[Dixielandjazz] PRO - drums

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

Marek -- > Ages ago, when synthesizers first appeared, I asked a drummer 
what he
> would do when drums, too, become synthesized.  His answer was: "That
> will never happen.  Drumming is not just about rhythm, it's a show."
> Cheers

People like to watch people play and too many times that's the only person 
that is moving or doing much in most bands.

The bigger question is, are drummers (and piano players and bass players) 
necessary?  Personally I like a drummer that knows what he is doing 
but.........  The large majority of drummers today haven't a clue as to 
different styles or in a lot of cases, different basic beats.  I like to 
hear guys change off or work with me on a solo but as was said in another 
thread they just don't listen.  The few that can play are comfortable as 
bugs with other bands, don't want to do anything different and are generally 
as independent as a hog on ice.

Any businessman needs a consistent and reliable supply of what he is 
selling.  Musicians are like trying to herd cats.  Over my lifetime I have 
lost thousands and thousands of dollars because I won't just hire anyone to 
fill a chair or substitute an accordion for a piano.  Many leaders and 
bookers will but I just avoid that like the plague.  This attitude came from 
hiring guys out of the union hall who many times just couldn't cut it.

Drummers were a necessary person in all bands and certain attitudes 
developed that weren't always good.  The same went for other members of the 
rhythm section.  You need me and I may or may not work for you!  That also 
includes I may or may not finish the job or even show up.   I had a drummer 
call me at 5 o'clock one NYEve and want more money.  He announced to me that 
he was the nephew of the union secretary and I asked him which of his 
fingers he would like to have broken.  He showed up and did OK but that's 
BS.  One piano player who announced that he wanted $200 for a gig has never 
worked for me since.  At that time $50 was the average for a gig.  Another 
walked out in the middle of a job because he didn't feel well.  We both got 
flu shots that day and I wasn't feeling well either.

Today more than 90% of my gigs are played using a computer.  The other 10% 
is divided between other bands and larger full band gigs that I book.

The advantages are obvious, I don't need anyone, it's consistent and I don't 
have to pay it. I can also control volume which isn't always true of live 
musicians.  Another thing that I don't have to do is send endless e-mails 
with maps and directions along with all the telephone calls to book guys and 
keep them on track and hope someone doesn't have a senior moment.  I don't 
have to scramble to fill a hole at the last minute because someone died or 
they are sick.   I also don't have to explain the road map either between 
each tune.  My backup is an ipod.

The computer enables me to compete very vigorously with all other bands and 
make inroads on the guys doing singles.  This also allows me to book other 
things that I wouldn't have gotten in the past.  My act is somewhere between 
a DJ and a live band.  The down side is that it's not as good as a cool 
rhythm section and I have to physically carry more equipment to do the job. 
It's a lot easier to just walk in with a horn and play.  I also have to be 
consistent too,  no more forgetting which chorus I was in or being sloppy 
with rhythm.  The guys that play with me have to be listeners too because a 
computer is very unforgiving.

Word to the wise - computers are getting better every day.  I have an old 
laptop that I still have some old software that I was using 10 years ago. 
The difference is amazing and the technology is improving every day.

Would I prefer a rhythm section?  The answer is still yes but if I had to 
depend on booking rhythm guys and hoping against hope that they might 
actually rehearse occasionally changes things around a lot.

The only thing that makes me successful at this is that the people out there 
are more interested in the bottom line and so am I.  I want to make as much 
as possible for my time.  I consistently book at three to eight times more 
money than I can make with a band in the same venues and do it a whole lot 
more often.

As I said before, this was my plan "B" of a few years ago.  I booked another 
Mardi Gras gig for the Saturday before Fat Tuesday this morning.  The lady 
was really excited to know that I would come out as a single during the week 
for her other events. This is BTW at about $40 more  than singles usually 
pay.  I told two of my friends about her a few months ago that she was 
looking for weekend players.  My friends didn't get hired.  One has been a 
100% pro musician for 50 years, knows every tune in the book, is a good 
performer and needs the work. I think a lot of the Senior venues are just 
getting tired of some guy playing the piano but at the same time can't 
afford a big group.  That's where I fit in.

Let me tell a story from an unrelated business.  Some years ago I shopped at 
a large hardware store that was big and had tons of stuff.  No matter what 
job I had to do they always seemed to be out of something I needed.  There 
was a little store called Handyman Hardware who was a lot smaller and always 
seemed to have what I needed.  They never had lots of anything but the 
shelves were always stocked.  The secret was one had computerized inventory 
control and when they sold several items replacements were on a truck 
immediately.  They didn't have to carry a large inventory that tied up 
hundreds of thousands of dollars in things that didn't sell.  Now was a pipe 
fitting or piece of wood more superior from one or the other?  No.  Guess 
which one is no longer in business?  Today every retail business has 
computerized inventory control.

I think that story is very appropriate to the music business today.  Just 
like there are people who like to go to some quaint hardware store where the 
old guy roots through bins to find that widget there are many more who want 
something different, that's more consistent and always has what you want.

I have spawned at least one clone here.  One of the best Dixie trombone 
players who also happens to be a good singer is now doing singles with a 
midi keyboard and backgrounds he has played in.  He books himself as a 
single for $300.  Is it too late to change?  My trombone playing friend is 
in his late 70's.  My singer is now working as a Duo.  People around me who 
watch what I am doing change their act if they can.  Am I worried about the 
competition?  No because I am building up a following and have a class act 
at the right price.  They will squeeze out the non innovative musicians who 
think that just being there and playing music is all they have to do.

I suppose I have an attitude too.  A few years ago the DJ's kicked the snot 
out of the band business and me personally.  I'm just kicking back.  I have 
been in the business for a long time and most of that time have been on the 
wrong side of the curve and at the mercy of whoever needed a sax player or 
not.  I don't ever plan on being there again.
Larry
St. Louis