forcetenrushtribute

Fair enough. Me too.

Oh and as far as me blurting out my musical accomplishments, what do you expect when you put someone on the defensive?

The fact that you are asking me if "I get tired of playing Rush music" proves you have not read a single word of my previous posts. "Some originals"? HA! Dude.....I have a GRAMMY NOMINATION on my resume and a GMA award in my living room! I've also played at Carnegie Hall, The Opry, Rhyman, Hollywood Bowl, the Summer Olympics in Greece and DOZENS of label attached albums (no not "demos") in Nashville where I live and have years of successful experience. You don't know who you are talking to. Do me ONE favor. If you are not willing to read all of my previous posts, fine. Go back and at least read post #75 on this tread which includes an outline of my resume. What you will learn is that the answer to your above question is "No, I'm tired of playing ORIGINALS! I've done that for 20 years and have paid my dues with it and proven my success with it. PLEASE......just read post number 75 so yo can at least know where I AM coming from. Whoopie! I hate people like you that try to push what they've done and use it as a basis for meaning in life! But that's my opinion, and since I never was nominated for a Grammy, or the fact that I've only really played in cover bands, did demos, and played in, and taught a bunch of drum and bugle corps drumlines (as well as a shit load of high school lines) My OPINION doesn't count for anything! I'm just a no talent non contributing loser, who pales in comparison to your emminent wonderful-ness! Thank you for your contribution to the music world, I bow at your greatness! Dude......wait a minute. ....you admitedly have only played in cover bands and you are criticizing people for playing Rush covers? PLEASE! GO EARN your worthless opinion by knocking out a few successful originals first and THEN come talk to us about "Rush Covers". Furthermore, if you are a drum corps guy (as I am as well as a horn guy), you are definitely educated enough to understand that "transcribing" is an effective way to develop chops, skill AND your own individual style and voice. So I'm SHOCKED to see you slam drummers for studying Peart. Yould not a snare player in a H.S. band study Blue Devil licks?

Oh and one more thing. How can I be "tired" of something I JUST started doing (again after over 20 years of doing nothing but originals....SUCCESFULLY! You have me completely backwards. Furthermore, since you don't like drummers and musicians who spend years learning how to play "Rush", I'll have you know that the guys in my band never played Rush's music EVER before our session and we did the session with NO REHEARSAL after I gave the guys only 2 weeks to prepare. Welcome to "Nashville" bub.

The fact that you are asking me if "I get tired of playing Rush music" proves you have not read a single word of my previous posts. "Some originals"? HA! Dude.....I have a GRAMMY NOMINATION on my resume and a GMA award in my living room! I've also played at Carnegie Hall, The Opry, Rhyman, Hollywood Bowl, the Summer Olympics in Greece and DOZENS of label attached albums (no not "demos") in Nashville where I live and have years of successful experience. You don't know who you are talking to. Do me ONE favor. If you are not willing to read all of my previous posts, fine. Go back and at least read post #75 on this tread which includes an outline of my resume. What you will learn is that the answer to your above question is "No, I'm tired of playing ORIGINALS! I've done that for 20 years and have paid my dues with it and proven my success with it. PLEASE......just read post number 75 so yo can at least know where I AM coming from.

Excuse me? But this is not a "private IM discussion". You posted this publicly so the least you can do is respond to those who have respectfully replied to you. Secondly, I TOO have a tribute band and IN REALIZING that you are bashing ME as well, have posted my own rebuttals to your "bashes". So again, the least you could do is read those rebuttals. If NOTHING else, read my post regardng my history playing "originals" (since AGAIN that is s important to you). You should at least know WHO you are bashing (since you clearly are including me in your bash as well). I'm pretty certain I've achieved more in just one year in my music career (with originals) than you have and will in your entire life. That's what I'd like YOU to know. Everyone is entitled to an opinion - but not everyone deserves one.

Agree...I'm out... To qualify my Zappa Plays Zappa statement....Dweezil is a great guitar player..just not really a fan of his bands, so far.... Project Object would be cool if played with them (but Andre is a great guitar player, too) So you still continue to ignore every single point I have both respectfully and politely provided and now throw your hands up and say "I'm out"? OK. (shrug) Ok...what am I missing? what do you want to know? You're missing a lot. And it's not so much about what "I want to know" and more what I want YOU to know. How about starting by going back and reading ALL of my previous posts that you ignored (meaning ALL of the ones I've made since your first post of un-solicited bashing on kRUSH). And don't forget the one where I address "playing originals" since that seems t be very important to you. Kenny might be done with you - but I'm not.

Agree...I'm out... To qualify my Zappa Plays Zappa statement....Dweezil is a great guitar player..just not really a fan of his bands, so far.... Project Object would be cool if played with them (but Andre is a great guitar player, too) So you still continue to ignore every single point I have both respectfully and politely provided and now throw your hands up and say "I'm out"? OK. (shrug)

I think you broke every guideline the OP made. Oh there are guidelines? I just though he just wanted setlist for his band...let me go back and review. OK guidelines have been observed: Far Cry Caravan Red Barchetta **Speak to crowd: "Hello! ...How are you guys doing out there? ... We are Force Ten as is this." *** Force Ten Mal Nar Limelight Freewill The Spirit of Radio LOL it's all good! All of these ideas are helpful! :)

So to steer this back to the Rush Tribute Band topic. In light of all of what I've said about my past full time career (doing "originals"), it is such a breath of fresh air to do this Rush tribute band project. I'm having so much fun with it and have not been this excited about a music project since I was 22 years old being hired to play my first job for the Disney company. This one is NOT just about the "money" or "paying bills". A true labor of love playing music from one of my favorite bands of all times. I feel like a kid again. :) This is MY "mid-life crisis". :D

The Anual Gaithers Praise Gathering in Indianapolis two years in a row (2003 and 2004). Also worked with current vocalist with the Gaithers - "Michael English" on a short 14 day tour in 2008.

I've refrained from commenting for some time waiting to see this last qoute. Do you guys write original material? This is a labor of love for you, and I get that...but don't you desire to create and not replicate? In your posts concerning the remedial, non-challenging nature of Chris Squires work, I'm taken aback by your statements...what does the "real" Kenny sound like? How awesome is his "own" material? I think I read in some music magazine, maybe the Yukon Blade Grinder or some other reputable publication, that NASA has actually trained monkeys to play Rush on guitar, bass, and drums. So it seems that anybody, or anything for that matter, can do this type of mimicking. C'mon Kenny—let's hear YOUR music. And boy have I waited for this comment myself. Again, I can't speak for "Kenny" but since I'm "that other tribute band guy", I sure as heck can speak for myself. Or better yet, my resume can speak for ITSELF! For over 20 years I have worked full time as a studio/touring musician in both L.A. and now Nashville. The bulk of my career has been as a horn player (trumpet) as well as background vocals and keys, playing mostly funk, jazz and R&B. Within all of this, 98% of the material I have done has been............wait for it..................ORIGINALS! I worked full time for 3 years at the Disneyland Theme Park in California, I've been on more than countable studio recordings including one Grammy nominated project (2009) and a GMA Award winning project (with the Dove trophy in my living room to prove it). I've toured 48 states in the US, multiple countries, played at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece, the Grand Ole Opry, The Rhyman, The Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Dozens of arenas and stadiums throughout the U.S., TV commercials, National TV shows and major motion pictures. All of this doing...........wait for it..........ORIGINAL MUSIC! So with that being said, if I want to spend my NOW PART TIME music career (as I gave up "full time" for a full time day job to be with my family more) doing COVERS.....I'd say I've more than paid my dues and earned my keep with "original music" to justify now doing "covers" for the "labor of love". LASTLY, you may not all be aware of this....but a certain member of Rush has had his own stint playing "covers" on a "tribute project". Neil Peart did a "Tribute To Buddy Rich" album where he stepped out of his comfort zone to display his "jazz" skills (which is KILLER by the way). So if a "tribute project" is good enough for Neil, it's good enough for me. Professional stuff. What albums have you recorded and credited on? Love to hear it. Well, Nashville is primarily known for two things (though there really is a lot more music than just these two genres), Country music and Christian music. Generally not much horn section work in country (though there are a few exceptions) so I've managed to land a lot of Christian/Gospel sessions. A band called "Denver & The Mile High Orchestra" was basically my full time job for many years. I've been on all of their recordings since 2002. I've recorded and or toured with artists such as "Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Avalon and the Gaithers" and several others. The Grammy nomination was for "Gospel Album of the year" on a solo project by the Mercy Me lead singer "Bart Millard" called "Hymned Again". Played at Carnegie Hall with both Denver & The Mile High Orchestra as well as the Manhattan Pops Orchestra. In L.A. I played some live shows with Buddy Rich side kick "Louie Bellson". Any of what I've shared is easy to find and look up. If interested in something recent, the following music video is part of a "work in progress" that I did with a Pop band here in Nashville (I'm the trumpet player in this)...

Hey when are you going to respond to my points? Not trying to "pick a fight". But I've brought up some valid rebuttals to some of your bashing. You might at least entertain some of it with a minute or two of thought. Just a suggestion.

Not bad ideas. Though Time Stand Still is one of my better song vocally (for my voice personally) which is why I chose it.

double post

I've refrained from commenting for some time waiting to see this last qoute. Do you guys write original material? This is a labor of love for you, and I get that...but don't you desire to create and not replicate? In your posts concerning the remedial, non-challenging nature of Chris Squires work, I'm taken aback by your statements...what does the "real" Kenny sound like? How awesome is his "own" material? I think I read in some music magazine, maybe the Yukon Blade Grinder or some other reputable publication, that NASA has actually trained monkeys to play Rush on guitar, bass, and drums. So it seems that anybody, or anything for that matter, can do this type of mimicking. C'mon Kenny—let's hear YOUR music. And boy have I waited for this comment myself. Again, I can't speak for "Kenny" but since I'm "that other tribute band guy", I sure as heck can speak for myself. Or better yet, my resume can speak for ITSELF! For over 20 years I have worked full time as a studio/touring musician in both L.A. and now Nashville. The bulk of my career has been as a horn player (trumpet) as well as background vocals and keys, playing mostly funk, jazz and R&B. Within all of this, 98% of the material I have done has been............wait for it..................ORIGINALS! I worked full time for 3 years at the Disneyland Theme Park in California, I've been on more than countable studio recordings including one Grammy nominated project (2009) and a GMA Award winning project (with the Dove trophy in my living room to prove it). I've toured 48 states in the US, multiple countries, played at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece, the Grand Ole Opry, The Rhyman, The Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Dozens of arenas and stadiums throughout the U.S., TV commercials, National TV shows and major motion pictures. All of this doing...........wait for it..........ORIGINAL MUSIC! So with that being said, if I want to spend my NOW PART TIME music career (as I gave up "full time" for a full time day job to be with my family more) doing COVERS.....I'd say I've more than paid my dues and earned my keep with "original music" to justify now doing "covers" for the "labor of love". LASTLY, you may not all be aware of this....but a certain member of Rush has had his own stint playing "covers" on a "tribute project". Neil Peart did a "Tribute To Buddy Rich" album where he stepped out of his comfort zone to display his "jazz" skills (which is KILLER by the way). So if a "tribute project" is good enough for Neil, it's good enough for me.

By the way, I meant to say "Manhattan Project" from Power Windows on my last post. Not Mission (from HOLD YOUR FIRE). It was 5:07 in the morning and I was still in bed with typing from my phone. Please nobody behead me for that mistake. :)

I actually had one originally. I was going to do Manhattan Project but with the length of Xanadu...? As for possible encore - Tom Sawyer was my plan because of it's popularity - even among non die-hard Rush fans. Which is something I actually need to take into account. This is a club. Not everyone who comes is going to be a die hard to the bones (rolling) Rush fan. I have to make sure that those songs "everyone knows" make an appearance and Tom Sawer? Well, that one is kind of like "One" for Metallica. It's the song we Rush fans all sort of eye roll when non die hards talk about it in an effort to show SOME "knowledge" of Rush. Not that WE don't like the song also...but you know what I mean. It's the one song non Rush fans can name. So, it needs to be there at least for an encore, I think. Would you not agree?

You've nailed it! Not a fan of tributes by any stretch. BUT...Reading what the OP said, being of the same "mettle" I was expecting "the second coming"! And was dissappointed. The first thing that got me was the drummer playing 8th notes....sorry please try harder! If you CAN'T play the 16th notes on the hi-hat for Tom Sawyer, then don't play THAT tune, sorry! IF you're going to be a tribute band, be better than the band you are emulating, in as far as THEY will hire you for a party they are hosting! But bottom line...play Rush, please don't be a tribute band! Same with guys who try hard to play EVERY Rush tune on their drums (or whatever instrument) Learn the licks for fun, don't make it your life's goal! There's ONE Neil Peart, ONE Geddy Lee, and ONE Alex Lifeson! You guys are obviously good musicians, don't waste your time being Rush! That's all I'm saying. Hey, check out what I write on the "description" of my video. While I can't speak for Kenny's band (though I have a hunch he would say the same thing I do), my band is not trying to BE "Rush". That is NOT the purpose of a tribute band. Again, see my description. I think you have the definition of a "tribute band" all wrong - which might be why you don't like them. If you think the intent is to "BE" them or be BETTER than them (as you said...re: what you are "emulating"), you've got the wrong definition and the wrong idea. It is ridiculous to think that we can be "better" than what we are "emulating" (i.e., "Rush"). It is also ridiculous to think that such should/would be the goal. It's not. A tribute band is exactly that - a "tribute".... "TRIBUTE: a gift, testimonial, compliment, or the like, given as due or in acknowledgment of gratitude or esteem. " (source http://www.dictionary.com) When you pay "tribute" to something, your purpose is to compliment and pay homage and respect to that which you are "esteeming". Not to "prove yourself as one and the same or better"...as you seem to interpret. Change your interpretation of the word "tribute", accept what Kenny and I do for what it is (and NOTHING more) and I think you might appreciate not only us but all "tribute bands" a lot more.

Don't think too many will complain with that! I will....because there are about a million other songs I want to do in addition to these. :( But hey, if I get this gig............it's a GIG! ;) So I guess I can't complain TOO much.

Alright, this is my conclusion so far. What do you guys think? SOO much left out, but it's a 60 minute set. Made it 7 songs instead of 8 to fit in Xanadu. 1. Force Ten 2. Limelight 3. Time Stand Still 4. Subdivisions 5. Circumstances (ALL of it) 6. Xanadu 7. The Spirit Of Radio

Force Ten - obviously the name of a well known Rush song from Hold Your Fire but also the name of my Rush Tribute Band (see signature).

Kenny, don't let any of that mess with your head. People have opinions and are entitled to them. However, you and I as vocalists for Rush tribute bands are doing something that is absolutely impossible to duplicate to a "T". Rush is not like other bands and artists. Their music is so complex and their sound is so personalized, that to come anywhere even close is nothing short of a miracle. It would be nice if everyone recognized and respected what you and I do with our bands but some people are going to be impossible to please. Keep at it man! One of these days our two tribute bands need to meet up somehow.

Tai Shan twice in an 8 song set eh? Why not throw some Air Supply and Barry Manilow covers in there as well? :eyeroll: :rfl:

OH GOSH NOT ME!!! I LOVE IT! For one, it's sentimental for me because the Presto tour was my first year ever seeing them in concert! To say nothing of the fact that it's good stuff. Now, if I could only find the Presto T-shirt I once had......(have not found it since I loved from California to Tennessee many years ago).... :(