I'm in the starting phase of planning this year's event. Last year we had a couple of folks who were relatively local....except Eddie.... he wasn't local. This year, maybe, we can expand that out a bit. You can drive in, fly in, or ride your mule in to the event. Plan to stay overnight.... or not....and have a fun time. Meet the folks we only see online.... put a face with the name and get to know one another and have a time of music, food, and fellowship.
EVERYONE from the PG forum and from PG music staff as well, who see this post is officially invited. The projected dates are.... April 29 & 30, 2023 with the gate open the day before with the main festivities occurring on Saturday the 29th and maybe a couple of hours on Sunday morning ..... Generally that time of year, the weather is getting nice, and the mosquitoes are not yet out.... Ask last years attendees.... no bugs.
We have a number of decent hotels just 10 minutes away, lots of restaurants but we're planning on firing up a grill or two on Saturday night. We have close to 30 acres of woods so if you want to camp out, that's also an option. No admission as of now, but might take up a collection or something to offset the cost of food. Bring your own cooler with your favorite beverages.....
Also, since this is about music.... probably going to see about setting up a small PA or maybe just acoustic thing on the back deck to let folks play some music depending on the numbers in attendance. Maybe even a jam session with acoustic instruments and of course the fireplace near the woods.
So.... this is to see who would be interested in coming to the event this year. If you are, let me know in this thread.
Thanks
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/05/2208:50 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.
Last year was the smaller Herbfest. This year we go for Herbstock! Early discussions have centered on the last weekend in April. The weather should be really pleasant.
I plan to bring a couple of laptops with interfaces so I can run BIAB on one and RB on the other. I'll bring mixers too. I also have access to powered PA speakers if nobody down that way has any to bring, eliminating the need for me to carry them down there. I plan on bringing keyboards as well, if for no other reason than to actually use them! Just bring your files on a thumb drive and voila!
I'd love to see more people this year. As we are all getting closer to the finish line, we should do this stuff while we can. I mean, geeze, I already walk around with a Life Alert type system pendant hanging from my neck. We could have a nice program of everybody getting up and doing a few of their songs and then live jamming when we feel like it.
And if Harv comes, we have someone to blame for anything that goes wrong, because as we all know, it's all his fault.
EDIT TO ADD: Video footage is highly recommend. If you want to shoot video on a cam or a phone I will have a place set up, either email or dropbox, to dump it into so I can do a video of the event.
I'd like to attend, and would be sure to create as little load on anyone as I can. Like I told Eddie in PMs; I have other reasons to go down there, so may have other obligations as well, but last year looked kind of fun.
Herb has a nice place and I'd like to visit without being a burden. Seems like the perfect excuse.
Currently fighting off some kind of illness (though testing negative so far) so trying to plan on it ..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
If my household stays healthy through then, I definitely plan on going. Like Eddie, I could bring a drone and get some footage of the ranch. I might be able to bring an Aussie with me too. Otherwise, I make a good door stop.
This show's getting better by the minute. Bravo, outstanding professionalism
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Due to the advance planning needed, and the possibility of folks flying in or just putting this into schedules that are not easy to change at the last minute..... this would have to be (out of necessity) a rain or shine event.
We keep our fingers crossed on the shine part of that equation. I'm going to be here regardless.
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.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
count me in... I won't bring my daughter this time, which means there won't be anyone pestering to leave like last time!
I'll probably camp, since that's an option.
I can send a check for whatever amount you need to help cover food costs, or just give you cash when I arrive... let me know which you prefer. Let me know an amount once you've decided on the menu. Others will be paying a lot more to get there than I will, so I don't mind bearing a higher share of the food costs.
And since I'm somewhat local, I can bring a small PA system if you don't have one.
In addition to having a jam session, I can also imagine an open mic scenario in which people take turns playing a few songs they've prepared.
To anyone looking for an address: last time Herb sent private messages to everyone involved with an address and instructions
Pat, I also plan on bringing 2 laptops and interfaces, one to run BIAB and the other to run RB, and a mixer to run them through. If you have a small PA that would be the icing on the cake, the cherry on the banana split, the foam on the beer. Choose your metaphor.
FWIW.... my metaphor would be "the cinnamon on my coffee" <--(potential song title)
the prospective list of attendees is looking pretty compelling! And beyond the list of people whose posts appear in the thread so far, it's worth noting that quite a few BIAB forum members live within a 3 hour drive from Herb's. So there's potential here if we get the word out
I am totally hoping some of the cooler names become faces this year! You, Steve, Matt... that's a good start! Good musicians, good people. Heard from a few that wrote it in pencil that I hope becomes ink! With some level of backline provided, including laptops running both softwares, we just need people to bring thumb drives with files and we can have diverse music all day and into the night!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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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!
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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.
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.
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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)
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.
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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)!
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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.
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