Your thoughts on using a stage name

Subject: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 11:20 PM

Seems like a nice idea to use one, but I can see trade-offs. Your experiences and thoughts?

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 11:59 PM

Have never done it...

Don't really see the point myself...

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: khandu
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 12:19 AM

No real point in using "khandu" as my Mudcat name, but I do. Whenever I play anywhere (rarely), if I am not known by many of the people there, I use "khandu" rather than my name. But you are right Clinton, there is really no point in it.

khandu

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: mack/misophist
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 12:34 AM

Some people don't like their names. Mine sounds flat, dull, unmemorable. If so, why not use one you like better?

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: michaelr
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 12:51 AM

A long time ago, a Dublin friend and musical mentor of mine named Sean Oglesby named me Jango (for reasons that were never fully made clear, but involved the fact that he already knew several Michaels).
A bit later I was part of an acoustic folk/blues trio called The Frozen Burrito Brothers. (You can see where this is going.) We decided to adopt stage names: there was Rusty S. Hell (who hadn't played much lately) and Flip Yuoff (who was sensitive to audience reaction), and I became Jango Reinstone (who soloed using only two fingers).

We had a good time, and those in the audience who got it, had a good laugh.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 01:18 AM

well, it seemed to have worked for jimmy miller and robert zimmerman.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 03:04 AM

woody guthrie leadbelly dylan lonnie donegan ewan mccoll johnny handle blind lemon jefferson....by the way when does a nickname become a stagename?

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Mr Red
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 05:49 AM

I can remember a group called "Pinkerton's Many Assorted Clours" and they found that their name on the bill was always in smaller type to fit it in one line and they didn't get so well known. So they reduced it to Pinkerton's and by then their moment had passed. Conversely Ted Ray the comedian was advise to have a short name and short of a single name he had it about right, anythng shorter may have been less memorable - which is also a consideration.
If the above is insufficient reason consider the competition, is there a non-folky singer who you could be confused with and falsely accused of singing in their style? When it is in print you are tarred with their brush! If so you would be better choosing a name and doing the research to avoid this.
What's in a name, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet - print does not attack the olefactory organs - that's what's in a name.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From:
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 06:19 AM

Mine is a stage name. The circumstances are a little different to many others. I play in the pagan community and when I started out felt a little nervous about being "outed" at work (or something similar) so chose to use a stage name. Now I'm not so worried, however, "Mitchell" is easier to pronounce than my real surname, it is my mothers maiden name (and I feel more attached to that part of my extended family), and people know me by it. It also helps with summoning up a bit of "stage presence" for me. I get quite nervous sometimes, so I turn into Paul Mitchell, and that kind of helps.

Paul

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: M.Ted
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 11:34 AM

If you are a performer, name recognition is everything--not everyone gets a name that is easy to remember, and fewer still get a name that suggests the material that they will later learn to perform--what good does it do if people like your music if they can't remember your name?

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: RichM
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 12:16 PM

Choose whatever stage name you wish.

After all, most groups use "stage names"--unless they use their family name as the group name.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 12:53 PM

My stage name is Jerry Rasmussen. My real name is Sean Paradise.

Sean

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 01:37 PM

I dunno' Michael.....Now if you do Blues some things are mandatory so in your case I'd suggest Blind Georgia Mike.......that'd work.(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 04:21 PM

My last name is Oesterreich

I'm performing (when I can) these days as Uncle DaveO. q.e.d.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Genie
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 06:03 PM

It also worked for Richard Starkey and Gordon Sumner and for the guy with dime-a-dozen name who became the singer Engelbert Humperdinck.

If the name has more pizzazz than your given name or is more memorable, why not?

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: GUEST,Dexter Manley
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 01:01 PM

The "memorability" factor is certainly worth considering. It used to be done quite a bit to conceal ethnicity.

On the other hand, taking on a stage name can sometimes be ungodly precious -- every once in a while I'll see a community theater show where an actor -- nonprofessional, by definition -- will take on a stage name (their "real" first and middle name is a popular way of coming up with one, on the theory that if it's good enough for Tom Cruise...).

What, does this make them feel more glamorous? To me, it's kinda dopey. But it's their business, not mine. Though I reserve the right to snicker.

BTW: How's "Dexter Manley" sound to you?

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 01:09 PM

My all time fave 'stage name' was the impressive "Herschel Savage". It certainly indicated that along with his other skills, he had a sense of humour.

Rick

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Larkin
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 01:45 PM

As an Equity member , you have to have a unique name as my real name is Martin Taylor ( sound familiar ? } so I took my Grandmas name and so I perform as Martin Long . I've just been booked for a gig by Martin Young who couldn't use his real name as I'd nicked it - Personally I feel sorry for the real Martin Young ..........

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: reggie miles
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 11:28 PM

Well I've seen enough establishments butcher even the simplest names. So when it was time to choose one, I tried to choose one that was easy to spell.

At one of my first gigs the manager asked me what my name was so he could include me in his promo efforts. I told him Reggie Mason. I thought that was name that couldn't possibly be confused. He looked at me kind of strange and then informed me that he had an entertainer regularly playing at his club who dressed, looked and even played the same style music as me. The only difference was he was about ten years older and liked to drink. Guess what his name was? Yup, Reggie Mason. That's when I changed it to Miles. I tried some alternate spellings to add some distinction but settled quickly on the standard spelling to keep the confusion to a minimum. They still get it wrong on occasion and call me Reggie Mills or Miller.

A strange occurance that's been happening for some time is being mistaken for someone else. People say that I look like someone they know. I'm begining to think there might be enough of these to write a book. Logging all the times when this has happened and trying to find photos of all the guys that are supposed to look like me could be a fun project.

Lately, I've had folks getting confused by the fact that there's another entertainer in the area with the same first name. My first name is a little unusual. We both play some of the same venues but I don't think we play the same style of music. We've even been booked on alternate days of the same weekend at a local club. I've had folks come up and apologize that they missed my gig which was actually his gig. Maybe I'll change my name to Hans Palusavitch. I dare somebody to find another blues picker with that same handle.

....No, I don't owe you twenty bucks. I don't know anybody named Reggie Miles and even if I do look like him I already told you my name is Palusavitch, Hans Dingledorf Palusavitch. ;^)

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: hesperis
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 02:23 AM

lol!

I've used various different names on the net, and thought about using them as music names... but somehow I always go back to my first name, Chagall.

Unfortunately, there's actually a band called Chagall Guevara... wouldn't want to be confused with them, especially since my nickname is Che!

But my band's name is "Between the Worlds" - I just haven't decided whether to keep using Serpent Goddess as my name inside the band, or just be me.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Spartacus
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 09:08 AM

This is a funny thread...guy who started it is "mike Anthony" - the drummer from Van Halen. Later on, we see "Paul Mitchell", who I can only assume gives out hair spray samples at his shows...and finally, and I'm sure he was joking, but "Dexter Manley" is a football player. These people are already famous and they don't even know it.

I thougt about using a stage name for weeks before my first gig. If someone famous had my name, I might consider it. Other than that, I could'nt get myself to change it. It seemed like I was being phony. My mudcat name is my dog's name. (my other dog's name is Indiana, and I didnt' want to put up the bad jokes) So, in closing, I say use your real name...

Misophist: If your name was James Taylor, Eric Clapton, or even Mance Lipscomb, it would seem un-exciting. I think if you have a talent, your name really won't matter.

Spartacus

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Mark Ross
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 04:13 PM

I started using a stage name 35 years ago playing in Greenwich Village. My birth name was a little too easy to confusticate. I changed it to Ross, figuring that was short, eassy to spell and easy to remember. So far, over the years I have been; FOSS, MOSS, ROTH & GROSS. What can you do? It's the only name I 've been known by ever since. Not having a birth certificate in that name, and not having the money(or the inclination to go through a prolonged and expensice(for my budget) legality I can't get a drivers license, but my not driving is considered a contribution to the public welfare.

MArk Ross

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 06:19 PM

I only use a "stage name" when playing an actual character for a performance (usually "Golden Age of Piracy" stuff. When we are just playing, and it's not an historical venue, I am just me.

So, I guess I can't advise you, really. It's apples and oranges.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 07:38 PM

I have used several stage names in the past, in an effort to separate myself from the various styles of music I play. I can do an entire evening of humour, straight blues, jazz, rock, or trad folk, and I have found the following things out:

While people want to put you in a bag, it is very disappointing to them if they recognise you as The Blues Guitarist, announce you as such, and you proceed to perform a floor set of traditional material.

Getting payment by cheque to a stage name can cause horrible delays if you have not explained the situation to your bank, as nost cheques are marked Account Payee only.

It can be embarrassing to use a pseudonym - I once dropped my wallet inside a record company, and the receptionist had to establish my real identity before she could return it to me - the ID in the wallet did not correspond to the name I was using.

On the other hand, one has to admire people such as Ewan McColl, who have the strength to re-invent themselves. It reminds me of a man I knew who was a getaway driver for a gang of jewel thieves. I met him when he was just out of Leicester prison, having just served three and a half years of a five stretch. He changed his name by deed poll and within a few weeks had got a new job as a security guard - damn good guitarist, though.

Call yourself what you like, but don't conceal your identity -it suggests you have something to hide.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 09:51 PM

Spartacus -- actually, the drummer from Van Halen is named Van Halen. Mike Anthony is the bass player.

Seems to me that stage names are sort of similar to web names: kinda cute to play around with, but what's the point, unless you're hiding something (or your name is Hans Dingledorf Palusavitch)?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 10:02 PM

Approximately one third of the population is unable to 'get' or pronounce (or spell) my given name of Rolf. For some reason they are all able to get Rolfyboy (lots of 'Honeymooners' Norton-wannabees: "Hey, hey, hey, Rolfyboy"). So I stay Rolf and use Rolfyboy or Rolfy just enough for the challenged audience people to connect with.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: reggie miles
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 10:09 PM

LOL!

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 10:48 PM

If your name is "John Mellencamp", and you're trying to break into pop, I can see going with something else (though "Cougar" would not have been *my* top choice, but who am I anyway?). Tons and tons of "stars" have changed their names because they thought they weren't going to make it on what Mom put on the birth certificate. "Mama" Cass Elliott=Ellen Naomi Cohen, Cher=Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere (frankly, I like this one a lot better than what she uses), Elvis Costello=Declan Patrick McManus.

As for Bon Jovi, actually, the family name is: Bongiovi. Might sound the same, but I guess they thought it was less Italian looking the other way.

Seems most of the pop celebrity name changing is image related, but has had the effect of stripping their ethnicity.

However, in folk music? Is it all that necessary? I guess I could see it if you were playing Klezmer and your name was Hermann Goring. ;D

Whatever you do, just don't change it to some completely unpronouncable symbol that no one even has on their keyboards. :::coughcoughprincecough:::

:::snort!:::

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: 53
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 11:18 PM

My band used a stage name and that was Midnite Run. It's a pretty good idea to come up with a catchy name that people will remember and they will come to see you the next time that you are in town. Good marketing pays off.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 11:53 PM

Rick

Herschel Savage?

Harry Reams, Roland Quiver.

It scares me to think that other people may know these names. That I KNOW THESE NAMES! And admit to it.

Don

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Bert
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 02:07 AM

If your name is something like Fred Bloggs, you might want to consider a stage name. In fact, now that I'm letting my hair grow in it's natural colour, I'm thinking of using the name Bert Steel, kinda matches my eyes as well.

Bert.

P.S. anyone got any ideas other than Bert?

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: GUEST,Hans Dingledorf Palusvitch
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 07:41 AM

Shit. I changed mine from Fred Bloggs to this!! How about Manov instead of Bert.

HDP

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 08:22 AM

A friend of mine was going to use the name Slim Hoofnagel as a nom-de-plume when introducing his own songs at a country session. Trouble was we couldn't keep a straight face. He's a Scot, and the name just (for some unexplainable reason) sounds even more rediculous with that accent.
So - to stretch the thread a bit, what about ascribing your own songs to some other name - is it cheating?

Kris

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: GUEST,ghost
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 11:47 AM

GuestHDP, ROTFLMAO!

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: hesperis
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 12:26 PM

But Bert... I like "Bert"!

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: SharonA
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 07:30 PM

Bert, how about this for your stage name: Cy Stuzzenmadder. *G*

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 07:46 PM

How about Red Ruffensore? Ben Dover? Clark Barr? Dwight Mannsburden?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Jim Krause
Date: 03 Apr 02 - 02:10 PM

Clinton,
Sometimes a stage name can be a joke. In our band, the Euphoria String Band, we all use stage names. It all started with our bass player who in the beginning stages was plagued with stage jitters, to the point where she couldn't go on. One night she told us later, she had had a dream where she was about to go on stage. The stage was this rickety little thing built on a trailer. A bolt of lightning hit her just as she ascended the top step, and transformed her into Ruby Fernwood. It helped her go on with the show, so to speak, and allowed her to be a little more outgoing than she normally would.

We all got to joking around about the whole bit, and one by one, names were created, and somehow I ended up with the name Chester Drawers. Other bandmates ended up with the names Asa Diamond, our guitarist, and Claude Hammer, our banjo player. If anyone plays old-time style banjo, the pun will be appreciated.

The whole stage name thing has taken on a life of its own. We invented a town we all live in, Two Foot Falls, KS, a radio station we perform on WHY Radio, "2 on your radio dial." Of course most things come in twos in Two Foot Falls. For instance, Ms. Fernwood is the owner of the Twin Peaks Mattress Co., a veiled reference to a television show that I never watched. OK, so that joke is a little too subtle, but you get the idea. And Chester owns and operates "Chester's Boy-howdy burgers" where there's always a monthly special: two burgers for the price of two burgers. "It's half the deal at twice the price."

You know, I think Paw, Cletus, and the Reg boys would be quite at home in Two Foot Falls, KS.
Jim

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Apr 02 - 02:21 PM

Well, the Boys were thinking of going into the radio business so maybe they would Jim. WHY sounds just like a place they could run. Cletus worked as the DJ, general manager, and janitor of a local station before it shut down.......I can still hear him on his nightly broadcasts......well, at least as well as you could hear a 50 watt station........"Thanks fer comin' by folks an come by tomorrow fer mor gud stuff from WEAK, another weak station."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Jim Krause
Date: 03 Apr 02 - 02:26 PM

Here are just a few. No claims of originality here.
Justin Time, or
Justin Case
Amanda Reckonwith
Art Decqueaux
Althea Holm
Lois Bidder
Arlo Price
Bob Wire
Slim Chance
Rock Starr
my favorite from Garrison Keillor, Xavier Onassis
Alice Chalmers
Minnie Vann
Lois Carmine De Nominator
Jay Byrd
Amos Offcenter
Amos Behavin
Seymour Butts
Sandy Beech
Belle Zonnertoes
Herold Angel

OK, I'm done--at last.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Jim Krause
Date: 03 Apr 02 - 02:38 PM

Just can't quit, can I? Don't know when enough's enough. Here are a few more.

Marion Haste
Bill Payer
Jim Naseum
Patty O'Furniture
Patty O'Dining
Ferris Lordjesus
Guy Wire
Pete Moss

Enough already! duckingandrunningfastasican
Jim

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Troll
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 12:50 AM

You forgot Sandi Sheetz, Bob Upandown, Otto Partz, and the Hiney brothers, Big Red and Thor.

troll

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From:
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 02:52 AM

I lived in Portsmouth for a while. There a lot of people playing in bands used stage names (including "Bob Shoowop") in order to avoid being taken to task over working whilst signing on for unemployment benefit. Many spent a lot of their energies avoiding being photographed for the local papers as well.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 03:45 AM

Ah, thanks Hespy.

Sharon, I was thinking something more on the lines of "Bunzov" but that's been taken.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 04:57 AM

What about Al Fresco?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: SharonA
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 09:30 AM

Then there's Anita Gigg.

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 09:55 AM

Nah Reg Airmiles is the winner!

Subject: RE: Your thoughts on using a stage name
From: Genie
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 02:17 PM

Some others [some from Prairie Home Companion, some from me]
Pat McCann
Sybil Liberties
Ophelia Butz
G. Uri Normis
Dewey Dare
Alison Wonderland
Allie Katz
Sellma Junkoff
Rita Book
Ouida Windows
Ace Palmer
Howie Plucks
Miranda Reitz
Justin Old Cowhand