Once upon a groove, I was sitting in my car driving on I-440 headed to a business meeting. While driving I was locking in a big TV production deal on my cell phone and mentally preparing for a gig I had on the road later that evening. A little while later I got out of the meeting then got right back on the phone scheduling musicians for upcoming shows. Then ran home, inhaled a hot dog, took a quickie shower, packed the trailer for the gig, checked e-mail, more phone calls, grabbed show clothes, sent a couple of more e-mails, updated MySpace, and away to the gig. Wait a minute! Did I turn off the coffee maker? Did we feed the cat? Did I remember underwear? ( probably not ) Did I find out the land speed of the East African ….? Yep, being a professional bassist can be a little busy at times.

So you think being on the road for four hours would give a break to the hectic life of a sideman? Silly Rabbit, tricks are for kids. On the way to Knoxville, we had to stop and pick up the drummer and the sax player. If you've seen the sax player's station wagon you understand why we picked him up. Next, even more phone calls, text messages, etc. "Hey Justin, pull over. I need to go boom, boom in the potty." "Wait, I need to take this call."

In my eternal search for chill time before the gig, it was apparent that we were now at the gig. Where did the last three hours go? "Excuse me Miss, where is your bathroom?" We load in to the venue, set up the stage, no time to eat, grab a brew (must have beer), and then the drummer counts us in. Did I practice with a tennis racket in front of a mirror as a kid for THIS ?

After four bars, of the tune I realized I was nowhere near a playing headspace due to all the running around I'd been doing. Big surprise huh? I get side tracked pretty easily, you know.

Ooh look!! Pretty butterfly!!

As far as the gig, my chops were definitely off. I hadn't had a chance to warm up. I was adjusting to a fill in drummer, and things needless to say did not groove well for me. "Hey Baldy Locks, you want some cheese to go with that whine ?"

So why was my playing say less than stellar you ask? Well, the nominees for Bogus Bass Performance are…..

When had I recently had a good night's sleep? (The story of an over-extended bass nerd.)

When had I eaten a decent meal? (Fast food: Enemy of the soul or closest friend.)

When during the last few weeks had I actually had time to practice my bass? (Does anyone know how this damn thing works?)

The answer was I hadn't practiced or had a moment of my own at all in weeks. To add insult to injury, I had been consumed with the Business portion of making music and was starting to lose my drive to PLAY bass. Guess what kiddies the music business is just that -- BUSINESS!!! Son of a …

Whatever is a bottom keeper to do to keep from going mad in this business? That, kiddies, is what I have been struggling with for years. I've been trying to remind myself why I do this in the first place lately.

Is it for the fame? No, because there are enough bald, circus freak bass players out there.

Is it for the money opportunities? No. Don't get me wrong. LOVE me some money but I am not into playing neo-new age, polka festivals to put a 350Z in the driveway. Or am I?

Is it for the hordes of half naked women throwing undergarments at the band? YES!!! Wait, I was supposed to say "no". I always screw that part up.

Oddly enough, there are not too many smooth jazz fans flashing their chests at the bass player either.

For myself, I have had to start taking deep breaths and do one of the hardest things in the world for me. Start telling people NO. That's one of the most difficult things any sideman can do since we all get wrapped up in trying to book EVERY gig and please everyone. The fact is that your playing will suffer if you start spreading yourself too thin. I have even noticed recently that I am unable to play some of the vibes I typically groove hearty on if I don't take some down time. After awhile I become weary from the business side of music and that is something we all face in the industry. It has also greatly affected my ability to dedicate myself to certain projects the way I typically would like. Trust me gang, the last thing you want to do is bust your rump to book a bunch of shows and then not have time to properly learn the material and give a less than killer performance. That is. . . how do we say this nicely? . . . LAME!!!

Don't fret my little groove things (save that for the gig.) All of these issues can be remedied by stopping and smelling the groove and, for the love of GOD, make it funky. The music industry can be a real bizotch when trying to have an everyday life. With a little time management and making a point to have some YOU time, your playing won't suffer. Just kick those shoes off and feel the grass under your feet on occasion instead of sending that "one last e-mail" and your groove integrity will survive intact, you'll get hired again, and yet again save humanity from wank grooves. Until next time my babies.

Keep groovin',

S

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