Thursday, December 1, 2011

Reflections of a 36 Year Old "Starving" Artist

We got shut out this year for performing during NFR.  There I said it.....to all of you. 

Disclaimer:  I am personally booked for four different shows doing an acoustic thing.

That being said, that's not my band playing with me.  That's upsetting.  Those of you who have been out to our shows know that it is dumbfounding that we aren't playing together during the greatest ten days for rodeo fans, cowboys, cowgirls, and buckle bunnies.  WE ARE A COWBOY BAND!  WTF?!  My guys are as good as it gets when it comes to musicianship.  I have a group of professionals around me.  For hell's sake, I'm the weakest member in the band.  It's a damn good thing I can sing because nobody would ever hire me to play guitar for them.  But you know what?  They've made me better.  They've pushed me, been irritated with me, I've even pissed them off a time or two all to mold me into more than just having a voice.  They've taught me that playing an instrument in a band means you actually have to become a musician.  They were never on board with me "faking it."  By no means am I a great guitar player, but I now can confidently say that I contribute to our band with that Taylor of mine.  I mention this because through the nearly five years we've been together they have all been very loyal to me.  Aside from having a few different guitar players I use when my regular guy can't be there, I have the same band mates I did when we threw together a group nearly last minute to do a show downtown at Mickey Finnz.  This is what provides longevity for bands; knowing that your guys will be there every show.  I can tell you with all modesty and humility....we're not just good, we are one the best shows you will ever see.  Period.

It's for my guys that I struggle so much with not playing this year.  They deserve better than this.  Not to mention that our shows are their livelihood, they should be heard all the time.  This is a talented group of men.  Forgive me for being dramatic but its really heart breaking that I can't reward their efforts.  NFR is what I work for every year.  The best crowds and, yes, more money.  AND WE'RE A COWBOY BAND!!!

I will tell you this.  It's been very hard not to be bitter about this and to not take it personally.  Dawn has worked very hard to keep my spirits up and stay positive for me.  Through all of this I've realized one thing.  Despite the fact that we've been playing in this town for close to five years.  Despite the fact that we put on one of the best shows you'd ever see.....we are relatively unknown.  Is this our fault?  No, not really.  We've played just about everywhere here in Vegas that a band would need to gain notariety.  Have I been resting on my laurels waiting for someone to book us because they heard we were good?  Used to.  Haven't this year.  My friend Raymond and I have been working our asses off for months to help facilitate booking Seth Turner and the High Desert Drifters.  We know who we need to talk to, we just don't know how to get them to talk to us.  I'm telling you right now though, we'll get it figured out and we'll do what we've set out to do.

We're not pop country folks.  We never will be.  I won't apologize for it.  Country music fans actually want to hear country music strange as it may seem.  If you want to dance, that's us.  If you want hear the lyrics we're singing over the instruments playing, that's us.  If you want to see a band that looks like they gave a shit what they wore that day, that's us.  I have no problem with Pop Country bands believe it or not.  I have some favorites even.  Ryan White Maloney and his group are a fantastic show.  Marshall Reign is one of the best groups I've ever seen.  I love to see both their shows.  I have a respect and admiration for these bands.  I however am traditional country.  I play songs from way back to Lefty and Hank moving along to Waylon, Willie, and DAC then through King George and Alan Jackson and then finally to the modern day guys like Zac Brown and Jamey Johnson.  Music that proves country music is still alive.  Guys who sing songs that don't use every stupid redneck device or cliche to show how country they are.  To those who have forgotten I say this....

Country Music is a sound and a lyric.  It's a feeling down deep inside that stirs when you hear it.  It's twin fiddles and steel guitars and a really bitchin' riff blowin through a Fender Amp from Terry Greene, Alvin Blaine, and Eric Wicks' telecasters.  It's Nashville and Bakersfield, yet it loves New York and L.A.  Everyone's welcome in our music.  We're proud to have you, even if you don't tell your friends.  We don't get too bent that our music is evolving, but we do get mad as hell when you tell us that the sound of old isn't wanted around anymore.  For that we'll roll up our sleeves and kick somebody's dumbass.

For now my friends I'm going to go play my solo shows.  I'm going to go enjoy NFR 2011 as a spectator and fan.  I'm going to go watch some good bands play some great music.  And I'm going to leave you with this:

My name is Seth Turner.  My band is The High Desert Drifters.  We play Country Music.  We play it well.  If you don't like it, ok.  Thanks for listening either way.