Shameless Plug: Last 2 Shows With My Band

[Splitear]

This weekend marks the beginning of the end with my time in my band of the last 6 years. In 2016, I joined one of the top Country cover bands in the Capital area, Big Sky Country, as their lead singer. I’ve had a lot of amazing experiences, opening for major recording artists, and even getting to hang with Wade Boggs at a show. However, I’m just missing too much time with my daughters and my wife, and I have too many other interests that I want to explore. I made the decision early this summer, and December 9th marks my last day with BSC. If anyone has an interest in catching a show, we’ll be at the Saratoga Casino this Saturday, and the at Rivers Casino in Schenectady next Friday. If you make it out, be sure to come say “Hi”. 

[Splitear]

Haha, Ashley certainly draws more attention than the big lug who sings next to her. She’s great, but her ability to cover Johnny Cash is a bit lacking

[Splitear]

53 minutes ago, Rusty said:

 

This show sucked for me, I lost my voice at the show the night before, and couldn’t sing anything. Fortunately it was a short gig and they covered for me. I stayed on stage the whole time, just to keep the band looking classy

[Keith Nehrke]

Nice! One of my best buddies plays guitar and sings for a local band; while I love music, my appreciation has diminished over the years due to selective hearing loss (not the kind where you can't hear your wife lol, but rather certain frequencies). It's just not the same these days. 

Best advice I can give to the younger crowd is to wear hearing protection when you're shooting. It's no joke.

Have fun at your final shows! I'd stop by if I were over that way. 

[Phantom]

11 hours ago, Splitear said:

This weekend marks the beginning of the end with my time in my band of the last 6 years. In 2016, I joined one of the top Country cover bands in the Capital area, Big Sky Country, as their lead singer. I’ve had a lot of amazing experiences, opening for major recording artists, and even getting to hang with Wade Boggs at a show. However, I’m just missing too much time with my daughters and my wife, and I have too many other interests that I want to explore. I made the decision early this summer, and December 9th marks my last day with BSC. If anyone has an interest in catching a show, we’ll be at the Saratoga Casino this Saturday, and the at Rivers Casino in Schenectady next Friday. If you make it out, be sure to come say “Hi”. 

Nice You most play at turning stone to  I bet they have huge country place , forgot the name of it in there now .

[Splitear]

33 minutes ago, Phantom said:

Nice You most play at turning stone to  I bet they have huge country place , forgot the name of it in there now .

We used to play there 4 times a year, but didn't pick it back up after Covid. I was the main hurdle for that one. Most of the time they would want us on a Friday night, which meant leaving work early to drive an hour and 45 to get there, and then staying overnight so I wouldn't fall asleep after playing until 1am. We drew well, but it was more of a dance club playing remixed country songs. Even our mix was super bass heavy, which makes the vocals and other instruments super muddy. I was just never a fan, though, now that I'm leaving, they may start booking there again. The club is "The Tin Rooster". Nice place, quite the complex, but I'm glad we didn't have to make that drive out there any more. 

[Nomad]

That’s awesome that you spent so much time in a good band !

Ive a nephew here ( Roch area ) who plays in Branded , a local country band that’s very popular here , and my son in law is a drummer in a smaller band .

Its a lot,more work ,driving to and from ,setting up tearing down , then people realize.

[Splitear]

31 minutes ago, Nomad said:

That’s awesome that you spent so much time in a good band !

Ive a nephew here ( Roch area ) who plays in Branded , a local country band that’s very popular here , and my son in law is a drummer in a smaller band .

Its a lot,more work ,driving to and from ,setting up tearing down , then people realize.

It's a lot of fun, but between practices, arriving 2-3 hours before a show to setup, and then leaving 1 1/2 hours after last call from tearing down, there's a lot of time involved. It was fine before we had kids, but has gotten to be too much. I'm not much of a "party" person anyways, I prefer waking up early to staying out late, so I'm shot for the weekend after a night of gigging. 

I was really lucky to step into a very successful band, and we've gotten to play some awesome shows. Just playing for 900-1000 people on a regular basis at the Saratoga Casino was pretty amazing. That fanbase is awesome for a cover band. I'll miss it, that's for sure. 

I've got a lot of things that I want to do with my girls, camping, canoeing, traveling, that I just can't do with a busy band schedule, especially in the summer time. Plus, I've got a lot of 4-H programs that I'm trying to get off the ground, and am looking to get more involved in our Black Powder Club and Church. Too much to do and maintain this. I'll probably do some acoustic stuff in the summertime to pay for other hobbies, but I'm looking forward to some more free time that can be devoted to family and other interests. 

[grampy]

Having seen BSC a few times, I can say you guys are great! Had a great time!

In my younger days I played in bands. It's alot of work for sure. And it was also alot of fun. After the last band thing, I took a long break for family stuff too. Then I did acoustic solo gigs for a few years. That was much more flexible. But still had to set up and tear down. Which made for some long nights. Haven't played out in a couple years now. Getting too old. But still have my studio in the basement. Where I can play whatever I want, when I want! And howl till the Mrs bangs on the floor upstairs!!

Best of luck in your future endeavors Leland! You are on the right path my friend. 

If possible I may come to your last show at Rivers. May even introduce myself this time.....?