Why I Love Music (Part 1)

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I was born in 1964, just three months after The Beatles came to America.

As far back as I can remember, music was always a part of my daily life.

My parents grew up in the 1950’s when “rock & roll” was born, watching 21 year old Elvis making his national debut on the Ed Sullivan show. I recall my Mother sobbing uncontrollably in August 1977 at his unexpected demise at age 42, unaware I wouldn’t understand the grief she was experiencing until years later upon my hearing Eddie Van Halen died.

There was almost always a radio on or vinyl record playing at home. I recall dancing (ok, toddlers twirl) and having favorite songs that I would ask to be played “again!”. Elvis, Bill Haley, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Bobby Darin, The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, and so many more that became a source of income for me as I got older when my Dad would say: “For a quarter…Who is singing this?” and if you wanted that .25 cents you better know the answer, so I worked really hard on memorizing all the songs and artists I could just to be able to take my winnings to the candy store several blocks from our house.

Dad would also play music from the big band era and there I would be introduced to, and fall in love with, the DRUMS. Drummers Buddy Rich & Gene Krupa were two of Dad’s favorites. I begged my Dad for a drum set. Nope. Girls don’t play drums, he said. (Years later I’m sure I threw the name Karen Carpenter back in his face.)

As I got older, the music I was listening to was more of my own choosing sometimes to the dismay of my father who disliked pretty much any music that came out after 1969. He despised the fact that Cheap Trick did a remake of “Ain’t that a Shame” (Fats Domino) and I’m sure he almost stroked out hearing me blast Van Halen “Dancing in the Street” off a cassette in my car as I pulled into his driveway the summer of 1982.

The music of the 1970’s carried me through my elementary & middle school years. I honestly loved nearly all of it. From Easy listening (The Carpenters, Bread, Chicago) to ..dare I say it.. disco, to pop and hard rock (Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Queen, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Sweet, Boston, ABBA) The list of what I didn’t care for would be easier to list, but you get my point. I still recall the very first time I heard Van Halen in 1978. The song was “Running with the Devil”. I was 14 and I was in love with EVH. Weren’t we all?

My freshman year of high school began in the fall of 1979. I didn’t have a lot of money to buy entire (vinyl) albums so it was easier and more cost effective for me to buy “singles” on 45 rpm. I do believe I wore out my first 45 of “My Sharona” by The Knack within a month of purchase. I would later do the same with Joan Jett’s “I love Rock and Roll”.

Because I became a mother at an early age (I was not quite 19) I didn’t get an opportunity to go to many live concerts. Lack of money the major reason. Thankfully, the birth of Music Videos (MTV Channel) filled that void, although of course not the same as live music but was still better that just listening to a vinyl record or cassette tape.

The year 1987 is a memorable one for me. Not just because my second child was born that year, but also that was the release of Def Leppard’s Hysteria album. Their best selling album to date (20 million copies worldwide) with seven (7) hit singles: “Animal”, “Women”, “Hysteria”, “Armageddon It”, “Love Bites”, “Rocket” and the infamous “Pour Some Sugar on Me”. It is also the last album that featured Steve Clark before his untimely death in 1991. This album was the gateway to how and why I am passionate about local live music bands today……..

Why I Love Music (Part 2)

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1987: I was 23 and a single mother to a 4-year-old AND a newborn. Not having extra funds to buy concert tickets, my primary source of music entertainment was watching the MTV channel (when it actually was music videos 24/7) and listening to my HUGE collection of cassette tapes on my commute to and from work each day. Thank goodness for BMG and Columbia House. (Remember when you could get like 11 records or tapes for a penny?)  It was also the year Def Leppard released their Hysteria album.  I was instantly in love.

The album sold over 20 million copies and pumped out 7 hit singles; “Animal”, “Women”, “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, “Hysteria”, Armageddon it”, “Love Bites” and “Rocket” and are covered by many local cover bands to this day. 

My kids threw a surprise party for me when I turned 50 in 2014. I was told I was going to see a Def Leppard cover band at a VFW. Dressing up was optional, but I enthusiastically put together a mock 80’s outfit: black leather mini skirt, purple top, black sequined jacket, heels and enough hairspray on my head to justify a “do not light match/flammable” sign on my back.  I walked into the VFW hearing ‘Pour Some sugar on Me’ with all of my family and many close friends “surprising” me.  My kids know I am not easy to surprise. They had one chance and they nailed it.

The years rolled by and I had fallen into a pit of emotional despair; my marriage crumbling and my youngest kids aging out of the nest.  In 2019, I wasn’t sure who *I* was, or what my purpose was anymore. I was struggling to find myself. Who am I if not someone’s daughter, mother, wife, employee? With the help of therapy, it would take me a couple of years to find those answers I was desperately seeking. We won’t even talk about “2020” since that depressed likely every single person reading this. (typed with eyes rolling)

December 2021: I had found out that a Def Leppard cover band named Rok Brigade would play at Sundance Saloon in Mundelein, Illinois for a New Years Eve show. Brain: ‘Okay, I’m in!’. I get my “Def Leppard Hysteria” T-shirt and reserve a room nearby so I’m not driving home after midnight. Listening to live music in a small venue, I am blown away by the talents of the musicians and felt such a renewed passion for the music of my youth. Meeting the band members (who have become friends) was another highlight of the evening for me. What a great way to start a NEW year!

Since that fateful night, my life has gone through several major changes; end of 25-year marriage, sale of home with a move to apartment living in a rural town. I’ve also seen countless bands at various venues across northern Illinois. I’ve made many friends (both musicians and fellow music lovers) and have discovered a passion in promoting our local bands by sharing pictures, videos and their upcoming events. Music was, and still is, a huge part of my “therapy” and my newfound ‘life’s purpose’.  While not everyone may have musical talent to play an instrument, there are countless other areas of the business for persons like myself who have the passion, motivation and devotion to music.

I have dedicated myself into the ‘promotion’ part of the music world, not just enjoying the music at shows, but also paying particular attention to overall musical talent, stage performance, audience interaction & participation, the “setlist” (many bands play the same songs), lighting, sound & special effects and, of course, the venues. I’ve had many musician friends reach out to me for my thoughts & opinions that I am happy to share because I, as a FAN, want to see them reach their full potential and have a great fan base following.

Music is my happiness. Music is my peace. Music is my passion. Music is my life.

Rock On!  \m/

P.S. I still have my collection of cassette tapes.

Fan Perspective – Making Your Band Memorable Beyond the Show and Create a Fan-Following

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Mid-set shout-out during the show:

Ask if anyone in the audience is celebrating something special; birthday, anniversary or bachelorette party. Play the birthday (insert anniversary) song with crowd participation. Ask the person(s) to come up (if not on the stage, get them front and center). Give people that little extra attention. They will not forget their ‘moment of fame’ and you likely made a fan for life. Added bonus if you have some merch to give them as a “gift”.

Perhaps have a wedding joke handy (and congratulations) for the bride-to-be. Something like: If you think marriage is the right move, then we’re here to cheer you on into battle! Have the crowd “toast” to her. Having a tune ready to play dedicated to the bride-to-be would be a nice touch. Something like “I melt with you”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, etc.

Speaking of Merch – YES, you can sell it (eventually) but a new band starting out should be giving some stuff away as gifts! Keep pricing reasonable because you want to make it affordable so fans buy more stuff. Definitely cover your costs, but remember this is your “advertising” – the more folks you have buying are promoting you and will likely wear the shirts the next time they see you play out.

Most popular of course: T-shirts! And women tend to like V-necks. Have XL & plus sizes available, too. (Some of us ladies have bigger busts and the average x-large size will still be too tight). Hoodies and long sleeve options should not be overlooked for the fall/cooler weather events. Hats/caps/beanies.

There’s a ton of places online to get custom merch ordered. If you need any assistance, I’ll be happy to help you!

Guitar picks & Drumsticks – Trust me when I say there’s some of us who collect these things! My favorite picks are the ones that are customized with either the band or guitarist name/logo.

I know drumsticks are expensive, so no one is expecting a useable stick. Drummers should save their broken/worn sticks and have these available to toss out to the crowd, or hand them to an eager fan. Bonus if you sign it 😊

Photos/Vids with the audience – while the audience is likely taking pics and videos of you, it’s always fun for the crowd to see themselves included in pictures or videos from the band’s viewpoint. Have one of the band members grab a camera and get some shots or video from the stage. You now have a great marketing & promotion tool and, your fans will enjoy reliving the show and seeing themselves after the show on your website.

The FREE stuff – don’t forget the things that won’t cost you a dime. Your handshakes, hugs, photo ops, a simple ‘thanks for coming out’. The more you interact with the folks that came out, the more you will be liked and remembered regardless of how and what you played.

From a Fans Perspective: What Makes a Good Venue

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Things to consider as a band looking to book a gig and for fans wanting to see a live show:

Location & parking – is venue easy to access? Do they have ample parking? Is the area served by Uber/Lyft/taxi or public transportation?

Atmosphere – is it family friendly or only 21+. Some venues allow for families (kids allowed until a certain time at night, usually 10 pm)

Cover charge – Generally speaking, most people don’t mind paying a cover charge to see live music, as long as it’s reasonable.  Some venues don’t have a cover; most others are $10 per person on average.  Venues realize they are going to make money on the liquor/food sales. In most cases, the cover charge helps pay the band.

I have also been to venue that charged $30 just to walk in the door without guaranteed seating. It was standing room only. Obviously, I’m not a fan of such venues because if I am going to pay $30, I expect at least a seat or a table to set down my drink.

Distractions from music/band – A few venues are more like sports bars withTV’s, pool tables, video games, etc.  Depending on the location of the stage, these distractions effect not only the patrons but also for the playing musicians.  During the performance, the TVs should be turned off if within sight of the band/patrons in the stage area.

Inside only or outside (weather permitting) – venues that have both indoor and outdoor options are great for the summer months. People generally like to be outside during nicer weather, as long as there is some type of shelter (tent or covered patio, etc.) from the blazing sun or light rain.

Stage – should be large enough for band to be able to move around. A small stage may work fine for a 3- or 4-piece group, but when you have larger bands with 6 or 7 members, there’s going to be spacing issues not just with the equipment, but for the musicians. When musicians can move during the show, it makes for a better performance. A riser for the drummer is a nice touch so they are not hidden behind the other band members.

Space for dancing – it goes without saying that a good band is going to have the crowd (especially women!) wanting to dance/rock out in front of the stage. There should be sufficient space between the stage and the seating area to accommodate and encourage audience participation.

Sound & lighting – does the venue provide in house sound/lighting options for the band? Do they have their own sound tech on staff? The sound system is incredibly important for the audience. No one instrument should be overpowering and all vocalists should be heard clearly even from the back of the room. Obviously sound check prior to showtime is a priority.

Bands it doesn’t hurt to ask your audience if they can hear you okay after your first song – they will likely let you know what you might need to adjust.

Adequate seating/tables – Does the venue have tables &/or chairs? Picnic tables? Can you bring your own chair (typical for outdoor summer fests). During summer months I carry my own folding chair in my trunk just in case.

Reserved table options – Several venues have RSVP “purchase table” options ranging from $80 – $120 for a table with 4 chairs. This is a good option for those who want a guaranteed seat. It also includes the cover charge.  However, venues who offer this option should consider a check-in time for those reserved seats. For example: patrons check in by 15 minutes post-show time otherwise those empty table/seats can be opened up for those folks who are standing room only looking for a place to sit & set their drinks/food down.

I was recently at a venue where every single table and side chair was marked “reserved”, yet many of those seats remained empty the entire show and several folks were left standing the whole time. I don’t mind paying for a seat; just make them available and have an adequate amount to accommodate paying patrons.

Food options – Does the venue offer food? Always a good idea especially when there’s alcohol being served.  Simple foods such as appetizers (nachos, cheese sticks, wings, burgers, pizza) are adequate, but a full menu is good as well.

I have been to a venue that doesn’t offer ANY food options although they say you can ‘bring it in’ from an outside vendor. However, there were not many choices nearby to get something to eat.

Even if they don’t have a full kitchen, they could offer limited items that could be served heat & eat via microwave or packaged foods/cold sandwich options.

Promotion – does the venue advertise the upcoming shows on their website and/or social media?

From a Fan’s Perspective: What Makes a Good Show

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What makes a good show?

Perception is everything, especially when it comes to performing. One must do everything they can to create a favorable perception of the band for the audience. Looking like one is having a fun time on stage as well as interacting with the audience is critical to a band’s success. I have analyzed what bands do and do not do and have broken down what bands can do to help get that favorable perception. I have seen bands create unfavorable perceptions with audience, and usually never see them play at an event again.

A fan just wants to have a great time watching a band. This usually means dancing and rocking out to the songs. If a musician does not play the song exactly as it should be, most fans will never pick up on that. If a singer is not Pavarotti, fans will not notice. But fans will notice if the band looks like they are having fun playing for them. That is because fans want the overall experience. This overall experience is music combined with a great performance.

A band should open with a familiar and strong song to get the crowd engaged from the very start. You want the audience to think ‘Wow! This is going to be a great show!’ Positive perception.

The frontman will ‘Welcome’ the audience after the opening before going into the next song. Let me say a few things about talking between songs: It should be limited because you do not want to lose your audience with the 7 second attention span. So don’t ramble on because you may think you are funny, because chances are the audience just wants to hear music. The use of foul language should only be used IF the crowd dictates it (READ the room, AKA know your audience). Also, I cannot stress this enough, use cursing and such very sparingly. I’ve been at shows where “F” bombs, and “M.F’ers” were used excessively. While I’m not personally offended by curse word, there may be kids or some older folks in the crowd who DO take offense to foul language. Bottom line: ALWAYS BE PROFESSIONAL.

ENGAGE with your crowd! Again, know who you are playing for, whether it is younger folks, older folks, a mix of age groups or families with kids, get your audience to participate in some way. From my personal experience, shows that included audience participation were much more memorable. So it goes to reason that interacting with the audience should get you a better fan following.

If your band is playing more than one set, finish with a great song that will keep the crowd wanting to hear more and stick around during the break. A major concern here is to not take a break for too long. I’ve seen crowds thin out during long breaks. Then start the next set with another strong crowd-pleasing song.

If you are in a cover band and you have original songs, these songs need to be played near the middle of your set and let the crowd know about it before you start playing it so they are prepared for an unfamiliar tune.

Watch your audience; are they near the stage? Are they dancing? Are they singing along? Do they seem bored or uninterested? Take mental notes during each song or better yet, have a friend/relative take notes for you for you to review post-show.

Be sure to have a big shout-out and thank your venue host and servers. Encourage the crowd to tip the bartenders and servers.  Introduce your band members, mention your website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and your next event (date/time/place).

Always end your set with another familiar and strong song. Try to have an extra in your ‘back pocket’ for when the crowd shouts “one-more-song”, you can give it to them if time and the venue allows for it.

After the show be sure to be available to your ‘fans’. They’ll want to meet you, chat, get photos, etc.  Yes, I know you can be tired and will want to just pack up to get home but keep smiling and do the meet & greets. Take selfies. Answer questions. Show people you are down to earth. Otherwise, people could perceive you as arrogant and stuck up, which could translate into a lost fan. Be outgoing and folks will most likely want to come see you again.

A musician worries about playing everything correctly. They are concerned about the songs and the arrangements. Musicians may not be aware of what the fan wants. All it takes to find out is to ask me!