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Interview with newspaper, featured at a cigar event... overwhelmed!!

Posted by Paul Nelson on April 22, 2011 at 10:21pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts

Hi all,

I started building CBGs about a year ago, with the idea that I would build them for myself and as gifts for family and friends. Much to my surprise, I am getting orders left and right for them! I didn't intend for this to happen, but I'm doing my best to keep up with orders. I am a new father and work lots of overtime, so it's been a challenge to say the least (lots of fun though).

Recently, the owner of a local bar and cigar shop has expressed great interest in my CBGs and has scheduled an interview with a local newspaper and has asked me to do a demo/performance/sale at an upcoming cigar event. I am very excited about all of this, but am feeling overwhelmed.

I am more of a builder than a player, but I want to add a few good songs to my repertoire. I build primarily 3 stringers, and am decent with a slide.

So my questions and requests are these... any song suggestions? Interview tips? Sale techniques?

I'm asking a lot here, but any little tidbits of info and advice will really be appreciated!

Thanks folks!!

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Replies

  • Paul Nelson April 24, 2011 at 9:04am
    Nice stuff! And you've got a Tom Waits song favorited, can't go wrong there!

    ChickenboneJohn said:

    There's some of my video stuff on here, or check my YouTube channel. Nothing fancy, just me talking and playing in front of the computer....

     

    ChickenboneJohn

  • ChickenboneJohn April 24, 2011 at 2:58am

    There's some of my video stuff on here, or check my YouTube channel. Nothing fancy, just me talking and playing in front of the computer....

     

    ChickenboneJohn

  • Paul Nelson April 23, 2011 at 9:41pm
    Also... where would I find John's vids?

    Richard G Caudill said:

    Man     ,, Chickenbone knows his stuff !!!   I hope to start selling some also ,, this really helps me too ,, 

     

    Paul  look at some of Johns vid's and instruction videos ,,, I have learned so much from them,,, Tks Bones for sharing all u do so well .. 

  • Paul Nelson April 23, 2011 at 9:38pm
    Excellent, thanks Richard.

    Richard G Caudill said:

    Man     ,, Chickenbone knows his stuff !!!   I hope to start selling some also ,, this really helps me too ,, 

     

    Paul  look at some of Johns vid's and instruction videos ,,, I have learned so much from them,,, Tks Bones for sharing all u do so well .. 

  • Richard G Caudill April 23, 2011 at 8:29pm

    Man     ,, Chickenbone knows his stuff !!!   I hope to start selling some also ,, this really helps me too ,, 

     

    Paul  look at some of Johns vid's and instruction videos ,,, I have learned so much from them,,, Tks Bones for sharing all u do so well .. 

  • Paul Nelson April 23, 2011 at 2:51pm
    I like that! I'm taking all this to heart, my friend. I'm feeling good about this... I'll post a vid soon for you.

    ChickenboneJohn said:

    Start with a strong number, one that you feel totally confident with and really "sell it"...grab 'em by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow. Pace the set, no matter how short or long so that you have a good variety between louder up-tempo and quieter slower numbers.  Don't put similar songs next to oneanother, and use dynamics in each number, bring the volume and intensity up and down to suit the mood of each number - know when to crank it up to 11 and when to back off...this can also help show the range of the instrument, from full-on raunch to sensitive melodic passages.

     

    Sales techniques..well, I find that once people hear one of my guitars, often that's the sale closed. Again, be yourself, be confident in your product. To the skeptical and confused 6 string player, I tell them that having 3 strings reduces the potential for wrong notes by 50% and doubles the effect of your available talent.

  • ChickenboneJohn April 23, 2011 at 9:31am

    Start with a strong number, one that you feel totally confident with and really "sell it"...grab 'em by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow. Pace the set, no matter how short or long so that you have a good variety between louder up-tempo and quieter slower numbers.  Don't put similar songs next to oneanother, and use dynamics in each number, bring the volume and intensity up and down to suit the mood of each number - know when to crank it up to 11 and when to back off...this can also help show the range of the instrument, from full-on raunch to sensitive melodic passages.

     

    Sales techniques..well, I find that once people hear one of my guitars, often that's the sale closed. Again, be yourself, be confident in your product. To the skeptical and confused 6 string player, I tell them that having 3 strings reduces the potential for wrong notes by 50% and doubles the effect of your available talent.

  • Paul Nelson April 23, 2011 at 8:56am
    Thanks a lot! I really appreciate the advice. Luckily, I have done some performing in the past, only with a six string. I'm comfortable with 3 strings, I'm just not sure what to play.

    ChickenboneJohn said:
    If you can play pretty well, than that's what will sell your guitars...assuming they sound good, play well and are priced right.

    As regards an interview, they'll ask the questions, so just be yourself.

    The best best plan would be to post a video on here of the sort of thing you propose playing and ask for comments. It might seem an intimidating thing to do, but it's better that you take comments and advice from people on here who know the scene and are sympathetic, rather than get it wrong on the day and risk not making a good pitch in front of strangers.

    Be prepared - know exactly how long your performance will be and work out a set-list of numbers that you are 100% confident with. Make sure you get a good sound - my advice is to use your own amp to ensure you know exactly what the sound will be like. Find out what they are providing in terms of PA, mics, mic stands etc. in case you need vocals, or even for just making announcements if it's a big room. Take spare strings, slides, picks, leads and a backup instrument.

    Have you done open mic performances before? If not, do a couple before this event so you get the hang of getting on stage, plugging in, performing and handling the practicalities of a short stage performance. Before you go on make sure everything is working (ideally you will have been able to get there in advance and do a quick sound check), and that you are tuned up ready to go.
  • ChickenboneJohn April 23, 2011 at 7:20am
    If you can play pretty well, than that's what will sell your guitars...assuming they sound good, play well and are priced right.

    As regards an interview, they'll ask the questions, so just be yourself.

    The best best plan would be to post a video on here of the sort of thing you propose playing and ask for comments. It might seem an intimidating thing to do, but it's better that you take comments and advice from people on here who know the scene and are sympathetic, rather than get it wrong on the day and risk not making a good pitch in front of strangers.

    Be prepared - know exactly how long your performance will be and work out a set-list of numbers that you are 100% confident with. Make sure you get a good sound - my advice is to use your own amp to ensure you know exactly what the sound will be like. Find out what they are providing in terms of PA, mics, mic stands etc. in case you need vocals, or even for just making announcements if it's a big room. Take spare strings, slides, picks, leads and a backup instrument.

    Have you done open mic performances before? If not, do a couple before this event so you get the hang of getting on stage, plugging in, performing and handling the practicalities of a short stage performance. Before you go on make sure everything is working (ideally you will have been able to get there in advance and do a quick sound check), and that you are tuned up ready to go.
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