Live music vs. tracks - Branson gets a little bad publicity

[Branson Friend]

The Kansas City Star ran a story about the proliferation of tracked music in Branson. I strongly believe in using live musicians rather than tracks unless there is an extreme circumstance (such as a musician becoming suddenly ill and can't play).

Does anyone else care? I hope so. I understand times are tough, but giving your customer a "lesser" product, as far as I'm concerned, is not good business in the long run. I'm sure some of the major production shows could not exist in Branson without using tracks, but I'm talking about regular concerts. I would be interested in hearing your comments. Here is a link to the story:

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/660331.html

[nickel72]

Branson Friend,

I personally won't go to a show if I know they aren't using live musicians. And if I do happen to stumble across one that does used "canned" music - I won't go back and if someone asks I tell them I wouldn't and why. If it isn't live music I feel like I have spent too much money for the show. (this could come from the fact that I have many friends who are musicians and I feel they don't get the raw end of the deal sometimes!)

It will be interesting to see what everyone thinks!

[LocalYokel]

I say it's all relative. If I go see Kirby Van Burch, I don't expect to see a live orchestra in the pit playing background music for the magic show.

When I go see a musical variety show, I hope to hear live musicians playing their instruments without padding. The argument for using sequenced or pre-recorded support tracks is that you get the same quality. I totally disagree. And while most audience members can't exactly put their finger on what it is that's missing, it leaves you with an intangible feeling of "almost, but not quite".

I'm not gonna pick on the little guys that can't afford a band and are just trying to get by, but what upsets me is shows that are, and have been for many years, (like Jim Stafford) making lots and lots of money. They lay off their musicians in an effort to keep more money for themselves. To me, There's no sense in that.

[Branson Bluesman]

Originally Posted by LocalYokel

but what upsets me is shows that are, and have been for many years, (like Jim Stafford) making lots and lots of money. They lay off their musicians in an effort to keep more money for themselves. To me, There's no sense in that.

It's not about making sense... It's about making $$$

[DalmationDad]

For those that don't chose to read the article it should be noted that the increased use of tracks is occurring worldwide, not just in Branson. The story also points out the reality of the business and how many shows are struggling.
Personally I'd love it if every note I heard was live. I'd also love it if my sneakers were made in the USA by a real live American earning a living wage.
These are not the realities of the world today
I would have really liked the author of the article to have asked the quoted musicians and the union folks if they had a solution. Rather than having the union "organize" and stuff live music down show producers throats, let's get some butts in seats. Then you can point to success and say why not more live music?

Perhaps one day we will enter a theatre and be issued a set of headphones so we can listen to music produced in Mexico

[LocalYokel]

Originally Posted by Branson Bluesman

It's not about making sense... It's about making $$$

Good point, bluesman...

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about capitalism... go out there and make money... lots of it! But don't cheat the customer in the process!

[Branson Bluesman]

Originally Posted by LocalYokel

Good point, bluesman...

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about capitalism... go out there and make money... lots of it! But don't cheat the customer in the process!

As far as "cheating" the customer...someone else made a real good point when they said the customer has been "dumbed down". A good portion of the audience either doesn't know the difference or doesn't care. A show is a show is a show to them. If a show can "get away" with not hiring live musicians, that's more dollars in their pocket.
The part of the audience who does know the difference and will complain the music not being live, isn't big enough to impact a change, thus the trend toward less live music.

Personally, I won't support canned music in any shape or form. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way.

[OkieAnon]

like someone else said, I don't have a problem with it at something like a magic show, but if the bill themselves as a music show I expect live music.

the problem is there's a lot of them you don't know until you go to it. I didn't care for Jim Stafford's show the last time without a band, part of what made it a good show the previous times was the interaction between the intertainer and the band members, that was missing. we haven't even thought of going back in the last 5 years.

the places that have live bands should really advertise that fact. heck there should be a warning label, Live Band or Karaoke style show.

[Mellie]

If it's a variety show with vocalists, I think at least half of the entertainment aspect, is the band...the musicians. If I want to hear someone singing
to tracks, I'll go to a karaoke bar. Even if it's just one person's show, I cannot stand to hear someone singing to a track...it just "cheapens" the show, IMHO.

Now, magicians and shows that use "background music", are a different story. I agree with LocalYokel...I don't expect to see a "pit orchestra".

[cangreja]

Yes, there are many shows going to tracks and I find that a great pity. I also find it sad though that they did not acknowledge any of the shows that still use live musicians except for the Presleys! I KNOW that there are more then that. Just saw Country Jubilee at Grand Country for the first time a couple of weeks ago (I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed it)
Anyway, as near as I could tell, everything was LIVE. (In fact, I wanted to go back and shoot the sound man because he was mixing the singers really strangely--I couldn't hardly hear one of the guys in the quartet at ALL--even when he was singing a solo. Very annoying....)
I know that there are many others that are also still live. Clay Cooper comes to mind, as do The Duttons and The Haygoods (admittedly, I haven't seen the Haygoods recently, so that could have changed, but I doubt it)
The Brett Family used to use a live band--do they still? Same for the Hughes. Mickey Gilley is still live isn't he? I haven't seen Shoji for a few years--last I checked though, he still had a pretty good sized live orchestra in there. So did Daniel O'Donnell. 50's at the Hop, Circle B, Dalena, Pierce Arrow, Ricky Boen, Sons of the Pioneers, Showboat, New's Country, all LIVE and I know there are others. (If I am mistaken on any of the above, I am happy to be corrected. I don't get out of my own four walls much, so if any of the above have gone to a pre-recorded yuckfest, please let me know so that I can officially stop recommending them.)
Anyway, yes, the number of tracks are increasing. Call it economics, call it laziness, call it what you will but lets give credit where credit is due--to those that are still trying to keep live music alive in Branson!

[nytransport]

It is sad that tracks are becoming more of the norm. It is bad enough when it is just the music on the tracks, but certain shows in Branson have all background and many lead vocals on track as well. This is terrible and should not be supported in the "live music capital of the world" especially when it is billed as a concert or production show!! Many of you know what these shows are and it just brings the town down and gives it a bad name!!

Please support the shows that do it the right way!!

[Suselit]

Originally Posted by cangreja

Yes, there are many shows going to tracks and I find that a great pity. I also find it sad though that they did not acknowledge any of the shows that still use live musicians except for the Presleys! I KNOW that there are more then that. Just saw Country Jubilee at Grand Country for the first time a couple of weeks ago (I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed it)
Anyway, as near as I could tell, everything was LIVE. (In fact, I wanted to go back and shoot the sound man because he was mixing the singers really strangely--I couldn't hardly hear one of the guys in the quartet at ALL--even when he was singing a solo. Very annoying....)
I know that there are many others that are also still live. Clay Cooper comes to mind, as do
The Duttons and The Haygoods (admittedly, I haven't seen the Haygoods recently, so that could have changed, but I doubt it)
The Brett Family used to use a live band--do they still? Same for the Hughes. Mickey Gilley is still live isn't he? I haven't seen Shoji for a few years--last I checked though, he still had a pretty good sized live orchestra in there. So did Daniel O'Donnell. 50's at the Hop, Circle B, Dalena, Pierce Arrow, Ricky Boen, Sons of the Pioneers, Showboat, New's Country, all LIVE and I know there are others. (If I am mistaken on any of the above, I am happy to be corrected. I don't get out of my own four walls much, so if any of the above have gone to a pre-recorded yuckfest, please let me know so that I can officially stop recommending them.)
Anyway, yes, the number of tracks are increasing. Call it economics, call it laziness, call it what you will but lets give credit where credit is due--to those that are still trying to keep live music alive in Branson!

Add to that list of Live Music, Take it to the Limit and Tony Roi and last I knew, Legends in Concert and Andy Williams.
Really A LOT of your best shows in Branson have Live Music.

[aintbug]

The Baldknobbers has a live band, as far as I can tell no canned music. The last time at Pierce Arrow they either had canned music or something, they were so LOUD. I'm like some others, the shows with live bands should advertise the fact.

[FiddlersWife]

My husband plays fiddle for Mel Tillis...and I can assure you that it is all "live" music...in fact, Mr. Tillis carries at least 10 pieces in his bad..sometimes more.
Mel Tillis And The Statesiders, and the Tillis Family Reunion, will be at the Welk Theater September 16th through October 25th. The band is awesome.
By the way, do the shows who use tracks charge less per ticket...because they don't have to pay a band?

[aintbug]

[quote=dontknowdou;341225]

Originally Posted by aintbug

The last time at Pierce Arrow they either had canned music or something, they were so LOUD. QUOTE]

Loud has nothing to do with canned music. That's up to the sound man to decide on volume. The band you see at Pierce Arrow is playing their instrument. That is the part you are hearing. They sometimes have some string pads etc. going on. Although the parts can be covered at any time in the show by the musicians on stage. This approach is nothing new just a 4 piece band like Alabama, or the Beatles, and many others just covering the parts.

Thanks I am glad to hear that, I know it looked like they were playing their instruments, but since it was so loud I sounded lika a lot more instruments than the four that were on stage.