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Blue Collar Rockin' |
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By Mick Polich
© 2007-2008, Mick Polich. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission (Please do not reprint without asking permission!)
Hey kids. Mick Polich here. Glad to be of service with my "Blue Collar Rockin' " column!
The fun and beauty of this column is that I get to cover a musical myriad of topics - songwriting and D.Y.I. CD distribution, music business operation and sales, performing and creating your own gigs, studio tips for recording and playing music, music instruction tips, and thoughts and musings on how to keep a gig and pursue your musical craft, no matter how old you are and where you're at in life's journey!
There is an old martial arts saying ,"Start at the corners". Basically, it means to take small steps first to get to your goal. This column addresses how I took a lot of 'small steps' and how I can help you start on that journey, too!
How to Ask a Question |
A short bio
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Articles:
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Blue Collar's Sneaky Little Tips For Ghee-tar And Bass, Vol. #1 -
Looking for a few quick tips to head down another avenue with your guitar and bass playing? In this first installment, Mick pawns off what pithy knowledge he's learned over 30 years in regards to guitar and bass playing tips.....
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Blue Collar's Hot Rod Tube Amp Mods, Volume #1!!!! -
Here's an overview of some areas (simple and a wee more complex) to get a little more pop outta your tube amps. DISCLAIMER (and you'll see it again and again in the article): EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LETHAL VOLTAGES!! CAUTION!!! If you don't feel comfortable with any of the information to proceed on your own, DON'T! Consult you friendly, neighborhood amp tech for advice, info, and service!
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Blue Collar Survival #345 - I'm Gumby, Dammit !!!! -
Hey kids, let's put out an EP/CD!!! Mick explores what's-happening-now in the initial stages of putting out some music to the market for the umpteenth time, and dealing with combining art and business AGAIN!!
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Buddy Miles - a Blue Collar Tribute -
A brief tribute to an old-school soul/rocker, Mr. Buddy Miles!
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"Hail, Hail, New Orleans!!"-A Short Blue Collar Appreciation -
New Orleans as the epicenter for the beginnings of rock and roll? Mick explores some points to that statement in this installment....
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Blue Collar's Motivation -
What moves us to do what we do by singing, playing an instrument, or trying to create a gig in the music business? It's a tip of the iceberg subject, but Mick takes a whack at it in this installment......
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No Depression magazine - a Blue Collar tribute -
A little salute to a 13 year run by a magazine that exposed deserving artists in the alt country/ roots movement in music - No Depression magazine ends it's print run and will continue on-line with the publication of it's last issue....
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Blue Collar's "Lost Highway" - Journeys And Arrivals -
We hear of the musical 'superstars' daily - but what about the other tiers of making music not only as a living, but a journey? Mick takes a look in this installment.....
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"Hey man, we're getting the band back together!" - a Blue Collar Observation -
This installment, we look at the growth behind the re-emergence of 'classic rock' bands, rock and roll music camps, and if 'getting the band back together' is a good thing at ANY level... Ladies and gentlemen, Jake and Elwood!
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Blue Collar Digs Into Music! -
Ever listen to a song, and like the arrangement but can't stand the lyrics? Or find the lyrics incredible, but hate the singer's voice? Then, you wonder,"Well, should I like this music at ALL?" Hey people, it's o.k. to pick and choose - that's what we're talkin' about this installment!
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Blue Collar Tech #101: Some Little Bits And Pieces O' Guitar Repair Stuff -
As promised, a short break from the soapbox to throw a few helpful bits of info regarding guitar and bass repair your way. First in a series!!
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The Suburbs - Musical Friend Or Foe? -
Happy New Year to you, True Believers!! To kick off 2008, we 'll explore a few points on that somewhat American phenomenon of suburban life - can urban sprawl help artists and musicians?
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Zawinul - a tribute -
Jazz great Joe Zawinul passed away on September 11 of this year,2007. Mick takes a time out to pay a brief tribute to the genius of jazz, fusion, and world music....
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Musical Depth from the Blue Collar Rockin' Perspective! -
How deep do you want to explore music? Mick looks at expanding our artistic universe in this brief installment....
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Blue Collar Tone!! -
What is tone? Can we possibly discuss the implementation of it in one article? Oh, heavens, no, kids, but we'll have fun tryin'!!
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Hush Yo' Mouth! Blue Collar presents -
This installment, Mick starts at the tip of the iceberg for the dodgey topic of censorship: what could be be wrong, what could be right, and why it's nothing new to argue about because we've always had it!!
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Blue Collar Rockin' Presents -
Nope, not a Tom Waits song dissertation, but a look in the social and cultural ramifications of what Saturday nights mean, and have meant, in our 5-day workweek society.
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Blue Collar #9: Ethnic Music -
Hey, let me hear your balalaikas ringing out! In this column, Mick looks at ethnic music, and how all of our musical heritages are more closely linked than we realize!
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Blue Collar#8 - Gigs That Mean Something -
What's in a gig for you? What do you need to make it worthwhile? Mick explores the topic on making every gig count, as well as going 'back in the day' for some of his own memorable gigs.
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Blue Collar #7.5 -Grind Me A Bass Pound, Pappy!!! -
Bass players got the power!!! This article is an intro to playing the bass, and its role in modern music (too much to cover in one measly space, so more to come down the road!).
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Blue Collar #7: Amps - Crank It Or Go Sit In The Corner! -
Finally getting to the 'tech' valley, Mick gets the ground floor sweeped with an intro to amps - the other half of Rock Glory!!!
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Blue Collar #6 -
What are we all trying to recapture in our musical journey? This column, Mick looks back on two time periods that shaped his vision of getting "back to where you once belonged, Loretta"!
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Blue Collar #5: Duo Arranging/D.Y.I. in Product Creation -
Mick finishes up from last month on arranging music for duos, then slams head on into the good ol' D.I.Y. Movement, and some thoughts on making it work for YOU!!!
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Blue Collar Rockin' #4 - CONFIDENCE!! -
Lacking in what the French call, um, er,that 'certain something'? Mick looks at confidence: how to get it, what to do with it, do you buy it a suit, take it to dinner, etc....
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Blue Collar Rockin' #3-LISTENING!!! -
Hey,you - are you listening? Mick looks at the topic of listening as a musician and offers some hopefully helpful hints on how to improve your 'listening' habits for all your musical endeavors!
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Blue Collar Rockin'#2 -
Mick explores when we do our 'best work' as musicians. Can it happen more than once? Find out!
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Blue Collar Rockin'! -
The opening shot in a new series from studio dude/amp tech/music retail vet/ music instructor/songwriter/bar band performer Mick Polich.
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Music Ed #101, Or Thoughts There Of! -
To get 2008 off to a rant n' rave start, Mick looks at a continuation of last column's article with some thoughts on musical education, technology, and why one great rock show can change the world ( at least your own...)
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Q&A:
How to Ask a Question:
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is for 'Blue Collar Rockin'' Songwriter column. Thanks!
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short bio:
Mick Polich has been involved in local music scenes in Iowa, Ohio, Georgia, and now Texas, for over 30 years as a music instructor, amp tech, studio musician, performer, songwriter,and business owner. Starting out semi-late on guitar at 15 years old in 1975, Mick soon progressed to bass as a second instrument, and started playing either bass or guitar with local central Iowa bands from the late ' 70's through 1994 when his wife's job had the couple transfer to Columbus, Ohio. From there, Mick not only learned how to re-invent himself to survive pursuing this craft, but he and his wife managed to buy a house, acquire their two labs, Sam and Maggie,and adopt a son, Andrew! Through two more job transfers, Mick has managed to hone his musical multi-tasking skills to help others on an amateur and professional level in the world of making music.
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