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 Life on Lower Broadway in the Merchants Hotel
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 09 January 2000 04:21 AM
In a previous Thread, I posted about a Porn Shop moving to Opry Mills and was found to be Bogus Information. I sensed that Some of you folks like to go back to past days and talk about Musicians, Clubs, and Some Unforgettable Characters. I mentioned the Old Merchants Hotel as a place to Jam. Bill Stepp, a Native American from Upstate NY and a Texan Harley Alsup, first Started picking in Merchants in 1973. The Merchants Hotel was bought out by Johnny and Janie Russell. Johnny was a retired Nashville Police Officer (not the songwriter/Singer). This Couple previously owned the Honey Club and friends to a lot of pickers in the old days. They were a couple of good guys. Bill and Harley were the only two steady pickers and drew the other musicians, Steel or lead Guitar and a drummer from road bands that were in town and needed a few extra bucks. That’s what they got, because in Music City USA, $15 a night was the going rate along Lower Broad in those days. The Merchants became a place for pickers and singers to meet and Jam. There was a group of people down on their luck and Mentally Challenged folks that lived in the hotel and frequented the bar also. Most any night, you could see some of the best in the business picking in Merchants. Part of the Movie, "WW and The Dixie Dance Kings" was filmed in Merchants. The boys got a night off with Pay for this one. Buddy Emmons came in one year during Convention Week and Sat in for a couple of Sets. I was introduced to him by Harley and was one of the high points of my years in Nashville. David Allan Coe (just starting out)was working during the regular Band's Break during that week. The list of Steelers that Played in Merchants is Awesome, Smiley Roberts. Hank Corwin, Wayne Kincaid, Lynn Owsley, Chick Donner, Larry Sasser, Big John Bechtel, Paul Franklin, Mike "Cookie" Jones and many others that I have forgotten over the years. Asleep at the Wheel came in several Times and played almost the whole night. Tom T. Hall found Guitarist Rick "LD" Money in Merchants in an impromptu Audition and came back on the Saturday afternoon matinee and sung "I love" for the first time in public. Opry Stars would come in and Sing a few songs in between their Opry spots not to speak of having a little "Refreshment". Some nights I would fill in for Harley and some nights Sally Lorden would play Bass, Sally was a also a great Drummer and songwriter. She was a Buddy and could hold her own picking. She would pull rank on me and play bass when somebody like the Hagers sat in. I was on the road when Sally was killed in a car accident. She had a Daughter, I believe and there was a benefit for her, being on the road, I missed everything. Still miss her. There were the "World Famous Broadway Mae and Her All Girl Band" Shows. The guys in the Band wore Wigs and Dresses and were unchallenged as the Ugliest Girls in Show Business. Broadway Mae was a Lady of about 60 that had singing aspirations and little talent to go with it. She liked to Sing "Life Turned Her That Way" and The Band usually played "San Antonio Rose" while she was Singing it. Mae was a little Mentally Challenged and some of it was Drugs, but she loved the attention she got and was unwittingly the best comedy act in Nashville at the time. One night The Hager Twins came in and Did a Set, Brought some of the Hee Haw Honeys with them. Later on, Some body Posted their Playgirl Nude Shot on a wall, with a guitar in the appropriate spot. We kidded Mae and told her that she was going to have to do a nude shot to be a star. Mae just said "I just don't have a gitar". I have a number of pictures of some of the Old Broadway Mae Shows but my Ex threw out all of the pictures of Mae, said we were demeaning her and all women, probably true. I still have some great shots of the Band and I've been tempted to post one of them, but one particular steeler would find it embarrassing and I won't do it for that reason. Its not Smiley, He would love the Publicity. One night I was Playing Bass and Looked up and in the back of the room was Don Rich leaning up against a partition sipping on a can of Coke. I waved at him from the stage and and he gave a thumbs up. Never got to meet him, he was gone before we got a break. He was killed shortly after. Later on, I was able to meet at least two other members of that great band, Doyle Holley and Tom Brumley. Those were some Great Times in spite of being broke all the time and barely scratching out a living. Comments? ------------------ [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 09 January 2000 at 04:34 AM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 09 January 2000 at 04:56 AM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 09 January 2000 at 05:03 AM.] |
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Earl Erb Member From: Old Hickory Tenn |
posted 09 January 2000 08:58 AM
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Hey Sleepy,great story.We were on the road a lot during that time and when I was married to my first wife I didn't go down there very much.Boy,I sure did like the Russels.They were good people.What ever happened to them? You mentioned the players only making $15.00 a night,well,its ashame but I have heard that they still play for tips and sometimes still only go home with $20.00 in their pocket,on a slow night and this is the year 2000. At least when the Opry was at the Ryman we would definatly hit lower broad between and after the shows.Nobody wants to jam anymore. The contacts were made in the night spots and the negotiations were taken care of in Linebaughs. |
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Joe Casey Member From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9) |
posted 14 January 2000 04:45 AM
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SJ you mentioned Wayne Kincaid,Wayne played for the longest time at Gabe's.GAbes was sort of the in place and Mucisians hangout after lower Broad, at least it was easy to get too off of Trinity Lane.Wayne got sick and passed on about 93I believe.I also would only go to Na$hitville only to see friends other than that they ought to change the name to depressville. Other than Johnny Cox's great monday night Gig I wouldn't have any interest,Besides I hear the hot acts are at Virginia Beach this year. ------------------ [This message was edited by Joe Casey on 14 January 2000 at 08:29 AM.] |
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Bill cole Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA |
posted 14 January 2000 11:57 AM
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Hey SJ do you have any idea how many jobs were picked up on broadway? I can remember sitting in the rest. L something with Doug La Valley and talking to I ahev no Idae how many great musician. And in Demons den it seams like that was the in place to be and out on the road every one knew about tootsies and the den |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 14 January 2000 12:32 PM
Yep the hot acts are at Virginia Beach This Summer  , Because Kenny Dail keeps getting into Jerry Haye's Viagra Prescription, I'm afraid he is going to outshine everybody on the boardwalk this summer. BJ Norwood and myself won't have a prayer with competition like Kenny. Bill ------------------ |
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Bill cole Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA |
posted 14 January 2000 05:37 PM
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SJ I met Johnny Lee before Micky gilly fame at the den and also at the Flame club in minnapolis Minn. We were doing the back room and he was a steady there for the club. That was before they were shooting at the owner in the parking lot. Now there was another great place to work but it's all gone now |
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Graham Member From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada |
posted 14 January 2000 09:03 PM
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Bill; Bit off topic for this thread, but pertains to a post you had a week or so ago. Neil Flanz phoned me on Monday night about some computer problems he was having and I asked him if he stilled played using beer cans or tomato cans for a bar. Says he hasn't done that since his young and crazy days. ------------------ |
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Bill cole Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA |
posted 14 January 2000 10:06 PM
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well I must say he could play and it didn't matter what he used. I have an album here of neal god only knows when it is call star route and on it he has stuff that was way ahead of the timeI will have to get that out and see whats there I still love playing that stuff |
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Graham Member From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada |
posted 15 January 2000 05:29 AM
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Bill: That album you have of Neil was recorded in Canada in 1964. It was the second album that he did up here in Canada. First was called Neil Flanz and His Nahville Steel and it was done in 1962. Neil was 24 at the time. You're right, he sure could play! SJ: ------------------ |
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Frank Parish Member From: Nashville,Tn. USA |
posted 15 January 2000 06:38 AM
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I owned The Hitching Post from 82-87 and The Turf from 84 till the tornadoe of April of 98 on Lower Broad. Johnny Russel died a few years back and Broadway Mae is in a nursing home. I'm sure John Shepherd would love to see some of those old pictures of Mae. He visits her regularly and sometimes brings her to the street to visit. John still works down there and worked for me as well. If anybody should have gotten somewhere from Broadway it's got to be John. He could've taken Grant Turners place when he died and done a great job. Pay is twenty bucks a shift and like then some players play all day for different clubs. There are some great pickers there but it's so busy, you can't get a parking spot. The pickers know whose leaving and trade there places with other pickers. The Wheel has recently re-opened and I hope to be back down there soon as well. When we re-open as The Turf it'll all country all the time. We tried blues and rock during the 80's and did what we had to do to hang on but it's very busy down there now so you play to tourists and locals who go there now. Johnny Cox and Jimmy Murphy work there quite a bit as well as other prominent players in town. I expect the pickers will soon be playing strictly for tips if the trend keeps going that way. The guys who run Tootsies only pay their favorite bands and the rest play free. I've refused work there for there and other places down there for that reason. We payed $25 and only sold beer while they pay $15- $20 now and sell mixed drinks and have much bigger clubs. You can make good tips on the weekends if you have somebody who know's how to front the band and communicate with the audience. The earlier part of the week is rough to say the least. It's still a good place to hook up with road bands cause since BR5-49 played Roberts the record people and other prominent people go there to see what they can steal for their bands or recording. There's a great young guitar player there at Roberts who plays with Don Kelly named Johhny Hiland from Maine. He came to town about 3 years ago and would work me to death trying to play as fast as him. He's been on Primetime Country and does sessions but stays on the street cause he's legally blind. The good ole days are far from gone down there. I don't think evven the 70's seen business like it is now.The Opry is at The Ryman this month so the crowds still go around the block like before and that's on top of the people already there. The old Merchants is an upscale restaurant now and the old hotels are gone that you stayed at cheap. The winos are still there but you don't notice them as much. One of the guys who runs The Legends on the corner of 5th isn't winning any popularity contests with the pickers as he's a slave driver. The other guy (Dan) is a good guy but can't control his partner. I think his partner has more money invested or at least he acts like it.He is trying to get control of everything down there if he does it'll never be the same. I worked there for about 8 months after the tornadoe detroyed our building and he was impossible. He tried to pay us $85 for a 5 piece band one night and we threatened to quit. Jimmy Murphy told him he'd never work there again and he means it. They won't let you park out back of the building as it's for employees only. I guess pickers aren't employees. Parking is a real issue down there. It's minimum $7 to park unless it's game night at the arena. Then it's $10! Try playing for $20 and paying $10 to park on a Monday. That's life on the street of broken dreams for most but not all. |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 15 January 2000 08:26 AM
Frank Thanks for the Update, The last time I remember seeing Mae was in 1977 when Julian Tharpe was running the Crosswinds. Mae Had quit drinking and I slipped her a few bucks, Julian told me to let him hold it for her so she wouldn't be tempted to start drinking again. Its amazing that she is still living. She would have to be about 80 now and with some of the hard living, its really mind boggling how she has managed to hold on this long. I don't have any of the pictures left of her, because, like I said my Ex threw them all away, all that are left are the "All Girl" Band pictures. Thanks again for the information, Hope to get to Nashburg this summer or Fall for a short visit with some of my old friends. ------------------ |
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Earnest Bovine Member From: Los Angeles CA USA |
posted 15 January 2000 10:33 AM
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Things are much better here in Los Angeles. No club here would insult you by asking you to work for $20, when you can keep your self respect by working for nothing. |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 15 January 2000 01:59 PM
I'm not sure what minimum wage is but, I think its $5.50 an hour. Its a damn shame that professional musicians can't make minimum wage in supposedly the Country Music Capital of the world. That goes to show you what a great union, Local 257 is. On the other side of the coin, Picking on lower Broadway has never been a union job. Sorry about the editing, I can't seem to spell today. ------------------ [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 15 January 2000 at 01:59 PM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 15 January 2000 at 02:01 PM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 15 January 2000 at 02:02 PM.] |
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Earl Erb Member From: Old Hickory Tenn |
posted 15 January 2000 07:55 PM
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Sleepy,hold on to your chair or sit down when I tell you this but I have heard that the lower broad musicians had to file contracts with the union so they would not be black balled from any other union related work.Work dues is now 3%.Gee,what is 3% of $20.00,plus 25% withholding tax,and selfemployment tax,plus the gas to get there and $7.00 to park,$10.00 on weekends.My God,they ARE working for nothing!Shame,Shame,on the club owners.  |
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Richard Bass Member From: Hendersonville, Tn |
posted 15 January 2000 10:10 PM
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When I arrived in Nashville in 1965, fresh from the Air Force, broadway gigs were paying 15$ per nite. Myself and another guitar player named Tubby Brunner, since deseased, used to split the 15 bucks just so we both could eat. I remember Earl and Hank Corwin sitting in many nites after and between Opry spots. In fact I recall Earl scat singing a few times. Most of us, if not all of us were union players at the time, but we worked for what we could get cause we had to eat. The 60's and 70's were exciting times in Nashville. I do not regret a minute of those times. I don't think young musicians have this type of lifestyle to relate to and it's a sad thing, the lessons in life and music were unforgetable. Richard ------------------ |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 16 January 2000 06:02 AM
Richard This was part of "The Test". You had to love the music and Picking enough to survive. You also had to work hard to continually improve and stay on top of your game in order to keep eating. Playing in Honky Tonks was the "classroom". I've said it before and I'll say it again. The kids that worked at opryland, when it opened, Circumvented the "process". They didn't take "the test",didn't spend the necessary time in the "classroom". This I believe, Changed the way country music is played now. Its a whole different attitude. I haven't been on a Bandstand in over 26 years with you Richard, but we could get up today and pick together and "Communicate". I don't believe I could with the musicians that are there today. Thats the big difference between then and now, The communication that was on the bandstand in those days. You could get almost any 4 pickers in Nashville together and have a tight band. [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 16 January 2000 at 06:50 AM.] |
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Bill cole Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA |
posted 16 January 2000 07:02 AM
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Dick Earl SJ how many time have you heard this" SON YOU GOTTA PAY YOUR DUES OR SON YOU AINT PIAD YOUR DUES YET OR SON I ALREADY PAID MY DUES AND YOU GOT A LOMG WAY TO GO" i think that kinda was the testcause there was many who didn't survive I use to go to the pawn shops on broadway and see what dreams had been shattered of course at that time none of use seen it that way. I recall me and a bass player went there one day and here hangs a guitar with the name of a famos player and singer in pealr in the neck and clothes that you just knew were not street clothes. One time I bought a Martin Electric F hole single cutaway guitarbutiful guitar and only paid 50 bucks for it wish I had it now. Oh well what great memories and yes I paid my dues and I'm damn glad I was given the chance and I'm damn glad I did. and the young folks aint learned yet but Till you been hungry you don't know what hungry is and till you been broke.. Take care of what you got while you got it. [This message was edited by Bill cole on 16 January 2000 at 07:06 AM.] |
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Earl Erb Member From: Old Hickory Tenn |
posted 16 January 2000 09:51 AM
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Richard,you definately paid your dues.As far as the scat singing,I think I was in pain for marrying my first wife. Sleepy,your exactly right,I got my education in the beer joints and that is something that Juliard or Berkley could never offer.My wife and sister in law both have masters degree's in music and the degrees do make nice wall paper. Bill'I know what its like to be hungry.One time I had to borrow $5.00 from Gregg to eat after coming off of a very bad road trip with a semi-known artist.I won't get into the details,the story is too long. I have been told by a very well known steel player that most of the musicians working for the artists today learn the songs the artists do and can't play anything else.How in the world do these guys get through a five hour gig at dance halls in Texas,where you have to play everything from Cold Cold Heart to the Cotton Eyed Joe? After all said I am like you guys,I wouldn't take back one minute of my years here in Nashville,except four years I was married to my first wife.  Its really great to be able to establish old friendships and this forum has made it possible. |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 16 January 2000 10:08 AM
Earl Here is the math on the information you posted We Start with $20.00 Leaves $2.44 for a Saturday Night's work or $5.44 For a weekday. This won't even pay for a set of strings!!!!!! Hell, Slaves make out better than this, at least they get fed and a place to lay their heads. Wish b0b had a Smiley Face to show anger on this forum. This just isn't a smiling matter.Any picker that will go down on Lower Broad and work under these conditions is either stupid or is hell bent on cutting the throats of his fellow pickers. In 1973 you could stretch $15 a day out a little and at least eat. Damn, this is Insanity. [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 16 January 2000 at 10:14 AM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 16 January 2000 at 10:16 AM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 16 January 2000 at 10:26 AM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 16 January 2000 at 10:31 AM.] |
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John Steele Member From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada |
posted 16 January 2000 12:11 PM
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Did I get this right? The Union is giving their blessing to working drastically under scale, then demanding work dues from it ?? Huh? -John |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 16 January 2000 12:16 PM
John From What Earl is saying, Apparently its true. ------------------ |
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Jack Stoner Sysop From: Inverness, Florida |
posted 16 January 2000 01:17 PM
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In the early 70's no one from the Union ever asked me for the Unions "cut". I don't think the Union came down to lower Broadway back then. 3% of Broadway wages wasn't enought to worry about, I guess. And from what I read the old "$15" has got worse considering the increase in the cost of living in the last 30 years. I used to get a lot of jobs other than Broadway, but they didn't pay any more either. Duane Marrs would get calls about jobs and if he didn't want it he would let Bob Browning or me have the jobs. |
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Earl Erb Member From: Old Hickory Tenn |
posted 16 January 2000 05:43 PM
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Another tidbit.The last time I worked the Record Shop in 1976 the pay was $35.00.Guess what? Twenty five years later its now up to $45.00. |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 16 January 2000 06:24 PM
Earl What's Union Scale for the Road these days? When I was in town it was $50 a day. However, Some of the "Up and Coming" Folks I worked with would put you on "Salary" if you worked a club in some other town. In my case its was about $100 a week. So that meant I was working 6 nights for two nights pay. That was a cute little trick they pulled in those days, probably still do it. Instead of working a 45 minute to one hour show for $50, it worked out to $16.666667 for 4-5 hours.BTW ------------------ [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 16 January 2000 at 06:32 PM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 16 January 2000 at 06:35 PM.] |
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Joe Casey Member From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9) |
posted 16 January 2000 10:07 PM
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SJ in the early 70's I would make 3-4 trips a year to Smiley's just to visit and scope out the area. I had invite's from a few Artist I had Backed up at parks and fairs but having a friend like Smiley we went to places where it was at,Camel Country,Ron Elliot. Deemans Den Niel Flanz,Rick Boyer,Urlene Mandrell and you never knew who else would walk in,HOFlounge,Chalker,Emmons,Breau,Gee haw Jones. .Even had a friend living in the Cockroach infested hotel you spoke of over the Den.One night as Smiley Doc and myself were driving home to Hendersonville (we were too drunk to walk)I was elected to drive and as I approached an intersection in Madison the light changed.I decided to run it and spotted a Cruiser coming the other way and I stopped in the middle of the Intersection and backed up. Needless to say I got pulled over. When the Officer asked for my License I said "Yes Sir er MAm" it was a Woman. She took it and returned saying "Mr. Casey seeing you take such a nice picture I am letting you go. Smiley and Doc just looked at each other in disbelief. Seems the Police Chief's name also was Joe Casey. One day we were trying to do a set at tootsie's upstairs.Smiley on Drums ,Doc Peters on Lead and Hank Corwin pulled up with a black Porshe and Smiley recruited him to play bass. Just fun. I always left depressed because of the way musicians were treated and paid in the "Music City".Although I had the chances I found that big fish in small ponds paid better.I use to have road musicians come in after a Concert or fair and ask to stay. In the 80's because of 7 nighters Sit down gigs, 60 a night plus refreshments ,I had great bands. Even in the seventies,With Doc Peters,Jim Smith That was the band that got me noticed in the area and will always be my favorite,we did good.Peggy Green was one of my favorites,she would travel from the Boston Area 90 miles to play 5 nights.And play she could.I use to MC Pedal Steel Shows and thats how I met her.She's a great Player.When I quit ,sidemen were getting 100.00 a night. However clubs were closing and I am sure the price is down considerably.The union never helped me get one job although they always had their handout.I wouldn't trade one thing for all the friends .Except for two. There were a couple of Guys who came up from Nashville,When they left they took everything that would fit in their car and left me with a share of Ma Bell.They never worked again in Nashburg.(smiley knows the bums) I admire you guys who stuck it out,you expirienced something all should..I Wouldn't trade a thing.OF course there were times when Club owners would screw us over.(once)But having a contract saved our butts one new Years. We had a 1200.00 Gig (4 pieces) and the Club changed format and went to rock. Well I wouldn't let the guy off the hook and we played to 12 people. took 15 minute breaks and did the countdown got smashed and paid.He had been sue and lost by two other cancelled Bands. End of story. ------------------ [This message was edited by Joe Casey on 17 January 2000 at 05:00 AM.] |
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Bill cole Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA |
posted 16 January 2000 10:15 PM
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here's another little curve how many times have you gone out for 50 or 75 a day and came bzck broke cause the so called big star forgot to pay you. Now I am sure there so many stories about just this part of the road I would never mention no names but I would bet there are some that most of know real well. I am glad it's over with and I can look back now and smile. And did you ever think about how cheaply some people can be bought? If you think about it in some cases a man aint worth a hill of beans. And through it all you still have your pride left in tact and have no problem looking at the man in the mirror looking back at you |
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Neil Flanz Member From: Austin, Tx. |
posted 17 January 2000 03:27 AM
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Have read with great interest all the stories about lower Broadway,the Deeman's Den where I was in the house band for over two years,and have to honestly say I carry a lot of beautiful memories with me of those days and the wonderful pickers and friends that all hung out together. The pay may have been poor but the good times we had were precious. Neil ------------------ |
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Joe Casey Member From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9) |
posted 17 January 2000 05:20 PM
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Neil I always will remember the hospitality and the person you were ,I only did a few songs with you but I felt like Ray price when I did them. I remember you played a twelve and Smiley sat out.What an era what great people.Rick Boyer played bass ,And Urline on Drums. I noticed your Hair was a lot shorter now. You and I have conversed since ,Hope you will be in Plant City this Week. ------------------ |
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Sleepy John unregistered |
posted 18 January 2000 03:20 AM
Early on in this thread Richard mentioned Splitting the 15 bucks with Tubby, once Rick Boyer and I split a 20 buck gig so we both could eat the next day. I'd be willing to bet that 20 that there isn't any of that kind of sharing going on these days. Neil ------------------ [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 18 January 2000 at 03:21 AM.] [This message was edited by Sleepy John on 18 January 2000 at 03:25 AM.] |
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Joe Casey Member From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9) |
posted 23 January 2000 07:02 AM
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SJ, I am sure you have more stories for our book, So I'll bump this up one time . |
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