musicians and model trains

If by "musician" you mean "professional musician," well, I'm not.  But I do play the clarinet.

 

A drummer here--formerly semi-pro while going to school.  Great times playing music and made a lot of friends.  Basically played jazz and blues, although also had experience playing other genres.  Still play today, although more infrequently.  Interestingly, both my train hobby and drum playing started in my youth:  I got my first train when I was two.  Before that, my mother used to tie pots and lids to my stroller that I would bang with utensils while listening to the radio in the kitchen.  She never complained!

Tuba, although I admit it's been been a while since I've last pulled it out.

My former orchestra/high school band director liked trains too, and his father was a watch inspector on the B&O.

Fender electric bass. Lots of fun.

Played with a group on the road for seven years. Loved it.

Haven't play in many years. Still have the bass.

I'm a long time professional musician. Higher end weddings, corporate events, club scene etc.

Most of my work is on elec. bass guitar, but my main interest is acoustic fingerstyle guitar. I also do alot of private instruction, so I keep my hand in electric guitar because that's what most kids want to learn.

Not a professional musician, but I do play guitar, mostly rhythm, and a little bit on the piano.

Semi-Professional Drummer (Acoustic/Electronic Drummer)/ 3-Rail O scale Model Railroader!

I would think that perhaps one could make the connection through a shared attention to detail.  I usually make the connection to choosing engineering as my career choice comming from long hours tinkering with my trains.  I'm by no means a professional musician, but I was drum major of my high school band and now i'm drum corporal of the Pyramid Shriners Pipes and Drums.  You of course have the famous examples of Neil Young and Frank Sinatra.  I actually bumped into Neil Young at my LHS years ago.  My father told me to shake his hand and he'd tell me who he was when I was older

I've never considered myself a professional, more semi-professional.  I play rhythm guitar, bass guitar, piano and drums.  My main gig is as Buddy Holly for a 1950's Rockabilly band in my area.

 

Beyond that, I play mainly 50's and 60's music.  Went to a music school for 8 years, and had music as one of my 2 majors in college (Music History).

Anybody remember 45s?  I had one out in '67.  The sound files don't work on this site anymore but this here is mine and the boys' band:

 

http://www.garagehangover.com/rites/

 

Hard to believe I'm the cutie with the eye patch (car wreck) but it's true.  "Life" story's on the page too.

 

Anybody wants to hear the record e-mail's in profile, just let me know and I can send you the sound files.

 

Music:  Too late to stop now.  Haven't played out in a while but I still make it almost every day.

 

Pete

 When not playing with trains, I get paid to do what I love.

 

 

 

Just read the link, and that is amazing!  I'll send you an email - I have to hear the songs!

Very cool Pete!!!

Decca records,!!!!  We all catch up to the information, this is amazing. Cant humm it

but I do remember the song.  Pete.

 

Sir, having noticed you are a new arrival,  if some of the folks see your post.

Forum sponsor  -  DAVE, with Mercer Junction , is a drummer for a band,

   and then you have Nick ( Rock Stars). 

Edit, Well I see Escape rocks, has posted,

thanks for the pics

I don't really play anymore.....had enthusiasm......but lacked talent.....was in a rock band from 69-71.

This picture is from winter 72-73. What you can't see to the right of the Kustom amp is a Farfisa organ.

 

 

 

Peter

good reply's. i am by no means a professional. i just love playing tight fusion/acid jazz/hip hop inspired grooves on my kit. played in a dub reggae band in chicago 1997-2003. i also enjoy dabbling a bit on guitar playing 60's surf/garage riffs and SEPULTURA riffs hahah.

 

 

trains around the christmas tree are cool and all, but trains around your drum kit? even cooler!

 

 

Awesome picture Peter

I'm a writer, but I also teach piano and play gigs to make a living.

 

Jeff C

I was in an indie pop  band in NYC & Chicago ( think early Beatles or Monkees) before we had kids, actually got to record & release a couple of albums & go on some tours. It was pretty cool.  I was the lead song writer & guitarist for the band, but also would play bass, drums & piano on the recordings ( it took too much time to switch up live).  We would use all vintage equipment ( kind of like how I like my trains lol).  Peter, I actually got to play a Farfisa  solo on one of our tracks in the studio.  Always wanted my own, as it was really awesome.   Sometimes I really miss it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nice pics chris. we used to play at lillys a lot. and wise fools. and the elbo room. and hog head mcdunnas. and the metro. and a lot of other places i can't remember right now lol. what was ur bands name???

Christopher,

 

Just gotta love those old Hoffners, Epihpone Casinos, and Rickenbackers.  If you're gonna do early-Beatle-esque music then that's the equipment you gotta use! 

i liked playing at lillys cuz they really didn't care what we did in that upper balcony area before shows hahahahahah

 

nice

Don't know how you did it, but thanks.  I'm not so internet savvy, I guess.  Didn't even know about the Garage Hangover website until a guy on a guitar usenet group told me about it.

 

Pete

Dave Minarik: Professional Drummer (The Clarks), Train Shop owner (Mercer Junction), Forum sponsor, and talented modeler. Doesn't get much better than that, other than to note that he's also one darn nice guy.

no prob pete youtube is a beautiful thing sometimes lol

 

found the flip too 

I play Euphonium in the Austin Symphonic Band (since 1995) - considered one of the top community bands in the US.  Plenty of sound/video bites at this link.

Six of the 30 members of my model railroad club are musicians.  One teaches music at a college, another is a retired high school band director and another is a professional.  The other 3 are members of local volunteer bands and musical groups.  All of these people play frequently at non-profit events.  Music and model trains seem to go together.

 

As for me, let's say I am musically challenged.  I can't do anything with music except listen to and appreciate the talent of those who can play and sing.    

 

Joe

Professional drummer until after I got a day job, and a wife, and four kids, and a house, and on & on. Semi professional now but still play enough gigs to support my train hobby when not buying sticks and new drum heads! People think these trains are expensive, go out and buy a couple quality cymbals.

 

Biggest influences:

 

Early Genesis Phil Collins, Bill Bruford, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham as well as many others.

 

http://boneshakersbluesband.com/home

Congrats to all of you,  This forum, has found a Wealth of talent in another field.

Your skills, have to be commended, as well as the work associated.  Also, thanks,

for the links.  I listened to the Clarks, when Allan posted while Dave was on vac.

a month back. Just finished the excerts from the Orchestra, in Austin.  Of course

just brought back some oldies but goldies with Pete's, 45'. Wonderful talent, all of you.

 

heck yeah z-man those K series are $$$$$$$$$$$$

This thread is very cool.   Happy to see so many fellow musicians out there, no matter what you play or your involvement level.

 

Of course we can't forget our own Neal Young, whose creative mind helped usher in TMCC so his son could play with trains.

I had a detached garage built a few years ago.  

 

The second floor is my train room (pics from a couple of years ago).

 

Behind the left garage door it is a true garage where I keep a car.  Behind the right garage door is my music studio...drums, bass guitar and modular synth.

 

 

 

If you're from the Burgh, you gotta love The Clarks.  I love to watch Dave Manarik play.  He just has a great feel for the drums and as Allen Miller said, he is so down to earth and talented on so many levels.  There are a lot of musicians on this forum.  I think the last time this question was polled, most were drummers.  Great thread, a lot of talent here!

 

Rich

Vince L....  too cool!

 

Going all Keith Emerson on us now

 

Very cool. What are you using as a controller?

 

Hard to tell the modules from the pic, but from what I can decipher, I bet that thing get FAT!!!

Analog goodness.

 

For obvious ease of traveling/gigging, I use a Macbook/Mainstage/plug-ins for my "analog" stuff on stage.

I was taking drum lessons a couple of years ago,  have jammed with a guitar player friend several times,  and used to practice every day.

Other hobbies and interests,  and especially,  raising my daughter got in the way.   My 2 drum kits now gather dust.   I've thought about selling them,  but I still have a desire to learn more and play.

Frank, don't sell.   You won't get what you put into them, and when you do want to pick up the sticks again, a new kit, even a simple trap kit, will cost more.  Clean 'em, and put sheets over them.

 

 

ps. I am loving this thread.    Lots of hidden talent on this board.