Originally Posted By: 90 dB
“This thread does make me realize why live cover music is almost dead.
Who wants to hear that?!”


Bob, I'm guessing that you don't go out to bars or clubs much. Your opinion puts you in a very small minority. Unless you're in a large city with an active original music scene, 99% of the music played is covers. Hardly 'dead'.

People want to hear songs they know, and while you may look down your nose at that, it's a fact.


“I don’t begrudge working musicians playing the garbage required to get gigs...


We only cover songs that we like, and enjoy playing. We wouldn't play 'garbage'. Of course, our song list is nowhere near as comprehensive as Notes', who covers every song ever written! grin


As for the old argument of original vs. covers, having done both, I can tell you that it's a lot easier to do original music than doing a cover well. With a cover, you are always compared to the original.


“Who wants to hear that?! I don't unless it's done with a full blown band.”


We would love to put a full-blown band together, but it's just not economically feasible. As a duo, we make much more than any single band member in our area, without all the drama involved. It also helps being married – nobody ever misses rehearsals. laugh


Bob,

I knew it was impossible for me to honestly express an opinion without it coming across as harsh. That's not your fault or mine. I don't proclaim to speak for anyone other than myself.

Believe it or not, there are musicians who are making a decent living playing originals and a handful of covers on the festival circuit. I'm not one of them and I've never tried to be. I have gotten to play with a few of them after the official show was over. I've even been "drafted" to play with a handful of them onstage when the "geetar player" was absent.

They'll never be rich or famous on a national or international level.

Those are the kinds of musicians I want to hear.

But if I go to a club or restaurant, I'd rather they just play "elevator music" at a very low volume than have anyone playing with backing tracks.

But that's just me.

Bob
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http://soundcloud.com/bobcflatpicke/music-in-the-mountains