I have been struggling with putting together a band for 3 years. The first year was me alone honing my chops for the very stylized sound I heard in my head and off of ancient old memphis blues records. The second saw it come together with the exact instrumentation I wanted. I remember the feeling listening to play backs of early sessions "THAT'S IT!!!:)THAT'S F#$#@! IT!!!!!!WHOO-HOO". But, the fiddle player(it's always the fiddle player)turned out to be impossible to work with ,it wasn't a matter of getting along we are still friends, she just insane.Over the course of 8 months I struggled to make it work and innocently but incredibly frustratingly she was a human road block, a walking talking glitch. After we parted it was 6 months seeking a replacement, before finally putting it all together. Take heart, patients is a virtue and anything you really truly want or need is eventually handed to you by the Lord, Bless 'em. There is no substitute for a happy band that laughs together while they play together.It is the only road to a joyous sound. To those who are trying to start their own bands I offer this advice- 1) for ten thousand years people made music for love and maybe free food and drink, if money is your objective do something else 2)Even if you know exactly the sound you are looking for and have a mountain of material- allow it to change with others input, that is the nature of group music, give everyone a voice.3) Only work with people you like 4) MAKE MUSIC AND LAUGH LIKE THE CHANCE MAY NOT COME AGAIN, EACH TIME. -DAN