Let's Review 2022 🧐

Well… it’s mid February of ‘23.. perfect time to offer some reflection about 2022 right?

HA.. well I would have preferred to get a “Review of ‘22” post up at the end of 2022.. but I was just barely keeping up with everything week to week! I’m blessed to have the gigs and engagements that I do.. and BlairOutLoud finished the year pretty strong I must say. So.. finally, I’m taking a moment to stop, reflect, observe, learn, and review the brand.

Let’s look at some official numbers:

Total BlairOutLoud gigs for 2022 (basically, the number of gigs that I performed either as SOLO, DUO, TRIO, or full BAND): 178!

• Pretty solid number I believe! I hit the ground running after a three week hiatus in February (used for brand organizing plus we got in a quick family vacation).

• I’m not sure I’ll ever quite reach 2019’s number of 247 - That year was just absolutely insane for me.. and I learned that less gigs with higher paying base pay was my real goal.

• Relationships felt stronger this year, private events were paying better, and tips are much stronger this year with an improved live show and better audience engagement.

Enjoy this photo reel with some highlights from the events in 2022:

In reviewing the pics, and thinking about all the ways that we performed, it is obvious that we really put ourselves everywhere in 2022. From restaurants with built in stages, in parking lots, on flatbed trailers, on lake docks, at pool side parties, and even one glorious gazebo in there.. we really played all over in lots of unique places in ‘22.

Here is the breakdown with the line-ups:

SOLO: 119 events

DUO: 19

TRIO: 20

BAND: 20

Concepts brought to the stage:

We worked hard on audience engagement this year. I had an idea to integrate a request system (one like I do at my acoustic shows: people text message me their requests) into the TRIO and BAND shows!

My vision was for people to scan a QR code and be given access to a special page on the website with artists and songs that we can perform. When the patron selected one of the songs, it automatically sent the request to my Google Voice line, where I read it in real time on stage and directed the band “in real-time” according to the requests coming in. I implemented this system at several shows on the back end of the year and it showed some promise. Check it out the link below and let me know what you think!

Here’s the “Live Links” BAND page with the Song lists and Tip offerings!

I feel like it’s a bold concept, and I’m going to continue to work on the look, feel, and workflow of this “Live Link” page moving forward. Over time I’ll continue to tweak it and make it better. Feedback is VERY WELCOMED.. good or bad. I’m just playing with this and looking for better connections with the audience.

Retrospection:

Let’s talk about BlairOutLoud BAND.

We are highly entertaining.. quite the talented group of musicians that are interested in getting paid decent to have fun and bring joy to those that participate. What we don’t have is a theme.. an outfit.. a tribute to a specific band, or decade, or really specific style. And we are good with that.. sort of..

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You see.. because I have decided to not take the BAND into a specific direction, the thought originally was that this would open up opportunities to do lots of different events, and for example.. play classic rock where needed, 80’s danceable rock where needed, and 90’s alternative grunge and heavier material where appropriate. This is a solid plan, right? Keep it open?

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Apparently not. Atlanta cover and tribute bands have gotten so specific, and so curated into a specific style or act.. that some of the OG cover “party band” style acts are getting passed over in favor of the flavor of the month tribute band (one of my friends called it “rock and roll halloween” bands). Instead of just getting up there and selling yourself to your audience, bringing them an authentic killer rock show, many musicians are trying to promote themselves as a “rock tribute” (whatever that means).. or specifically tributing one band.. the “Journey Experience”, the “A Night of Bon Jovi”, etc etc.

This is really not the direction that I care to take BlairOutLoud. If it means that I’ll have less opportunities in bars and clubs, then I’m fine with that. I would rather follow private party opportunities that are more intimate and connected with people that genuinely love what we do, rather than try to be the best cover act that beats all other bands to the punch when getting into all the hottest spots around town. It’s just not worth it to me, and I don’t have the drive to compete in that space.

Conclusions:

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If you’ve read this far.. you rock. I wanted to commentate for a minute about the big picture of how I think, regarding our status. I’m confident that I portray the right amount of care for the audience, mixed with just enough of a curated song choice, and deepened connections with the audience to make a small dent on the scene with what we do.

This attitude I hope I bring to every line-up from my solo act to my full band. I’m here to have fun, make a decent pay.. and create connections/establish relationships with people that matter and feel good. I’m not here to play every sold-out terrible song that I don’t like.. nor am I here to dress up like the coolest cat on the scene with just right sunglasses, leather jackets, bandanas around my leg, etc etc. I’m not down with the “rock and roll halloween”. HA.

I believe that staying true to who we are, and what we do best.. ultimately is the best formula. We might lose members along the way, or change things up every now and then to grow and learn, but that’s okay.. at least we were honest, connected, and brought fun musical entertainment to our little world.

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After covid, and up to the end of 2022, I chased the cover music scene hard with what I thought was a decent winning formula.. but as I see where I faltered, I’m beginning to understand that I’m not as concerned, as I once was, about being on top.

In 2023, things are changing.. I’ll still be all over the place with my solo acoustic show… I work with 4 scheduling companies now, with 2 of them prominently scheduling me in lots of great spots everywhere. The Trio and Band will still be at some of the bigger places.. but we will work to get lots more private events, festivals, and contracted dates with better appreciation for what we do.. and that will be just fine.

I wish you all a fantastic year! We will be seeing you out there for sure! If you’d like a great solo, duo, or band for your special event.. CONTACT ME HERE.. and let’s set it up!

Thanks all

-Tom Blair