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Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2016 2:48 pm
by Ray Bohlken
One of the many neat things about the convention is the open mike in the mornings if they still do that. You can sign up to play a song or two on the same stage that Chet, Paul,and all of those other great players appeared on...that is if you can get up early after picking all night in the bar and the common areas. I played the open mike morning at 3 different conventions and kind of felt honored that I had that chance. The people in the audience are very kind to the ones who play and it was fun to have an actual sound professional provide you with a great system, too.

http://www.misterguitar.us/fans/raycaas.html

There are just so many ways to enjoy those few days and not enough time to do them all.
Ray

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 9:43 am
by DagerRande
Ray, I'll tell you my "fly on the wall" experience with open mic. About 20 years ago I was out in the lobby overhearing a conversation among a few of the "superstars" who I won't name. They were discussing each others' scheduled performances and joking about those early morning open-mic performances to basically empty rooms. The comments I heard were things like "Well, let's not make fun of them. It makes them feel important and they all come here to dream and imagine that they are stars." or how about "At least they have a few fans that they've managed to fool! (followed by laughter).

I'll never forget the attitude that I witnessed that day. It has stuck with me over the years and every time I picture myself playing at an open mic, I picture some of those superstars sitting out in the audience elbowing each other with their hands over their mouths and snickering".

I know it's probably MY problem but I wish I hadn't overheard that.

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 1:42 pm
by Ray Bohlken
Rande, I'm sorry you had to hear something like that. Some folks are just too big for their britches and too impressed with themselves. At one of the open mikes I played at, the late great Pete Huttlinger was attending his first convention and he played a couple of songs at the open mike and I got to know him a little and we chatted for awhile - got a couple of photos, too. At another one, Nokie Edwards performed a song with one of the attendees on the open mike stage and I took a nice photo of them and the player, who's name I cannot remember, had it published in his home town newspaper. At another open mike, Nato Lima and his wife were in the audience and seemed to enjoy their time in there. The audiences are not large - 50 or so, and they are polite and supportive. Some people are just negative and you can't let them get you down - I'll bet most of the players don't feel like that about us novices. If I ever come again, I'm going to try and sign up for the open mike and have some fun.
Ray

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 1:58 pm
by DagerRande
Ray, I'm glad you've had a positive experience. The times that I've looked in that room between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
I haven't seen any of the "biggies" in the audience. It just felt like a group of unknowns trying to impress each other, but then I guess that's what happens in the lobby and the hallways and I am one of the "guilty" ones.......lol. I hope to meet you at CAAS one year!

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:44 pm
by Ray Bohlken
Rande, I won't make it this year, but I'm going to try to come in 2017 as a belated birthday present. Probably won't drive and therefore won't have a guitar with me, but I'd really enjoy meeting you and the others on this board. The last time I was there, I met a guy from this area and we have been friends every since and get together about once a month to shoot the breeze and play some. I hope you have a great time this year if you go.
Ray

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:16 pm
by DagerRande
Ray, I missed the years just before we lost Chet until 2008 and have been there ever since. I'm sure you'll find a guitar to play! I drive now and always bring a couple. I've been playing a lot of Jerry Reed things lately and trying to perfect his "banjo lick" songs such as "Swarmin", etc. and am going to come back home with one of Mel McCulough's "Clawmaster"'s with the low action. Last year I played Audie Wykle's and loved it! I hope to see you in 2017. Is it a special birthday for you?

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:42 pm
by MrAstro
Don't worry about them Rande. These days instrumental guitar music is mostly listened to by other guitarists for the main part. If they really said something like that they need their heads checked - it would be like crapping in your own bed :-)

I love listening to your playing and everyone else's here too. There's not that much daylight between the so called 'anointed ones' and everyone else.

In terms of describing the other players' performances as 'felt like unknowns trying to impress each other' - to me that is almost saying the same thing that the people that offended you said. It's just too unhealthy and negative to allow yourself to think that way. It's not a crime to want to perform with your guitar and it doesn't make you a 'wanna be' either. It's a performing art - not solitaire.

At any rate if you worry about what other people think in life you'll just go around the twist. Just enjoy yourself and enjoy listening and playing the music. Stuff them mate (as we say in Australia)!

Honestly I look forward to all the music you (and everyone else) posts up so pull that video recorder of your out!

Best

Andrew

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:51 pm
by Ray Bohlken
Hopefully, on New Year's Eve of this year, I'll make it to 75 and my New Year's resolution will be to come to the convention if possible. :) I came to several in the 1990's and one in 2005 I think it was and had great time at all of them. Take care, Rande. I look forward to meeting you.
Ray.

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:43 pm
by DagerRande
You're right, Andrew. I guess I was going through a "gloomy spell" when comparing reality to my decades of dreams. How have you heard anything I''ve done? Are you talking about YouTube? If so, those were recorded and posted by people other than myself. I really need to have more control over that and upload things that are more fulfilling to me personally. Yes, it seems that these days those who are most attracted to guitar instrumentalists are other guitarists unless there is an entertainment component, which seems to be necessary for larger audiences.

Re: A great version of the Johnson Rag

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:58 pm
by MrAstro
DagerRande wrote:You're right, Andrew. I guess I was going through a "gloomy spell" when comparing reality to my decades of dreams. How have you heard anything I''ve done? Are you talking about YouTube? If so, those were recorded and posted by people other than myself. I really need to have more control over that and upload things that are more fulfilling to me personally. Yes, it seems that these days those who are most attracted to guitar instrumentalists are other guitarists unless there is an entertainment component, which seems to be necessary for larger audiences.


Rande - have you heard this guy? he's pretty awesome on the guitar don't you think! I sure think so!