Used to be a gigging dude... I want to say something meaningful and non-troll like. This video for those who know is the exact kind of thing that separates those who say they want to pursue music and those who do it. I loved the honesty and the sheer lack of glamor. It was not at all very rockstar. And lest that sound backhanded, I mean it exactly opposite - as a compliment. The music business is so very fickle. There is nothing resembling fairness or equity in it. It is admirable when people with a dream - and their own music (not churned out by a formulaic song-making factory) - try hard. Keep it up, man. Appreciate you, Rhett, and Noah and the guys for letting us in on this.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ve been touring and gigging for my entire adult life. It’s not the life most people think. I hope to give people insight into some that with my videos and share some things I’ve learn along the way
Greetings from Florida. Couldn't agree more and I think you put it perfectly. I only toured for a couple of years but for the majority of it we slept either in the van or punk house floors and would be lucky if we showered more than twice per week. With those sacrifices came sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in our genre and beyond; I'd say it was worth it
@@floridapunkarchivist Similar story... not that I miss it because found my bigger calling, but I had the double privilege of getting paid to play music AND do it with my brother. Different moms, so we got to become brothers playing... special. Thanks for the kind note. Take care.
Rhett was the reason that I started making my own Gig Vlogs. So I really enjoyed this video and thought it was a really good representation of what really goes on when you’re in a band or filling in and you don’t have an entire fleet of trucks and a road crew.
That moment at 12:20 when the Bass player perks up, looks at you and walks over to see what you are doing. And then he and Noah share a look and a nod. That's gold right there. You smoked it man. Best Regards and Best Wishes!
Your gig journey is Great entertainment! Of course there was a vehicle challenge, but you got the job done. Excellent guitar work covering for Rhett! Thanks 🙏.
Just one small tip 16:20 when you're broken down on the road, especially with trailer, don't have people standing behind the trailer OR between the trailer and the van. Always stand down in the grass away from the vehicles, I'd hate to see something happen to you guys.
Great Video, I follow Rhett and you did Great. Back in the late 80's and 90's I played with my Band and filled in for 4 Guitar players in other bands every week for about 7 or 8 years and had a Day Job too. It's a wonder, I'm lucky to be alive at 62. I still play at home, I have health issues that ended my career in Music. Your Awesome My Guitar Brother 🎸🎸 Much Love from TENNESSEE about 1 hour from Knoxville
Great video! It seems like you’re filling in for Rhett’s vlogs also….(I was missing those), even the title image and the title font look similar. Anyway, great job!
Thanks for posting this Michael. Been following Rhett also. True, it's not like the movies. Been there done that...... not done....yet....still doing it. We're all freakin crazy ....( in love with what we do ) LOL ! ! All the best to you, Rhett, Noah & Good Trouble.
Michael, thank you for documenting and posting. You sounded great! It was a surprise for me to watch you travel and play in Wisconsin as I live 30 miles west of Milwaukee. So you were playing, "Up Nort der hey?" as we locals say here. The big country music festival in WI is Country Thunder. Have Noah check that out for next year. Job well done!
Well done! I definitely enjoy seeing all aspects of the journey, like the landscape as you drive by, the mundane conversations, the load in, the breakdowns, etc. I appreciate how you talked about fitting in and being helpful. You need a high emotional intelligence to sub for a musician in an established band!! Oh, and your guitar sounded sweet! ✌️🎶
Great VID! Really enjoyed your production of this. Great video and audio. Really sorry about the van. With that nice trailer I hope the van had the correct towing package. With transportation, don't cheap out.
Awesome video! Really enjoyed it and the thoughts on covering songs and fitting in most appropriately. As a guitarist in a band that also plays some covers, it was helpful to me. Keep it up! Love all your stuff!
at 12:30 is what most of my gigs looked like and that's ok i suck, these guys on the other hand are professionals and breaks my heart when i see great talent like this play to empty seats.
great video michael! i won't lie, i don't usually watch much of either Rhett's or your videos, because i spend too much time on youtube already anyway. But it was a very entertaining watch, interesting to hear your insights on filling in for somebody and all in all it made me wanna gig again - with all its ups and downs :) have a good one and thanks!
Great job! It sucks being stuck on the side of the road. It happened to me as well way back. The van started overheating and just as we stopped on the side of the road we heard a loud burst. The engine had a cracked head and there was water dripping everywhere from the hood when we opened it. The joys of playing on the road. Haha. BTW, I also like how you filmed everything in the style of Rhett Shull. 😁
I can finally see why I am not cut out for touring. Only took me well over 20 years to see why the lifestyle is not compatible with my personality. Traveling for days on end to arrive at an mostly empty gig. Deflating enough. Only then to turn around and drive almost home and breakdown for hours. I’m not that patient of a guy. Good on you, Michael for having that go with the flow mentality through the ups and downs. It takes a rarely seen amount of patience and grace to remain level headed through it all. Cheers to you!
Being a WI guy, who lived outside of Eau Claire for a few years, the festival venue is Ca Dot. Glad you had a good time! Caddo is World Jump Rope Capital too.
Thank you Michael for sharing your experiences with us. I spent 20+ years touring with my band MirrorImage and had many of your same issues and solutions come up. I am mostly a solo gig artist now but have been asked to put the band back together for gigs once again. Best of wishes and I will continue to watch and enjoy your channel.
Great job filling in for Rhett! Being from Wisconsin myself and actually having family in Cadott, I’ll let you in on a secret…it’s pronounced Ca-dot. Loved the video, keep up the great work.
Liked the video - nice to see the non glamorous side of the gig, like driving 18 hours to get there, etc. It is pronounced Ca-DOT in case you were wondering (life time Wisconsin resident) Great playing as well.
Good stuff! Video is right the duration I feel it should be. Also, on the Ian Guthrie part, I noticed your actual speaking voice is a bit louder than your Vlogging voice. Please let us hear those missing dB's, I feel you voice at full volume is more engaging. :)
Thanks! I tried to balance the levels out the best I could but a lot of that has to do with how far the camera is away from me. It was a lot closer in the van where as when I’m talking to the camera it has to be further away to get me in the shot.
You also took a thin lizzy riff as your music during the wait before the show. Sounded like it might have been in A instead of E though. I didn't have Beato son here to confirm that and I was too lazy to grab the guitar that 2 feet away and pull one string. Lol.
So very glamorous, such is the life of a touring musician. Fancy hotel rooms with fresh band aids in a non draining shower, the natural cigarette musk of your fellow players and the predictable breakdown in the near middle of nowhere. All for one gig… great to see live music!!!! Seriously so much of touring is NOT playing that you better have patience, understanding, the willingness to do whatever and a very good sense of humor. Thanks for the Real-life content
been loving these vids! Do you have any recommendations for a first timer w/ in ear monitors? My band has skipped some steps and we are not going to go the bar route for shows, we are setting up our own IEMs but i have never used them. Any info is appreciated! Keep doin what you do! (more tour vids!) 🍻from🇨🇦
Admiring the truck pack, but you gotta' remember how you did it!! Good stuff, except the van. Ü You seem like a cool dude and a real pro, some would be at the bar soakin' it up, but you were there for help and ideas. Nice tone on the Goldtop, made it sing -not gargle. Ü♫
Thanks for watching! Subscribe if you aren’t already!
I am :-)
Gigging musicians are the lords or Tetris. Lol all that gear in such a small place.
I wish I had your job
I like your solo on Hell Or High Water better than mine! Great video man and thanks again!
Well….Maybe you should open a debate with 5000 comments on this subject between followers 😂😂😂
How did you get sugar in their gas tank with a busted collar bone ?? he he he
@@mars6433 again?
Absolutely!!! Punched the whole band to a faster pace and added more tension and edge! Much Needed!!!
I’ve been running for a long, LONG time…
God even I’m sick of that song 😂
Catch different tunes in your videos?
Used to be a gigging dude... I want to say something meaningful and non-troll like. This video for those who know is the exact kind of thing that separates those who say they want to pursue music and those who do it. I loved the honesty and the sheer lack of glamor. It was not at all very rockstar. And lest that sound backhanded, I mean it exactly opposite - as a compliment. The music business is so very fickle. There is nothing resembling fairness or equity in it. It is admirable when people with a dream - and their own music (not churned out by a formulaic song-making factory) - try hard. Keep it up, man. Appreciate you, Rhett, and Noah and the guys for letting us in on this.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ve been touring and gigging for my entire adult life. It’s not the life most people think. I hope to give people insight into some that with my videos and share some things I’ve learn along the way
Greetings from Florida. Couldn't agree more and I think you put it perfectly. I only toured for a couple of years but for the majority of it we slept either in the van or punk house floors and would be lucky if we showered more than twice per week. With those sacrifices came sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in our genre and beyond; I'd say it was worth it
@@floridapunkarchivist Similar story... not that I miss it because found my bigger calling, but I had the double privilege of getting paid to play music AND do it with my brother. Different moms, so we got to become brothers playing... special. Thanks for the kind note. Take care.
@@MichaelWWestbrook when traveling is there not much time to practice?
Very good points Blug. You *think* you want to be a touring musician-then reality sets in (I was various kinds of roadie)
That save slamming your volume pedal back on for the last chord was legendary, hats off really love your playing
Thanks! Yeah, I forgot about that ending. Thankfully I looked around and saw it coming 😂
I LITTERALLY THOUGHT THE SAME THING! WHAT A SAVE!
Rhett was the reason that I started making my own Gig Vlogs. So I really enjoyed this video and thought it was a really good representation of what really goes on when you’re in a band or filling in and you don’t have an entire fleet of trucks and a road crew.
Nice job on this Michael.
Thanks!
That volume pedal save at the end was PRO AF
I guess there is a Plan B :)
you win
😂
Hell yes!!! 😂😂😂
LMAO
Great attitude man!!! No bitching and being a band member. That's how you get / keep gigs as you already know. Best Wishes/Regards!
That moment at 12:20 when the Bass player perks up, looks at you and walks over to see what you are doing. And then he and Noah share a look and a nod. That's gold right there. You smoked it man. Best Regards and Best Wishes!
Your gig journey is Great entertainment! Of course there was a vehicle challenge, but you got the job done. Excellent guitar work covering for Rhett! Thanks 🙏.
Nice one, Michael. Wouldn't have known it wasn't Rhett :)
Just one small tip 16:20 when you're broken down on the road, especially with trailer, don't have people standing behind the trailer OR between the trailer and the van. Always stand down in the grass away from the vehicles, I'd hate to see something happen to you guys.
Great Video, I follow Rhett and you did Great. Back in the late 80's and 90's I played with my Band and filled in for 4 Guitar players in other bands every week for about 7 or 8 years and had a Day Job too. It's a wonder, I'm lucky to be alive at 62. I still play at home, I have health issues that ended my career in Music. Your Awesome My Guitar Brother 🎸🎸 Much Love from TENNESSEE about 1 hour from Knoxville
Really appreciate you vlogging and sharing with us. The tone was on point 🔥 Hope I could have the chance to tour like that one day! Keep these coming!
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks!
Michael, thanks for the great ride and hang. Lookin' forward to more vlogs from da master!
Really wonderful video. From one musician to another. That is the reality of playing music !! Glad to see some folks are back on the road
Thanks!
Great video! It seems like you’re filling in for Rhett’s vlogs also….(I was missing those), even the title image and the title font look similar. Anyway, great job!
Thanks! That was the idea on the thumbnail photo!
@@MichaelWWestbrook nailed it
You guys sounded great! Really cool to get to hang with you all as well. Glad you made it back safe!
-Jonny (from the Eric Chesser Band)
Thanks! Like wise!
This was great to see. I loved seeing the journey. Thanks Michael.
It brought back a lot of (mostly) good memories 8) Thanks for taking the time! 8) --gary
Thanks for posting this Michael. Been following Rhett also. True, it's not like the movies. Been there done that...... not done....yet....still doing it. We're all freakin crazy ....( in love with what we do ) LOL ! ! All the best to you, Rhett, Noah & Good Trouble.
Great job dude.
With you around rock n roll will never die.
Thanks! 🤘🏻
Good job! Really enjoyed this - thanks for posting. Greetings from the UK.
Thanks!
Its great that music is coming back to venues!
F..... A!!!
Michael, thank you for documenting and posting. You sounded great! It was a surprise for me to watch you travel and play in Wisconsin as I live 30 miles west of Milwaukee. So you were playing, "Up Nort der hey?" as we locals say here. The big country music festival in WI is Country Thunder. Have Noah check that out for next year. Job well done!
Cool of you to help Rhett 👍😎
Well done! I definitely enjoy seeing all aspects of the journey, like the landscape as you drive by, the mundane conversations, the load in, the breakdowns, etc. I appreciate how you talked about fitting in and being helpful. You need a high emotional intelligence to sub for a musician in an established band!! Oh, and your guitar sounded sweet! ✌️🎶
Thanks!
16:46 "... going to smoke my tobacco pipe... " because some people need to make that clarification 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the vlog! Good stuff, great playing!
Hey great video! I'm coming over from Rhett's channel. I really enjoy vlogs about touring and the music industry! I subscribed!
Great VID! Really enjoyed your production of this. Great video and audio. Really sorry about the van. With that nice trailer I hope the van had the correct towing package. With transportation, don't cheap out.
Great job Michael keep making videos.
Awesome video! Really enjoyed it and the thoughts on covering songs and fitting in most appropriately. As a guitarist in a band that also plays some covers, it was helpful to me. Keep it up! Love all your stuff!
14:09 next level reaction time right there.... Wowza!
Yeah…Almost forgot about that trash can ending 😂
at 12:30 is what most of my gigs looked like and that's ok i suck, these guys on the other hand are professionals and breaks my heart when i see great talent like this play to empty seats.
Yeah that bummed me too. They were killing it on stage and there were so many empty seats. That wears on you after a while.
Great video, Michael! Hope to see more like this. (Nice Greer hat btw.)
Fantastic video. Great take on the Hell or High-water solo. Very tasty.
Thanks!
Please, keep these coming.
Will do!
Thanks for deputising for Rhett. 👍🏼👍🏼😀
great video michael!
i won't lie, i don't usually watch much of either Rhett's or your videos, because i spend too much time on youtube already anyway. But it was a very entertaining watch, interesting to hear your insights on filling in for somebody and all in all it made me wanna gig again - with all its ups and downs :) have a good one and thanks!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Well done Michael! Ya got a new sub, looking forward to seeing your stories. :)
Man, Rhett looks different lol. Great fill in Michael!!!
😂 Thanks!
@@MichaelWWestbrook Also love to see you actively in the musicians trading groups in the ATL area. Seeing your post makes me smile.
Great job! It sucks being stuck on the side of the road. It happened to me as well way back. The van started overheating and just as we stopped on the side of the road we heard a loud burst. The engine had a cracked head and there was water dripping everywhere from the hood when we opened it. The joys of playing on the road. Haha. BTW, I also like how you filmed everything in the style of Rhett Shull. 😁
Looked (& sounded) like a great gig! Really like your Vlog-Style videos :)
Thanks, I really appreciate that
Great crossover episode considering I watch both yours & Rhett's channels.
Great to get to play . But must suck no one in audience well a couple but must still suck especially traveling so far.
There were more out of camera and hanging around up that the hill!
Wow! Nice playing!
I can finally see why I am not cut out for touring. Only took me well over 20 years to see why the lifestyle is not compatible with my personality. Traveling for days on end to arrive at an mostly empty gig. Deflating enough. Only then to turn around and drive almost home and breakdown for hours. I’m not that patient of a guy.
Good on you, Michael for having that go with the flow mentality through the ups and downs. It takes a rarely seen amount of patience and grace to remain level headed through it all. Cheers to you!
Being a WI guy, who lived outside of Eau Claire for a few years, the festival venue is Ca Dot. Glad you had a good time! Caddo is World Jump Rope Capital too.
Nice Job!!! Hope you can do this more. Came over from Rhett's channel BTW.
Thank you Michael for sharing your experiences with us. I spent 20+ years touring with my band MirrorImage and had many of your same issues and solutions come up. I am mostly a solo gig artist now but have been asked to put the band back together for gigs once again. Best of wishes and I will continue to watch and enjoy your channel.
This is the first time I’ve watched one of your videos and dam you can play
That solo @12:16 was killer
Thanks!
14:08 volume pedal save! I had to watch that about 5 times. Hahaha Well done!
Great job filling in for Rhett! Being from Wisconsin myself and actually having family in Cadott, I’ll let you in on a secret…it’s pronounced Ca-dot. Loved the video, keep up the great work.
Thanks! Yeah, I think I was making it too fancy or French
Definitely enjoy the view from the road, makes channel unique.
Love these gig videos 👍
Thanks!
Great vlog, great playing Michaell!!
What a trip and hard work to play for a couple hundred people. That’s dedication to the dream.
Great video Michael! Did sound killer on stage too!
I really like the straps you use on your guitars! Remember where you gottem from?
Thanks! The woven ones are from Levy. Look for the ones with leather ends/metal adjustment. They hold up a lot better!
I'm glad I found you, I've been a Rhett fan for years, you have a nice touch, sounded really good, what year was that gold top lp, it sounded awesome,
Thanks! The Les Paul is an R7. I think it’s a 2006 but don’t remember exactly. I’ve had it since 2008 or so
Hi Michael, I think you did a great job! Sounds kind of rockier than when with Rhett, might be your goldtop! In any case, well done
Great video! And your guitar tone was superb. :)
Thanks!
Haha dude I used to pack my whole guitar rig and all our drummer’s gear plus our suitcases into his Prius. Good times!
Your tone is sick! Well done...💚🎸
Great job. Thanks for posting the video. New sub.
Thanks!
Great fill in , great slide playing!
Thanks!
Michael, solo at 13:23 was very nice. Sweet. Great economy of tone.
I enjoyed this. Thanks
This is meta and the most hilarious thing I've seen in a while.
Nice one. Channeling Rhett's sound and his vlogging style ;-)
Great vid, and playing.
Liked the video - nice to see the non glamorous side of the gig, like driving 18 hours to get there, etc. It is pronounced Ca-DOT in case you were wondering (life time Wisconsin resident) Great playing as well.
Thanks!
Wow, your guitar sound is amazing! It's a matchless, right? Maybe it's time for me to get something vox like! Great Video and Storytelling!
Thanks, I really appreciate that
Great video man!👍🏾
Just caught Rhett at Prior Lake MN … ✌🏻
Looked like a great show!
Looking forward to this 👍🏻
Awesome that some SC dudes got to do some cool things like this.
Live music is back!!
Very nice video, enjoyed it!
Good stuff! Video is right the duration I feel it should be. Also, on the Ian Guthrie part, I noticed your actual speaking voice is a bit louder than your Vlogging voice. Please let us hear those missing dB's, I feel you voice at full volume is more engaging. :)
Thanks! I tried to balance the levels out the best I could but a lot of that has to do with how far the camera is away from me. It was a lot closer in the van where as when I’m talking to the camera it has to be further away to get me in the shot.
You also took a thin lizzy riff as your music during the wait before the show. Sounded like it might have been in A instead of E though. I didn't have Beato son here to confirm that and I was too lazy to grab the guitar that 2 feet away and pull one string. Lol.
It’s very similar but not technically the same so hopefully no copy right issues! 😂
You sounded awesome man! Sorry the Tow Truck prolly ate up all the bands extra money. Stay groovy man!!
volume pedal save was epic as hell
So very glamorous, such is the life of a touring musician. Fancy hotel rooms with fresh band aids in a non draining shower, the natural cigarette musk of your fellow players and the predictable breakdown in the near middle of nowhere. All for one gig… great to see live music!!!! Seriously so much of touring is NOT playing that you better have patience, understanding, the willingness to do whatever and a very good sense of humor. Thanks for the Real-life content
'Scansen!!!! Have a great gig man!
Cool video. Thanks
Was hoping you were going to post up your experience on this gig.
Looks like you did great!
Good stuff man!!
Thanks!
Knoxville’s my home turf! Very cool!
After that solo...subscribed!!!
You live or played in Knoxville TN. If you live there that’s my hometown hope it treated you nice.
Great! Very nice vlog! 👏👏👏👏🎸🤘
too bad there weren't more folks there
Interesting opportunity to see behind the scenes
been loving these vids! Do you have any recommendations for a first timer w/ in ear monitors? My band has skipped some steps and we are not going to go the bar route for shows, we are setting up our own IEMs but i have never used them. Any info is appreciated! Keep doin what you do! (more tour vids!) 🍻from🇨🇦
Great playing!
Thanks!
great job
Man you did a great job!
Thanks!
Admiring the truck pack, but you gotta' remember how you did it!! Good stuff, except the van. Ü You seem like a cool dude and a real pro, some would be at the bar soakin' it up, but you were there for help and ideas. Nice tone on the Goldtop, made it sing -not gargle. Ü♫