A STEVIE WONDER TRIBUTE Project?

So…who’s up to it? A Stevie Wonder Tribute project. We could make some KILLER money and have some fun with the music too. I’m looking for a diverse group of talented musicians. If you are gifted enough to play an instrument AND sing lead, the more power to us. You should be a lead vocalist, keyboard player (one of two), bass player or guitarist who is responsible, dedicated, easy-going and:

• Well-versed in your playing abilities
• Able to represent the song at hand with a similar approach to the original
• Able to GROOVE with what you’re playing
• Able to get around with your own equipment and transportation
• Age 25 and up (exceptions can be made for mature individuals)
• A TEAM player
• Male or Female
• Able to AT LEAST sing backup and harmonize well
• Free of any drug or alcohol addictions

The list of songs is deliberately up-tempo and geared to make people move. I really have no interest in anything else (no ballads, etc.). People are gonna come out to hear us so they can get their groove on. Give the people what they want and they’ll come out. Some of these songs can be “funked up” a bit. In fact, re-recording some of this stuff could be a goldmine. Technology and instrument sounds are now so advanced, I’d love to hear a lot of these songs redone. I’ve never even heard some of these songs before and they just GROOVE!

This is the kind of review I’m looking for after a show:
“more than a group of people playing the songs they love. These were musicians who seemed to be enjoying every measure of the music they played as much as the massive audience was, playing with a sheer pleasure rare for any live show. And in the end, the electricity, good vibes, and overall feeling of musical bliss lingered as the lights turned on and the grinning musicians took their bows before the drunken masses of dripping, giddy people.”

That means NOT like a wedding/top 40 band.
So, I’m treating this like a business project that will allow us to have some fun as well as be extremely entertaining. I believe that with the right players and determination, it won’t take long to develop a dedicated following. I’d like to have the keyboard player(s) pick up the horn work for now. Once we are established, we can outsource and/or network with some local talent for brass, if that’s even needed. We’re looking at a total lineup of no more than 6 people: Lead Vocalist, Keys (x2), Bass, Guitar, Drums.

I use electronic drums exclusively. This is non-negotiable. Having amazing sound at ANY volume is critical to the people hiring us, as well as those hearing us. It’s always easier to turn up the volume. If you’re skeptical, you’d be AMAZED at how great they sound just on their own. It’s nothing like a flock of seagulls, boing-boing-boing anymore. With your eyes closed, you would not be able to tell I’m using an e-kit.

I’m an accomplished drummer (25+ years) with a great ear for arranging music. I am a TEAM player, much more interested in the end result than being in the spotlight. I don’t believe in solos, unless the band is onstage and interacting with the soloist musically and it STILL GROOVES. I’m not interested in being a pretty boy, or getting all the girls (no, I’m not ugly or single). This really is all about the music, going home satisfied because the crowd LOVED us and getting paid for doing it.

If any of this ad sounds like it was written with you in mind, please get in touch. No mercenaries need apply (or people looking for anything other than an equal share on payday). This needs a long-term commitment to make it work.

The best thing to do is to send an mp3 playing your instrument with some of these tunes. I will then send it back with drums on it. No cheating allowed; live to 2-track ONLY! Don’t worry about mistakes – we all make ‘em. This is just an introduction.

When replying to this ad, please be sure to include some basic information about yourself (name, experience, instrument, influences, etc.). If you have a website or alternate way of checking you out, please include a link.

Thanks for taking the time to read my ad.

PEACE!

Here’s the song list right now. I’m open to suggestions, but anything with an asterisk is a MUST. There are many that I’d like to redo (re-arrange, modernize, etc.) as noted.

* Another Star
* As
* Boogie On Reggae Woman
* Higher Ground
* I Was Made to Love Her
* I Wish
* Living for the City
* Master Blaster
* Signed, Sealed and Delivered, I'm Yours
* Sir Duke
* Superstition
* You Haven't Done Nothin'
As If You Read My Mind
Big Brother - to be re-arranged
Black Man
Cash in Your Face - to be re-arranged
Chemical Love - to be re-arranged
Cold Chill
Contusion
Dark 'n' Lovely
Did I Hear You Say You Love Me - to be re-arranged
Do I Do
Do Like You
Don't Drive Drunk
Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing
Each Others Throat
Earth's Creation - to be re-arranged as opener
For Once in My Life
Free - to be re-arranged
Front line
Go Home
Gotta Have You
Hallelujah, I Love Her So - to be re-arranged
Have a Talk With God - to be re-arranged
If Your Love Cannot Be Moved
Jungle Fever
Keep On Running
Live - The Traitor (Herbie Hancock Cover)
Maybe Your Baby - to be re-arranged
My Love Is With You
Natural Wonder (Live) - Dancing to the Rhythm
Natural Wonder (Live) - Stevie Ray Blues
Natural Wonder (Live) - Tomorrow Robins Will Sing
One of a kind
Pastime Paradise
Race Babbling
Respect
So What The Fuss
Sorry
Spiritual Walkers
Uptight - to be re-arranged
You Met Your Match