Show @ Scruffy's Irish Pub Feb 6, 2011

With this performance being my second one at this location, I already had a good idea as to what audience I was performing for. I saw some new faces and lots of familiar ones too! I had such a great time performing here, and have already penciled in another show here in the future. The service, the customers, the atmosphere, the singing and participation was memorable, and I know it will be another incredible show next time around.

Dan

Show @ Dub Linn Gate in Vaughan

I am already speechless. wow. The show went really really well. Not only is the venue is HUGE, but because the ceiling is really tall, it adds a little bit of  reverb to the vocals and guitar which makes it sound bigger. Even though the pub is in mall with an AMC, and other restaurants, it was great to see the place packed with family and friends.

Playing classic sing along songs really got the place singing, swaying, and drumming on the tables which resulted in happy people staying longer and enjoying more songs. The people of Vaughan really know how to have a good time. I am returning to that great pub in the future and I look forward to entertaining and playing some more great tunes and meeting new people.

Show @ Molly Blooms on Friday January 28th 2011

This was my second performance at Molly Blooms Toronto, and once again, what a fantastic show. It didn't matter that there were new faces there, they still got into the music, dancing, singing, requesting songs, and just all around having a wonderful time. I've learned that there are popular songs that always get people into the show, and I love playing those classic songs and seeing everyone smile as they say to their friends, "I LOVE THIS SONG!!".


Dan

Show @ Gryphon's

Whitby has a good number of venue's where university kids go absolutely wild for music. Last night was a great example of that. Starting the show off with some emo cover songs, and continuing through out the show with classic sing along songs such as, "I would walk 500 miles", "Ring of Fire", "Don't stop believin'", and "Sweet Caroline".

I met students that were in school, people that have been at companies for over 15 years, and I even met someone last night who buys beat up cars, restores then, and resells them. I'm not talking about classic cars, I'm talking about 1989 Honda's, Toyota's, and Volkswagens. The college/university pubs are a lot of fun to perform in because they can really appreciate and respond to live music. Although I always get the same requests for, Tragically Hip, Neil Diamond, Rush, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Guns & Roses, it's fun to hear what everyone likes to listen to, and what they'd like to hear.

I'll be back at this awesome venue Feb 11th, and hopefully a lot more.


Dan

Show at Bobby O'Brians in Guelph

Alright, so I played a show last night in Guelph and let me tell you. What a night! The place was full of all kinds of people and personalities, and it was never a dull moment. From the time I came in to start setting up, to the time I got into my car and started driving home.

As I was setting up my gear, people from outside started filtering in realizing that there was live music. As I started playing and the lyrics came out, so did the sweet voices of the people singing along and swaying to the music. It was great to people so involved, and getting into the swing of things. As I went around and got to know my audience, and making introductions, I met so many different kinds of awesome with university students, parents, and business people. I met students that were studying music, marketing, zoology, law, family studies, and much more.

What I wasn't aware of, was that right above Bobby O'Brians, there's a night club that POUNDS dance and techno music. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind dance music once an eclipse, but for 4 hours straight is a little much for me. The most refreshing part about my show last night, was right at the end. I met a group of people that were out for the night looking for a great place to have some food, drinks, and conversation, but what they got was food, drinks, conversation, and live music. When I talked to them afterwards, they had nothing but positive things to say about the live music they heard. They too had the same opinion about radio play, and the pounding club music upstairs.

As I walked out of the venue, the streets were swarming with cops patrolling, and making sure everyone was staying out of trouble. I lost count of the amount of people the cops put in their cruisers. For them, it was like picking out free candy, of all flavours. I would even go as far as saying that Guelph parties harder than Toronto. Hard to believe, but I think it's true. I'm glad I was inside, performing and entertaining for the great people of Guelph.


Dan

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Requests

Alright, so i just got back from a show I play in Mississauga, and for some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about this topic all night. Song request are pretty common in the presence of a DJ, a cover band, or someone running the jukebox. And yes, I said jukebox.

As a full time musician I do my best to cover all sorts of genres when I perform shows and play cover songs, HOWEVER, it doesn't mean that I know every single song by every artist in the world. I can't tell you how many times I've had the following conversation,

REQUESTER: "Do you know any Bony M? The Who? Bruce Springsteen?

ME: "I of know those artist yes"

REQUESTER: "GREAT, can you play one of their songs? I don't care what song from either of those guys, just something"

ME: "I'll do my best to cover that genre, but it's hard to know songs from every artist"

REQUESTER: "............."

ME: ".........It was nice to meet you, and I will play other artist from the same decade if that helps, ha ha ha"

REQUESTER: "...........well then"

*sigh* Ya, rough I know, but how can people have the assumption that whoever is playing/performing, they're going to know every song. This is definitely one of those fence topics where the argument can go either way, but seeing as to how it's an occurring thing for me, i'm leaning more towards to conclusion that, a song request is merely a suggestion as to what someone wants to hear. Believe me, i'm ok with that, but when i've had people request Lady GaGa, Rhianna, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Macy Grey, Alanis Morissette, it becomes a challenge for me to figure what my audience wants to hear. Some people request anything just to see if i'll play it, or how I'd react, without realizing where they are and the atmosphere in the venue. More often than not, the song request I get when i'm performing are not fit to be played in a restaurant or a pub, even if they are songs that are great to play and rock out to.

As an encouragement to my fellow readers, if you are in a situation where you have the chance to request a song to a LIVE MUSICIAN, I urge you to understand where you are, the vibe that's in the venue, and it the song will fit. My entry in no way pertains to a DJ who is standing behind a laptop and turntables with a list of thousands of songs to choose from.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment your opinion into this entry.

Dan