The boy jamming at Myrtle Beach SC blues jam

66musicmaster · 08-23-2010, 11:32 AM

We were vacationing at MB SC last week and went to a blues jam. They were recording the jam sets and this is most of ours. Please excuse my vocals as I don't normally sing Crossroads in our band. I'm drumming - the boy is way better guitar player than me at this point. So I let him go to it. Plus the crowds like seeing the boy on guitar.

He got tipped $20 that night and sat in with a rock cover band we know on Friday and made $18 more. I'm letting him play for our vaction next year....

the boy is only 10.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9011471

And if you're into Blues jams, be sure to look up the Grand Strand Blues Society. I think they have a couple of jams each week. Very nice folks.

Randy

Zman · 08-23-2010, 03:44 PM

Nice job by the youngster. If he has the nerve to be on stage and play like that at 10, he has a bright future in music. Love the Grand Strand as well. I will look up that blues society next time down.

66musicmaster · 08-23-2010, 03:59 PM

Thanks. He seems to make it all so effortless. I started music in the 6th grade - when I was 12? And it has never been easy for me. Of course, during the summers, he practices about 6 hrs a day. I agree - he should be able to have some sort of musical career. We're trying to give him the tools to do so.

The school system doesn't start band til 6th grade, so he's doing piano now. Most of the guitar teachers here don't have much left to teach him, but piano is teaching him theory and reading, as well as playing. If he wants to do band, he'll have a good start. The band director here is not having much luck keeping kids - it is really small.

But thanks for the compliments.

Randy

Zman · 08-23-2010, 07:26 PM

On another note. My daughter went to school at UNC Greensboro. We have travelled through Mount Airy several times on our way down from Canada. Unfortunatley she met a guy from Maine and moved there. so our stays in NC are gone. We just loved it there.
All I can say is to make sure he is enjoying what he is doing. You don't want him to burn out at a young age and waste a lot of talent.

5thumbs · 08-23-2010, 07:41 PM

I love N.C. my Mom & Dad live in Mocksville and Bro. lives in Ruffin.

66musicmaster · 08-24-2010, 09:19 AM

Thanks - so far he is pretty excited about learning all he can and playing when he can.

Mocksville isn't too far and I know a few folks over there. Cool how the world just gets smaller and smaller eh?

Randy

AllroyPA · 08-24-2010, 09:33 AM

He's got some great feel ... big ups to him ...

Vott · 08-24-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllroyPA

He's got some great feel ... big ups to him ...

Ditto!

And thanks for not using youtube, seems every firewall blocks the tube these days.

66musicmaster · 08-24-2010, 02:57 PM

I didn't make the decision on where it's hosted, but I agree.

Thanks for the compliments.
Randy

YeahDoIt · 08-28-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66musicmaster

Thanks. He seems to make it all so effortless. I started music in the 6th grade - when I was 12? And it has never been easy for me. Of course, during the summers, he practices about 6 hrs a day. I agree - he should be able to have some sort of musical career. We're trying to give him the tools to do so.

The school system doesn't start band til 6th grade, so he's doing piano now. Most of the guitar teachers here don't have much left to teach him, but piano is teaching him theory and reading, as well as playing. If he wants to do band, he'll have a good start. The band director here is not having much luck keeping kids - it is really small.

I suspect schools do not handle musicians well. I remember reading that Jimmy Page took his guitar to school, dropped out 8th grade, Tal Wilkenfeld quit school about age 13, Sarah McLaughan left school, Amy Winehouse left school. I do not believe school teaches kids how to live on the road in a tour van more than 1000 miles away from home for three months at a time. These skills might be learned from professional touring musicians. You might look for such touring acts passing through your area, contact them by email, tell them of your son, link to a video of your son's performance, and ask if he could meet the band when they are in town. It is possible that a touring band needs to do laundry or a place to sleep; they might welcome your help and your son might learn from them.

I wonder if your son's school has a drama department. Much musicianship is in performance, and perhaps a drama class or two could help him develop singing, stage presence and performance skills.

YeahDoIt · 08-28-2010, 11:52 AM

He does a very nice job playing guitar in that video.

66musicmaster · 08-28-2010, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the compliment and the advice. I passed that on to him to be thinking about.

Randy

YeahDoIt · 09-07-2010, 05:26 AM

He might take a course in bookkeeping. A professional musician is a business, and he might manage his money while he is working and traveling.

66musicmaster · 09-07-2010, 09:10 AM

REally that is a good idea. We're already making him save his money for the most part. And he does good at it so far. But let's get him out of elementary school first... : )

Randy