Copy bands - what gives?

Subject: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 12:38 AM

I came across a t.v. advertisement for an enjoyable evening at the local arboretum (did I spell that right?) that spoke of live music on certain given nights, beneath the stars and overlooking the town lake, etc. - not to be missed.

I recalled that a few years back some friends of mine had played a gig there so I went to the arboretum web-site to see what acts they were featuring this year and I almost lost it.

They are featuring live music one weekend night per week with a list of entertainers that included one band that is "arguably" the best party and wedding band in North Texas, another band with a horn section that I've heard - and they may be the best party band in ALL of Texas. They also are bringing in Brave Combo and a Texas favorite - Asleep At The Wheel, along with one or two other bands that I've never heard of.

My problem? Here is a list of the remaining acts they are bringing in on different nights for your enjoyment beneath the stars:
an Elvis impersonator w/ band
a Beatles impersonator band
a Rolling Stones impersonator band
a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young impersonator band
a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers impersonator band
a Billy Joel impersonator band

I can maybe understand the Elvis guy, I mean - his hero is dead and he ain't coming back, so the dude goes out and tries to be like "The King" and make a few bucks; and, I can understand the Beatles group to a point because the real band won't be touring again either, but, the rest of those guys "ain't dead yet," why are you impersonating them?

I just don't get it, I mean, I don't have a lick of interest in seeing someone impersonate any of those guys - what nonsense. And that leads me to wonder how long it's going to take till the hoards of Michael Jackson impersonators start appearing on stages from coast to coast?

Well, having said all that, I, myself was an opener for a U2 impersonator band a few months back. Maybe I should'a done only songs by folks like Harry Chapin, John Denver, Stan Rogers and Townes VanZant, you know, just to keep things in perspective.   

Some days it just gets curiouser and curiouser, don't it?            
Cheers,..................mwh

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Ernest
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 01:34 AM

How about calling yourself an "everyone else impersonator/tribute band" then?

Could get you a few gigs...

Best
Ernest

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 11:26 AM

I've lately thought that I should be walking around with a sign,
"Will channel dead folksingers for food."


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Acorn4
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 12:02 PM

Isn't it just a sign of the lack of real genuine creativity around nowadays that we have to look to the past?

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: JedMarum
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 01:46 PM

We live in an age where people prefer a "known commodity" version of art to a chance something new, creative and different.

We have sequel after sequel to blockbuster movies, reunion or comeback tours from big name acts, formula driven TV dramas that closely track opinion polls on social and even political issues.

None of the gatekeepers to music or entertainment production have balls. None are willing to take the risk on new, innovative talent.

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: GUEST,emily s
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 02:02 PM

Someone at mudcat in the songwriting thread said this:
One of my old band mates liked to point out that an audience will like a bad band that plays material they know better than a great band playing material they don't know—

I think that explains it. Same reason Hollywood does remakes/sequels. It's proven over and over again that there is more money in the familiar than in the new.

I don't think we're suffering from a lack of creativity, there are plenty of creative folks around, it's just that the paying public or club owners don't want it. It's the dumbing down of the arts. And a catch 22. People only want what they already know so how do you get them interested in something new? Very sad!

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: SharonA
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 02:07 PM

So, MWH, "tribute bands" are okay if the tributed entertainer is dead? So you will be embracing the tsunami of Michael Jacksonimpersonator bands tht is about to deluge us all???

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 05:31 PM

I've seen a few "copy bands" that have one or two people who used to be members of the original band. For one reason or another, they didn't get the right to reconstitute with the original band's name. Or maybe they did get the right to use the name, but they're still just a copy of the original - the Limeliters and Kingston Trio, for example.

Usually, I've found "copy bands" to be disappointing.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 05:59 PM

Hmmm... Fairport Convention freely admit they are their own tribute band...! ;o)

I'm thinking of becoming an Oasis tribute band... Obesis... first release 'Don't Look Back in Hunger'...!

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 07:11 PM

If people who claim that Elvis lives are right, maybe somewhere there is an Elvis impersonator who is actually the real Elvis, impersonating an Elvis impersonator...

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 07:13 PM

SharonA - no, I did not mean to infer that I like, or will embrace copy bands who do dead folks; fact is, I have no interest at all in seeing a copy band of anyone - alive or dead. I do, however, accept the idea that some folks would disagree with me and would/do like to see copy bands/solos of artists who have passed on. I am of the opinion that Jed and emily s, above, have hit the nail as well as anyone might. Well, it's time for some Betty Boop cartoons; she's dead too,ya know, but I've got copies, so...........Cheers,.....mwh

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 07:29 PM

In his latter years, Elvis was an impersonation of himself. I suppose the same could be said for Mick Jagger...

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: M.Ted
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 09:46 PM

Where have you been, Michael? This has been going on for years and years. Emily S was quoting me above, and I think the comment is still true--people like what they know--

The person who is booking the arboretum is pretty shrewd--they've got a budget that allows only two name bands, and they want to bring people out to events every week for the summer, so they book tribute bands, paying the rate for local bands, but getting at least a little bit of big name draw--a smart marketing trick--and people will love it--

You have my sympathy though, because it isn't anything I'd be interested in seeing either, but no one ever got rich pleasing me-as to the Michael Jackson impersonators, SharonA, they're already out there--

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Neil D
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 10:49 PM

"Don't Look Back In Hunger" is pretty funny Bernard. The top tribute bands are making good jack. The better ones are easily bringing down
six figure incomes. So I think they comprise good musicians who, after a while, have decoded they're not really producing anything fresh and original anyway and they'll never be the next big thing, so they might as well put their skills to work and make a good living playing gigs. I can't really see them selling a lot of CDs though. I'll watch one if the performance and my time happen to both be free.

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 11:59 PM

We get a few good tribute bands over here.
They are usually pretty good and a bit of fun. (also a lot cheaper to go see than the originals,if still extant.)

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: eddie1
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 01:48 AM

I'm looking at getting a few folks together to form a tribute band called "The Greatful Dud"!

Anybody want to join?

Eddie

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: GUEST,Peace
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 02:59 AM

Not quite the same, but it's cogent.

There was a one-man show done by Hal Holbrook entitled "An Evening with Mark Twain." Twain died in 1910. Holbrook was stunning in his portrayal. It was really like being with Mark Twain. I recall the scene where Twain said, "Congress. That benevolent old asylum for the helpless."

I have never gone to a show done by copy bands. The few I have seen on TV were disappointing. Hell, there's a commercial late at night that has some guy from Sha-na-na and it's grim.

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 01:09 PM

Hal Holbrook as Twain was brilliant. I remember the joke about the old servant who had fallen into the fireplce and died. The eulogy was titled "Well done oh faithful servant, well done." James Whitmore as Will Rogers was also quite good. "I'm not a member of any organized party. I'm a Democrat."

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 01:28 PM

I've seen Holbrook twice and he was brilliant. I've seen George C. Scott as Clarence Darrow and he was outstanding (though not as good as Henry Fonda on PBS) and I've seen Gabe Kaplan as Groucho Marx and he was most entertaining too, but I ain't paying to go see someone else's version of the Mona Lisa - even if she is topless. Oh, yeah, I left out one other tribute band they're featuring - an Eagles copy band. Who knows, maybe Henley will join them, he lives down here, ya know. Cheers,................mwh

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 01:37 PM

I never cared for any I heard until I heard a Beatles tribute band called "Rain." Somewhere I had a thread about them. For a lot of reasons they were far beyond the norm and undoubtedly the bet "fake" group/individual I've heard.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: scouse
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 05:15 AM

Just how could any one call themselves a Hammish Imlach Tribute Band!!! The Mind Boggles.

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Acorn4
Date: 12 Jul 09 - 10:45 AM

There are a couple of Jake Thackray tribute individuals on the circuit, and they would seem to be doing a fine job of introducing the great man's genre to new audiences.

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 04:11 PM

Tributes are keeping classic music alive for new generations, and will continue to do so.

Subject: RE: Copy bands - what gives?
From: Nicholas Waller
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 04:41 PM

Australian Pink Floyd played at David Gilmour's* 50th birthday party; I guess that was about his only opportunity to go to a Pink Floyd gig himself.

*I don't need to tell anyone that Dave Gilmour is/was a member of Pink Floyd, so I won't.