That's right, I'm calling it quits..No more Troy T. Blues Band. There have been many supporting reasons for my decision. I think the biggest factor is that we have been suffering from the lack of people/dead rooms. This has coincidentally been the case since April, after the smoking ban went into full affect. I'm not gonna blame it on the smoking ban, but I think it's been a contributing factor. I think
it's very expensive to go out, stiff drinking & driving laws, home entertainment, etc, etc...Things have changed! We are not the only ones experiencing this from what I hear around on the circuit.
Also, in my opinion, playing the Blues is quite difficult to promote, especially in this region. Personally, I think we are an incredibly tight, fun band that plays a wide variety of Blues. I would be the first one to know if we weren't sounding great. I am extremely critical and meticulous about our performances/arrangements. When there is people in the crowd that are familar with Blues (not many people are) they are usually amazed at our diversity.
I could venture out of the area, try to promote the band much more, but I just don't have the time, energy or patience. I have tried booking agents, but usually they don't have much for a Blues band and typically they are not interested because Blues just doesn't sell.
Unfortunately, we have lost alot of rooms this year due the situation. Also, in some cases, I choose not to go back to certain rooms. For example, two weeks ago, we played at a place that usually loves us and we've done very well there in the past. This time around, that place was DEAD!!! Maybe 10-15 people the whole night. They have a new owner now, and at the end of the night, he very reluctantly handed me the money and asked where my following was..I've never been asked that before after three years of consistent gigs at that venue. That burned me and yet another one scratched off the list.
When we play under these conditions, quite frankly, I would rather be at home or just doing something else. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE playing, and I always will. Music will always be in my heart and soul forever. The money is nice too, but there is no inner satisfaction. My bass player had mentioned to me that he would rather play the gig regardless of the situation. I understand that and in most cases, I would too. However, I just have no desire, no drive and no inspiration whatsoever anymore. When it starts getting to be a hassle, really sucking and you are not having fun, something has got to give. That's how I feel right now, it makes me sick.
In the past we have played at some nice venues and the crowds have been very receptive. I will say that our best moment was when we played the Club Crawl at the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland, ME (2002). We played for two nights at one of the clubs in the area and the people appreciated our music and there were many. These people were totally familar with Blues and sincerely enjoyed us. I am so happy we that we had that opportunity, that was great! That was the most satisfying feeling I ever had playing the Blues or in any situation for that matter. Nothing has come close since, even though I expected that. However, it did show me that under the right conditions, we could deliver the goods and satisfied many, many people. The compliments and reactions were off the charts!
On the other hand, I could re-group and implement new songs of a different genre....songs that most people would be familar with, etc. However, it is not quite that easy. My drummer lives on the other side of the state and we don't have the opportunity to get together that often. Plus, I'm mentally drained...The deadness, stress of dealing with bar owners, chasing them down for gigs, running the band, well you know. It's all my shoulders and I had enough of that too.
My plans are to take a break for a while. In the meantime, I will attend some open jams and do some fill in gigs to stay sharp. In the future, I hope to join an established band that plays all styles like Blues, Classic Rock & Southern Rock. I've been there done that and I would certainly enjoy doing that again, so I will definitely be back on the scene. I don't want that responsibility anymore, I want to be in a situation where is is a little more low maintenance.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and it is nice to get this off my chest, I feel a little better now...It was really tough to come to this decision and break the news to the guys. I still think, at least at this time, that this was the right thing for me to do. We will play out our remaining gigs which concludes in December.
~Troy T.
(edited for clean-up)
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Originally Posted by Jack w/his radar
