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Advanced Level Pickers Page
NNBA often hosts shows in the community as a way to further our mission of increasing public appeciation for Bluegrass music. We also get occasional calls from people looking for Bluegrass bands for private or community events. We want to put our "best foot forward", so we maintain a list of high quality Bluegrass players that have experience performing. We call this the "Pickers List". Below are the criteria for getting onto this list
* Criteria for getting on the Pickers List for Advanced Players
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Experience performing in an established Bluegrass Band
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Have a large memorized repertoire of Bluegrass standard songs and fiddle tunes
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For tunes you don't know, you need to be able to follow and figure out how best to contribute to the ensemble
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No music stands, ipads, etc. on stage
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Be able to take lead breaks and improvise in any key AND/OR provide tasty rhythm and back-up to lead players and singers.
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Highly desireable that you sing leads and harmony (lyrics memorized, of course) , but not required.
Bluegrass Nights are monthly events hosted by the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association. They are celebrations of the finest Bluegrass/Old Time musicians in our region (or for pros that may be passing through). They mostly take place on the 2nd Saturdays of each month, 7 to 10pm. In order to play at a Bluegrass Night, you need to be on our "Pickers List". The criteria to get on this list is shown above*.
The purpose of the Bluegrass Nights is for us to engage new audience and introduce them to some typical Bluegrass/Old Time music played WELL!. It's pretty much a "commercial" for NNBA, and for regional highly skilled players. The audience is not likely to be familiar with Bluegrass, and we want to "hook" them!
Each month, we post a sign-up sheet to the members of the Pickers List (sample below). 10 players may sign up (and only if they are on the Pickers List). The ten spots include two each of the following instruments: guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and bass. Other Bluegrass/Old Time instruments (e.g. dobro, cello or ?) can contact us to inquire about space. Pickers need to be fluent in both vocal and instrumental music in the Bluegrass and/or Old Time genres.
The "monetization" is minimal -- tips and merch sales (if you bring any merch to sell), as well as a percentage of bar and/or ticket sales. The proceeds are shared equally among the 10 players (except for your merch, of course). The show runs from 7 to 10pm, and the format is a sort of Band Scramble/Open Mic.
Though the show starts at 7, we ask pickers to get there around 6, so they can get warmed up and start figuring out who's going to play with who. Pickers sign up for 15 minute slots (or 3 songs). NO MORE THAN FIVE people can sign up in a slot. Stage is set with instrument and vocal mics only. We're going "old school". Players are asked to NOT bring any of their own sound equipment (except instruments).
Feel free to contact info@nnba.org
with any questions.
We do ask players --- PLEASE NO ORIGINAL OR NON-BLUEGRASS-SOUNDING SONGS! Old Time tunes are welcome, but we are a Bluegrass community, and we want to honor and respect our genre. We don't want too many "rules" but we do want to assure that everyone that signs up will get equal opportunities to play. The Stage Manager will make sure that no one or group of pickers is monopolizing the stage.
There is usually a back room or a parking lot where pickers can jam or warm up between slots, or you can join the crowd out front and cheer your peers on!
NNBA believes that the Bluegrass Nights are a great way to build appreciation for all of you great players, and for you to share with the general public your talents, announce your upcoming shows or CDs, pass out business cards, etc. It's an important means of outreach for NNBA, and a lot more effective than social media. We look at it as a way to promote YOU, and NNBA, as well as to build audience for your paid shows, our festival, concerts, and educational activities. Look at it as a FUN way to "give back" to NNBA, and "pay forward" to the people who see/hear you and become inspired.
We guarantee that --- even if you only play ONE Bluegrass Night it will be FUN!
A sample of the sign-up sheet. We can usually fit in 15-20 slots, as long as we don't have any equipment problems. A great sound crew will take care of all your sound needs....don't bring any of your own sound stuff! There won't be time to set it up!
