JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Covers and Originals

Bob! You hit on some great points bass2x told me too, about playing covers. You're not going to believe this, but OK,,,you will: I JUST joined a cover band. Me,,,the one who since 1978 became a writer of songs who after being in cover bands since 68, (mainly one, of which three of the guys are in this current cover band), thought that was below me. How wrong I was. I can now do both! Play originals n one band, and play soul/rock music of the 60's and 70's, of which are driving, cool and fun songs. The best part though, is who I play with, in both bands! Get this: I not only play with three friends in 2LT, but those other 3 friends PLUS 4 others now! I also knew and will get to know better the other guys in the cover band! So, count them: That's TEN PEOPLE to PLAY MUSIC with! And a bass player is coming over Tomorrow, (Friday night), to see if he wants to play with the original band, (2LT). Eleven if so! Where could I play with eleven friends, with some from bands of over 30 years ago, had I continued to think cover songs were not to be played by me in a band? The songs are rockin and fun, so why not, right? I just have to show up and play some stuff to fill in.

There's already a long time organization with them going on. A manager/singer, a music director, (the drummer), and a vocal director. NO pressure and thinking, other than playing the songs I mostly know from hearing them years before, and maybe a time adjustment here and there when things get scheduled close together of the two bands.

A musician should be one as often as possible. And play MUSIC. I found that out at my first practice with the cover band. If I could play 5 nights a week in three bands, I would at this point.

Another factor as to why, besides the "friends benefits", is that I was given more playing time with getting my hand fixed, that I was told couldn't be fixed without severe risks and long term rehabs with much pain and no playing for months. I played the next day after a rare procedure I somehow found, (when my doctor and other specialists didn't even know about the new procedure.
So to play is a true gift. I was going downhill fast right at the time 2LT first played out. I faked my through with my right hand by playing with three fingers in a more percussive way, (no octaves, no real playing as I knew before). Now that I can play more normally, BUT with the procedure needing to be done again in the near future, (from the condition coming back as predicted, (no cure, but a good easy fix for a while), I SHOULD PLAY MUSIC as much as I can and are asked to, especially when asked by friends, period!

So, play that funky music white boy, me!

It's all good. If one hates all the songs in a band, that would be a factor not to, but if people love to hear certain music and it makes their night, and if most can be played with emotion, it's almost like a duty to do it. Musicians entertain. Dare I say The Beatles were once a cover band! Their first album had a third of them! (approx). They rock them up, or at least played the best they could at the time for any style of the songs.

Friends and music! If covers are what it takes to also be with those other guys, great! I just hope I passed the audition!
Reminded me of the time I tried out for a successful cover band when I was 15. Cool feeling, and not too old or jaded as I thought to have it be so. There's a mixed feeling still, to be honest, but I am realizing quickly the fun of just being with friends and playing music is a great thing,,,no matter the writers of the songs.

John