|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
RE: Fun . . . the last line of my closing thank you remarks after every show is, "if you guys had half as much fun as I did we are OK".
Later,
I love that quote, Danny... mind If I use it too?
it shows an identification with and affection for your audience... I bet you have a lot of people who faithfully attend your performances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
DOING THE MATH ----------------- OK, assuming it's true that the impending tsunami of retiring boomers will create new musical opportunities, the next question is "How do I know which songs to prepare?" I've noticed that most peoples' musical taste is formed in high school, and they tend to retain a special affection for songs that were popular the year they graduated. Except for special cases like government workers who often get early retirement packages, the vast majority of Boomers will retire between ages 62 and 65 That means the group retiring this year probably graduated from high school between 1964 and 1967 Searching the web for the top 100 pop songs for those years, we find: http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1964.htmhttp://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1965.htmhttp://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1966.htmhttp://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1967.htmIf you pick your first batch of songs from these 4 lists, you'll probably be in the ballpark and able to offer songs that the current group of retirees wants to hear. Then each year, get the next list and learn another batch of songs from it. That way, you'll always stay current with the fresh crop of retired boomers. (A lot of these songs may already be on your song list since if you're reading this you're probably at or approaching retirement age too)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505 |
While the majority of people enjoy the music of their high school years for the rest of their lives, many of them, especially with older siblings got into music earlier than that. I know I enjoy the music that my big sister listened to. Also, many of the keep listening to Top40 music through college years and beyond. I suspect most people keep up with pop music at least until their first child gets to the toddler stage.
Was that the case with you?
So when I play for baby-boomers, while the majority of music is from their era, I sprinkle in more modern tunes that I feel will appeal to them.
You try things, if it works you give them more, if not, you go immediately go back to something tried and true.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Notes,
thanks again for sharing your acquired wisdom. I completely agree with all of the points you make. But its worth noting that you speak from the position of a guy who has been doing this for a lifetuime, and you have thousands of song to draw from.
My point in this thread wasn't so much to talk about my own goal, but to plant a seed in the minds of many BIAB users who are enjoying their music, but aren't performing because they believe the music scene has passed them by.
Many of them are like me, ready and willing, but lacking a set of songs. Speaking for myself, I suffer from "option paralysis" ... too many possibilities usually means I can't move in any direction. If I make the task too complicated, I won't succeed in breaking it down to small achievable steps.
So the focus in this thread has been to simply lay an uncluttered track to run on for anyone who looks at the evidence and thinks its worth a try.
Another tie in to many of your previous points about playing what the audience wants to hear rather than what *the musician* wants to play... I graduated in 1971, which puts my favored songs out of synch with what the current batch of retirees probably wants to hear. (In 1971 Led Zeppelin was the hot band, and we already know your thoughts on that... )
If not for a reasonably structured approach to zeroing in on my core audience's preferences, I would almost certainly learn a bunch of songs that could alienate the very group I want to win.
I agree that it would be better to bring EVERYTHING to the table and only serve up what the audience wants. But for those of us without that broad preparation, we have to start SOMEWHERE. The goal of accumulating the number and variety of songs you have at your disposal is too large a task for me and probably for many others.
Which partly explains why you stand head and shoulders over your competition. Bands come and go, and they usually learn enough songs to fill a niche. Your staying power has given you a head start that is virtually unassailable by most of the people who want to steal your gigs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
If you are lacking in repertoire, HIT THE WOODSHED.
One song per day, spend the entire day on that tune and make it permanently yours.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Quote:
I graduated in 1971, which puts my favored songs out of synch with what the current batch of retirees probably wants to hear. (In 1971 Led Zeppelin was the hot band, and we already know your thoughts on that.
Don't be that quick to assume. I graduated in 1969 and I STILL hate Led Zeppelin. Plant can't sing, Page is WAY overrated, and Bonham was just loud and busy trying to become Keith Moon. Jones was the real musician in that band.
I suggest you spend a few nights bar hopping (drinking optional - for me it is cranberry and soda) and see what the local bands are playing. If they are getting work, by extension, they are pleasing the crowds. Not to say copy what they do, but Joe's Happy Place like Beatles music, take your British Invasion show there. If Jake's House of Jello Shots likes the Zep, take the harder set there. You may end up doing a medley of hits by The Starland Vocal Band (that would be a short show) but it comes down to how much you really want the gig. My pal is a HARD NOSED rocker and he plays country clubs with prerecorded backup and he plays 2 mellow sets, and the third is not that much more raucous with his hardest stuff Earth Wind & Fire. And always closes with Maggie Mae.
Hard for us to know your area. You are probably in a location where you have your choice of genre,. Up where I live a good country band works 3 times per month. Bad blues bands work 8 times per month. Here we have too many "jam nights" were musicians give clubs free music. I have never been to a jam night and will never go. I get paid when I play.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
quoted from a boomer web site: Quote:
Stated very simply, the demographers, sociologists and the media define baby boomers as those born between (and including) 1946 and 1964. (There is no law or constitutional amendment so stating; and other boundaries have been suggested. But this is the time frame most commonly used.) In 2011, that would make us between 46 and 64 years old. There are about 75 million boomers in the U.S.; we currently represent about 29% of the U.S. population.
several points worth making...
1) musically speaking, that's a pretty long and diverse time... 18 years
2) the wave of retirements is near the beginning. Some have retired already, most are still working... but the wave is coming
3) Most of us on this forum are boomers, but I have noticed a wide disparity in musical taste here (many similarities too)
4) I'm trying to avoid making statements that are too specific and limiting, except to say that the wave is coming, and I expect this group to start seeking entertainment in numbers we haven't seen in about 40 years
he who has ears to hear, let him hear. Get ready, or don't. Your call.
I've already made my decision. If your view is different, then do that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505 |
What is commercial to your area depends on the people in your area and the particular gig. When we play for the retirees at our normal Tuesday crowd, Led Z, The Romantics, Steppenwolf, Garth Brooks, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Harry Belefonte, Bobby Darin, Robert Johnson, Michael Buble, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Seger, The Drifters, Jethro Tull, Etta James, etc. all work. But it's a listening gig, not a dancing gig nor a dinner gig. In the Yacht Club we get about an hour of playing high energy music and two hours of low-level to moderate music. Zep, Steppenwolf, Romantics etc., won't work there. But there are things that always seem to work everywhere, old middle-of-the-road Top40. Personally, I love Led Z, Vanilla Fudge, King Crimson, and other "acid rock" groups, but I don't play any. We used to do "Stairway" but people got tired of it. I'd love to do "Dazed And Confused" but most of the audience wouldn't want to hear it. Yes the musical menu is extremely large. Between 1955 and the present, there must be at least 10,000 Top40 songs. You can't learn them all. Start with the most popular and the most MOR. You can't go too wrong with songs that made it to number 1 on Billboard. Then while you are gigging, pay attention to the requests. If you stay on stage long enough, the audience will tell you what they want to hear. Need help with Top40 songs, this is a great reference book, I use it myself. Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
Need help with Top40 songs, this is a great reference book, I use it myself.
Notes
Interesting you should mention this book... a friend at work just gave me a copy of it last week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
Start with the most popular and the most MOR. You can't go too wrong with songs that made it to number 1 on Billboard.
which is pretty much why I posted the links to the top 100 songs for the 4 year period that probably influenced the musical taste of the group that's retiring this year.
(To see other years top 100 list, all you have to do is edit the year in the link.)
I saved the lists from 1963 to present so I can put the songs I learn in folders by year (in addition to other ways of storing them) That way, if I play for a class reunion, I can go straight to the folder of songs that were popular during the high school years, and not have to search.
I also created a spreadsheet of the songs, tabbed by year and sortable by ranking, song name, artist and some other factors important to me (acoustic vs electric, danceable vs easy listening etc). I will post this spreadsheet to the Yahoo BIAB forum file archive when its finished, in case anybody else may find it useful.
Last edited by Pat Marr; 09/07/11 03:50 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,303
Posts802,976
Members40,087
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean