Don wrote:So, the continuation of the Neal Schon Band tour seems dead in the water.
Can't blame the guy, really. As evidenced by his interview in Texas, the low turn out DID bother him and he fixed the blame squarely on the promoters.
He should place it there. Also, the fact that he played so much other stuff MIGHT have something to do with it, but I doubt it really.
Don wrote:To put it in perspective, In Pineda's first show in Reno the other night, Arnel has already equaled the attendance for the entire Neal Schon Band tour.
He did it by playing a setlist consisting of medleys, one of Tagalog songs, one of Bon Jovi and one Queen medley and individual numbers covering Elvis, Bryan Adams, Joan Jett and Survivor.
he did it because whoever is working for him promoted the hell out of it. Also, because of the Philippine-connection, there's a major sense of community there, and word travels fast. Good for him.
Don wrote: In comparison, Schon's tunes included a few covers and stuff from Pre-Perry Journey, Red 13, HSAS, Soul Sirkus, and Piranha Blues. Unfortunately, those arrangements aren't going to be packing anyone in beyond us diehards.
He's a GUITARIST in a major, legendary band. What SHOULD have happened is that he should've focused more on his own material and promoted it as such. When peeps go see bands these days, I don't think a ton of them are aware beforehand what the band will play. Diehards, sure, but the general public-not so much. He should've marketed it as more an instrumentalist kind of thing. It's possible that people just were confused on what the show would be. As you say below, the shows should've been smaller as well.
Don wrote: And this was despite the disparity in ticket prices here. Pineda's ranged from $40 to over $100 while Neal's show bordered on being free or at least the cost of three drinks.
Obviously, Neal is better off making another solo album for his own amusement rather than hitting the road again unless he can find even smaller venues to play so as not to perform for half filled saloons.
My advise (unsolicited of course) if Neal contemplates going on tour by himself again.
Advertise Schon as the former Guitarist from Santana in big bold letters and perform some of those songs instead. I'll bet he'll draw at least as many as Gregg Rolie does going that route.
BINGO.