Standing Lonely in The Ernest Tubb's Theater
On November 2nd, The Arenos (including me) loaded up a lot of gear into the bus (Whitesnake's old tour bus) and headed to The Ernest Tubb's Theater in Nashville Tennessee. We were invited to play in a festival put on by the Bluegrass Gospel Music Association. Two three song sets were all that was required of us for the day. We only got to do three songs because they overbooked the festival and were trying to be fair about it. We nailed all three songs and didn't make any noticeable mistakes while on stage. The whole thing should be available on GMT (Gospel Music Television).
Before we performed, we were approached by a representative from Daywind Records about working with them on a project. This was before he had a chance to hear us, but he had heard of us. We will have to plan things out ad see about signing with them at least for this album. They may give us a chance to get our music out to more people.
Most of the groups we heard were decent at best; nothing too scary. Although, one family was quite annoying and they sang the song I hate the most besides "Rank Stranger", which sounds like some song about a hobo with body odor: "Working on a Building". Oh I hate that song. Some banjo picking sucker would yell out a note like a cattle call and hold it for at least a minute, before changing notes and going really flat.
One thing that bluegrass does not have is groupies. There were no young women lurking about waiting for people to come off of the stage. This may have something to do with most of the groups being families or extended families. There's nothing wrong with family friendly music with a family friendly message. Hardly anyone talked to us after we had performed, so I stood around holding my bass and waited to go get food. I didn't know who any of the people were so conversations would have been difficult and I don't have a background in Bluegrass so I didn't know the important people. I did see Johnny Cash's sister at the Ernest Tubb's Music Store, but someone had to tell me it was her.
It was a very interesting experience and hopefully it won't be my last trip to Nashville. I wonder what it takes to get nominated for a Bluegrass Gospel Music Award?
Before we performed, we were approached by a representative from Daywind Records about working with them on a project. This was before he had a chance to hear us, but he had heard of us. We will have to plan things out ad see about signing with them at least for this album. They may give us a chance to get our music out to more people.
Most of the groups we heard were decent at best; nothing too scary. Although, one family was quite annoying and they sang the song I hate the most besides "Rank Stranger", which sounds like some song about a hobo with body odor: "Working on a Building". Oh I hate that song. Some banjo picking sucker would yell out a note like a cattle call and hold it for at least a minute, before changing notes and going really flat.
One thing that bluegrass does not have is groupies. There were no young women lurking about waiting for people to come off of the stage. This may have something to do with most of the groups being families or extended families. There's nothing wrong with family friendly music with a family friendly message. Hardly anyone talked to us after we had performed, so I stood around holding my bass and waited to go get food. I didn't know who any of the people were so conversations would have been difficult and I don't have a background in Bluegrass so I didn't know the important people. I did see Johnny Cash's sister at the Ernest Tubb's Music Store, but someone had to tell me it was her.
It was a very interesting experience and hopefully it won't be my last trip to Nashville. I wonder what it takes to get nominated for a Bluegrass Gospel Music Award?
posted by Ryan @ 11:48 PM
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