The Age Factor

mike_mccue
 
Have you ever been to Branson?
 
edit the spelling

Nope... not yet. But, it is the road trip of the summer.... planned for July.
 
So what are the best shows for "old folks" to take in while there?
 
Or will it just make me want to burn my guitars when I get back home?

Guitarhacker

mike_mccue
 
Have you ever been to Branson?
 
edit the spelling

Nope... not yet. But, it is the road trip of the summer.... planned for July.
 
So what are the best shows for "old folks" to take in while there?
 
Or will it just make me want to burn my guitars when I get back home?

 
 
 
I have never been... but I did get an young-uns ARRP card for my birthday this year.
 
I like that part of the country and hope you enjoy your vacation there.
 
:-)
 

Class reunions etc...
 
Also, a lot of older players I know do well in tribute bands and have a blast doing it. If you do a KISS tribute band no one will be able to tell your age! I'd stay FAR away from a BEATLES tribute. You are not old enough to resort to the blues yet but I guess you should start heading that way...or you could always do a Rolling Stones tribute band. You can do that at ANY age!!
You could do a Woodstock tribute band, just covering bands that played Woodstock, or a Fillmore tribute band, everything having a nod toward long psychedelic jams. There are lots of ways you can go... but modern rock or pop probably isn't one of them. Good luck and I would be interested in a follow up if you decide to change direction.
 
FWIW, you do NOT have to be 40 to be over the hill... I learned this in my 20s when I was at the beach and smiled at some teenage girl who promptly called me a Roto-Rooter man... the dream was over...
 
J

spindlebox
 
 
Paulo, you totally lost me.  I never said I was cool nor am I trying to be. I'm using that term for the sake of discussing age and "BEING RELATED TO", which is the point of this conversation.
 
 

"I've crossed over into uncool"......
 
kind of implies that you used to consider yourself cool, no ?
 
I was just having a little fun yanking your chain. Your audience is still at home though ;)
 

Scott, I got all the answers brother...you ready? I'm serious...I'm not just saying this.
 
The problem is, the music you play. It's great music...but it's musicians music. It's music to party to and enjoy. The kids don't really get into that. They want music they can jump around to. Do you guys jump around? Most "real musicians" don't jump around because they are thinking and concentrating too hard on what they are playing. The key there...know your stuff so good, you no longer think about what you're playing. This allows you to put on a show and jump around.
 
Ok, so we have cover bands around here that make $6000 per show. The age of the guys are 50's. Yep, you heard it. 2 guys...they go by Secret Service.
 
http://secretserviceonline.com/
 
One of the biggest most successful bands around here. Booked solid...nothing much to look at if you're a younger bar hopper. However, their music and fun draws you in. Keep in mind bro...these dudes use sequencers! Two guys....6k plus per night...all the NJ hot spots...down the shores....Atlantic City, Sea Isle City, Wildwood, Ocean City, Cape May....casinos....these are the best places to play. You can't even get into Ocean Drive unless you promise large numbers. Why do they do so well? The material and presentation.
 
Original bands are a tough sell. The original band concert goers are few and far between. What are you doing that would make the younger generation want to see you? See this is the key. It's not about looking hip...it's about delivering something that they cannot deny. The older folks usually don't even feel like going out because they are working super hard in this economy. They also aren't living under their parents roof so they may be working 2-3 jobs. The younger generation is in school, maybe have a part time job, maybe one full time, maybe no job...living with parents. That's not saying all the younger people are like that....I'm saying, it's what I've seen. While they party on a Wednesday night at a place, it's rare you'll see anyone in their 40's on up in that place.
 
Drinks are way too high...you can't smoke and people are upset about this....too easy to get a DUI....older people are smarter and want nothing to do with this where most of the younger generation has no fear. So you have a lot against you. The younger bands are in college....it's easy to bring loads of friends and get that happening. The older bands have to keep on promoting. You have to have something that gets them in and keeps them there.
 
This is why the punkier stuff does so well. The younger generation can be all crazy and you can be crazy with them. Your music is very serious. Sometimes too serious is the problem. Look at The Darkness. They have so much fun....people just flock to them. Look at Steel Panther. Old 80's guys that are vulgar as heck, but they sure can play! They are gaining quite a following having fun while people laugh at them. Though they are a bit too vulgar for me, I had a blast at their show and really enjoyed their musicianship as well as the fake, comedy they portray. They are landing young kids, middle aged, older people with a sense of humor....you need to get that special something that makes you acceptable to everyone.
 
What that is...you and the band will need to search for. It's not talent...you guys got that part and then some. It's not your looks as looks are not as important as they used to be. Don't get me wrong...if you create a look that makes people go "wtf" it's always something to consider. Image is important, but it's not what totally sells a band today, which is my point. I've seen some hurting looking people really draw a crowd. They had that extra something that drew the people...and that's what you need brother. Classic rock type bands that just take the stage and play lude or acid trip music (not saying that's you, just in general) TODAY are not going to get the numbers a band like Escape the Fate will. Look at them sometime. They sound kinda 80's..look kinda 80's...dress sort of like Motley Crue...singer isn't a great singer...sort of unique voice...but the kids absolutely love these guys. They have this energy that just bursts "come to the front of the stage, we dare you."
 
So if I were you, I'd take a look at the band...the image and the songs and say "ok, this is what we have...these are the results we've been getting...let's look at what others are doing and maybe we can see how to implement a few things into US." What would make your show better? What direction would you like to go song wise? If you are totally happy with what you do...you need a show and a delivery that makes these songs come to life. You have to make people WANT to come to that stage. Maybe Ali needs to be sexier...not that she isn't already....I'm just saying...the hotter a chick singer is, the more it might help. You don't need to sell sex...but eye candy is a part of the entertainment business. How you guys all move on stage....the actrual show. Let their be a beginning, a middle, a climax and an end. Make them want to stay at the front for the whole show. Add in elements that make a signed super band just that... a signed super band. Don't be afraid to go against the grain and don't play it too conservative. Again I say...it's the entertainment business. That goes beyond "just playing instruments and having good songs." How you present the stuff is equally important.
 
So give this some thought bro. It can definitely make a world of difference. Good luck!
 
-Danny

I'm not ashamed to admit I drink Ensure all the time. It tastes great and is really good for you....especially if you don't eat 3 or more meals correctly like me. :) Depends...well, I'm not quite in need of them yet...but I recently saw this new "briefs" version that raised an eyebrow for me. I sure wouldn't mind....umm...nevermind, yes I would. ;)
 
-Danny

"how do bands find older audiences - "


unfortunately,unless you actually were successfull in your 20`s and doing a "comeback" and preferably have had at least one hit to fall back on,or you played in a band called Anvil,then you`re stuffed.
Read the gig guide in Classic Rock magazine-it`s the 80`s again and the punters who can afford the tickets are the cashed up baby boomers-the "older audiences" you speak of.
we are an original 3 piece in our mid to late fifties who do support gigs occasionally and have found the main thing going for us is we use the best equipment available to get the best sound possible and never play without a soundcheck-never.
as for our audience:most are muso`s ,easy to spot,huddled in their little groups checking out the gear and the chops and we play for them-if you can keep your peers interested you are doing your job-if we can get at least one person up dancing and the muso`s nodding then it`s a good gig.
Ageism is sad but you can always close your eyes at a gig and just listen-all the rest is just smoke and mirrors anyway.
i would come and listen to your band if you were a bit closer.
cheers 
 

You could try stage diving,  always a croud pleaser.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eventually someone will come to the front to catch you out of sympathy...

spacey
Well if I were looking for an audience (at my age) I'd get a gig on
a cruise ship.
I wouldn't mind the Alaska trip out of Seatle for starters.
 

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