It’s Called SHOW Business

This month’s article is another self help column. The topic: performance. They say you teach what you need the most.

Isn’t it funny how the public perceives talent? Have you ever seen a HEE HAW show with Roy Clark? He was often given the spotlight to play a solo on guitar or banjo. One thing I always noticed about Roy, no matter what he was playing, he made it look hard. His body would move around and his tongue was always sticking out. If he played something hot, he would raise his eyebrows and smile slyly. He had a knack for owning the audience. Certain performers seem to have a natural ability to own the song. Don’t you love to see them perform?

We’ve been playing a lot of DVD live performances at the store lately, and it’s interesting to see how differently people play and perform. Some of these groups you have to check out. Take for instance Los Lonely Boys. These guys present an amazing display of showmanship. The guitar and bass player both play behind their back. They dance around and play blindfolded. The bass player plays a solo on the electric guitar. They play each other’s instruments while still wearing their own doing a dance reminiscent of ZZTop across the stage. They toss their guitars around catching them by the neck on the correct fret of the notes they wish to play in perfect unison. At one point, the bass player even throws his bass to a stage hand, in perfect timing. You could tell they worked on their act.

The Stray Cats put a ton of energy into their show as well. We all know that Brian Setzer is extremely talented, but the other Cats are too. The bass player stands on his bass and the drummer plays standing up! Meanwhile, Brian is running around sliding on his knees. There is never a dull moment.

Many of us, like myself, are a little too self conscious for showboating of that magnitude. If that is not your style, try something different. Lyle Lovitt uses a lot of dry humor in his performances, and really succeeds at connecting with the audience. Missouri born Porter Waggoner wears some very fancy clothes and tell jokes. Tony Bennett is constantly thanking the audience, “You people are beautiful!” Whatever your style is, find it and use it to connect with your audience. Take what the good Lord gave you and magnify it. Hey, it worked for Lyle. I seem to remember he was married to Julia Roberts and I’m sure it wasn’t for his boyish good looks!

Have questions or comments? Email me at will@willwestmusic.net and put newsletter in the subject line.

~Will