

Nate Jackson - Guitar/Vox
Cail 'Boxxx' Huggins - Drums
Seth Fort - Bass

Check 'em out here!!

Endo

Endo (AKA Adam Thompson) exploded onto the Middle Ga. music scene with the very popular underground rap group Sinville. These days he is taking his message solo. Endo is the type of rapper you had better take seriously...All musicians have music in their heart, but Endo also has HEART in his MUSIC and MADNESS is his delivery system. Grab a telephone pole or something, cause this dude is going to BLOW YOU AWAY.

Check him out here-

on Facebook  or

http://www.myspace.com/endoofopposite

 www.reverbnation.com/endosinville

The Fresh Heat Band

Rock and Blues Covers! With a setlist that pulls the hits from the past 40 years; The Fresh Heat band will keep the party two-steppin' and electric sliding until well into the morning!

Find out where they are playing next and put on some comfortable shoes....You'll be on your feet all night!



The whole band is well known around MidGa:

"Trippin" TINA WINN -Percussion & vocals
JARVIS "Cowboy" COACH -Lead Guitar & vocals
"Rockin'" ROBERT DEMILLE- Rhythm guitar & vocals
PAUL "Wild Man" WINN-Bass guitar & vocals
RUSSELL GIBSON -Drums & percussion

IF you are searching for Blues, Country music, Entertainers, Hard Rock, Pop music, Rock and Roll, Rockers, or Southern Rock, for a Wedding band, or  Corporate Entertainment in and around Columbus, Warner Robins, or Macon-
Contact Paul for booking : paulgordonwinn@yahoo.com

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Mama T and Mark

Acoustic duo with passion!!!

Tasha Keeble has the heart and soul of a blues singer, with the Vocals and Harmonica to match.

Mark Johnson is a multi-facted musician; playing...Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin, Harmonica and Vocals.

When together, they pull you in with the searing music and passion that makes you want to be on stage , too.

This is the real deal ya'll! Hearing is believing!

 Mama T and mark offer Acoustic guitars, blues, Country music, and Southern Rock, in and around Columbus, Macon, and Warner Robins!

Contact "Mama T" by email here
Contact Mark Through facebook here



Little George and Last Call

Great band! Playing alot of those 70's and 80's favorites that you don't get to hear enough!

You have GOT to check them out!!!
They'll pull out blues, Country music, Southern Rock classics! You'll get to find them Columbus, Macon, and Warner Robins areas!
http://www.myspace.com/lastcall01

sunDollars

Sean Williams, Jacob Bruner, Steven Coley, and Patrick Mcafee.........

Young, but surprisingly experienced, group of gifted musicians. I expect Middle Ga. to be a speck in their rearview mirror very soon. Equal parts musicians and showmen, they win the hearts of the ladies and the respect of the most hardened critics. This is the type of band that Middle Ga. has been missing.

From the Beatles to Modest Mouse they'll blow you away with Alternative Music, Blues, Pop music, Rock and Roll, Southern Rock, original music. Great for Corporate Entertainment, or as a Wedding band!

'Like' them on facebook.

Check out some early video!