Session Player Interview:

Session work is more about time management, efficiency and being a super-versatile team player than being a virtuoso.

I've known many guitarists, who are much better than me, but they couldn't let go of the mythology, personal musical prejudices and practice of musical old wive's tales to be successful as a full time session player.

Some guys just can't get past taking directions and being part of a team, and both are critical to success in this field.

I am always amazed that the players I talk too with all these "set in stone" musical likes, dislikes and tonal idiosyncrasies are the ones not earning a living in this field. This arena requires you to be very fluid, open to changes, and that includes changes where you are not in control of your tone.

The most beautiful thing is how easy and fun it is to work in this environment.

I've been in bands where a song was scrapped - even though the crowd loved it - because one member didn't love it...and that song was replaced with a song that didn't garner much reaction from the crowd. Members who quit - or threatened to quit - if we played too many songs from a certain genre or artist.

Those attributes just don't exist in this world.

Another great thing about session work is that i've never, ever been in the company of other session players, or producers, where any type of negativity was displayed towards others.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I've been in bands where a song was scrapped - even though the crowd loved it - because one member didn't love it...and that song was replaced with a song that didn't garner much reaction from the crowd. Members who quit - or threatened to quit - if we played too many songs from a certain genre or artist.
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I think I drive my band members crazy. Whenever we are discussing new songs and they ask me if I like the song I say "I'll play anything as long as we play it well". I never veto a song because I don't like it. Our two singers sometimes veto songs because they can't sing them. I'm OK with that because like I said, as long as we play it well I'm good. For me it's about doing the job well. If the band is tight I'm a happy player. I listen to and play all kinds of music. I have vetoed playing a song live that we don't play well. Once we can play it well I'm OK with the song. One of the most enjoyable moments I've had was at an open bar jam. A rapper wanted to do a couple of songs. No one wanted to back him so I said I'd try. I'd never played for a rapper before. I started a latin style riff and he started rapping. It was pretty cool. Soon a drummer stepped up, then a bass. I'm not a fan of rap at all but the guy was pretty good. Music is entertainment and the crowd loved it so we jammed for about ten minutes. Never played for a rapper since but I'll always remember that night.
 
Kerry Brown said:
I think I drive my band members crazy. Whenever we are discussing new songs and they ask me if I like the song I say "I'll play anything as long as we play it well". I never veto a song because I don't like it. Our two singers sometimes veto songs because they can't sing them. I'm OK with that because like I said, as long as we play it well I'm good. For me it's about doing the job well. If the band is tight I'm a happy player. I listen to and play all kinds of music. I have vetoed playing a song live that we don't play well. Once we can play it well I'm OK with the song. One of the most enjoyable moments I've had was at an open bar jam. A rapper wanted to do a couple of songs. No one wanted to back him so I said I'd try. I'd never played for a rapper before. I started a latin style riff and he started rapping. It was pretty cool. Soon a drummer stepped up, then a bass. I'm not a fan of rap at all but the guy was pretty good. Music is entertainment and the crowd loved it so we jammed for about ten minutes. Never played for a rapper since but I'll always remember that night.
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You understand versatility!!!!!
 
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