Daniel Nathan Band Blog

I had a chance to check out some amazing music this past weekend. Spiral Trance at The Rave and Crow/Turner/Buehler/Ogburn at The Bad Genie on Friday; Mr. Deagun Jones at Smokin Joe’s and The Carpetbaggers at Six Points Pub on Saturday. Nothing was more impressive than Wynton Marsalis with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at the PAC on Sunday though. I am hardly a jazz critic, but the overwhelming amount of talent on one stage was nothing short of phenomenal.

The ensemble started with a variety of Thelonious Monk numbers, and continued through a handful of compositions released through Blue Note. Milwaukee native Dan Nimmer issued a stunning performance on piano. Sitting on his drum stool, Ali Jackson Jr. played out of his mind. Everyone in the 15 member ensemble took a solo at one time or another, and every time the audience erupted with thunderous applause.

A standing ovation during the ensemble’s exit led Wynton, Ali, Carlos, Dan and Walter to come on for an encore. A few geezers in the crowd that had made a premature exit sheepishly returned to catch one last glimpse of greatness.

http://www.jalc.org/

60,000 if your name is Kenny Chesney. I actually saw the act myself at Summerfest a few years back, and I can’t say the show left a very lasting impression. Apparently I am in the minority. Check some of the numbers: $86 million gross last year; 7 Country Music Association Awards; 6 Academy of Country Music Awards; 6 Country Music Television Awards; 33 Top 10 Billboard Hot Country singles; 15 Number one Billboard Hot Country chart toppers.

The man is not an overnight sensation though. He paid his dues in the early 90’s sitting on a bar stool with a tip jar for about four years. Claiming his best night was about $600. Saying he loved James Taylor and Jimmy Buffet as much as anyone, but getting sick of playing their tunes all the time, he crafted a sign that read “ I take requests, but anything by James Taylor or Jimmy Buffet is $25.” At one point he could rattle off 400-500 songs off the top of his head.

On the road in ’95 getting gas money and grub, the act might have grossed around $100,000, with everything going back to the expenses. Chesney says things turned up in 1999 when he found his niche with Everywhere We Go. 30 million records sales later he has sold more concert tickets than anyone in the 21st Century. I’d say he found one hell of a niche.

What do you think is the secret to his success?

Read Kenny’s interview in this month’s issue of
Playboy

On the advice of a trusted source, I recently purchased “The Indie Band Survival Guide.” While having many valuable tips, I am about halfway through the book, and I am beginning to wonder how many times I will be reminded of the the authors’ success writing theme songs for Cheapass Games. It’s a wonderful phenomenon, and I haven’t even heard the song, but I wonder if the fans will be asking “play the beer can song! Play the beer can song!” and if they really want to. Jani Lane (of Warrant):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVt2z0q9F2c