Easy touring for a one-man band
By Jon Busdeker on Aug. 06, 2007
Greg Kirby lugged in the speakers, the microphone and the rest of the equipment. The band didn’t lift a finger.
When it was time to hit the stage, the band was nowhere to be found. Then, with the click of a button, a guitar, a bass and a drummer magically blared through the speaker system.
Kirby is a one-man band. Every time he plays a show a pre-recorded CD acts as the singer’s backup group.
“They’re always on time and they never miss a note,” Kirby said.
At a recent gig at Charley’s Restaurant, Kirby showed off his musical muscles by singing songs that make parents and grandparents smile and say, “I know this one.”
Clad in his Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants, Kirby’s clothes made him look like a living part of the beach mural painted on the back wall in Charley’s bar area.
During his three hour-show, Kirby sang everything from “The Wanderer” by Del Shannon to “Roses are Red” by Bobby Vinton.
It was like karaoke night, without the drunken 20-somethings singing (badly) Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Kirby, who has a deep voice, can actually carry a tune.
“If you know the words, come and sing along with it,” Kirby said, before going into The Drifters’ “Under the Boardwalk.”
When the beach classic goes into the musical interlude, Kirby said, “I’ll let my band play.”
Most of the songs Kirby sang were hits back in the days of sock hops and drive-ins. Those who were born after the 1960s have to be fans of the oldies station to recognize Kirby’s set list.
“I cater to baby-boomers,” Kirby said.
Kirby is a lifelong Lynchburg resident. Since the age of 7, and his introduction to the drums, Kirby has been into music. Over the years, Kirby played drums for The Expressions, Stonehenge and the Hard Day’s Night tribute band. While he wasn’t rocking out, Kirby worked as an EMT.
But he always came back to playing music. Aside from the one-man band, Kirby plays drums in the band Off the Cuff.
“Music has been what’s kept me going,” Kirby said.
Two years ago, Kirby bought a karaoke machine with the intention of starting a one-man band. The machine collected dust for more than a year. Then, this past February Kirby’s friend booked him a show.
Kirby quickly learned how to use the equipment.
Now, less than five months since his first show, Kirby has turned his one-man band into a business. Eight to 10 times a month, Kirby is at a local venue belting out hits from Tom Jones and Jimmy Buffett.
And when he’s not performing, Kirby rehearses in front of the family computer. Three nights a week, Kirby sings along to the instrumental versions of the songs. He works on timing, because, unlike a band, a CD can’t tell if the singer needs an extra bar of music, so Kirby has to be perfect.
During each take, Kirby tweaks the song’s tempo, pitch and volume. He customizes each song to fit his voice.
“When I’m happy, I can process it,” Kirby said.
He burns a CD, which acts as the set list and contains the music — in the correct order — he will perform for the upcoming gig.
Back at Charley’s, Kirby continued to sing his style of early rock ‘n’ roll hits like “Only You,” “Girl Watcher” and “It’s Now or Never.” At one point, Kirby switched to the cordless microphone, mingled through the crowd and wooed the older ladies. He even added a bit of an echo to enhance the lounge-singing mood.
In all, Kirby sang more than 45 songs that night. And, when he finished, Kirby packed up and headed home.
“I never have any trouble taking the band with me,” Kirby said.
The downside to not having a band is when the show’s over, no one helps him with the gear.
But, when it comes time to getting paid, Kirby doesn’t have to split the profits.
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