That's right, I'm calling it quits..No more Troy T. Blues Band. There have been many supporting reasons for my decision. I think the biggest factor is that we have been suffering from the lack of people/dead rooms. This has coincidentally been the case since April, after the smoking ban went into full affect. I'm not gonna blame it on the smoking ban, but I think it's been a contributing factor. I think it's very expensive to go out, stiff drinking & driving laws, home entertainment, etc, etc...Things have changed! We are not the only ones experiencing this from what I hear around on the circuit.

Also, in my opinion, playing the Blues is quite difficult to promote, especially in this region. Personally, I think we are an incredibly tight, fun band that plays a wide variety of Blues. I would be the first one to know if we weren't sounding great. I am extremely critical and meticulous about our performances/arrangements. When there is people in the crowd that are familar with Blues (not many people are) they are usually amazed at our diversity.

I could venture out of the area, try to promote the band much more, but I just don't have the time, energy or patience. I have tried booking agents, but usually they don't have much for a Blues band and typically they are not interested because Blues just doesn't sell.

Unfortunately, we have lost alot of rooms this year due the situation. Also, in some cases, I choose not to go back to certain rooms. For example, two weeks ago, we played at a place that usually loves us and we've done very well there in the past. This time around, that place was DEAD!!! Maybe 10-15 people the whole night. They have a new owner now, and at the end of the night, he very reluctantly handed me the money and asked where my following was..I've never been asked that before after three years of consistent gigs at that venue. That burned me and yet another one scratched off the list.

When we play under these conditions, quite frankly, I would rather be at home or just doing something else. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE playing, and I always will. Music will always be in my heart and soul forever. The money is nice too, but there is no inner satisfaction. My bass player mentioned to me that he would rather play the gig regardless of the situation. I understand that and in most cases, I would too. However, I just have no desire, no drive and no inspiration whatsoever anymore. When it starts getting to be a hassle, really sucking and you are not having fun, something has got to give. That's how I feel right now, it makes me sick.

In the past we have played at some nice venues and the crowds have been very receptive. I will say that our best moment was when we played the Club Crawl at the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland, ME (2002). We played for two nights at one of the clubs in the area and the people appreciated our music and there were many. These people were totally familar with Blues and sincerely enjoyed us. I am so happy we that we had that opportunity, that was great! That was the most satisfying feeling I ever had playing the Blues or in any situation for that matter. Nothing has come close since, even though I expected that. However, it did show me that under the right conditions, we could deliver the goods and satisfied many, many people. The compliments and reactions were off the charts!

On the other hand, I could re-group and implement new songs of a different genre....songs that most people would be familar with, etc. However, it is not quite that easy. My drummer lives on the other side of the state and we don't have the opportunity to get together that often. Plus, I'm mentally drained...The deadness, stress of dealing with bar owners, chasing them down for gigs, running the band, well you know. It's all my shoulders and I had enough of that too.

My plans are to take a break for a while. In the meantime, I will attend some open jams and do some fill in gigs to stay sharp. In the future, I hope to join an established band that plays all styles like Blues, Classic Rock & Southern Rock. I've been there done that and I would certainly enjoy doing that again, so I will definitely be back on the scene. I don't want that responsibility anymore, I want to be in a situation where is is a little more low maintenance.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and it is nice to get this off my chest, I feel a little better now...It was really tough to come to this decision and break the news to the guys. I still think, at least at this time, that this was the right thing for me to do. We will play out our remaining gigs which concludes in December.


~Troy T.

(edited for some clean-up)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Troy T. Blues,

Oh sorry to hear that bro...but I know you'll bounce back!

Take care!

Wow Troy,

Sorry to that. It's always hard when a good group has to come to an end, but it sounds like it may be for the better for you. Look at it this way.... more time to hang out on MusicToyz!!!

The music scene here, isn't what it used to be either. There used to be some GREAT bands in Minneapolis, and now there are very few that are worth going out to see.

Good luck in the future Troy.

Head

Damn Troy, that was unexpected.

I hope everything works out for you, I'm sure you will end up starting or joining something great, and all will be fine.

Fronting a band is definitely tiring, especially throwing your heart and soul out on the line every time you gig, only to have 5-10 witness it. The good gigs are the one's that keep you coming back, but the bad ones make you want to crawl into a dark hole most of the time.

Best of luck, be strong, and keep playing the blues! (well, atleast a little bit of blues )

Man, that's too bad. I wish you were down here; Baton Rouge has become a serious blues town (with a big blues festival and lots of blues clubs), and New Orleans never comes close to running low on gigs. But I guess it's a cultural thing; people come from all over, expecting to hear live music down here (whether it's jazz, zydeco or blues, the local big three).

I was in Pennsylvania last year visiting my sister, and was stunned to find out that there weren't any nearby places to hear good live music. It's just really sad that our culture is going through this narcissistic phase in which the communal experience of live music is abandoned by the masses, in favor of dancing to CD's of dehumanizing hip-hop or staying home to watch one of the 687 channels on TV.

So time off may do you some good. If I was in your shoes I would go out and do some research on the clubs in the areas you want to play and see what is happening. It's hard to know what is going on other places when you are playing all of the time. Maybe some slight changes may get you into some new places. Good luck and I am sure it will all work out for the better. There is always room for people who have music in their soul.

Man...
Troy you are one hell of a guitar player.. I hope things get better.. It would suck to know your not out there doin what ya love to do and doin it the way you do it.... The tone and playing, when you go to your website is pure class.. I wish you the best man..

sean...

Hey Troy, sorry to hear about your situation. It's a very tough call to make. Although I don't get to post much I can tell by reading your posts that you have an intense passion for what you do. I too played the bars for years and got frustrated and pretty much messed my life up worrying about bar owners and followings- not to mention excessive alcohol abuse on the weekends. When I decided to give it up it was like going thru a divorce. I had played with the same guys for years and it was tough giving it up. I played out the remaining six months of gigs and as it got closer to the last one, the easier it was to walk away. By that time I had given up drinking and the thought of dealing with drunk people spilling beer on my gear had lost its luster. A week after my last gig a local church I had been attending announced it needed a lead guitar player. I am now playing in three bands- a contemporary praise band that plays in a three thousand seat auditorium, a blues outreach band http://streetlightz.org/ that has played in Mississippi, Key West, and Datona Beach, and a prison outreach band that has played in prisons all over Florida. In all three bands we are very much appreciated by the audiences and I don't have to worry about club owners. I can SEE the music helping people- especially in prison. I don't know if this is the route for you -I can only tell you that I have been blessed by what God has given me these last few years. Think about what the blues/music means to you and the reasons you play. Best wishes with your decision.

Just call it a hiatus, and call it a day. 6-8 months from now... you'll be driving yourself nuts and realize that's it's because you haven't cranked your amp for far too long.

I totally understand where you're coming from though... maybe you could add a dj to your trio. Seems those lazy fuckers are the only ones who can make the crowds happy these days.

But hopefully that's just a trend, that will pass.

Anyways..
good luck to you and enjoy your down time!

It is tough but often one door closes and soon another opens whatever it is.

If it was not fun for a long period of time then why do it if it is a hobby and not a means of providing primary income?

You made the right decision based on that imo.

Hi Troy Sorry to see the band call it quits, But I'm sure you will find something quickly.

Hi Troy,

Sorry to hear it's just not working out for you and the band. If the fun and the emotion has gone, then I'm sure you're doing the right thing. I agree with the above sentiments that you will find a new route to channel your love of music into. Enjoy the break and let yourself be surprised what turns up, right!

Chris

Hey Troy

Been there and took the past year and a half off from steady gigging.

OK, I don't want to beat this to death but, one night when I WAS THE ONLY GUY WATCHING an incredible guitar player in Austin, Texas and wondering to myself if anyone else had a clue what was going on the guy later came to be known by the initial SRV.

So, brush the smoke out of your hair for a bit and get back to it because it happens to the best!

Good luck brother

George

You need to just play different material..Play Goo Goo Dolls, Foo Fighters, Steely Dan,and then slip in Couldn't stand the weather.....Faster, upbeat stuff..A lot of people get bored quickly with Blues music..I love the Blues but if a band is playing slow (I IV V) shuffles all night I'm out-ee...

quote:

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Originally posted by dosmun:
So time off may do you some good. If I was in your shoes I would go out and do some research on the clubs in the areas you want to play and see what is happening. It's hard to know what is going on other places when you are playing all of the time. Maybe some slight changes may get you into some new places. Good luck and I am sure it will all work out for the better. There is always room for people who have music in their soul.

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Thanks dosmun, that's exactly what I was planning on doing...good call.

quote:

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Originally posted by MrChurchofTone:
Man...
Troy you are one hell of a guitar player.. I hope things get better.. It would suck to know your not out there doin what ya love to do and doin it the way you do it.... The tone and playing, when you go to your website is pure class.. I wish you the best man..

sean...

---

Sean, thanks alot bro! I really appreciate the kind words, thanks for chiming in.

Head..right on man.

Troy...oh, I'll still be playing the Blues. It will always be my favorite and it's in my soul brotha!

mongoose_eyeball, yes...IMO things suck up here compared to down south and out west IMO...Actually, most all other parts of the country are much better. People are just too wrapped up in their own thing around here. In most cases a live band is more like a bother. That's just my opinion and there is always a exception to the rule.

bluelew....congrats and I'm happy to know that things are working out for, that's great!

duende...lol, I hear ya pal. I still be cranking my amp, trust me.

felken, yes..thanks, I do believe I made the right decision.

George..thanks for the story man. I know what you're saying.

paulydangerous (FYI) We are not like the typical Blues Band. I love slow Blues but we far from a I-IV-V slow Blues band. We are more like an upbeat, power trio really. However, I agree that mixing in different material would have been better...Blues all night long to an average listener could get boring. However, I think our style seperated us from most of the other Blues bands around here.

You guys are the best!

and if it hasn't already been mentioned... you could do what many of the indie pop bands did in NY during the mid 90's. create your own scene by holding, in your case, bluesfests, special guest nights and other events. it's amazing what a little bit of focus can do to create excitement and interest where there wasn't any.

best of luck!

Hi Troy, I've just read your post with what must be a near total understanding of your situation. I run a three piece blues band doing the usual Hendrix/SRV/Ronnie Earl/Johnnie Winter/ Rory/Robben...etc thing here in the UK. Been running this band for 12 years now, and I've been gigging for some 35 years. I do everything, and I mean everything to keep the band going, just because I enjoy the actual playing so much, even after all this time. But, I can tell the same old stories, with fewer people coming to gigs, promoters changing so we have to prove ourselves all over again at venues we've played at for several years, new venues not agreeing to book us unless we can guarantee a following to show up, etc. It is, as you say, incredibly draining. I'm not ready to give up yet, because this band is, in my view, one of a kind, and I'd never get it back again if I called it quits. However, I'm sitting here dog tired after last night's gig, at which there were 25 people, and the promoter made just enough to pay us and break even. He runs a blues club, but has to book soul bands etc. to pull people in! I've read many of your posts with interest, Troy, but rarely contributed. In this case I felt I had to, though, just to wish you luck and say I understand!

Hey Troy, I'm pretty new here so I'm not familiar with your band. But I will say I know what you're going through, after spending 17 months making a rock record that will never come out, and then having to rerecord it again, after having to FIRE our other guitarist on the road (going down to a three piece on tour sucks balls.)

I'm a bit drained too...but I can't quit yet...cheesy as it sounds that old tom hanks movie..."that thing you do" sorta had a great line that once felt like a revelation to me...."people come and go, it's playing music that matters."

(that's a paraphrased quote but you get the gist.)

I saw social distortion last night for the first time in years...they're a punk band, and they always will be....same kind of deal...they haven't toured on the east coast since 96! But...the show was packed. I'll give 'em that.


Anyway dude...play what satisfies you. That's all that really matters.