Volume 15 – #1 – January 2012
Posted in MP on January 31st, 2012 by adminWhat does “making it” mean? My little band turned into a full-time job that turned into a 30-plus-year career which continues to provide me a decent living, with innumerable perks and constant creative outlets, but where is that on the “making it” scale? To this day Brave Combo has never had even a minor hit on the radio, although one of our songs did chart in top 100 on TokyoFM in Japan for two weeks once. Aside from a few edgy news clips here and there, MTV came and went without a peep from us or a peak at us. We’ve never been a musical guest on a major talk show, like THE TONIGHT SHOW or JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE. From a “main-stream success” point-of-view, we don’t exist and, really, never existed; no apparent impact, at all, on the hot ‘n happenin’ scene, at-large. On the other hand, we are in the ROLLING STONE HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL. We have won two Grammy Awards (nominated for seven). We were animated in an episode of THE SIMPSON’S (guaranteeing artistic immortality, as far as anyone who’s alive today is concerned). We’ve had our music in myriad movies and TV shows. One of our signature arrangements of a Christmas song was carbon-copy-covered by Bob Dylan, of all people. We are currently doing shows in Las Vegas with Drew Carey, of all people. I sign autographs on occasion, can usually sleep as late as I want and have long since abandoned the fantasy that I could keep up with stuff like email and phone calls (if I don’t get right back to you, please write or call again and scold me and I’ll probably respond immediately). I mean, how do you possibly find time for both HIGHWAY PATROL (that’s an old TV show for those of you don’t know and couldn’t care less) AND Facebook in one day? So, am I making it or not? Some people say to me, “Man, you guys have made it,” when they see us playing a sold-out show in Chicago or something. But, just as often, someone may say, “Man, you guys shoulda made it by now,” or something like that, “How come y’all’ve never been on LETTERMAN?” Just as interesting are the fans who exclaim, “You were great on LETTERMAN!” Can’t help but wonder who or what they saw. At a time like that it’s best to just say thank you, rather than correct them. First of all, that would be awkward for everyone involved, secondly, it would douse their enthusiasm and thirdly, saying nothing would guarantee that they’d continue to tell people how great Brave Combo was on LETTERMAN. To some musicians, actually, to many musicians, making a living playing one’s own music, as one wishes, defines “making it.” However, I’m not blind. I see pictures of the good life. You know, like Elton John hanging out with Dave Grohl and Toby Keith on the French Riviera. I hear stories about the lives of the rich and famous and laugh about how many animals my wife and I care for in relatively small (but paid-for) house. I mean, really, my life is a joke. And I don’t mean that disrespectfully toward my life. It just is what it is, which includes often being “ha-ha” funny. But, generally, it’s humble and simple, with struggles similar to anyone else in the so-called middle class these days. And not to belabor a point, but the animals do take up a lot of time. And caring for so many is emotionally taxing on a weekly, if not daily, basis. All the while, they crack me up. Every one of them. It’s the whole yin/yang thing. Each is a drag in his or her own special way, but it’s great fun to spend time with them. Dig? Whatever, in 2012 I can stay at home as much as I want, which, I guess, is a luxury, and I would assume might be a sign of “making it.” But I’m also very lucky that I have fairly low-brow tastes and little or no interest in stuff like jewelry, golf, vintage automobiles, good beer, fine wine, developing land, racing horses, sailing boats or flying private jets. The list of expensive tastes goes on and on. I wasn’t groomed to be the king of Texas or run an investment firm, you know. But, I do have a rather spectacular collection of music (all styles) and much of it is on vinyl. And Boz Skaggs dropped by one afternoon to check it out and talk about Latin rhythms once. This was about a week before David Byrne came over with the producer of SPINAL TAP to look at videos of are yodelers. But what does all of this mean? Am I making it or not?” I don’t have any real complaints about money, but I’m also not thinking about buying a Rolex or a Jaguar. But I probably wouldn’t buy either even if I had the money. My watch works just fine, as does my car.
MUSIC INDUSTRY INSIDER JOKE:
Famous Musician: Well, I guess it’s time to hit the road and start touring again.
Next-Door Neighbor: Oh, are you about to release a new recording?
Famous Musician: Nah, I just finally finished off all my little bottles of hotel shampoo.
As I’ve mentioned before, our friend, accordion genius, Guy Klucevsek, has a new album called THE MULTIPLE PERSONALITY REUNION TOUR. It’s an amazing piece of work and Brave Combo was fortunate enough to be invited to perform on half the album’s ear-tingling tracks. Well, that album is now available! Check it out here. And here’s a heads-up for our friends in Europe. Guy will be on tour somewhere near you the entire month of February (and a little beyond). http://www.guyklucevsek.com
Speaking of new albums, Brave Combo has been busy recording and we hope to have the new arrival in tangible (and download) form by the spring festival season. We’re well along, so I think this is totally possible. This will be our first release featuring Ginny on accordion. Have you heard Ginny play with us? Have you heard our six-piece mini-orchestra, which includes Jeff, Danny O. and Ginny playing some crazy stuff? Or how about when we add Danny J., from Wisconsin, to the mix or Joe on percussion, stretching the combo to seven member or eight members? Aren’t you curious? It’s a sound that excites, yet soothes. But what is the maximum number of musicians that can be in a combo? Can a “combo” have more than five or six members?
Okay, I can feel the tension mounting. I hear the rustle in the trees. 2012 gigs are starting to add up and some cool things are right around the corner. First, but not least, we are returning to Las Vegas in early February to, once again, make musical mayhem at the MGM Grand with Drew Carey and his fine bunch of IMPROV-A-GANZA buddies. If you happen to be rolling dice at the Luxor or Ceasar’s or something, stroll on over and catch one of the shows. And, in mid-February, our good friend, Mike Dillon comes to Denton for a Brave Combo/Mike Dillon Band show. And Mike and I hope to unveil a song or two from our new album project, which is only about eight years old now, but who cares? The show will be at Hailey’s on Friday, February 17. Big ol’ night of music guaranteed.
Before I sign off, here’s a video of one of our fans somewhere playing our version of “Breslau” on solo piano. Be not afraid, for what will be, will be.

