Here's something else to remember: BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING! That goes for musicians, management, booking, whatever.

Why I mention this: Besides my regular bluegrass project The Red Butlers, I'm currently working on a another project that is combining folk and bluegrass with some heavy Goth overtones. I have two great female singers right now, but am having a heck of a tough time finding acoustic musicians (I was hoping to make this project all-female, but right now I just need decent acoustic musicians). OK, so I've been running an ad in the local alt-weekly, and the response has been lousy. In fact, for the demo of the band, I pretty much played all of the instruments. So I got a call for the ad this past weekend. It wasn't from a musician, it was from a producer in Los Angeles. I won't mention a name, but this guy is BIG. He's worked with The Byrds, Gram Parsons, Alice Cooper. KISS, and Helen Reddy (how's that for a resume?). He happened to get a copy of the paper because of an interview he did with it. He read the Musicians Classifieds and saw my ad. He called me 3 times this weekend. We talked for over an hour about the project, and he wants me to send him demos.

I can't get a gosh-darned guitarist for this project, yet I can get a famous LA producer to pay attention? Too weird.

It's not like I'm complaining. Believe me, I'm sending the demos ASAP. But things are so strange in this business.

Matt Merta
Boomba Records
Member of the Americana Music Association
Member or SPBGMA

Matt, GOTH overtones???? Is it like the dawn of the dead does bluegrass kinda thing or what? My banjo player loves anything off the wall like that. Let us know when you get it finished, I am sure he would want a copy of it. LOL

Lee Surgener

www.justbluegrassband.com

Seriously, Jeff loves anything off the beaten path.

Hey guys, got a call tonight and its come to an end. I kinda figured it would just be a matter of time. Another guy in the band agree's with me that it seemed like a lost cause so atleast i know it wasnt just me being paranoid!!! A few of us still plan to jam around but we think its for the best to part ways. Anyhow i will still be at the jams in Ashland and any others around. I plan to go to alot of festivals and just have a good time. Hope to see you all there. Take care. Brad