It's true, they don't. I've been to the Lion's Den on numerous occasions and I've yet to see real musicians there.

But they do get called to Santiago Chile, to perform or open with Buddy Guy, or Les Paul or Buddy Miles, or Leslie West....no weddings though. They do play Stone Pony (an equal dive), just more famous...and numerous other venues, no weddings. Or play House of Blues in Chiacgo , and WIN beating out over 3,000 other contestants, in 2006 Guitarmegeddon. B.B. King Eubert Sumlin and a few other big nmae judges in attendance, no weddings though. And the place Les Paul plays every week is a real show place right? And they do get endorments from famous instrument mfgs...no wedding endosrements though. Weddings are not for musicans, it's for catering services, and shrimp deliverys.

They do get their CD reviewed in Guitar Wrold!!! http://www.mattoree.com/press/2006-03-Guitar-World.pdf

They also win pretty cool contest with some formidle contenders, and WINS with talent http://www.mattoree.com/press/2006-11-00-Guitar-World.pdf

And play the main stage event at NAMM!!!! http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cf...mageID=25869656

Alright, my mistake for taking the Art Dudley thread off-topic. Sorry.

Here we can discuss Matt Oree and the topic of whether real musicians play weddings.

My answer is: Yes, many musicians play weddings because they actually want to and like to play weddings.

One example: You guys know Nellie McKay? A friend of mine was a big fan and contacted Nellie McKay's PR people to see if Nellie would play at her wedding. She said yes.

Where did the Beatles start, some dive in Hamburg Germany, not a wedding. Elvis walked into some small local recording studio, not a wedding, though he did sing at school functions, but they thought he was weird, cus' he dressed like no other kid ...didn't sing at weddings did he, but he did sing at Church, now if ya say musicans do do church functions, that's different. GOSPEL has influenced so many greats!!! They atttended church and absorded the music from gospel, not that Christin music crap done today, GOSPEL, has all teh emotion and feelings, like the stuff that moves ya. Checkout some bios where some of teh greats, started in small local dives, not weddings. The small clubs where an SRV and Buddy guy and B.B. King stape....not weddings. Weddings are not an opening for music....never been to a wedding where some milk toast band grabbed me and I wanted to find them again. BUT, I have been to some small dives, and heard some great stuff, and found them in other small places. Lotsa local greats, found at local joints, not weddings.

Can we buy tickets to visit your planet?

For the record DUP doesn't consider Pink Floyd "music." If I recall correctly he also doesn't consider Jazz "music." I'd say that his definition of "music" is pretty narrow. I would imagine that his definition of "musician" is equally narrow. What about a great violinist that puts themselves through college playing weddings? Are they a sell out?

Led Zeppelin played two weddings Jason Bonham's wedding and Robert Plant's daughter's wedding, by the way. I know how you love Led Zep, DUP (something we have in common by the way.) The Police played Stings wedding too.

I would imagine that weddings aren't a musicians first choice, but if people enjoy their music they are probably pretty happy. Also when trying to make a living playing music you can't be too picky. Especially if you haven't made it big yet. Weddings are big money appearance for a musician.

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It's true, they don't. I've been to the Lion's Den on numerous occasions and I've yet to see real musicians there.

Hey man! I just played the Lion's Den. Watch yo mouth.

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It's true, they don't. I've been to the Lion's Den on numerous occasions and I've yet to see real musicians there.

Hey man! I just played the Lion's Den. Watch yo mouth.

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It's true, they don't. I've been to the Lion's Den on numerous occasions and I've yet to see real musicians there.

Hey man! I just played the Lion's Den. Watch yo mouth.

All the musicians play at the Lion's Den when I'm not there. (back pedaling at the speed of sound)

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Alright, my mistake for taking the Art Dudley thread off-topic. Sorry.

Here we can discuss Matt Oree and the topic of whether real musicians play weddings.

My answer is: Yes, many musicians play weddings because they actually want to and like to play weddings.

One example: You guys know Nellie McKay? A friend of mine was a big fan and contacted Nellie McKay's PR people to see if Nellie would play at her wedding. She said yes.

I had worked as a wedding photographer for 8 years. I attended about 600 weddings. I met many, many musicians. I spoke to them during dinner. A vast majority of them does not want or like playing weddings. Musicians don't mind playing a wedding once in a blue moon because they think it may be fun and if you do one or two a year, it is fun. However, no musician that I have met wants to play weddings for a living. None. Some have resigned to that fate, but none of them WANT to play weddings as a matter of course.

I'm floyded out, it's music theme monster attack stuff from P.F. I've seen "The Machine" considered the top Floyd cover group, a few times, gets old fast. Sound effects, don't get no emotion or sense of anything real with Floyd stuff. Jazz is clutter. No start, no middle no end. Soem great piano is that GREAT, B-3 Hammond great stuff, electric violin, great stuff, I even seen a HARP in a band at Stone Pony, great stuff!!! Lez Zwppelin, great stuff.....Therimin, and all. No wedding band for me. My tastes are just SUPERB, life is too short to fill it with stuff that is un worthy of me listening too. Let's see a wedding band do Red House while the bride dances with the groom, it's not happening...wedding stuff is inane.

Not familiar with Nellie McKay...but she sure seems mortal, look at all the wires on that floor. Another musican not using cable "elevators".....how dare she? I do have Black Keys latest on it's way, I will give you my observations......

And wedding bands don't get advertised on the bus in Santiago Chile!!!!! http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cf...mageID=32444067

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However, no musician that I have met wants to play weddings for a living.

Just like no real photographer wants to make a living photographing weddings.

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However, no musician that I have met wants to play weddings for a living.

Just like no real photographer wants to make a living photographing weddings.

Absolutely. I know you said it to get my goat, but that's absolutely true. No real photographers do weddings either.

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However, no musician that I have met wants to play weddings for a living.

Just like no real photographer wants to make a living photographing weddings.

Absolutely. I know you said it to get my goat, but that's absolutely true. No real photographers do weddings either.

Sheesh.

Do I demean my chosen profession - whatever it may be - by merely attending a wedding?

Weddings as anathema! Down with weddings!

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Some have resigned to that fate, but none of them WANT to play weddings as a matter of course.

I don't disagree with your personal findings, but I disagree with the idea that there are no musicians who want to play weddings.

In any case, it might also be said that no musician WANTS to play in a bar. (I would disagree with that, too.)

Certainly, there are some very fortunate musicians who can choose their venues, musicians who can choose to only play sold-out arenas or concert halls or whatever you think might be the ideal. However, most musicians play gigs, regardless of the venue, because they'd rather be playing than doing anything else.

Take any weekend and I'd bet there are countless talented musicians playing all sorts of venues including: dive bars, hotels, American Legion halls, restaurants, record stores, school auditoriums, backyards, parking lots, and weddings. And they'd be having a great time.

I agree Stephen, dives, bars, biker bars, music themed bars, schools,parking lots,boardwalks, ocean arenas, private parties (paid private parties) seen it, but NO WEDDINGS!!!! And true, most musicans play cus' they really want to, but they also have to be paid, and survive. Paid events matter. And while your at it, order some Matt CD's online, teh latest DVD is great, I was there, done by 3 pro video guys from NYC, studio dudes. It's really good. DVD and CD in the package,. Done in Starland Ballroom, not a wedding

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Certainly, there are some very fortunate musicians who can choose their venues, musicians who can choose to only play sold-out arenas or concert halls or whatever you think might be the ideal. However, most musicians play gigs, regardless of the venue, because they'd rather be playing than doing anything else.

Take any weekend and I'd bet there are countless talented musicians playing all sorts of venues including: dive bars, hotels, American Legion halls, restaurants, record stores, school auditoriums, backyards, parking lots, and weddings. And they'd be having a great time.

You NAILED it, Stephen.

Especially, "...because they'd rather be playing than doing anything else."

Riddle me this, Elkman. You're at a celebration with a lot of gorgeous women. They're dressed to kill. A friend/relative is having the most romantic day of their life. There's alcohol flowing freely. Your band is swinging, rocking and making everyone dance. Much admiration and goodwill flows your way. What is the freakin' DOWN side??!!

NONE!

Their is nothing more satisfying than to have people spontaneously dance to your playing or for someone to suddenly yell "Bravo", surprising even themselves.

As Art Dudley put it, "and pretty young women, including the bride, took off their shows to dance..."

Another one I enjoyed was the ancient gentleman who approached: "I used to play trumpet before I was drafted into WWII . You played so beautifully I just have to play again. My I try?"

No one can watch the bride's grandfather play an old love song to his wife on an instrument he hasn't touched in 50+ years without being touched.