Ken McCoy Band

New Ken McCoy Band Website

2012-01-26T13:01:00.000-08:00

Check my Brand new website www.kenmccoyband.com I designed and made it myself so I am still learning please give me any feedback you can so I can improve on it. It will be updated weekly even once a day.
You can see pics and vids has well as show dates, contact info, Blog facebook and twitter entries and much much more so check it out!

Hula Hoop Mama

2012-01-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

This my My Mom hula hooping to the Wii, Sorry Mom but this is just to funny not to share LOL Love ya Mom

Thanks to my Band

2012-01-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

I would like thank my band past and present! My present band consists of Tony Del, Jay Wittur and Gary Grace. They are a great bunch of guys and a ton of talent
Tony joined the band back in June of 96 and has been the longest member. Tony plays lead guitar and vocals and can eat pretty much any kind of hot sauce you put in front of him. I even have a picture Tony pouring Dave's insanity sauce down his throat.
Tony is to me like Keith Richards is to Mick Jagger, Joe Perry is to Steven Tyler, like Lady is to GaGa.... ok the Lady Gaga doesn't work but you get my drift. He has been a great friend all these years and is an amazing talent! To watch Tony play is incredible. I have seen people stand in front of him in awe with his amps blaring into their heads and they don't move.
He is a caring and very generous man and glad to to call him my friend and the brother I never had.

Jay Wittur Bass, Doghouse Bass and vocals.
Jay......hmmmm how do I some up Jay.... You just got to know him.
His sense of humour is just waaaaay out there. I am usually the BUTT end of his oneliners. ( I'm sure he has a comeback for that one too).
Jay is the most level headed nice guys you will ever meet and always keeps me in check. The go to guy and it will get done! He use to play with Doug and The Slugs and several other bands and he too is amazing talent. He has great harmonies and his bass playing is always smooth and rock solid. He also is very well versed in the theory of Music.
The only thing bad to say about Jay is DON'T FEED HIM ALMONDS.

Gary Grace the latest drummer ( I seem to go through more drummers than anything) to join the band is a world class drummer. Every time is plays a solo we watch with amazement he always does something different each time. His sense of humour is too like Jay's and catches me off guard all the time.
Gary plays also with Dave Martone and Prism and has studied under some of the top drummers in the world. He himself teaches some BIG Rock Stars still today. Just watch youtube vid of his playing it is truely amazing! http://youtu.be/6W0CX0__GTI

There is some past member I have to say thanks to as well
All are great people great talents and great friends!
Dave Gustafson Drums You never meet a more sweetheart of man
Theo Pire Drums Remains still one of my close friends
Mike Nitchie Bass another great talent and friend
Chris Leadbeater Lead Guitar one of best buddies all the way from my high school years
Linden Northcott drums Always a great luagh when Linden was in the room
Trent Johnson When trent was around the target was off me LOL sorry Trent
Dave Harris Guitar Mandolin, Fiddle, harp and everything you can think of. another amazing talent that you really have to see.
I know there as been more including great fills guys like Steve Ohe the man of million songs!
All these people and more Thank You for sharing your talent on stage with me, They say if you surround yourself with great talent you yourself will look good. Thanks for making me look and sound so good all these years I hope I have many more to come and get a chance to play with you all again. You are all class acts!

Free song when you Join Ken McCoy Band Fan Page

2012-01-10T14:53:00.000-08:00

Get a Free download when you join the Ken McCoy Band fanpage on facebook
Click the link below and you click the "Like" button to join the fan page and then pick your favorite song tell us what it is and we send it to you free. Also 5 lucky people will have a chance to win Ken's complete catalogue of music. You must join to be entered.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ken-McCoy-Band/210018965695485

Ken McCoy Links

2012-01-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

Other sites to check out

Ken McCoy Band on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ken-McCoy-Band/210018965695485

Live Music Venues on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/LIVE-Music-Venues/192467857497985

Snake Oil Band on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Snake-Oil-Band/221827277842684

Vibedeck song download site

http://vibedeck.com/kenmccoyband/

Reverbnation

http://www.reverbnation.com/kenmccoy

Twitter, Facebook and the Internet

2012-01-07T17:07:00.001-08:00

The world is so much smaller now with the Internet. We can go anywhere and learn about anything we want without leaving the comfort of our home. We can promote ourselves and business make hundreds thousands and even millions of new "friends". Without even shaking one of their hands.
It's an amazing thing we can reconnect with old friends from school that we have not seen in years. Or hear news of some child hood friend having a baby. Or even sad news of someone passing. You can learn pretty much whatever you want by googling it.
I think one thing we have to learn to do is not to forget how to meet people on a one to one face to face platform. To sit down a talk and listen to people in person. That old man you walk by everyday on your busy scheduled life might have some amazing stories about his life that might inspire you in some way. A lot of people stay home more don't go out and enjoy life and find things away from the Internet. I am to blame for this too. Here I am writing this when I could be going to watch a local hockey game at a rink or even a simple thing as going for a drive and seeing where you end up. Maybe if we all got out we would stimulate the economy more. Who knows? twitter Facebook and everything the Internet has to offer is a great thing as well as fun and educational . But meeting people in person doing stuff with friends and family is more important. Say hello to your neighbor. I realize I have been living in my home for over 4 years now and I know little about any of my neighbors most I don't even know their last names. A lot of people are like this. It is sad. I grew up on a street in Victoria BC Canada that had about 20 houses I could tell you everyone of their names we were our own community. We did a lot of stuff together, street garage sales. Christmas decorating our houses, parties and so much more. Why? Because our parents knew how to meet people in person they didn't have the Internet and everything that came with it.
The Internet Facebook twitter and everything else is amazing I am not knocking it. We in this time just have to get out more and interact with our fellow human beings. The Internet has made the world smaller but has made the space between us a little wider. I know it's not just me.

Copperhead Road ( Live at Cloverdale )

2012-01-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

Thank You

2012-01-04T23:35:00.000-08:00

I am sitting thinking what could I write about. It is easy to complain about almost everything in the music industry today. Where does it get you well.... Nowhere! I am focusing on everything positive and the best place for me to start is to thank you. Thank You to everyone who has been apart of my life and my career. Whether you are a family member, friend, fan or industry related person. Without all of you my ride through life and music would not be possible. I am going to continue with my career writing producing and performing and even teaching! Hopefully I will get to meet you all again and meet new people along the way.
To my Family a special thank you has you have always been so supportive through good times and bad. The fans who still come out cheer us on you are the best!
Thank You All
Ken

X factor and more

2011-12-19T09:28:00.001-08:00

There was a time when I thought shows like x factor and American idol and all the other next big star shows were nothing but a live karaoke show. In some ways they still are. But I have to say this people like Simon Cowell are at least trying to find talent. (and making a ton of money at it to boot ) unlike the big record labels that sit around waiting for the acts to come to them. Just mainly to tell no or yes but that artist has to work his or hers ass off to keep themselves on the label with usually no help from the labels. not that hard work should not be expected but help is also. The big labels are helping out the artist that usually don't need help anymore. There was a time when record labels went door to door looking for talent. And they nurtured them along.
I think it is funny that big labels have missed out on artist like Josh Krajcik and Melanie Amaro. They were there all along right under their noses and they were to lazy to go look.
The thing is there is more of them out there. I think the record labels lack imagation when looking and listening to unknown artist. They can't see what that artist has or can become. They only see what is there.
They are afraid to take a chance anymore. To build a career. The want the ones who take little work usually one hit wonders get them in get them out. Make their money and wham bam thank you maam see ya later. In the 50's 60's and 70's they were out looking and building a mountain of talented artist who had talent.
I'm sure most of them now sit in their offices skimming through the Internet watching YouTube clips. Most never really get out and look.
So hats off to x factor and all the others at least they are trying to find talent.

The Tip of the hat goes to…

2011-12-13T23:16:00.001-08:00

Through all the bitching and whining that comes with biz we call music. There are those who stand tall through it all. I would like to tip my hat to guy that is trying his very best to keep live music alive and well in the greater Vancouver area. Though he runs a small pub 80 to 100 seats he has entertainment going at least 3 to 4 nights out of the week. With acoustic nights on Tuesday and bands Friday Saturday and special events and jams and more. He is a strong believer in supporting the bands of all genres of music. He himself has been in music biz for years.
Don Taylor at Mavericks tap house and grill in Surrey BC gets the tip of the hat.
Way to go Don thanks, everyone I talk with has nothing but great things to say about you. You have earn the respect of a lot great musicians.
Also great staff and amazing food too.

Stop complaining and make a stand!

2011-12-13T07:58:00.001-08:00

It's time for musicians to take a stand. I hear so many musicians complaining about pay. About making 50 75 or 100 bucks a night. If your playing a night club and not making a minimum 175 a night.( Should be 200 at least) a night for a least three nights then don't take the gig. That's per member by the way. For two nights it should 250 per night. Pubs and other smaller venues can be a little less. Bands that are playing for 100 buck per man per night are just screwing it up for everyone else. If you are working for 50 to 100 bucks a night per man and are serious about your music and that is what you think you are worth than you must suck. Sorry to say it but it's the truth. Stand up to these clubs that are raping you. If you are a new band and just trying to break into the scene I can understand having to come in at a lower rate but don't remain there. Once you have proven yourself it's time to bump it up.
The days of the full time musician are going ways of the dinosaur. It does not mean that your pay has to as well. The quality of good bands are going to drop because the great musicians will not work for peanuts. The clubs by not paying what the bands are worth are just shooting themselves in the foot and are not worth playing. People will come for a little while but then if there is no great bands to listen to the people will stop coming.
There is the odd club that pays fair and I applaud them and they are strong clubs because they treat there bands well. It makes the bands want to play. Yes the economy and drinking laws have hurt some clubs and have had to do some cut backs but are still trying to support bands. Others clubs that are still doing well have taken advantage of the situation and are using it to push all musicians under their thumbs. This is where the musicians have to say no.
As impossible has it sounds musicians have to band together ( no pun intended) Start conducting yourselves as business people. I think one of the problems is most musicians think they are not worth the respect they should get. Respect is earned when you lower yourself you lower how everyone sees you. STAND UP START WITH SELF RESPECT FIRST.
You are what you're worth and that also goes morally too.
You have to reinvent yourself do what it takes to survive but don't give in. Stand up believe in yourself.

Ritchie Bros. Auctions Show

2011-12-09T12:52:00.001-08:00

Performing at the Westin Bayshore hotel in Vancouver British Columbia for Ritchie Brothers auction Christmas party. Playing on drums Gary Grace who has performed with many artists including prism and has studied under some of the world's top drummer. On guitar is Tony Del he has been guitarist of the year at the BCCMA awards two times in a row. On bass guitar Jay Wittur who have the form with Doug and the slugs.

Some live shots

2011-12-08T22:37:00.001-08:00

Live shots from Cloverdale rodeo

Its a wonderful life!

2011-12-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

A story to share

If it hadn't been for My sister Teresa McCoy Scambler getting me my first KISS record or my best friend growing up getting a drumset or sitting around listening to my Dad play guitar. This Song would have never been born and a little boy would have might never grown up to be a firefighter.

Many things led me to my career in Music I remember having saved up my allowance and givin...g it to my sister who was going to Sears. I gave her my money and asked her to get a rock and roll record. She came back that night with KISS Originals which I still have. I was hooked The music exploded out of my little realistic record player into my head. Shortly after my best friend growing up who lived 2 doors down Rob Lidstone got a drumset from his Mom Pat Lidstone. My career in music was now sealed because now I had to get a guitar which my Mom Carol McCoy and Dad bought me. A 35 dollar guitar from Woolco call a Kay guitar. Growing up from as long as I remember I would listen to my Dad play guitar and thought it was so cool and after I got my guitar I started lessons and my Guitar teacher Bev Young kept me interested in learning.

Where am I going with this may you ask?

That all these people and many more helped a song be born from me that helped a little boy decide that when he grows up to be a fire fighter. I found out a little while back that fellow came to watch me play at Pancho and Lefty's in Surrey one night. He bought a CD that had a song on it that I wrote called Mama's Lillte Boy a song about a fire fighter. He took the CD home a his son heard it. After hearing the song several times over he decided that he wanted to be a firefighter. Well that boy is now in his 20's and he is a firefighter in Edmonton fighting fires and saving lives. Well that made me feel great! I thought though if all those people that helped me in my direction towards music were not there than this song would have never been written and who knows that boy would not have become a firefighter. So to everyone who has supported me in my music Thank You! Help support someone in their dream its amazing what can happen. You just never know!

Starting out in the music industry Bars or not Part 1

2011-12-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

Starting out in the music industry Bars or not Part 1
The big question when getting started with a music career is should I play the bars or not?
Depending on who you ask you are going to get a different answer.
There is lots to think about and how you want your career to go. There are many pro's and con's to this subject. I am sure they will all be debated long after we are all gone.
First lets talk about what it takes to play the bars and to become successful in the bars.
The bars are a place to get your start to showcase your talents, to become successful at the bar level though there is some sacrifices you have to make. Unless you are playing a bar that allows you to play nothing but original music be prepared to play cover songs. ( just so you know there are not to many bars that do this)
Having original material is good to have though when playing a bar because it shows that you are serious about your music.
Picking cover songs that make you look and sound great is very important.
If you have a voice like Johnny Cash but are trying to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey it is probably not a good idea, unless you have some really cool arrangement and have made the song your own or it is comedy version. If you are trying to duplicate it DON'T DO IT! You may think it sounds cool but most people are going to be saying my god that is awful.
Remember to focus on what you do best.
Having a big selection of different styles is very important specially this days. Don't jump into the bars with 30 songs just enough to get you through the night.
The bigger the song list the better, just remember to select the right songs for you.
If you are a country band make sure you are playing new country, old country, your own stuff, fast ones, slow ones, a couple off the wall ones, as well have some classic rock and even a few new rock songs. Throw in a couple other style as well the more the better. You will get more fans with your versatility.
If you are a rock band same thing I know the last thing you want to learn is a country song but make it your own, rock up a old Johnny Cash or Waylon tune, it works!
When you walk into a the venue walk in like you are rock stars don't be rude but show confidence in yourself on and off stage. People are drawn to this.
Have a show planned if a set list works for you use it but be prepared to make changes if set is not working with the crowd. If you can do this on the fly then do it. If you are able to call out the songs as you go cause you are reading the crowd then do it, sometimes this works better, just make sure you have only one person doing this as you don't want to have a fight on stage about what song to play. Usually the lead singer or front man would call the the songs. Remember NO holes in your sets, dead air is a big NO NO, if you are not play then you are talking or getting the people going.
If you have props use them, anything to entertain the crowd.

Plan a couple of moves and use them, planned steps at the right time work.
I am not saying that you have to dance like Britney Spears on stage but a couple of little moves works, look at ZZ TOP they are in there 60's now and they still do and hey look cool doing it...still!
Just make it look and feel natural and just once every now then not every song.
Just remember posing in positions works once in a blue moon, to do it all the time looks cheesy, unless that is what you are going for once again, don't do it.
Sometimes the hard part about playing in a bar is getting peoples attention. They are there to drink meet with their buddy's and girlfriends, talk, party, try pick each other up etc... sometime you are the last thing that they came for so you have to find ways to get them on your side. many things work many things don't.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is start off with a big production song. screaming guitars lights smoke whatever it takes.
If they have had a few and are in the party mode hit them with a sing along song. any song they know the words to that is big a popular works!
Use you imagination to find ways to get a hold of them and then don't let go.
Lots more to come.....

2011-12-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

As a songwriter I have had many of influences in my life from the songwriter catagory the list is many. Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Billy Joe Shaver, Neil Diamond, Jeffery Steele, John Prine and so many more. The one that stands above the all is Steve Earle. To paint a picture with words like Steve Earle can is not only a gift but bordline genuis.
here is just a piece of his work from Tom Ames Prayer

Well they sent the preacher down to my cell
He said the Lord is your only hope
He's the only friend that you gonna have
When you hit the end of Parker's rope

Well I guess he coulda' kept on preachin' 'till Christmas
but he turned his back on me
I put a home made blade to that golden throat
and asked the deputy for the key

Steven Spielberg could not even paint this on film they way Steve Earle has wrote this.
I remember I saw Steve in Victoria BC Canada in 1989 at his Copperhead Road tour. He played for 3 hours without a break and had everyone in the palm of his hand. A dream of mine would be to sit down a write a song with him. Though I am pretty sure I would just sit there with blank look on my face like when the beatles met elvis.
For any young song writers out there who are looking to learn more about songwriting go buy a Steve CD or download and just sit and listen to his lyrics. If they don't paint a picture in your brain then you don't have one.
There are others that come a close second to Steve and that is Billy Joe Shaver and Bob Seger. Hell they all are a close second
Ken McCoy
http://www.mccoycountry.com/
http://www.facebook.com/sob.ken.mccoy#!/pages/Ken-McCoy-Band/210018965695485

Coming Home

2010-05-02T17:22:00.001-07:00

Driving back from doing 2 shows back to back and about 20 hours of driving. We played Armstrong. And Trail BC. Both fun shows. Trail was crazy. Our 2nd set was 2 hours long just felt like going on without a break.
Saw mike Nitchie my old bass player. Stayed with Mike and Marni at there place in Armstrong and had a great dinner. Thanks guys great seeing again.
Almost Home just coming into Hope. Should there in an hour. Get see lindsay and the kids for 2 days then we fly to Calgary. Its getting busy.

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

our favorite crowd and stage shots

2010-04-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend Armstrong BC andf Trail BC

2010-04-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

We are playing in Trail BC for the rodeo on Saturday which have done for the last 5 years now and it is always a blast it gets bigger and bigger each year. Guy Thompson and the crew always treat us great and looking forward to seeing them all.

On the friday we are playing in Armstrong BC at the Branding Iron Pub ( one night only ) It has been sometime that we have play the okanagan area and looking forward to seeing some old friends and meet some new ones.

Matrixboom

2010-04-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

http://matrixboom.blogspot.com/

I have a new blog site called matrixboom this site will dedicated to talk about anything and everything about the music industry. I want to keep the ken mcCoy Band Blog about... what else the Ken McCoy Band.
If you want to comment on anything about the industry please go to matrixboom.
if you want to talk about the Ken McCoy Band and find out what we have to say please keep coming here.

the first topic on Matrixboom is still radio.

Radio

2010-04-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

What do you think about country radio today actually any radio,Rock, MOR, Pop, satellite, internet?
I have to say of late I don't listen radio much because I really don't like what I hear, specially country. There are a few artist that are standing out with good material but a lot of it sounds very bubblegum to me and a lot of it sounds the same as well as it is hard to tell one artist from another. I do listen to country 107 in abbotsford BC they play a great mix of old, new and local artist. I do listen to the shore 104.3 playing a mix of Rock rhythm and bit of everything else too. I have also seen the play list from Bruce Leperre in Dauphin MB he also plays a great mix. I know there are more out there throughout the world that play great music and the need to be found.

The question is if you don't like radio today who do you blame is it Nashville ( the record labels) for sending out the artists and songs to radio, Do they take the time to find artists that have longevity. Instead of one hit wonders that look good on TV Cause we all know that we listen with our eyes that is until we see some of these acts live and then.... Or do you blame Radio for playing it and for caving into the consultants in New York telling us that this is what we want to hear. Maybe it is the listener who doesn't like it but does nothing about it, like turning it off or letting the station know or contacting the advertisers saying we are not listening to that station anymore because of the quality of music.

I remember talking to one Music director about songs and artists and we were talking about one artist in general. He had just added this person's song that was not very good at all and he admitted it as well and I asked him why and he said it was because he was a popular artist.... NO NO NO if the song sucks you don't play it. How many other stations do this?

I really believe that there is a lot of great music out there that is not making it to the masses and a lot of crap that is. What is it that can be done to turn it around or can it be? Maybe its just me and I am getting old and just want substance in my music. I would love know what most of all fans think as well as industry.

The Ken McCoy Band

2010-04-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hello welcome to the Ken McCoy Band blog!

Log on and check out and what is happening!
This blog will be for us and our fans to comment on what is happening from new songs to shows and everything and anything that is related to music and more.
We will talk about stories from the road past and present!
We welcome everyone from old faithful fans to new ones and family and friends!

Here are some upcoming shows
April 21 to 24 Roosters Pitt Meadows BC
April 30 Branding Iron Pub Armstrong BC
May 1 Trail Rodeo Trail BC
May 6 to 8 Ranchman's Calgary AB
May 20 to 23 Cloverdale Rodeo Cloverdale BC
May 29 Shannon Hall Dance Cloverdale BC
June 9 to 12 Roosters Pitt Meadows BC
June 17 to 19 Cactus Annies Merritt BC
July 3, 4 Williams Lake Stampede Williams Lake BC
July 6 to 11 Ranchman's Calgary AB
July 12 to 15 Ranchman's Calgary AB
July 17 Blue Mountain Festival Coquitlam BC
July 24 BC Summer Games Langley BC

Lets us know what you would like to hear from us
tell us your favorite stories or song or band member past or present

We have lots to come your way