Paul Downes - looking for gigs

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Jun 05 - 01:33 AM

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Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Jun 05 - 07:57 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 12:48 AM

Gigs are strange creatures

Backoff to rest a week and you might rest a month.

Network, volunteer, contact others and let them know you are available for ANYTHING - swallow your pride -

HOWVER, the wonderful positive side is....without a gig - you can practice three even five times a day - and that is fun enjoyable stuff.

I suggest Mr. Downs post his vitae here. Place "positions desired" and list....the google engine will send others seeking his skills.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 03:42 AM

how does that work/ i will try and do that for him. Thanks for the suggestion.

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 06:40 AM

See him tonight at the Puzzle Hall in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire FREE, plus lots of other great singers.

eric

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 19 Jun 05 - 03:29 PM

Try "Live and Local" .............they organise gigs and shows in rural areas in Staffs, Warks and Worcs. The've gotta web site for info. If any difficulties in locating it PM me

Frank

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST, Hamish
Date: 20 Jun 05 - 04:50 AM

And I've had his 13th July gig at the Famous Willows, Arundel in my diary for yinks. He's a "don't dare miss" for me whenever he's playing in my vicinity. Top, top player, singer, writer, interpreter and good bloke.

I can't quite understand some of the stuff on this thread: how can he be accused of not networking when he's a regular guest with Show of Hands, still gigs with Joyce Gang, plays out solo, is an in-demand session player, etc.?

I'll ask him when I see him in Arundel, but I wonder if it was more of a throw-away line? Sort of "Yeah, I'd like more solo gigs" but I can't help feeling that if it was a real problem, he's been around long enough to know how to self-promote.

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Jun 05 - 06:35 AM

Why not ask him - his numbers on this link.

As for being able to self promote - i think we all have our cut off points with technology and apparently paul's is, how to make a link to his site. this I have done with this thread.

No the starvation, misery and homelessness are not really on the horizon for him, but he COULD do with some more gigs.

If you're in position to give him a gig - please do. he has guitar string changing dependency habit to feed, which is out of control and the other members of the support group have thrown him out.

A bright cheery man, who can play the guitar and sing very well. What more could you want

all the best

al

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST, Hamish
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 05:41 AM

So, Paul played The Famous Willows in Arundel last night, and I was there ~8^)

He was fabulous as usual: he's Mr Reliable in my book. Voice, guitar, songs, patter were all in perfect working order.

And it was a packed house - not a bad trick on a hot and sultry evening.

I did button-hole him on this "not enough gigs" business, and he says he's shy! Seems to have a phobia about getting on the phone and asking for gigs: a fear of rejection thing. Also he thinks that some clubs might assume he'd be out of their price range due to his Big Gigs.

Anyway, he is looking for gigs, he is worth booking, he is cost effective, and if my personal circumstances were different I'd be begging him to let me be his agent, cos I'm sure with a bit of determined and organised promotion, he could have an over-flowing gig diary.

Anyway (2) let this be a lesson to you all: it's not enough to be superb, you need to be able to risk a few refusals and to get in touch with clubs if you want gigs. In fact being merely adequate allied with a bit of belief and bull is a strong combination (look at "pop" music for countless examples!)

Anyway (3) Paul, if you're reading this, speaking as someone who's had somewhere in the region of his fair share of refusals, they're usually quite gentle about it. "We're a more (or less!) traditional club" i.e. we like you, but musical policy, blah, blah. The ones that brass me off are the ones who can't bring themselves to say no, and just end up wasting time for both parties.

--
Hamish

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: rhyzla
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 06:43 AM

"The ones that brass me off are the ones who can't bring themselves to say no, and just end up wasting time for both parties."

Absolutely on the button - Hamish.

The ones who say we might book you, and never get back, drive me nuts. A simple polite no, or not at this time, ..... or even yes - ok! - is much better.

And good luck to Paul - it's not easy jumping on the phone and chasing gigs - god I should know.

Look forward to bumping into you soon Hamish.

Barry Hunt

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 07:12 AM

Just want to say thank you to Rhyzla and Hamish.

I felt my word was being doubted over this matter and I feel somewhat vindicated.

if you can't give him a gig - spead the word about Paul Downes- he's a fine musician and singer and he deserves everybody to love and respect him.

all the best

big al

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST,rumanci
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 10:59 AM

YEH !!!!!

I was at the Willows too - I'll echo everything Hamish says ;-)

Book him !! Wonderful entertainment guaranteed every time

rum

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 11:56 AM

Are the sound samples on his website typical of his performance? Do they do him justice? They don't seem to project any lasting WOW factor as far as his guitar-playing goes, but he has fantastic reviews!?

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 12:18 PM

check out his appearance on the show of hands video. check out the recent article in folk on tap - someone called him the best guitarist in the world!

I've been playing the guitar over 40 years now and some folk say I'm no slouch - but Paul is in another class. You know how Alex Higgins was as a snooker player, he had shots the other guys wouldn't even think of - that's the quality Paul has as a guitarist.

Occasionally i suppose you could argue with the choice of material - but then (hard to believe it I know!) sometimes people argue with my choice of material. I promise he's pretty damn good!

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey.
Date: 14 Jul 05 - 08:25 PM

I can only echo what others have said about Paul, he really is one
excellent musician, his choice of material I would leave up to him.
I am suprised that the likes of Paul have problems with gigs in England, I know many of the greats of folk music would never ask for a gig, that's where agents come in, I have problems pushing myself
but I have a good team who do it for me.
Is there nobody out there with a little spare time to make a few phone calls, this guy is worth it.

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 10:59 AM

Would he be interested in a Sheffield gig? What's his fee?

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Jul 05 - 11:04 AM

His phone number is 01395-266840
His website is http://www.pauldownes.com/

He awaits your call!
and I'll do you the support slot for free, if you're not careful

all the best

al

and on his behalf, in advance, I thank you for your interest Joe!

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 09:08 PM

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Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Jul 05 - 12:01 PM

refresh

he's still looking!

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Girl Friday
Date: 05 Aug 05 - 09:29 AM

Am now booking Friday Folk at Orpington Liberal Clubfor 2006. Paul Downes is always welcome.

Subject: RE: Paul Downes - looking for gigs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Aug 05 - 12:34 PM

will inform paul