BS: What Would You Do?

Subject: What Would You Do?
From: UB Ed
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 03:32 PM

Still dazed from yesterday's events, but believe we have to go on; to give in lets the terrorists win. We perform this Thursday night 9/13.

There would have been no way I could have performed last night. Tonight I'm just "not here." I strongly feel we need to play, but have no idea what to do "special" if anything.

Suggestions?

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 03:47 PM

Ed

I have to play tonight and Sunday. People are coming to be entertained. I will do my best to entertain them. It's my job and I think I do it well. I will say that the events of this week are awful, lets not make lite of them or forget the many who are gone. But I will also say that I won't allow someone else who doesn't know me to control my life. And I will sing the songs I'd planned.

I will go ahead with what I intended and I will enjoy myself and I hope thr crowd will as well. But I will go ahead.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 04:13 PM

Did you see the excellent thread, HERE? Thoughts along similar lines were shared.

I haven't been able to think yet about what we will do in church Saturday night... it's a hard one.

If you were in the audience, what would you want to hear?

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 04:17 PM

I recommend that anyone with gigs already scheduled, go ahead and play them. Yes, people will be coming to be entertained; if they don't want to be entertained, they will stay home and you won't have to worry about them.

I also recommend you confess your discomfort to the audience, in whatever style you feel most comfortable talking to the audience. Being honest is the best way to establish rapport with the audience. And honesty is what folk music is all about, IMHO.

Play whatever you play well. I mean, whatever you play well, go ahead and play it. Aw, you know what I mean!

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Kim C
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 04:18 PM

We have to play tomorrow night. I don't really want to. It's funny, because we played this same gig this same time last year, and I didn't want to do it then, because it was 2 weeks after my father died. We did the show (it's a short one) and it went along fine - but a photo someone took of me clearly shows my distress.

I have nothing on the books this weekend. I think I will knit and make jewelry and play music. Anything to keep my hands busy.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 04:20 PM

We have one Saturday afternoon, and we are just going to do what we do........I'll be wearing a black armband, tho.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: SharonA
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:12 PM

I have one Saturday night (house concert by one of the local songwriter clubs – all original songs, round-robin format with three other musicians). I've already suggested to the concert's coordinator and others that the concert event be postponed so that we can attend memorial services or vigils, and/or that the evening's format be changed to a group-sing of familiar songs we can sing together and draw comfort and resolve from.

If the club decides to go ahead with the concert, I will follow some of these suggestions and hope I can keep my voice steady. Thanks, UB Ed, for starting this thread.

SharonA

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: kendall
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:18 PM

Mention it if you must, but, dont dwell on it, you will make the audience uncomfortable. Just as laughter is infectious, so is grief.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: breezy
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:33 PM

the world keeps turning, it does not stop, we too keep on moving we do not stop we are a microcosm for as long as we are. yesterday i played and today i played and god willing i shall play tomorrow. we must live on and from it we gain strength to continue undaunted, we will not be moved we shall rise again and start right now to o'ercome. it is your hands and voice that they'll want to hear even as a support. look ahead and move on ,be positive.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: GUEST,Hotspur
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:54 PM

if we allow our world to come to a screeching halt, the terrorists have won. show them that they have not won. we must keep going, and we must keep doing the things that we do, because we are strong enough not to crumble under this hideous turn of events.

on a less philosophical note, i imagine a lot of people could use a good diversion for an hour or two.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Bert
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 08:35 PM

Yes, it's a difficult decision. I have to perform on Saturday and was going to sing Robert Emmett and a couple more Irish songs.

I think I'll leave them out and substitute something typically American. Maybe some cowboy songs.

Also, I usually sing some pretty silly stuff which I'm sure I won't feel like singing.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Midchuck
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 09:46 PM

We just had a group practice.

I took a notion to sing Richard Thompson's "How Will I Ever Be Simple Again."

Didn't even occur to me how on-topic it was until I'd finished.

Peter.

Subject: Lyr Add: TEARS IN HEAVEN (Eric Clapton)
From: UB Ed
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 08:46 AM

This occurred to me last night:

Tears In Heaven
(by Eric Clapton & Will Jennings)
Would you know my name
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven...

Would you hold my hand
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven...

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please...

Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven...

Would you know my name
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven...

Then after a toast to all loved ones, family and friends, lurch into a series of up tempo songs (Whiskey in the Jar, Wild Rover, etc.).

I just don't know...

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Troll
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 08:59 AM

We are playing a retirement home on saturday. A lot of the residents are Jewish and a lot are veterans. It will be hard to be up-beat and light-hearted but we will muddle through somehow.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: gnu
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 12:46 PM

Hotspur is right on. I've got a bunch of Newfoundlanders to entertain and I'm not gonna let the bastards screw it up... Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile...

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 01:25 PM

Troll, I bet they will end up offering comfort to you.

I think many in many audeinces will be feeling for us and with us-- they aren't stupid. We all know this has affected everyone. But our responsibility will be to be authentic and honest, and yet still the pro in charge providing leadership.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Kim C
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 01:29 PM

I forgot to mention, tonight's performance is in a cemetery. Yes, a cemetery. I am SO not wanting to do it, but we said we'd be there, the people are counting on us, and we're as dependable as your favorite pocketwatch, so we'll be there. I think once I get started I will be all right, but that first step is going to be a little tough.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: mousethief
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 01:33 PM

"We shall overcome"?

Alex

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: UB Ed
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 02:50 PM

We just figured out how to get over the "I am NOT in the mood to play" hump. We will be donating tonight's earnings, as well as all tips/donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund (PO Box 37243 Washington DC 20013).

I'm ready to freakin play!

Many thanks to all the advice and God bless each one of you.

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 03:45 PM

Tough call here. I'm reminded of the time I was teaching Bible School for the first time. The mother of a 5-year-old boy who had been receiving chemotherapy for leukemia called to tell me about her son. She wanted him to experience being around other children before he entered kindergarten in a few weeks. He was still very swollen and wore a baseball cap to cover his bald head. I was scared and didn't know what to do. Thank goodness another kindergarten teacher was with me and handled it beautifully. She sat the kids in a circle and just encouraged them to talk. It was truly "out of the mouths of babes." They were so honest and compassionate, and we all learned a lot.

So I guess my advice is...LISTEN...and be flexible.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Kim C
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 05:52 PM

UB Ed, I have thought about that. I think it is a good idea.

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: UB Ed
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 09:46 AM

Well. Last night we gathered over $800. It was amazing. We collected donations via requests and between us were able to honor (in some fashion) each request. At the end of the night, the entire pub stood and together sang the Star Spangled Banner and This Land is Your Land. Afterwards, a number of our "regulars" came up and sincerely talked about how glad they were to have a chance to sing songs they were "made" to learn in grade school.

Jim Dixon was right; folks were coming to be entertained. Those not in the mood stayed home. But, those wanting to be entertained were also willing and, I believe, in some cases, needed, to face the beast squarely and address their feelings as best they could. Wasn't it Stephen King who remarked that once you actually see the monster, its not as scary?

Another observation: Folks talked to us last night about providing a vehicle for them to do something to help. Some were frustrated by not being able to give blood yet.

So, get out there, play, and use your God-given talents to make a difference.

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 09:53 AM

Don't sing God Bless America. Do sing My Country Tis Of Thee. Small advice...

Subject: RE: BS: What Would You Do?
From: Kim C
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 01:58 PM

We played in the cemetery to a small group of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Why in a cemetery? Well, the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville is home to the Confederate Circle, a monument under which many Confederates who died at the Battle of Nashville are interred. Each year the SCV sponsors a candlelight tour of the cemetery to raise money for the upkeep of the Circle. Several prominent Nashvillians are also buried there, and during the tour, their stories are told by costumed reenactors. A great entertainment bargain for your $7.

One of the members led a singing of the National Anthem at the beginning of the meeting. I couldn't make my voice work. I could only move my lips and by the end of the song, I couldn't even do that. I was concerned I would not be able to make it through a 30-minute set. But we did, even though it got too dark for me to see the fiddle and I misfired a few notes!

I felt better for singing, but gosh, was I tired.