True Art Comes in Many Forms

written by on

True Art Comes in Many Forms Recently I have been visiting with a master of engraving who contacted me via our Facebook page. His first work was made for a talented young trumpeter and given to him as a present! After visiting more with this gentleman, I was able to learn more about his work and in further exchanges, I learned that he is originally from Hungary and now lives in Japan. He began as an accomplished glass engraver thirty-five years ago and began applying his talents to musical instruments only two years ago. Mr. Majzik uses a different technique…

Enough Energy to Power the World!

written by on

There has always been street bands but the group “Lucky Chops” has raised to bar to the stars. This young and talented ensemble is off the charts when speaking of showmanship, energy and creativity. Their non-stop performances will make most listeners want to go home and take a nap. Check out just a couple examples of their performances and be sure to catch them live if you happen to live in the New York area. The Lucky Chops are a New York-based band, formed in 2006. They started in Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and were founded by sousaphone player…

The Best Seem to Keep up With the Times- Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns (revisited)

written by on

By Brock Radke (contact) Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 | 2 a.m. Learning new skills has become standard operating procedure for most of us during the pandemic. It’s no different for the many talented musicians making a living in Las Vegas. For Jerry Lopez and his band Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, adjusting to a new, temporary existence without live performances meant building a new way to spread their music to the masses. The result is a livestream concert taking place every other Monday, broadcast from the Copa Club at the Bootlegger Italian Bistro just south of the Strip…

Put Your Hands Together For Chad Boydston

written by on

  How did you got started and when? “My dad was a trumpet player and was good enough to stay state side with the 2nd army continental band during the Vietnam war. He had to play taps a lot for those not so lucky. I would eventually inherit this phenomenon, but I’ll get into that later. I was born a year before his discharge and grew up listening to him practicing and hearing trumpet albums”. Why did you chose the trumpet? “When asked what kind of instrument I wanted to play, it was a no brainer for me! Having parents…

Coincidence- Environment-Or Something Else?

written by on

Events in our lives can be attributed to many influences. Some are accidental, some are planned and some just happen for no reason at all. In this post, I would like to describe a very unusual situation that even I can not understand. After giving you a short description of this situation, I ask you to add your thoughts as to why this could happen. “And now for the rest of the story”. A very good friend of mine and I met at a rehearsal shortly after my wife and I relocated from Cedar Falls, Iowa to Branson, Missouri. His…

23 Years and Still Going Strong!

written by on

Twenty-three years may not seem like a long time to remain in the same job or be married to the same person but when speaking of  the longevity of a band, this is incredible. The History and Future of Grand Marquis The Grand Marquis band started in 1998 with a Guitar/Singer, Drummer, and Bass player. Soon a Saxophonist was added to this mostly rockabilly blues group. In October of 2001 Trumpeter Chad  Boydston moved to Kansas City and joined the group in February of 2002. At that time, most of their performances were in restaurants and bars. By 2003 the…

Things to Consider After You Get the Job

written by on

Don’t complain about your leader/conductor- at least where he/she can hear you. Don’t give advice unless you are asked. Never hire a sub better than yourself. If play a second part in an ensemble, never criticize the first chair player. When warming up, never try to see how high you can play. Never change the music to “the way it should have been written”. Never out blow the lead player under any circumstance. Never play a note at the end of a number which is higher than the lead player unless he/she has requested it. Be sure to cash all…

What Does it Take to Become a Professional Musician?

written by on

What Constitutes a Professional Musician? A professional musician is one who plays an instrument or several instruments proficiently; performing is their primary source of income. What Constitutes an Amateur Musician? An amateur musician is one who loves playing music or one who cultivates something as a pastime. If you happen to be described by the second definition (amateur musician) and would like to upgrade to the next level, you might find the following information interesting. Recently I was asked, “How do you become a professional musician”?… and my response was, “Why would you ever want to become a professional musician”? It isn’t that I didn’t or don’t enjoy playing…