This is one of those days, infrequent on the Willie tour due to the amount of people, where I have my own dressing room. Now, to be clear, my job requires dedication to an instrument, namely the banjo, that can be inherently quite obnoxious. This is the primary reason I began bringing the Telecaster banjo out on the road. On a regular AKUS tour, Sean usually finds me a dressing room as I’ve asked, “As far away from people as it can be.” But even then, a banjo blasting Sunny Side of the Mountain three times in a row, solo to all ears, with Jimmy Martin in my headphones - this can become odious to bandmates. It could end in muttered threats, dark looks, or even a potential hanging, especially after 24 years in the band.
So – I had my own room today, complete with water, strawberries, an orange, a banana, blueberries, tea, and even some kale. The question then became, “What do I do with this room?”
First, I set up. I brought in my guitar, my Tele banjo, and laptop bag. Laptop out - I use Garage Band, EZ Drummer, Amazing Slow Downer, and other tools on the laptop. Also on hand was The Art of Improvisation by T. Carl Whitmer, interesting book that I have neglected while making the new banjo record. I neglected it today again. Also Patterns for Improvisation by Oliver Nelson, which I did use. Both good warmup books to get my hands going on guitar and banjo. My leather planner is out, as is my little book in which I write down musical quotes and insights.
Now, optimally, the first thing I would do would be to make a schedule. But I didn’t do that today. Why, you ask? I have no idea, completely forgot to do it.
First thing – I started writing another tune for the last session of the banjo record. Did that for about an hour or so. Got up, got water, walked around a bit, came back. Played guitar patterns for a while to get my hands pliable. Took a brief walk (it’s hot here in Salt Lake City). Drank the second half of yesterday’s smoothie. Ate a plate of salad. Then I was back at the room with a half hour before sound check. Some speed drills for the banjo, and then fingerpicking guitar with a drum machine.
Sound check was quick. “One Tear” was the bluegrass check, and we did a two-guitar song as well. We managed to finish before the sun hit us. The Bourgeois OM model guitar I use on Paper Airplane was having some problems tonally so we spent a little time checking and adjusting the Fishman Aura. My banjo was buzzy and somewhat nasal due to the low humidity and higher altitude; I adjusted the truss rod and loosened the head a bit.
The show was interesting. We took a left turn and did Cluck Old Hen, Down the Road, Freeborn Man, and quite a few more Dan songs. I had a blast playing that much banjo – I played banjo for nearly the entire set, with the exception of Let Me Touch You For Awhile and Restless.
After our set I had a great time visiting with Eric Sopanen, who used to work for my Dad’s store, Hogan’s House of Music, in the late seventies and early eighties. We made sure he got out to see enough of Willie’s set. Willie’s guitar playing is really a beautiful touchstone to that earlier style of country guitar. Throw in some Django and Willie’s quirky take on all of it and you’ve got amazing guitar playing.
The Willie encore was fun tonight with Jerry playing some kind of newfangled electric dobro thing.
I’ve got my dressing room scattered with my stuff so I’d better pack it up. We’ve got a long drive tonight to California.
So – I had my own room today, complete with water, strawberries, an orange, a banana, blueberries, tea, and even some kale. The question then became, “What do I do with this room?”
First, I set up. I brought in my guitar, my Tele banjo, and laptop bag. Laptop out - I use Garage Band, EZ Drummer, Amazing Slow Downer, and other tools on the laptop. Also on hand was The Art of Improvisation by T. Carl Whitmer, interesting book that I have neglected while making the new banjo record. I neglected it today again. Also Patterns for Improvisation by Oliver Nelson, which I did use. Both good warmup books to get my hands going on guitar and banjo. My leather planner is out, as is my little book in which I write down musical quotes and insights.
Now, optimally, the first thing I would do would be to make a schedule. But I didn’t do that today. Why, you ask? I have no idea, completely forgot to do it.
First thing – I started writing another tune for the last session of the banjo record. Did that for about an hour or so. Got up, got water, walked around a bit, came back. Played guitar patterns for a while to get my hands pliable. Took a brief walk (it’s hot here in Salt Lake City). Drank the second half of yesterday’s smoothie. Ate a plate of salad. Then I was back at the room with a half hour before sound check. Some speed drills for the banjo, and then fingerpicking guitar with a drum machine.
Sound check was quick. “One Tear” was the bluegrass check, and we did a two-guitar song as well. We managed to finish before the sun hit us. The Bourgeois OM model guitar I use on Paper Airplane was having some problems tonally so we spent a little time checking and adjusting the Fishman Aura. My banjo was buzzy and somewhat nasal due to the low humidity and higher altitude; I adjusted the truss rod and loosened the head a bit.
The show was interesting. We took a left turn and did Cluck Old Hen, Down the Road, Freeborn Man, and quite a few more Dan songs. I had a blast playing that much banjo – I played banjo for nearly the entire set, with the exception of Let Me Touch You For Awhile and Restless.
After our set I had a great time visiting with Eric Sopanen, who used to work for my Dad’s store, Hogan’s House of Music, in the late seventies and early eighties. We made sure he got out to see enough of Willie’s set. Willie’s guitar playing is really a beautiful touchstone to that earlier style of country guitar. Throw in some Django and Willie’s quirky take on all of it and you’ve got amazing guitar playing.
The Willie encore was fun tonight with Jerry playing some kind of newfangled electric dobro thing.
I’ve got my dressing room scattered with my stuff so I’d better pack it up. We’ve got a long drive tonight to California.