Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:13 PM

I agree with Anahata - Black Cat would be a good name.

Maybe the only way to get round the country dance problem (without re-educating the masses) is to use the term English Country Dance Band - bit long winded though.

The name of the band I'm in came from the school where it all started, a scratch band of non-folkies doing a PTA thing, so Larkrise was the first part and I remember having had an LP by the High Level Ranters once as a teenager - being keen on aliteration, I suggested Larkrise Ranters and ceilidh band got tagged on. Now we're all died in the wool folkies, know that we don't play rants and that really we are not a ceilidh band - we are a band that plays mainly British traditional music for English country dance.

Get on with it Mo and good luck with the first of many gigs.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Rasener
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 08:45 AM

:=)

Maybe I should just mention that the expression "Dogs B******s" means very good/excellent

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: jiggerwill
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 08:11 AM

Villan
I had a supicion something like your suggestion would appear, and why not, being as we're talking about cat lovers here substitute cat for dog and you've cracked it.It meets all criteria- members initials,type of dance played for,commonality of all being cat owners.
I await the first outing in South Cheshire of this newly formed band.
Will

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 07:10 AM

Creative thought Villian, much appreciated here!

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Rasener
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 07:00 AM

Indeed Les, especially if you have Bob, Olive, Les, Len, Ozzie, Carol, Karen, Stan in the band and they all love dogs.

The Dogs B******s Barn Dance Band

I'll get me coat.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 05:34 AM

Will, this opens up so many possibilities!

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: jiggerwill
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 05:29 AM

Mo
we had difficulty choosing a name for one of the bands I play in and in the end we decided on using an acronym of members names
Bill And Russ And Gill = BARAG it doesn't mean anything but it solved the problem
Will

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: pavane
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:50 AM

In Welsh, the equivalent of Ceilidh is Twmpath (roughly, toompath, pron 'ath' rather than 'arth'). Not being Welsh-speaking, I am informed that it refers to the mound (Twmp or tump) on which the musicians stood or sat, to perform for the dancing.

That is much less used (or over-used) than ceilidh, but probably wouldn't be understood except in Wales, and possibly not even there.

Our band, some years ago, was Five Bar Gait (groan). Both musical and rural connotations.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Rasener
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:20 AM

How about

Moggy Mo Stompers

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:57 AM

I guess a close trawl across the OS map of Cheshire would through up some interesting names?

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:54 AM

The Gowey Land Fill Site has often caught my eye, as has the Stanlow Oil Refinery.

Names like these might help to dispel the "Merry England" tag that may be unwelcome.

Les

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Mo the caller
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:42 AM

No, squeezy things and whistles.
"Puff and Squeeze" might sound too energetic and/or intimate for some!

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 09:03 PM

Do all your members play stringed instuments? I think the words 'string band' tells a lot about a band.

By that I mean that I expect an old-fashioned, traditional sound with no particular national ties. That could be helpful.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Mo the caller
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 06:54 PM

Cat's Whiskers is already a very good band. Down South somewhere, I suspect. We dance to them at Chippenham. (Will I ever look at them the same again?)
If anyone is on a roundabout on the A1 when they were meant to be at one of my dances they are even more lost than usual.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 03:24 PM

Black Cat is a roundabout on the A1, though....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: treewind
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 03:19 PM

Cat's Whiskers.
A scratch band for all purr pusses...

[I'll get me coat...]

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Marilyn
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 10:45 AM

Mo said: We are considering Black Cat, as we all own black cats.

I think in my case it is more that my two black cats own me!! They certainly boss me around enough.

I googled for Cheshire Cats as the name you suggested Anahata and it came up with a band in the Warrington area with that name, so that is already taken. Coincidentally, my daughter had sent us all emails suggesting the name Black Cat because we do all own are owned by black cats. So when you suggested Cheshire Cats the CAT them seemed destined to be the way to go. Great minds think alike?!

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: treewind
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 10:18 AM

Black Cat - That's a fine name! Why look further?

Re Jess A's excellent summary -
We go for "ceilidh band" because it's what we like to call ourselves, and we have an explanation of what we do on our web site, including how to pronounce "ceilidh".

One of the commonest questions we get from punters is whether we'll do some Scottish dances "because there'll be some Scottish people at the party". Proper strathspey-and-reel stuff is far too difficult for a typical event with inexperienced dancers, but further questioning usually reveals "oh you know, strip the willow and Gay Gordons and dosey-do [really!] and stuff like that".
We did have someone ask for an eightsome reel once, and got a set to do it but it was a struggle and they obviously didn't know what they'd let themselves in for.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Jess A
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 08:08 AM

speaking as someone who has played for many years in an english ceilidh band which doesn't have any of the words 'ceilidh' 'barn dance' or 'band' in the name, I'd have to say I agree with those above who've already said it probably doesn't matter too much so long as your publicity is nice and clear and your website will appear on searches for any of them.

Ceilidh - you will get some people assuming you are Scottish. Or Irish. And being unable to pronounce or spell the word 'ceilidh'

Barn Dance - you will get some people who assume its an American thing and want to wear cowboy hats, dungarees and check shirts. And straw.

Country Dance - you will get some people wanting line dancing to country music. And/or people associating it with the unbearably twee type of thing that they used to be forced into at primary school.

But any of these possible problems will only affect a small number of potential punters and so long as you are clear enough on your website and on the phone about what you actually do I doubt any major misunderstandings would occur.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Mo the caller
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 04:44 AM

We are considering Black Cat, as we all own black cats. Black cat ceilidh band seems to sound better than barn dance, which is why I wondered if people would not know what it was, or would expect would Scottish or Irish music.
I'm a bit wary of things they can mis-spell like Ave a Go (though I like it) or Hoe Down. I'm in Thompson's directory as Mo Barn Dance Parties and I get some very dubious voices on the phone, and lots asking if I do childrens parties. I say, 'only for over 7s' which is usually the end of that, though I was persuaded to do a fancy-dress dance for a 4 year-old on a Peter Pan theme and it went really well.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: treewind
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 03:41 AM

Lots of good advice above.
I like to incorporate a hint of the band's geographical area.
I think you should work the Cheshire Cat theme in somewhere. It has implications of the smiles staying on people's faces even after you've gone.

(A scratch band at the "Cheshire Cat" pub seems to have a weak prior claim, though)

Anahata
(We called ours Fendragon)

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 02:29 AM

Ah OK Bill

Then

Ava Go Mo Do Si Do Band

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 04:38 PM

If only "The Abergowian Folk Group" had chosen another name.

Les

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: bill\sables
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 02:21 PM

"AAAAF A MO Ceilidh Band" has already been used. We've been using it for years. It stands for An Accordion And A Fiddle and Mayby Others
Bill

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 02:20 PM

Glorystrokes haven't done too bad!!

Connoations? Not many!!

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 02:04 PM

How about

Arf A Mo Reely Band

Ava Narna Jiggy Band

Geri Attric Barney Band

Cay Lee Barn Band

I always think a cachy name helps people to remember the band name. One other thing is to possibly use a name beginning with A as you will probably be one of the first bands they find in the list.

I do remember once trying to help put a Ceilidh on, and nobody in the area new what a Ceilidh was. However, when I said it was like a barn dance but better, that seemed to work. I also told a Scotsman and he knew immediately knew what a Ceilidh was as it seemed thats what they called it up there.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Dick The Box
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 01:23 PM

Martin,

Rather ewe than me.

I'll get me (fleece-lined) coat....

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: bill\sables
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 12:01 PM

We had a band a few years ago with the term "Country Dance Band" and agents kept sending us to country music clubs where we were expected to play for line dancing. Our current name "Foolish Virgins Ceilidh Band" seems to do OK with bookings every week end
Cheerts Bill

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: GUEST,martin ellison
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:36 AM

Dick the box - on behalf of my new band "The Sheepshaggers 2008" I thank you for the inspiration.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:33 AM

Don't use 'ceilidh.' Few people know how to pronounce it, and even fewer can spell it.

A few years ago, our club brought in a band from abroad that had 'ceilidh' in its name. Radio announcers butchered the word, and I'm sure there were stations that rejected our press release because they would look stupid trying to say it.

I wouldn't use 'barn dance,' either. Barns smell. For me, at least, the words 'barn dance' evoke cheap instruments which are not really in tune.

How do you like the phrase 'country dance'?

But if you are willing to play for parties where there is no dancing, then you don't want to take a name which says that you are purely a dance band.

Why don't you check a thesaurus for words and phrases which express 'everyone have a good time and never mind if in doubt, cheat'
'Nonchalant' comes to mind.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: pavane
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:28 AM

The Beatles was actually quite good, incorporating Beat into an existing word. (Except in German, where it apparently sounded like a rude word).

A name with some second meaning is better than one without, in my opinion.

Both solo artists and bands have gone down this road, though some references are more obscure than others. Look at Chubby Checker, for one example, and compare with Fats Domino!

I learned recently that 'Blow Monkeys' is slang for saxophone players.
(I have led a sheltered life).

Have a brain-storming session where all suggestions, however silly, are considered. They can often lead on to something unexpectedly good.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Mr Happy
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:23 AM

Some chums've mine, Taggart & Wright, at one time considered calling themselves 'The Badass Girls' but then thought it might create the wrong atmosphere!

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Dick The Box
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 11:13 AM

Picking a band name is the hardest part of forming a band. You never find the perfect name but at least you have the consolation that whatever you choose will grow on you.

My top tips are...

1) Choose something which is memorable but doesn't mean anything

2) Avoid anything which has connotations that will upset people i.e. The Sheepshaggers

3) Choose something that will not date

4) Choose something that is easy to spell. "rgzfrtyu" may be a great name but having to spell it over the phone and say how to pronounce it will drive you mad.

5) Google your chosen name. Choose something that comes up with few, if any, hits.

6) Make sure that the .co.uk domain name is still available. The internet is often the first place that punters look so get a web site. My own site cost £35 from Mr Site and was easy to create (still a work in progress!).

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Mo the caller
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 07:45 AM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 06:53 AM

What is important is that any publicity, including web site, includes both. When people are searching the web for a band, those who don't know what a ceilidh is will search for barn dance, those that do will search for ceilidh. You don't need to have either in the band's name, that said, we do and we pick up loads of work, partly because we have our web site coded so that search engines will pick up both categories and partly because we get repeat bookings and recommendations - always make sure that when you do a gig, you have some flyers or cards to give if asked for them. If you don't have any sound samples on your web site, then you need to make sure that you have some CDs to send out or to give on request.

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 06:43 AM

I agree with Fee and Jiggerwill. The name is unimportant.

'The Beatles' was a really rubbish name. but they did OK....

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: GUEST,jiggerwill
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 06:30 AM

I agree with Fee, the publicity is of prime importance coupled with a swift and helpful response to any enquiries,we have a website which is most useful in that we can specify certain requirements which folk can read prior to getting in touch,we also specify the area which we are prepared to work in which means we,as a band based in N.Shropshire don't get enquiries from the other end of the country.

Will

Subject: RE: Barn dance / ceilidh which will people b
From: Fee Lock
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 06:17 AM

I think bookings will come as a result of publicity (word of mouth & advertising), so I suggest you just pick a name which best reflects what you do or what means something to you. The Brownbridge Band, for example.

The trouble occurs when people pick names because they're deliberately cute or fashionable, which don't reflect the band membership over ten or fifteen years.

Fee x

Subject: Will people book a barn dance or ceilidh band
From: Mo the caller
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 05:05 AM

We are discussing a name for our new band. I know that for Eceilidh enthusiasts the term Ceilidh has a specific meaning. But the sort of gigs we expect to play for will be 'everyone have a good time and never mind if in doubt, cheat' parties and fundraisers.
Which do you think the general public are more likely to book, a barndance band, or a ceilidh band. Or should we go with what sounds better with the name we choose?