Any musicians around here in TCB WORLD?

[Raised on Rock]

Well after exchanging with KPM and Tiger Man 75 in another thread, I came across that it will be interesting to get to know, if there are any musicians, pro or amateur, (it doesn't matter) among Elvis fans here in TCB WORLD.

So the deal is, if you play any musical instrument, or do sing, share with us how much does Elvis has to do with you wanting to play an instrument or sing, how much of an influence is Elvis on your music or singin/playing and in which way.

As I said, it doesn't matter if you are a pro or you just do it for a hobby. Share with us if you are or once you where in a band, or a choir, or if you just play on your own, your experiences, and how much does Elvis is related to you being a musician.

Hope this will be a fun one.

[Leroy]

What a refreshing topic !!! :D I am a musician. I sing and play accoustic guitar. Eversince I saw "Elvis - That's the Way it Is" back in 1971 I wanted to be a musician. I had to wait a few years tho because my dad thought that making music was a waste of time. But I started to developpe my voice by singing all the time. Not just Elvis songs but a wide variety of songs. When reached the age of 20 I moved out to live on my own I got a room mate who played guitar but sang horrible. He sang a few country songs and a few Elvis songs. So I started to sing with him. later on he taught me a few chords on the guitar and after practising for a few days I was able to play some Elvis songs, as long as I could use the A, D and E chords.

As the years moved on I learned to play the guitar pretty well and started to form a band. But most of the people I met up with were not as ambitious as I was. I started to connect with existing bands and got more and more involved in making music. Right now I have my own studio and I play live on the internet on a program called PalTalk.
Elvis has been a real mentor in my approach to music. First of all in my choice of instruments, my way of arranging a song and my singing. Especially blending my voice with harmony vocals. Each and every musical instrument and voice in a song has a story to tell and that is what some artists forget. Especially the solo singers. Of course my repetoire contains a lot of Elvis songs, but occasionally I write a song myself. I also sing alot of coutrysongs by Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Johnny Cash and some folk music like James Taylor and John Denver. As long as the song is sincere and has true meaning and feeling I'm interested.

[Lisarose]

I played baritone sax in my high school band, I picked up the flute in college just for fun, and started plucking at the guitar,
I sing, but not well, very limited range, I love music of all kinds - except rap. Well, strike that, I Like Big Butts did make me laugh!
I don't know a lot about music theory, I dont' write, but I certainly know what I like ...

[hounddog]

i play guitar, sing and I am teaching my self uke and banjo. I can play a little piano. I have recently joined a blues club that plays once a month at a local pub. Elvis is what got me into music, i learnt to play 12 bar blues by copying what Elvis did in the 68 special.I tend to play by ear although i can read music, i like the feel you get when you're finding your way in a song. I used to sing a lot more when i was younger so i guess I'm returning to my roots so to speak by joining the blues club.

Music keeps me sane, happy and fulfilled. I got into music because of my love for Elvis' music and it just grew from there. Music is in our family, my Mum plays piano as did my Nan and both my Mums Nans. But it is for me all about the guitar. And that is from Elvis' music.

I listen to a lot of different types of music, Cilla Black, being one of my favourite female singers along with Suzi Quatro. I'm just getting into sourcing as much of the 50's female rockabilly that i can which is fun and they have a lot of very cheeky lyrics in them.

[Diane]

I took 4 years of piano in grade school and now just play by ear. I guess you could say I was influenced by Elvis later on as I taught myself a couple of boogie woogie tunes. Don't have a piano currently though.

I sing, mostly Elvis songs but I don't have a strong voice and not great a range.

[KPM]

I will include myself here (even though Raised on Rock and I already spoke about it in another thread) I have played guitar since I was 12 mainly because of Elvis, I had a garage band in the late 60s into the early 70s I sang lead and played rhythm-I love to play.... but as the real world intruded in the 70s my band, disbanded:P
I also have played with a gospel band in church in the mid 80s. Now I play and write songs for my own enjoyment and jam with my brother now and then-but Elvis was the spark that led me to play-never had any lessons just learned by ear and chord books.

[Tigerman1975]

I have wanted to be a musician ever since I first heard Elvis as a child. I currently play a Telecaster because of James Burton and his signature twangy sound. I love the sound of Scotty Moores Gibson on the early cuts and even what Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland did in the 1960's. Although I only play for myself, Elvis and his players have always been a profound influence on me. I listen to a lot of old Delta blues too. I take great pride in being from the southern United States and how much the gospel,blues and country from this region had an influence on what would become Elvis' style.

[Trelane P]

Interesting thread.

I play guitar and although a huge Elvis fan for over 30 years I enjoy playing blues and funk. Here's a little jam for anyone interested:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg4jh3AeM8

I'd be interested to see anyone else from our forum playing too.

T.

[Raised on Rock]

I take great pride in being from the southern United States and how much the gospel,blues and country from this region had an influence on what would become Elvis' style.

(y)(y)(y)

I would dare to say that the music from that region has been the mayor influence on popular music WORLD WIDE during the last century, and still a heavy one in 2010.

I would add Jazz to that combo for sure.

What's on the water around there my friend?

[ROCKET88]

www.explosionrockets.nl ;)

[Tigerman1975]

(y)(y)(y)

I would dare to say that the music from that region has been the mayor influence on popular music WORLD WIDE during the last century, and still a heavy one in 2010.

I would add Jazz to that combo for sure.

What's on the water around there my friend?

Definetely Jazz. As far as whats in the water, all I can say is that the south was just a melting pot at the beginning of the twentieth century. Delta blues dates back to Negro field hollers used on the plantations before,during and after the War Between The States(as we call it down here). Southern gospel is basically quartet style singing coupled with boogie piano. White and Black gospel styles are slightly different but each special in their own way. The country/bluegrass from the south originated in the United Kingdom and was brought to the south by immigrants. At any rate, the south has been blessed with many great innovators in these fields who ultimately helped shaped the greatest innovator of the 20th century- Elvis Presley

[Lisarose]

Interesting thread.

I play guitar and although a huge Elvis fan for over 30 years I enjoy playing blues and funk. Here's a little jam for anyone interested:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg4jh3AeM8

I'd be interested to see anyone else from our forum playing too.

T.

That's more than pretty decent, thanks for sharing

[Diane]

Loved it....thank you for sharing. Rhythm and Blues are my favorite.