I think my first concert was to go hear the National Symphony Orchestra play at Wolf Trap Farm Park back in the early 1970's. It was a school field trip and the orchestra was great.
I love seeing Orchestras! Every time I go to the Opera I find that I am watching the Orchestra just as much as I am watching those performing on stage. Last time I went one of the members was fighting the flu, and the intermission went a little longer then it should have because of it. He came back and finished despite being incredibly ill.
One of the redeeming topics of our talk together was him living in San Francisco. I remember telling him I'd love to check it out one day, and he told me that if I do to ever visit San Francisco to do so in the spring time because its the most beautiful time of year there, and less touristy. 8 years after him telling me this, I'm finally flying down there in 2 weeks with my girlfriend for our 3 year anniversary
So thank you Aesop Rock for making my first concert so memorable, and for being such a nice person to a loving fan. I've since seen a lot better shows performance wise - but nothing will ever touch my heart like that moment.
It all makes sense now, and I understand now why you're so excited for San Fran! I wonder if you'll run in to him while you're there. I wonder if he'd remember you.
My first real concert was The Guess Who around 70 or 71. I was on the road, don't remember the city, great show but LOUD. The second one was when we were booked in Honolulu for almost a year and Santana was playing the Crater in Diamond Head. Also a great show but man, even LOUDER. Both times my ears were almost hurting and nobody had to tell me that was not a good thing. I never went to an actual big rock concert again because of that although we were one of the opening acts for ELP and that was certainly loud too.
Loud seems to be a common comment! I suppose your first concert would seem quite loud, as it's unlikely you've heard anything that loud before to compare it. I remember my first concert feeling super loud too.
There were prior concerts for me, I'm sure, but the first I really remember was going to see Doc Severinsen and then going backstage with my parents. I was about 6 yrs old and lit up like a candle. There's a picture of me on Doc's lap somewhere around here. Haven't seen it in a while though. But I remember it clear as day.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
My parents knew many country music singers and musicians so we went to many country music concerts as I was growing up. Many times the acts would visit our house while in town, my parents played many of the same clubs and concert venues so going to a concert wasn't that unusual.
One I remember included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams Junior and Stringbean.
I remember Jerry Lee Lewis because he was really rough on a piano and piano bench.
Stringbean was also notable because of his stage attire. I've included a photo below. He was a remarkable banjo player and comedian. Unfortunately him and his wife were murdered in 1973 during a break-in and robbery at his home.
I seem to recall that Stringbean didn't trust banks so he kept his sizable earnings from Hee Haw in his home. That made him a great target for home invasion and, ultimately, the murder of he and his wife. Very sad indeed.
I saw Hank Snow; Marty Robins; Charle Pride and many other Country stars while in the Army and stationed in Germany. We certainly had top-rated entertainment.
As much as I like Marty, he took clowning a bit too far. While Hank Snow was performing, Marty stood in front of him making silly childish faces. Hank was a very serious performer and nearly came to blows with Marty.
Well.... the first concert ...I hate to refer to it as such..... it was at the NJ State Fair back in the 60's and we had gone to the fair (1967 or 68 most likely) .....and it just happened that a group was playing and we went in to see the show. The group was... The Cowsills. Indian Lake, The rain in the park and other things, and of course.... HAIR. 100% lip synced because these were kids and it sounded just like the record. They are still touring..... but much better than the early days.
So... fast forward a few years..... Now we're talking about actually buying a ticket to go see a band.
The show was in Philly at the Spectrum. BLACK SABBATH. Now that's a show. Ozzy before all the drugs. And their first album was freshly out..... A band called Wild Turkey was the opening act. They were touting having the bass player from Jethro Tull. They never made it in the biz beyond being the opening act on that tour. I have their album. $3 to see the show.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/17/1804:01 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
The last concert I went to was Weird Al. What a great show that was!
I've seen Weird Al in concert, also. He puts on a fabulous show; of course it helps that I love parody songs. He really nails it both in the studio and live.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
I've never been a fan of concerts though I've been to a few... but I was fortunate to grow up in Fort Worth & so I had the pleasant opportunity to see a lot of great musicians up close at venues like the Cellar & Panther Hall... great memories.
Right now, the only concerts I go to are symphony orchestras.
I'll go to jazz clubs, or to venues my friends are playing at, but huge arenas just don't thrill me anymore. Been there, done that, usually lousy acoustics, and I've played them, they are more fun on stage that off for me.
But a symphony by one of my favorite composers with a real orchestra is an experience that cannot be duplicated in front of a CD player to me.
Plus I like that most of the audience is there to intently listen, not party down or get wild to the point where it interferes with the nuances of the music.
Plus here in Florida, the great traveling symphony orchestras (Czech Philharmonic, Moscow, etc.) usually play on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday leaving halls open on weekends for more profitable pop shows. I gig on the weekends, so even if someone comes to town that I would really like to see, I'm probably on my own gig.
Right now, the only concerts I go to are symphony orchestras.
I'll go to jazz clubs, or to venues my friends are playing at, but huge arenas just don't thrill me anymore. Been there, done that, usually lousy acoustics, and I've played them, they are more fun on stage that off for me.
But a symphony by one of my favorite composers with a real orchestra is an experience that cannot be duplicated in front of a CD player to me.
Plus I like that most of the audience is there to intently listen, not party down or get wild to the point where it interferes with the nuances of the music.
Plus here in Florida, the great traveling symphony orchestras (Czech Philharmonic, Moscow, etc.) usually play on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday leaving halls open on weekends for more profitable pop shows. I gig on the weekends, so even if someone comes to town that I would really like to see, I'm probably on my own gig.
Notes
Notes, the Florida orchestra did an arrangment of Pan in A minot with the Tampa Bay Steel Orchestra years ago. I want to get the video so I can show it to you. Also if you ever come to Saint Pete, check the Palladium. It's is run by Saint Petersburg College but you get really great local artist and sometimes some well known names. Soince you like jazz, listen to Nate Najar. He playes great and has travled all over the world.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
I'm not the typical musician to listen to music or go to concerts but the first concert I went to was a kids band called Trout fishing in America. I had a ton of their songs on CD back in the 90s and I liked them, granted I was a lot younger. The first real concert I attended was a Weird Al concert. It was fun and there was clear evidence of really nerdy people. Now a days, I mostly gig, listen to local bands and volunteer for a local venue.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
There were prior concerts for me, I'm sure, but the first I really remember was going to see Doc Severinsen and then going backstage with my parents. I was about 6 yrs old and lit up like a candle. There's a picture of me on Doc's lap somewhere around here. Haven't seen it in a while though. But I remember it clear as day.
That sounds like quite the story! I am sure you had fun!
My parents knew many country music singers and musicians so we went to many country music concerts as I was growing up. Many times the acts would visit our house while in town, my parents played many of the same clubs and concert venues so going to a concert wasn't that unusual.
They came to your house? That's insane! I'm a little jealous.
The last concert I went to was Weird Al. What a great show that was! They sounded like exactly like they did on their records.
Weird Al is such a character! He was in a show a couple years back called Galavant as a special guest. It's a netflix show that kind of makes fun of the fantasy genre in the format of a musical. It's really entertaining! But I bet seeing him live would have been super fascinating.
I've never been a fan of concerts though I've been to a few... but I was fortunate to grow up in Fort Worth & so I had the pleasant opportunity to see a lot of great musicians up close at venues like the Cellar & Panther Hall... great memories.
Are you not a big of concerts because they are too noisy, or do you just prefer more intimate venues? I'm a fan of the latter personally.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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