Business Side of Music

Life lessons surround and embody our everyday lives. They shape and form us into the competent adults we hope to one day become. If not for these lessons we would tumble down the road of life not knowing how to keep our feet from flying out from under us. If you haven’t already guessed I’m leading you into a life lesson I learned recently. Doing the whole band thing can be either the most fun you've ever had or a never ending curse of flat tires and non-paying gigs. After a little bit of experience in the local music scene and elsewhere in Texas I've learned one golden rule. It’s all about #1.

 

I have no idea what I'm doing

East Texas All-Star Showcase

As some of you may already be aware, Tyler is home to a plethora of local music ready at any time to enter your ears and expand your mind. However, even less of you are aware of the East Texas All-Star Showcase happening on September 7^th in Downtown Tyler’s Square. This is the 3^rd annual event, and it plans to showcase the best of the best in East Texas music. This year will mark the first appearance of local garage rock band Channel 8.

Even fewer people who are aware of the showcase are aware of my second band, Channel 8. I actually split my musical time between The Problem Preachers and a garage rock band. Channel 8 is a two-piece collaboration consisting of me on guitar and vocals, along with Casey Coomer of Man & Knife. Those of you who frequent The Coffin Shop most likely have met Casey. Along with Adam Russell, Casey is half the inner workings of The Coffin Shop.

Summer Music in Tyler

Tomorrow at What About Kabob in Tyler my band The Problem Preachers will be making a come back after taking a break for the past few months. We will have CDs ($5) and tee shirts ($10) for sale and will have some new music for you as well. The other UT Tyler student bloggers have written a lot in the past about WAK so you already know the pure brilliance and decadence of this locally owned and operated eatery.

The Problem Preachers

The Show will feature The Lauren Alexander band opening at around 7 PM and The Problem Preachers going on at around 9 PM and playing until our arms fall off and my vocal chords shrivel up. So come out and have a grand old time with a gyro, some pita chips, and maybe even some feta fingers if you get there before they run out ( they are delicious).

Lauren Alexander

News From What About Kabob in Tyler

Here at the Call Center we have written several blogs in the past concerning local eatery What About Kabob. It’s probably because this gyro place is so darn tasty. I’m pretty sure a majority of the communications team here at UT Tyler have dreamed of bathing in their Grenade Sauce. So, it is no surprise that one of would be mentioning it yet again.

Local hot spot What About Kabob has something special in store for all of you. Now I’m not talking about their delicious Feta Fingers which run out faster than you can say gluten free hummus or the special $1 tacos which you have to follow them on Facebook to know about. Or the Wednesday only Gyro Nachos which I personally could not finish in the hour I allotted myself (fresh baked pita ships with nacho cheese and gyro meat and gargle drool fkjaslifjo) Excuse me while I collect myself.

Mmmmm. TACOS RULE!!!

Culture Around UT Tyler

Tyler, Texas will have a lot going on over the next few weeks. Here's just a few of the happenings!

This weekend Tyler has a lot to offer all the music/art/culture fanatics out there. Though The Coffin Shop may not have anything this weekend there is still plenty to do around the area. Tonight through Saturday at 7:30 each night The Liberty Theater in downtown Tyler will be presenting a live adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps. Tickets for that can be found here at the Liberty theater website or at the theater itself prior to show time.

Break For The Coffin Shop in Tyler, But Not For You!!!

For the next month or so The Coffin Shop in downtown Tyler will be taking a break from shows leaving us cool kids with little to do... WRONG!!! There is always something to do in Tyler!

For instance, did you know that Stanley's Barbecue hosts live music? Also there is always Clicks Live with your all time favorite The Problem Preachers kicking off Mohtership's "March out of Winter Tour".

But don't think Clicks is the only place to have a good time in Tyler. Every Wednesday in March Stanley's Barbecue will feature the local acoustic styling of The Mike Acoustic Duo. Along with the Mike Acoustic Duo Stanley's is featuring local blues artist Soul shaker every Thursday night throughout March. Stanley's also hosts a variety of musical artists and you can see who will be coming when right HERE.

Don't get yourself down about The Coffin Shop taking a short break from putting on shows. Instead, go out and enjoy everything the local music scene in Tyler has to offer. I'll be posting regularly about what shows should be seen and where all the "cool" kids are hanging out.

The Coffin Shop

Before you start guessing what this post is about I'm gonna go ahead and stop you. No, this is not a fun nickname for the library. No my friends this post is related to a venue that has finally started to sprout it's wings and make itself known in the Tyler music scene. That's right people, Tyler has a music scene and it's full of beautiful people. This my friends is where the truly beautiful people of Tyler hang out...

Coffin Shop artwork by Mason Buchanan 

Beginning of the Semester Blues

So, it has been a week since classes started and everyone seems to be getting back into the swing of things. However, if you're feeling antsy and still want some of that summer-going-out fun go to Clicks Live this Friday for an excellent musical showcase.

My group, The Problem Preachers, will be playing along side Mothership and Remaining Anonymous to help out Jonny Pecker & The Beaver Busting Pickle Weasels for their CD release show. The lead singer of JP&TBBPW recently received his Masters in Fine Arts from UT Tyler and actually taught one of my friend's art class. 

So if you find yourself incredibly bored this Friday come by Clicks and check out the fun. Also, go here and download my band's CD for FREE.

Life Cheat #82264: The best cure for the Friday night blues is a heavy dose of Rock and Roll.

96X Rocks Radio Poll

Ladies and Gentlemen (and those who have yet to decide) welcome to another wonderful installment of Patrick Saikin: Dance Commander. I now command you all to have fun and dance!!!

Here in Tyler we suffer from something I like to call Creedsaria. Symptoms include shortness of breath, nubness of the ears, and an undesirable need to listen to Creed and or Nicklenack. This is a horrible disease with only one cure... And I need your help... It's real simple. The radio station 96X is currently having a radio competition for local bands which my group The Problem Preachers is involved in. The winner and runner-up of this competition will be played on the radio on March 31st. Now, I know the lot of you would love to hear your dear friend Patrick singing and playing the guitar on the radio. So, all you have to do to make this happen is click on this link CLICK ME go to the bottom of the page and vote for The Problem Preachers. Now get your dancing shoes on and vote. The Dance Commander demands it!

P.S. Click THIS as well