Landed a Casino Gig!

[Robert]

Myra and I (Fundamental Things) have a gig at a casino in a few weeks. :bravo:
If they like us, we may be able to get repeat gigs there. So of course I'm telling everyone I know to go there and tell their management how great the band is ....

But they want 3.5 hours of music or so. We don't quite have enough material, so we need to learn some more material. Do you know of any set lists online somewhere that would give me some inspiration for coming up with new material?

I think we'll do country, blues, jazz, folk - that's our typical mix. It can't be too focused on a strong beat, since we are only a duo.

Any tips and suggestions welcome.

 

[Algonquin]

But they want 3.5 hours of music or so. We don't quite have enough material, so we need to learn some more material.

Any tips and suggestions welcome.

Play really, really sloowwwlyy...

 

[SuperSwede]

Holy Cow Robman!

Time to pack up those fake dices and start living the easy life! :R

I really think you should add some Simon and Garfunkel songs.. people seems to love hearing those.

 

[warren0728]

Any tips and suggestions welcome.

[holding up a lighter] freeeeebiiiirrrrdddd!! :rotflmao:

ww

 

[Robert]

Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd?

Simon & Garfunkel - good idea, we have actually already decided on few of those. :AOK:

 

[Jampy]

Adding your own flair to Country classics are great

Dolly Parton
Johnny Cash
Willie Nelson
etc..

Always work great and most are only 3 chords so easy to remember, also add some good Canadian Content.

Stompin Tom
Gordon lightfoot
etc..

Good luck, play well, have fun.

 

[Tone2TheBone]

Take long breaks.....

 

[Robert]

Hey Tone, we do want them to hire us back!

 

[Tone2TheBone]

Ok then do sing-a-longs with the crowd. That'll take up some time. Or better yet...do an extended live version of "Dog and Butterfly" since it's just you and Myra.

 

[Algonquin]

Take long breaks.....

I think longer breaks may be a resonable expectation. 3.5 Hrs of singing is more of a marathon than anything else...

Have you thought of breaking it up into three sets?

45 min for Set # 1
30 min for break (Use this time to rest)
45 min for Set # 2
30 min for break (Use this time to talk/mingle)
45 min for Set # 3

This scenario comes close to covering 3.5 Hrs, and gives you a rest and an opportunity to interact with the Audience.

Hope you find something that works for you and Myra.

Cheers :beer:
David

 

[Plank_Spanker]

An extended version of "Rawhide" ala the Blues Brothers...............

 

[Tone2TheBone]

An extended version of "Rawhide" ala the Blues Brothers...............

LMAO.

 

[luvmyshiner]

Hey congrats Robert! Ya know, you could probably repeat a bunch of songs . . . most of the folks will be so drunk they won't remember you already sang it.:beer:

If all else fails, two little words . . . The Carpenters.:rotflmao:

 

[hubberjub]

Just pull out the Fake Book and wing it. Those gigs have always been the most fun for me. We're actually playing a casino gig this Saturday. It's our first time there and they are paying us stupid money (more than we're worth). It should be fun even though our typical crowd isn't the casino type.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Some of these may not apply, but here are a couple links to set lists:

Rock Band (popular songs): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_in_Rock_Band

This gives you setlists for different bands in different shows. May give some ideas or inspirations,

http://setlist.com/





Just please no "Dog and Butterfly". My least favorite "Heart" song. I'd almost rather her "Muskrat Love" LOL!!!! Well, I said "almost"!

 

[warren0728]

An extended version of "Rawhide" ala the Blues Brothers...............

we have both kinds...country and western! :rotflmao:

ww

 

[Algonquin]

You gigging at Bob's Country Bunker Rob?

 

[LagrangeCalvert]

Take long breaks.....

+1 We do this....AND get invited back.... but it also helps to draw a crowd that loves to drink.


On a serious note, find songs that you like to play that other people like to hear - its the only way to remain happy as a musician.

 

[Robert]

What's Bob's Country Bunker?

Yeah, I guess we'll take long enough breaks.

 

[Algonquin]

'Bob's Country Bunker' was where the Blues Brothers played in the movie when they pretended to be 'The Good Old Boys'... You may remember the Chicken Wire seperating them from the audience.

That and their rendition of Tammy Wynettes 'Sometimes it's hard to be a woman'

Good flic that one was!

 

[Tone2TheBone]

+1 We do this....AND get invited back.... but it also helps to draw a crowd that loves to drink.


On a serious note, find songs that you like to play that other people like to hear - its the only way to remain happy as a musician.

You see! Finally someone that takes me seriously.


...and then take another break.

 

[Spudman]

Robert
I'm not trying to burst your bubble but consider that nobody will be listening anyway so you can play whatever you want to. Casino's pay well but you can't use any volume and you'll just be background music.

Please let me know if it doesn't happen this way. It will be an exception and I'll have to tell my friends about it.

 

[marnold]

You could take some of that time to show off "other musical skillz":

 

[Jipes]

Myra and I (Fundamental Things) have a gig at a casino in a few weeks. :bravo:
If they like us, we may be able to get repeat gigs there. So of course I'm telling everyone I know to go there and tell their management how great the band is ....

But they want 3.5 hours of music or so. We don't quite have enough material, so we need to learn some more material. Do you know of any set lists online somewhere that would give me some inspiration for coming up with new material?

I think we'll do country, blues, jazz, folk - that's our typical mix. It can't be too focused on a strong beat, since we are only a duo.

Any tips and suggestions welcome.

Do you play only two ? Do you play acoustic or electric ? Does Myra plays an instrument and which one ? i have quite lots of set list but really depends of the band format

 

[Robert]

I play both acoustic and electric, although mostly electric. Myra plays some acoustic too, on those songs that are easy enough for her. I am hoping we can use my looper pedal a bit, then I can load it up with some loops with drums/percussion and bass.

 

[Jipes]

I play both acoustic and electric, although mostly electric. Myra plays some acoustic too, on those songs that are easy enough for her. I am hoping we can use my looper pedal a bit, then I can load it up with some loops with drums/percussion and bass.

OK Robert that's a bit rough you alone

What about some john Hiatt songs: Memphis in the meantime, angel on my shoulder) or Emmylou Harris: Michaelangelo, Red Dirt girl and of maybe some Norah Jones which is always very appreciated but they are based on piano so maybe you have to screen them

Tom Waits: New caught of paint, I wish I was in New Orleans, The house where nobody's live, How is it gonna end

As for the Blues: I just want to make love to you, Bright light big city, driftin Blues,

I might get more but I need to know what you think of thoses already

 

[Robert]

Thanks everyone, I am getting some ideas together. I know we will be background music, people will be drunk, we can take breaks, etc - but it doesn't change the fact that we need some more material, so that's what I'm looking for ideas for. There's no bubble that needs a burstin'!

It's about time we did some Emmylou Harris. We already do a bunch of Hiatt tunes, but he's a big favorite. We do one Norah Jones song, maybe we should do more. We're gonna try some Lyle Lovett songs too. Tom Waits, hmm, I'll have to think about that one. I am trying to stay away from too much of the real hardcore old country stuff - I'm not too attracted to it personally.
We have some example set lists at www.fundamentalthings.ca

 

[just strum]

I remember seeing this thread while I was at work, but forgot about it after I arrived home.


A BIG CONGRATS:AOK: :AOK: :AOK:

 

[t_ross33]

Thanks everyone, I am getting some ideas together. I know we will be background music, people will be drunk, we can take breaks, etc - but it doesn't change the fact that we need some more material, so that's what I'm looking for ideas for. There's no bubble that needs a burstin'!

It's about time we did some Emmylou Harris. We already do a bunch of Hiatt tunes, but he's a big favorite. We do one Norah Jones song, maybe we should do more. We're gonna try some Lyle Lovett songs too. Tom Waits, hmm, I'll have to think about that one. I am trying to stay away from too much of the real hardcore old country stuff - I'm not too attracted to it personally.
We have some example set lists at www.fundamentalthings.ca

+1 on Emmylou! I luv her!:bravo: That means you're gonna have to brush up on your Albert Lee lix now :greenguitar:

You will be background music for sure, but I wouldn't expect everyone to be drunk. If it's anything like the smaller casinos around here, it won't be a big drinking crowd. Gotta save $$ for the one-armed-bandits

 

[jpfeifer]

Hey Robert,

Congratulations on the new gig, sounds great.

In terms of other artists that might fit into this mix of styles you might want to do some stuff by :
- Nickel Creek
- more Nora Jones tunes
- Corrine Bailey Rae (the song "Put your Record On" works really well with just guitar and vocal)
- Madeleine Peyroux
- Beatle Tunes (there's a lot of Beatle tunes that work great as a duo and these are definitely crowd pleasers)

-- Jim