There was a time when I thought shows like x factor and American idol and all the other next big star shows were nothing but a live karaoke show. In some ways they still are. But I have to say this people like Simon Cowell are at least trying to find talent. (and making a ton of money at it to boot ) unlike the big record labels that sit around waiting for the acts to come to them. Just mainly to tell no or yes but that artist has to work his or hers ass off to keep themselves on the label with usually no help from the labels. not that hard work should not be expected but help is also. The big labels are helping out the artist that usually don't need help anymore. There was a time when record labels went door to door looking for talent. And they nurtured them along.
I think it is funny that big labels have missed out on artist like Josh Krajcik and Melanie Amaro. They were there all along right under their noses and they were to lazy to go look.
The thing is there is more of them out there. I think the record labels lack imagation when looking and listening to unknown artist. They can't see what that artist has or can become. They only see what is there.
They are afraid to take a chance anymore. To build a career. The want the ones who take little work usually one hit wonders get them in get them out. Make their money and wham bam thank you maam see ya later. In the 50's 60's and 70's they were out looking and building a mountain of talented artist who had talent.
I'm sure most of them now sit in their offices skimming through the Internet watching YouTube clips. Most never really get out and look.
So hats off to x factor and all the others at least they are trying to find talent.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Tip of the hat goes to…
Through all the bitching and whining that comes with biz we call music. There are those who stand tall through it all. I would like to tip my hat to guy that is trying his very best to keep live music alive and well in the greater Vancouver area. Though he runs a small pub 80 to 100 seats he has entertainment going at least 3 to 4 nights out of the week. With acoustic nights on Tuesday and bands Friday Saturday and special events and jams and more. He is a strong believer in supporting the bands of all genres of music. He himself has been in music biz for years.
Don Taylor at Mavericks tap house and grill in Surrey BC gets the tip of the hat.
Way to go Don thanks, everyone I talk with has nothing but great things to say about you. You have earn the respect of a lot great musicians.
Also great staff and amazing food too.
Don Taylor at Mavericks tap house and grill in Surrey BC gets the tip of the hat.
Way to go Don thanks, everyone I talk with has nothing but great things to say about you. You have earn the respect of a lot great musicians.
Also great staff and amazing food too.
Stop complaining and make a stand!
It's time for musicians to take a stand. I hear so many musicians complaining about pay. About making 50 75 or 100 bucks a night. If your playing a night club and not making a minimum 175 a night.( Should be 200 at least) a night for a least three nights then don't take the gig. That's per member by the way. For two nights it should 250 per night. Pubs and other smaller venues can be a little less. Bands that are playing for 100 buck per man per night are just screwing it up for everyone else. If you are working for 50 to 100 bucks a night per man and are serious about your music and that is what you think you are worth than you must suck. Sorry to say it but it's the truth. Stand up to these clubs that are raping you. If you are a new band and just trying to break into the scene I can understand having to come in at a lower rate but don't remain there. Once you have proven yourself it's time to bump it up.
The days of the full time musician are going ways of the dinosaur. It does not mean that your pay has to as well. The quality of good bands are going to drop because the great musicians will not work for peanuts. The clubs by not paying what the bands are worth are just shooting themselves in the foot and are not worth playing. People will come for a little while but then if there is no great bands to listen to the people will stop coming.
There is the odd club that pays fair and I applaud them and they are strong clubs because they treat there bands well. It makes the bands want to play. Yes the economy and drinking laws have hurt some clubs and have had to do some cut backs but are still trying to support bands. Others clubs that are still doing well have taken advantage of the situation and are using it to push all musicians under their thumbs. This is where the musicians have to say no.
As impossible has it sounds musicians have to band together ( no pun intended) Start conducting yourselves as business people. I think one of the problems is most musicians think they are not worth the respect they should get. Respect is earned when you lower yourself you lower how everyone sees you. STAND UP START WITH SELF RESPECT FIRST.
You are what you're worth and that also goes morally too.
You have to reinvent yourself do what it takes to survive but don't give in. Stand up believe in yourself.
The days of the full time musician are going ways of the dinosaur. It does not mean that your pay has to as well. The quality of good bands are going to drop because the great musicians will not work for peanuts. The clubs by not paying what the bands are worth are just shooting themselves in the foot and are not worth playing. People will come for a little while but then if there is no great bands to listen to the people will stop coming.
There is the odd club that pays fair and I applaud them and they are strong clubs because they treat there bands well. It makes the bands want to play. Yes the economy and drinking laws have hurt some clubs and have had to do some cut backs but are still trying to support bands. Others clubs that are still doing well have taken advantage of the situation and are using it to push all musicians under their thumbs. This is where the musicians have to say no.
As impossible has it sounds musicians have to band together ( no pun intended) Start conducting yourselves as business people. I think one of the problems is most musicians think they are not worth the respect they should get. Respect is earned when you lower yourself you lower how everyone sees you. STAND UP START WITH SELF RESPECT FIRST.
You are what you're worth and that also goes morally too.
You have to reinvent yourself do what it takes to survive but don't give in. Stand up believe in yourself.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Ritchie Bros. Auctions Show
Performing at the Westin Bayshore hotel in Vancouver British Columbia for Ritchie Brothers auction Christmas party. Playing on drums Gary Grace who has performed with many artists including prism and has studied under some of the world's top drummer. On guitar is Tony Del he has been guitarist of the year at the BCCMA awards two times in a row. On bass guitar Jay Wittur who have the form with Doug and the slugs.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Its a wonderful life!
A story to share
If it hadn't been for My sister Teresa McCoy Scambler getting me my first KISS record or my best friend growing up getting a drumset or sitting around listening to my Dad play guitar. This Song would have never been born and a little boy would have might never grown up to be a firefighter.
Many things led me to my career in Music I remember having saved up my allowance and givin...g it to my sister who was going to Sears. I gave her my money and asked her to get a rock and roll record. She came back that night with KISS Originals which I still have. I was hooked The music exploded out of my little realistic record player into my head. Shortly after my best friend growing up who lived 2 doors down Rob Lidstone got a drumset from his Mom Pat Lidstone. My career in music was now sealed because now I had to get a guitar which my Mom Carol McCoy and Dad bought me. A 35 dollar guitar from Woolco call a Kay guitar. Growing up from as long as I remember I would listen to my Dad play guitar and thought it was so cool and after I got my guitar I started lessons and my Guitar teacher Bev Young kept me interested in learning.
Where am I going with this may you ask?
That all these people and many more helped a song be born from me that helped a little boy decide that when he grows up to be a fire fighter. I found out a little while back that fellow came to watch me play at Pancho and Lefty's in Surrey one night. He bought a CD that had a song on it that I wrote called Mama's Lillte Boy a song about a fire fighter. He took the CD home a his son heard it. After hearing the song several times over he decided that he wanted to be a firefighter. Well that boy is now in his 20's and he is a firefighter in Edmonton fighting fires and saving lives. Well that made me feel great! I thought though if all those people that helped me in my direction towards music were not there than this song would have never been written and who knows that boy would not have become a firefighter. So to everyone who has supported me in my music Thank You! Help support someone in their dream its amazing what can happen. You just never know!
Starting out in the music industry Bars or not Part 1
Starting out in the music industry Bars or not Part 1
The big question when getting started with a music career is should I play the bars or not?
Depending on who you ask you are going to get a different answer.
There is lots to think about and how you want your career to go. There are many pro's and con's to this subject. I am sure they will all be debated long after we are all gone.
First lets talk about what it takes to play the bars and to become successful in the bars.
The bars are a place to get your start to showcase your talents, to become successful at the bar level though there is some sacrifices you have to make. Unless you are playing a bar that allows you to play nothing but original music be prepared to play cover songs. ( just so you know there are not to many bars that do this)
Having original material is good to have though when playing a bar because it shows that you are serious about your music.
Picking cover songs that make you look and sound great is very important.
If you have a voice like Johnny Cash but are trying to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey it is probably not a good idea, unless you have some really cool arrangement and have made the song your own or it is comedy version. If you are trying to duplicate it DON'T DO IT! You may think it sounds cool but most people are going to be saying my god that is awful.
Remember to focus on what you do best.
Having a big selection of different styles is very important specially this days. Don't jump into the bars with 30 songs just enough to get you through the night.
The bigger the song list the better, just remember to select the right songs for you.
If you are a country band make sure you are playing new country, old country, your own stuff, fast ones, slow ones, a couple off the wall ones, as well have some classic rock and even a few new rock songs. Throw in a couple other style as well the more the better. You will get more fans with your versatility.
If you are a rock band same thing I know the last thing you want to learn is a country song but make it your own, rock up a old Johnny Cash or Waylon tune, it works!
When you walk into a the venue walk in like you are rock stars don't be rude but show confidence in yourself on and off stage. People are drawn to this.
Have a show planned if a set list works for you use it but be prepared to make changes if set is not working with the crowd. If you can do this on the fly then do it. If you are able to call out the songs as you go cause you are reading the crowd then do it, sometimes this works better, just make sure you have only one person doing this as you don't want to have a fight on stage about what song to play. Usually the lead singer or front man would call the the songs. Remember NO holes in your sets, dead air is a big NO NO, if you are not play then you are talking or getting the people going.
If you have props use them, anything to entertain the crowd.
Plan a couple of moves and use them, planned steps at the right time work.
I am not saying that you have to dance like Britney Spears on stage but a couple of little moves works, look at ZZ TOP they are in there 60's now and they still do and hey look cool doing it...still!
Just make it look and feel natural and just once every now then not every song.
Just remember posing in positions works once in a blue moon, to do it all the time looks cheesy, unless that is what you are going for once again, don't do it.
Sometimes the hard part about playing in a bar is getting peoples attention. They are there to drink meet with their buddy's and girlfriends, talk, party, try pick each other up etc... sometime you are the last thing that they came for so you have to find ways to get them on your side. many things work many things don't.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is start off with a big production song. screaming guitars lights smoke whatever it takes.
If they have had a few and are in the party mode hit them with a sing along song. any song they know the words to that is big a popular works!
Use you imagination to find ways to get a hold of them and then don't let go.
Lots more to come.....
The big question when getting started with a music career is should I play the bars or not?
Depending on who you ask you are going to get a different answer.
There is lots to think about and how you want your career to go. There are many pro's and con's to this subject. I am sure they will all be debated long after we are all gone.
First lets talk about what it takes to play the bars and to become successful in the bars.
The bars are a place to get your start to showcase your talents, to become successful at the bar level though there is some sacrifices you have to make. Unless you are playing a bar that allows you to play nothing but original music be prepared to play cover songs. ( just so you know there are not to many bars that do this)
Having original material is good to have though when playing a bar because it shows that you are serious about your music.
Picking cover songs that make you look and sound great is very important.
If you have a voice like Johnny Cash but are trying to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey it is probably not a good idea, unless you have some really cool arrangement and have made the song your own or it is comedy version. If you are trying to duplicate it DON'T DO IT! You may think it sounds cool but most people are going to be saying my god that is awful.
Remember to focus on what you do best.
Having a big selection of different styles is very important specially this days. Don't jump into the bars with 30 songs just enough to get you through the night.
The bigger the song list the better, just remember to select the right songs for you.
If you are a country band make sure you are playing new country, old country, your own stuff, fast ones, slow ones, a couple off the wall ones, as well have some classic rock and even a few new rock songs. Throw in a couple other style as well the more the better. You will get more fans with your versatility.
If you are a rock band same thing I know the last thing you want to learn is a country song but make it your own, rock up a old Johnny Cash or Waylon tune, it works!
When you walk into a the venue walk in like you are rock stars don't be rude but show confidence in yourself on and off stage. People are drawn to this.
Have a show planned if a set list works for you use it but be prepared to make changes if set is not working with the crowd. If you can do this on the fly then do it. If you are able to call out the songs as you go cause you are reading the crowd then do it, sometimes this works better, just make sure you have only one person doing this as you don't want to have a fight on stage about what song to play. Usually the lead singer or front man would call the the songs. Remember NO holes in your sets, dead air is a big NO NO, if you are not play then you are talking or getting the people going.
If you have props use them, anything to entertain the crowd.
Plan a couple of moves and use them, planned steps at the right time work.
I am not saying that you have to dance like Britney Spears on stage but a couple of little moves works, look at ZZ TOP they are in there 60's now and they still do and hey look cool doing it...still!
Just make it look and feel natural and just once every now then not every song.
Just remember posing in positions works once in a blue moon, to do it all the time looks cheesy, unless that is what you are going for once again, don't do it.
Sometimes the hard part about playing in a bar is getting peoples attention. They are there to drink meet with their buddy's and girlfriends, talk, party, try pick each other up etc... sometime you are the last thing that they came for so you have to find ways to get them on your side. many things work many things don't.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is start off with a big production song. screaming guitars lights smoke whatever it takes.
If they have had a few and are in the party mode hit them with a sing along song. any song they know the words to that is big a popular works!
Use you imagination to find ways to get a hold of them and then don't let go.
Lots more to come.....
As a songwriter I have had many of influences in my life from the songwriter catagory the list is many. Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Billy Joe Shaver, Neil Diamond, Jeffery Steele, John Prine and so many more. The one that stands above the all is Steve Earle. To paint a picture with words like Steve Earle can is not only a gift but bordline genuis.
here is just a piece of his work from Tom Ames Prayer
Well they sent the preacher down to my cell
He said the Lord is your only hope
He's the only friend that you gonna have
When you hit the end of Parker's rope
Well I guess he coulda' kept on preachin' 'till Christmas
but he turned his back on me
I put a home made blade to that golden throat
and asked the deputy for the key
Steven Spielberg could not even paint this on film they way Steve Earle has wrote this.
I remember I saw Steve in Victoria BC Canada in 1989 at his Copperhead Road tour. He played for 3 hours without a break and had everyone in the palm of his hand. A dream of mine would be to sit down a write a song with him. Though I am pretty sure I would just sit there with blank look on my face like when the beatles met elvis.
For any young song writers out there who are looking to learn more about songwriting go buy a Steve CD or download and just sit and listen to his lyrics. If they don't paint a picture in your brain then you don't have one.
There are others that come a close second to Steve and that is Billy Joe Shaver and Bob Seger. Hell they all are a close second
Ken McCoy
http://www.mccoycountry.com/
http://www.facebook.com/sob.ken.mccoy#!/pages/Ken-McCoy-Band/210018965695485
here is just a piece of his work from Tom Ames Prayer
Well they sent the preacher down to my cell
He said the Lord is your only hope
He's the only friend that you gonna have
When you hit the end of Parker's rope
Well I guess he coulda' kept on preachin' 'till Christmas
but he turned his back on me
I put a home made blade to that golden throat
and asked the deputy for the key
Steven Spielberg could not even paint this on film they way Steve Earle has wrote this.
I remember I saw Steve in Victoria BC Canada in 1989 at his Copperhead Road tour. He played for 3 hours without a break and had everyone in the palm of his hand. A dream of mine would be to sit down a write a song with him. Though I am pretty sure I would just sit there with blank look on my face like when the beatles met elvis.
For any young song writers out there who are looking to learn more about songwriting go buy a Steve CD or download and just sit and listen to his lyrics. If they don't paint a picture in your brain then you don't have one.
There are others that come a close second to Steve and that is Billy Joe Shaver and Bob Seger. Hell they all are a close second
Ken McCoy
http://www.mccoycountry.com/
http://www.facebook.com/sob.ken.mccoy#!/pages/Ken-McCoy-Band/210018965695485
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