I wasn't here to witness the trials and tribulations but will say Congrats bunnyman !!!

Tasty players are always hard to come by _ and the groovin'est bass players always seem to be booked in somebody else's band _ so it sounds really great.

If you ever get a booking near the Wisconsin Illinios border I'd love to come down to your gig _ groove on it _ and lend moral support.

Best of Luck to You in your New Venture _ and rockin' your shuffle chops !!

Ohm

Just caught this thread... Congrats Bunny!

Some people blow off Blues drumming as, simple. Nothing could be further from the truth - if you're doing it right. Takes a lot of experience, know-how and discipline to be a good, effective blues drummer. I have a female vocalist in my band too. Playing accompaniment for a female vocalist requires a whole other set of chops and musical sensibility. Great learning experience.

Break a leg, buddy! Have big fun...

John

Thanks!

You never know where the Clay St. R&B band could end up.

Shuffles are hard- deceptively hard for sure!!!

I thought I was going to be playing hard rock through all of this, but blues feels like home to me. After all- I am more comfortable playing Green Onions than playing Tie Your Mother Down...

Speaking of which, remember that audition that I did last week? You know, the one I called a train wreck? I called the king of that band to tell him I was out of the running; after all- he was auditioning other dudes. He said I was the guy. Huh?!?! After all, it was very ambiguous whether or not I actually had the gig or not. I hadn't heard Hyde nor Hair about whether or not I was in, then I got a text about the songs added for the audition list. He was gracious, and I told him I liked his stuff, I just clicked with these other guys better. Oh, well...

Thanks for your support, Mr. Shuffle!!!

Please elaborate. I've been playing with a female vocalist for almost three years and haven't changed anything about my approach, which is to lay off the crashes and fills while she's doing her thing ... admittedly, this is still a work in progress. This is also her first band—she's fantastic—so maybe she doesn't doesn't know what to ask for or feels unqualified to comment, but I haven't heard anything from her or from the two other members.

So I'm interested in your thoughts, if only to make a good thing even better.

BTW, I am also playing with a female bassist for the first time in this band. I doubt that gender enters into it, but her playing is uncanny: There is always a note to match my foot, but she often finds a way to sneak some John Entwistle or Jack Bruce flourish in there.

It's a Blues band, she only does about 1/3 of the set with us, but most of her numbers are smokey ballads that requires a lot of finesse playing from me. Yes, I lay off the cymbals and crashes but it's more than that. Playing slow numbers behind her requires a softer touch from me, less is more type of fills. Keeping those slow ballads solid and in good time is no easy trick. So much room in the music, so many opportunities to f'up. Like I said, it's been educational for me. I have had to develop a new set of ears and a set of chops to accompany her style. I don't know, it's just a much more sedate approach to the music than I usually take. It's all about keeping the focus on her and providing a solid runway for her to take off from. Different than I'm used to is all.

John

Congrats Bunny, let me know when you make it down south 55...

Great to hear, Congrats!

Certainly!!!!

Thanks!!!! I hope to tear it up!!!