One is a living legend and the other are living on someone else's career is how I see it.
In our case, My "Willie" actually got a meeting with Willie Nelson to get his approval/blessing, so if it's ok with Willie (he felt that anything that keeps people listening to his music is good for him), I don't see how it could be a problem. Also, how is it any worse than listening to a Willie Nelson (or any bands) song on YouTube or the radio? (Except that he's better)
Reminds me of the 70's and 80's when if you weren't playing the top 10, you couldn't get a gig in this city if you played original music.
Well, most people that go out for an evening want to hear songs that they know, can sing along or dance with. Clearly not all people, but I'd bet that if you could poll the general public, you would find that over 90% want to hear what they know.
But I guess they play the soundtrack to a lot of people's memories and even the original artists can't be trusted to play the old standards.Â
Exactly right!
But for those like me... I like original music and I can be honest, I don't think I'd ever pay to see a tribute band when I can go see someone playing original music across the street.
But for the experience... congrats Mike.
Afraid I disagree here. Most original music I've heard at clubs is self indulgent delusion. Plainly, it's crap. Professional artist put out a CD and for the most of them they have one or at most two really good songs on it and the rest are filler (sure there are exceptions). What kind of ego would it take to think I could do better?
Fortunately for my band, you seem to be a minority. Loads of people will and do pay to see tribute bands.
Would I rather be playing a great mix of music (mostly covers, but an occasional original), instead of just Willie? Of course.
Griff recounted a conversation that he had with Walter Trout that I thought hit home " ...we were talking about doing "less that ideal" gigs and we both had the same opinion that no matter what you're playing, it's better than the alternative of not playing."
I guess that sums up how I feel about it too.