How do YOU handle requests?

Subject: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Banjer
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 07:10 PM

This question is more for those among us who perform on a regular basis. How do you feel about someone requesting a song that they may have heard you perform previously? I am asking this because I have a favorite Steven Foster tune and the group in question does a really nice rendition of it. When I requested it at the Bkuegrass festival three years ago all I got was a smart assed acknowledgement, ie: "We have had a request from the audience for Hard Times...well tough, we're not playing it today!"....This weekend I again requested the song and didn't even get the courtesy of a smart-assed remark. I don't perfom publicly, but it would seem to me that if I did I would acknowledge requests because if we play what the audience wants to hear, our popularity would surely grow! I would also consider it an honor to know that someone recognizes our talents. What are your views on this from a performers standpoint? What do the non performers among us think of this?

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 07:20 PM

It depend s on a few things what I do. If we did the song the set before we say, " Aw gee we just did that last set. To bad you missed it. But ask the folks that were here all about it. They'll tell you we did a great job of it." And then, depending, we may do the song again right then. Depending of the venue. I do the request if I know the song and can do it justice. I won't perform with sheet music so I won't st up a stand and grab a cheat sheet for just one song. It doesn't matter whether I like the song or think its a chestnut, Thats why I was hired. To entertain.

If I don't know the song I'll say so and doe something similar if I can think of one. Ofcourse some drunk always assumes because I play banjo that we can do dueling banjos. Those guys I kill where they stand.

Don

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 07:27 PM

If a request is one I can Do I regard it as essential to do it. I do try to fit it in to the set in a suitable place though. I consider a request a compliment both to the song and my rendering of it.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 07:36 PM

My policy has always been to sing it if I know it. A performer's first duty is to the audience. if I don't know the song -- well, that's why I have a trunk full of apology jokes.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 07:36 PM

An old folkie mate of mine used to say "I've had a request", then he'd hold up the neck of his guitar and say "but have you seen the size of that!".

One thing I'd point out to Banjer: the band/player has probably spent some time working out the set list, so it isn't always easy to change it (because of confidence, nerves, lack of practice, time constraints, etc). BUT, smart-arse replies and lack of acknowledgement are definite no-noes.

Pete

PS. Don, I play guitar so it isn't Duelling Banjos with me, it's Streets Of London. They die just the same... And the other night somebody requested an Elvis song (unspecified) so I introduced Mary From Dungloe as a song from a rare Elvis recording, "Elvis Live at St. Neots Folk Club"...

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From:
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 07:57 PM

I think it's quite rude when they do that, Banjer. I usually get some reason whey they can't do it. Either the venue or the crowd isn't right for that particular song, or they've already done it that evening.

I think they should at least acknowledge the request.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Banjer
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:24 PM

I didn't get a reason or explanation wy they couldn't do the song. I did go to them after their set and asked why they didn't play Hard Times, the reply was we ran out of time. Let me point out that this was a loosely organised 'festival' benefit program. The proceeds of the show went to various childrens funds and charities around our county. All of the bands present were donating their time and the badns both before and after the one in question ran over their time 'slots' by about ten minutes because they DID answer requests! I told the guys, (whom I have known personally for at least nine years) that I would not ever bother them with a request again and in fact probably not with my presence either!

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:26 PM

Well, here's da ting, Banjer...

My band tries to entertain requests from the audience, but we also pre-prepare set lists. So, if someone asks in the middle of the set (unless it's for a really good cause or special occasion), the answer many times has to be "no". Especially if we're doing more than one set at the same performance...the likelyhood of someone asking for a song that has either already been done, or that is on a later set list is fairly good.

For us, if you approach us *before* the set, it tends to be easier to fit it in (aka: retweek all the sets for that performance).

However, I see *no* reason to be rude about it. We usually just explain the above, make our apologies, and try to let the person know if it is on the list for a coming set.

Sorry they gave you such a hard way to go!

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Banjer
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:38 PM

Let me clarify the 'REQUEST'.....It was made two weeks prior! We did a small 'dog & pony' show, our name for a short living history in our Civil War reenacting group at which two of the three members of the band were present. It was at that show that I learned of yesterday's show and was asked if I would be there. I asked would they play Hard Times for one of their songs and was told that there was a strong possibility of it and I should show up to find out! I did show up, before they did even, and reminded them when they got there that my song was still a request. Imagine my disapointment when it came to the traditional (for this group) closing number and I hadn't heard my song!

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 08:55 PM

Wow! 2 weeks in advance?

We had a thread in here recently about this very thing...people requesting old standards.

Are they sick of the tune? Well, no excuse for rudeness none the less. A polite "no" would have been better than ignoring you.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 09:31 PM

I will do almost any request if I know the song. It is the people of the audience that make us what we are. I'm always honored to have someone ask me to sing a song, unless it is some drunk looking to make an ass of himself, then, I help him.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 11:17 PM

If people in the audience request something they know we do, we usually find a way to work it in. We've sometimes even sung it to the person who requested it, after the show, if it didn't work out. For short, festival sets, it's a little harder to work in a last minute request.

In the folly of my youth I did a solo set in a bar where a bachelor party came in and sat in the first bunch of tables. Between passing out "novelty" squirt guns and other tasteful gag gifts, the future groom asked if I could do something by Simon & Garfunkle. I apologized and said I didn't know any. Every 20 minutes or so thereafter he would say to his buddies, "is he going to play some Simon & Garfunkle or what?" I tried to not let it get to me but finally, I said,"I don't know any f***ing Simon & Garfunkle, if I did, I would have sung it long ago." (I had not yet learned the rare, unreleased, song story mentioned above).

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Charcloth
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 11:34 PM

I agree with Kendall. I must clarify though that I now do mostly nursing homes. I do historical venues & renfairs as well & generally try to entertain & make the event fun for the folks who come. However I have been asked to do "wild thing" at a ren fair, which obviously isn't fitting so unless management pesuades me to perform it, I will opologize & tell the one who asked, "thanks for asking but I don't believe it is time period correct" & then I'll joke with them about it.
I have seen the Osborn Brothers perform & they are pretty much locked into doing "Rocky Top" at every show but there is always someone who comes in late & missed it & screams for it again. The Osborn Brothers simply state we would like to do everyones request but we have already performed our standard hits "Rocky Top" & "Ruben" etc. For this show our next performance is...
There is never an ecuse for deliberate rudeness to a sincere patron

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 11:51 PM

Ahhh... requests... If you have requests, do feel free to keep 'em to yerself... NO! wait... sorry... The sun was in my eyes... If you do have a request, please send it up written down on the back of a 20... I'm not gonna play it, but I could use the money... Huh? Oh... did I say that last part out loud? Damn... o.k... ya... if you have requests, you are free to ask... just don't be surprised if I say 'no', for any number of reasons... Like I don't fell like playing that song, or I don't know that song... If I do say 'yes', don't expect that I'm gonna play it right away either... I might, but more than likely, I'm gonna get back 'into' the flow of my show, and just let the song titles come bubbling up from inside... don't be shy, remind me of yer request... With a pint usually helps...

And be warned, if after every song, you make your request again, the odds of my playing it at all become infinitesimally small...

A performers FIRST duty is NOT to the audience... it's to himself... the audience comes second...

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Leeder
Date: 15 Apr 02 - 11:53 PM

The Celtic band I play in often gets requests. If we know it, we do it. Even if we have to read the words off a song sheet, we'll try it. (We have good improvisers among us.) If we don't do the song, or refuse to do it (e.g., "Danny Boy", which our lead singers hates), we'll say, "We haven't worked it up, but we'll try to do it in our next gig -- come see us." They usually don't. But if they do, we'll be ready with a song sheet.

Someday someone will call our bluff, and we'll have to do "Danny Boy". We've escaped so far, though.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Robin2
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 12:03 AM

Banjer,

I certainly understand where you are coming from....a request two weeks in advance seems more than reasonable.

My band also does Hard Times, and sometimes it is requested....we balk at doing it, due to member changes,and lack of practice. But our general policy is, if we can do a song that's requested, we work it into the very next set...it's always possible to substitute the requested song for a similar one in the set.

Maybe there were other considerations why the band didn't play your song...but I think they could have handled it a little better than they did.

Robin

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 12:07 AM

Hi Pete J,

Actually around my area Streets of London doesn't have the legs it has elsewhere. Its so rare that I love it when we get a request for it. I'd bet we are the only band doing it in central New York.

I'd be happy if I never had to sing When New York Was Irish again.

Don

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Les B
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 12:19 AM

Inter-band politics are sometimes a touchy thing. It may be that the lead singer, or lead instrumentalist hates the song, or they've forgotten the words or the lead riffs, etc. They may also be pissed off at one or another of their band mates, and not want to do a tune just to spite them. No need to be rude to a polite request, though.

On the other hand, while our group tries to do any reasonable request, we hate to be Living Juke Boxes, just there to play what some control freak/egomaniac thinks will make them look cool in the eyes of their girlfriend/boyfriend or the audience! If we get too many requests for Elvis, or John Denver, or the Kingston Trio, we'll jokingly attribute the next few songs on the set list to them.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 01:23 AM

I concur with Ned Ludd and Kendall. No excuse for rudeness from either the requestor or the requestee. A little niceness goes a long way.

Seamus

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: SeanM
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 01:32 AM

In our case, some shows we can do requests, some shows we can't. Performance time at the renfaire is at a premium, and it's usually only allotted to those who consistently keep a packed house for the whole half hour set.

There are songs that we love, songs that our fans love etc... that just don't draw. We do 'em, and watch as three people get misty eyed and half the crowd leaves.

If it's really late in the day or if we're doing an impromptu set somewhere outside of our expected stage shows, then it's another matter.

M

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: kendall
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 05:19 AM

C.H. you just pointed out the difference between a performer and an entertainer.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 10:02 AM

Speaking as a member of the audience rather than a performer I prefer it when groups politely decline requests made during the performance. In my experience requests are usually totally unimaginative. I would rather hear a band doing what they are into NOW. I would prefer that they NOT cater to the lowest common denominator in the audience.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 10:20 AM

Speaking as a performer/entertainer - my repetoire is pretty limited - and a lot of what I know the audience DOESN'T - so I can usually and honestly answer - "Sorry - don't know it".

speaking from the audience side - I *try* not to request anything - but some performers are kind enough to *ask* - and in that case I usually give an honest reply - what *I* would like to hear *them* sing/play.

So it was with great pleasure I got to hear Seamus do Jed's 'Sweet Ellen Joyce'

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 12:40 PM

Ya saying you think an entertainer puts the audience first there Kendall?

I doubt it...

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 12:47 PM

clinton - it depends on the circustances - but yes, many entertainers put the audience above their own desires - or they are out of a job.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 01:19 PM

See... I call that pandering...

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 01:36 PM

yeah - and it can be wearing and frustrating - but an "entertainer" means you should "entertain" - which means doing what the crowd want to pay for. (or else you are not entertaining them)

a "performer" has more leeway

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 02:26 PM

Ummm... Ian Anderson was told very early on in the Jethro Tull days (I site this simply because it leaps to mind) by Terry Ellis, not only to think of himself as a front man in a blues/rock band, but to think of himself as an entertainer...

He certainly has entertained through the years, but it's been on HIS terms and no one else's...

I guess it's the Artistic Integrity thing that I'm getting at... I NEVER feel obligated to play ANY request, even if it's from my mom, and it's a song I really like playing... If it just happens to not come around that night, well, the it doesn't come around...

I'm not saying I treat all or even most request like this, but it is the prevailing attitude... Audience and performer is a 2 way street... If I have some dude come up to me and request something, I very well might play it... if he's been sitting right in front of me all night, not paying a lick of attention, or worse, making so much noise I can't hear myself over him, then even if he requests my Favourite song that night, I'm not playing it... not till after he leaves...

Sorta gets decided on a request-by-request basis...

;-)

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 02:30 PM

Clinton - I am glad you have the freedom to choose - many do not (if they wish to continue)

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Tam the bam fraeSaltcoatsScotland
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 02:34 PM

When I get a request from someone, I always try my best to sing it.

If I don't know the song, I just tell them "I'm sorry, i don't that one."

However I have a damn good go at it.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 02:52 PM

MMario... No freedom to choose? I don't understand how someone wouldn't be able to, if, as you say, they wish to continue...

Can you tell me more, please?

;-)

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Murph10566
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 04:09 PM

Since most of my gigs are at Pubs / Restaurants, I made up a song list for requests quite a while ago... I had a few of them laminated, and I pass them around at the start of the evening; I've found it helps spark the interest from the crowd if they come across an old number that they may not have heard for a while...

The List gets up-dated every couple of years or so (Old Tunes may fall out of favor for whatever reason), and the 'New Classics' are added...

Inevitably, a request will stump me with some song I haven't performed for awhile - maybe the lyrics are spotty in my mind, or the guitar work needs to be polished - I'll apologize of course, and ask if they'd like to hear some other selection... usually works...

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 04:22 PM

I always try to do requests and I carry "cheat sheets" with me so that I will be able to accomodate. There are a lot of songs that I don't feel like taking the time to learn but I know people will request, and I usually just need to jog my memory a little bit with the lyric sheets. I politely decline if 1) I don't know it or 2)I've just done it. Last Sunday somebody requested "The Wild Rover". No I don't like doing it but I managed a pretty good job. Then another party walked in and requested it. I said I'm sorry I just did it a few minutes ago, but here's another "Rover" song and I did "Ramblin Rover". Everybody was happy. Likewise, If I can't do a song I'll try to find one that is similar. Not quite sure what is meant by the "performer/entertainer" debate. If I want to sing just for myself I don't need an audience, I can (and do!) just sing in my own living room. But if an audience is going to come to see me I have to please them so there has to be some common ground. What I'm not good at and don't like (some people are great at it!) is singalong/audience participation songs. But I will do a few of them if that's what the audience wants.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 04:25 PM

clinton - a lot of people who perform are under contract one way or another - and if they wish to continue to perform in that venue had better leave their audience happy - and believe me - when the guy who cuts your check hears a complaint from a person you refused a request you had better have a good explanation! Or if something you sing offends someone, or they think you're too loud - or not loud enough...

MANY performers have little to no artistic control over their own performances - or even repetoire; but need the money - or are willing to put up with that for the occasional times when they DO have artistic control or soemthing along those lines.

Example - When I sing at the Dickon's event I do in november and december - I try to weasel out of doing modern christmas carols - we have a troupe of people who work hard at creating a Victorian atmosphere and "Gramma got run over by a reindeer" pretty well puts the kibbitz to that! BUT - the word came down from on high - "do it! - Keep the patron happy". So - I had a choice - sing what the person paying me wanted - which was the inapproprate requests - or stop doing the gig. since 90% of the time I enjoy the gig and it also pays for my Christmas season - I chose to sing what they wanted.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 04:28 PM

What I mean - is yes, you always have the option to choose - but the consequences of NOT choosing what your audience wants may well end you up with either 1) no audience or b) no job

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 04:32 PM

Yes, well put, Mario. And I don't mind doing some songs I don't particularly like if in general I enjoy the gig and I can weave in songs that I do enjoy performing.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 04:52 PM

No audience? well, that's the real trick to playing what YOU want... is that you then have to find the audience who wants to hear what you're choosing...

"BUT - the word came down from on high"

????

Geeze man, that really sucks... I'm glad I don't work for nazis like that, who think they can dictate to me, what I will or will not play... "get stuffed" would be my response, and the response of just about every other folkie I know in this area...

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Abuwood
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 05:30 PM

Dear Banjer From a non-(paid) performers point of view, I do get requests. I started folk singing about a year ago, and launching into songs late night after a pint or two at folk festivals and the like. A variety of songs but thanks to one song written by Hazel Absolom, people who I don't know from Adam see me now almost a year down the line and say 'I know you''You sang that song!' It is quite emarassing as the song refers to my weight, I must admit I do sing it again, if the mood is right - it's nice to be famous! And singing this song might be a lead to show that I can sing other stuff as well. Perhaps this is my pride. But I don't want to be known as only that sort of singer - there is a serious side to me too. But I wouldn't OK SOAPBOX STUFF - Prostitute my art, by singinging something I hate whoever asked me. When asked to sing 'All around my Hat' I sang the parody - All around my Fat. I agree with Russ, artists should not pander to the lowest common denominator, but us nobodies are just pleased to be recognised.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 06:56 PM

I can understand what some of you folks are saying...if the request is for something that you do not know or is not in your repetoire then you have to say "Sorry I don't know that one"...nothing wrong with that, I respect that. However this is a song that I learned from listening to these folks....they first introduced me to it...and I love their harmonies and style on it...that's why it has become one of my favorite songs to hear them do...why it is such a bother for them I do not know, I only know that as I said before I will never again bother them with requests or my presence for that matter!!!

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: kendall
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 08:01 PM

There are two songs I refuse to sing no matter what; (In performance),Mooseturd Pie and The House next door to mine. (Was sold to niggers). That one I will not sing at all. I did sing the moose thing for Tom Paxton, but, he had to sing one for me at this party where almost anything went. C.H. one of my very best friends will not do requests because it throws him off his game. He wants to do the best possible job in a concert. I, however, am an entertainer, and, the audience are my friends. If they are reasonable, I will give them what they want, if I know and LIKE the song they request.It also has to fit the venue. For example, at a bluegrass festival, a lady wanted to hear "Green Broom" I thought it was totally out of place, so, I told her I would do it for her after the set. I never saw her again. I think I was being quite reasonable.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Snuffy
Date: 16 Apr 02 - 08:03 PM

I quite often make requests at singarounds, etc. But only for songs I've heard someone sing before and been impressed with. That sort of request usually gets a favourable response.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Murph10566
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 10:50 AM

Banjer -

I see your point (finally) and don't blame you for feeling put off by the Group; your request (made, as you note, two weeks prior) was simple, reasonable and certainly 'DO-able'...

It sounds as though the Group was not only ungracious, but inconsiderate as well - They don't deserve your patronage...

I'd be interested in knowing what the song request was ?

M.

Subject: RE: How do YOU handle requests?
From: Murph10566
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 11:21 AM

OOps - Let me guess: 'Hard Times'.... Duh !

M.