|
Post by jono1uk on Jan 19, 2019 20:17:36 GMT
I dont know how many of you remember this guy -Charley Hicks .. well last yea he got a bit disillusioned with the whole music industry and gave away his guitars including his Mule Reso he is playing here. Apparently the guys at Mule have built him a new one ...for free from what i can gather. here it is before it gets shipped; www.facebook.com/fullsteamsocial/videos/1298187883655116/
|
|
|
Post by groff on Jan 20, 2019 11:50:45 GMT
I do hope he continues to make music. I have the cd's he's issued and loved the videos he used to put on YouTube, though he never left them up for long. He did James Gascoigne's (Mule UK dealer) charity show a year or so back, on electric with a band. I didn't get to it, but James posted a few clips and it was tremendous. It seemed to me he benefitted from a band to adequately support his vocals. He sold his two resonator Mules through James shortly after: I understood he kept his Mulecaster and I was hopeful that he was on top of things.
So this is good news (even though I couldn't see anything about Charley in the link posted) and I wish him well.
|
|
|
Post by jono1uk on Jan 20, 2019 12:46:19 GMT
The 2nd video is off Charley's Facebook page, that is his new mule. And I said he gave away not sold his last one
|
|
|
Post by homeoftonejames on Jan 20, 2019 12:54:56 GMT
I'm really happy to see Charley (Dave) is feeling happier and re-approaching his music again, he's a naturally talented player and no matter what style of music he's into and/or playing, I always enjoy listening to him doing so. A passionate guy and I'm glad to see he's enjoying playing, I hope it stays nice and healthy for him. Just to chime in regarding the selling/giving away of his Mules. I can 100% confirm that the early Mule he is playing in this video (Steel single cone, very early build) was sold by him privately, to a fan of his too. The two later Mules he owned (1 Brass single and 1 Steel Tricone) were advertised through me on his behalf to help him out, no cut was taken, I simply wanted to do what I could to help a good friend who had helped me so much. And his Mulecaster was indeed gifted to a friend of his, who had supported his music for so long. Hope this helps clear up any misconceptions, and we can enjoy seeing him make music, and ultimately, be happier about music again
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jan 20, 2019 13:14:33 GMT
This is with respect - I have never met Charley and of course I only wish him well, but disillusioned with what? He has only dipped his toe in the water and as far as I am aware, most of that was spent doing self promotion on social media.
I could write a book on being disillusioned with the music industry, but I am still in it and have never ever had time away from it. Speaking as an older and wiser MM than I once was, Charley should be aware that if he thinks he has seen the negative side of the industry, enough to make him walk away, well...I can assure Charley that he ain't seen nothin' yet!
Being talented is just a tiny part of the skills required to survive in an industry that has no respect for its life blood. Social media is a dangerous place to promote oneself, because in most cases 'likes' and praise achieve nothing. It takes more than that to create a career and an income from your art.
I am not name dropping here, but I do think this is relevant. When Johnny Cash wrote the sleeve notes for my album, Rhythm Oil, in 1991, I went to meet him in London to thank him in person. JC was a realist and he spoke from his heart. He said that I could use his handwritten sleeve notes in any way I could to help me through a career that has almost all the odds stacked against an artist trying to achieve success. His exact words were..."It is a very hard, long and dangerous road". He also offered me some advice and I will always remember what he said to me..."Michael, try to always fly with eagles, rather than waste your time and energy running with turkeys". John was a great man and he had seen some terrible knocks from the industry. The character portrayed in the movie, Walk The Line, was a glorified Hollywood version of the real person.
I would be very happy to talk to Charley if he wants to chat with an old timer. It's not all negative. I love the world I have worked in for the past almost forty years because I love playing music and making records. I didn't really choose it, it chose me and by the time I realised what it was really like, I had made a few albums, I was committed to contracts and it was too late to pull out.
You have to be able to ride the knocks and the lows, you just have to, otherwise you won't last for a year in the industry. Nobody said it would be easy, but it's a tough industry because unless you are very successful, nobody gives a shit!
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jan 20, 2019 13:44:38 GMT
I should also add that while the current way of 'do it yourself' music industry has its advantages, I actually believe it has more disadvantages. Making a record and launching yourself as a recording and touring artist, with no outside help from the industry is fraught with danger. The only person that believes in you, is you. So unless you are very clever at doing business and extremely lucky, it is just a bit of self publicity that nobody outside of your social media friends are even aware of. That, IMHO, is not the music business.
The advantages of being signed by a label are numerous; there is a team of people that are being paid to promote and sell your work. There also was a reason they signed you in the first place. Signing yourself is just not the same thing at all.
Shine On Michael
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2019 14:09:32 GMT
Wise words Michael.On the subject of Johnny Cash it brings to mind a story of when Nick Lowe was married to JC's stepdaughter Carlene Carter and wrote a song for Johnny. While trying to remember the full story I did a search and found it HERE on Vimeo straight from the horse's mouth.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2019 14:36:30 GMT
Although I am certain I had no part in his downfall, I did have an "exchange" with him. He posted a potential picture of his new album cover (stood in a forest holding a guitar), He invited opinions, and and I said it was corny. I was unfriended! TBH, talent or not, if he can't take a few knocks, he's better off out of it. Anyway, he had a rather good run IMO - plenty of support. I don't complain about playing to 5 drunks in a pub - I keep at it. TT
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jan 20, 2019 14:58:51 GMT
TT, I am afraid that as you know, it takes more that vanity publishing and lots of nice photos to fill venues and get people to pay to listen to your music. My words might appear a little harsh on a young artist, but the reality is that it is really hard work to even get noticed and until you are noticed, nobody gives a shit.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jan 20, 2019 14:59:51 GMT
Wise words Michael.On the subject of Johnny Cash it brings to mind a story of when Nick Lowe was married to JC's stepdaughter Carlene Carter and wrote a song for Johnny. While trying to remember the full story I did a search and found it HERE on Vimeo straight from the horse's mouth. Graeme, Nick is a lovely chap. I will watch that later. Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by Pickers Ditch on Jan 20, 2019 15:31:07 GMT
A read of Bruce Iglauers book "Bitten By The Blues" is needed - it says it all - without backing, promotion and belief from others you don't stand a chance. ....the reason I ended up with a day job playing bass in a blues band for fun and and now learning reso slide at the age of 70ish. No complaints, I'm a very happy man but the effort and backing of professionals is a must, not a maybe. It's not called show BUSINESS for nothing. All IMVHO, of course....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2019 15:37:46 GMT
The other thing is sacrifice. I know a lot of single / divorced etc people succeeding in the business, and I know a lot of married with kids etc people not succeeding (I'm in the latter). I'm committed to servicing a high maintenance family for the foreseeable future, and even if a music career miraculously presented itself to me, I'd probably still have to decline. There, I just admitted it LOL. TT
|
|
|
Post by Pickers Ditch on Jan 20, 2019 15:40:28 GMT
My experience in a nutshell, TT. Choices have to be made. Mrs. PD is still with me after 50ish years.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2019 16:24:09 GMT
When I see wide eyed kids chasing a record deal as if that alone means you've made it I think 'mmm-lambs to the slaughter'
|
|
|
Post by leeophonic on Jan 20, 2019 19:33:28 GMT
Charlie is a great talent, use the talent to explore other avenues and whilst you keep enjoying it keep at it.
For most of us life is fairly predictable with the odd escape found in music, maybe if music was everything and there was no escape to anything else then I get to see where the problems can be.
I guess in this day and age it is difficult to make a living from music with the demise of venues/pubs and the tangible product being downloaded left right and centre, I always say write one novelty hit and then everything else is water off the ducks back, although I am not sure getting to number 1 anymore will keep you in true style anymore.
Lee
|
|