| Unfinished Business?! |
| Earlier this summer, I joined a band known as Unfinished Business. We are five graduates of the Greenbrier High School Class of 2003 that love to rock out and well, do. Derek White plays lead guitar and lead vocals. Hillary Birdsong is our rhythm guitarist, and as well as being our flagship songwriter, she sings lead occasionally. William (Bill) Keller is our bassist, Jason Edwards our drummer, and my keyboard rounds out the group. The band started in 2001, about the time I moved to Greenbrier. (For a history of the band before my joining, go here.) As I got to be friends with these guys, I heard their as-of-yet unnamed band, which was just on its rise, play at several talent shows and a Friday Night Fling. I loved the music, mainly because it was very personal to see four of my great friends playing their hearts out to whoever would listen...and drawing crowds of fans who thought as well of them as I did. I received several overtures to join them on keyboard as early as late 2002, but I couldn't bring myself to join them as I felt I would be staining something too special. Eventually the band started to struggle with getting gigs (a conflict which is still a problem). Without a piano player, they were limited as to what music they could play, and couldn't put together enough music to do a major outdoor show. It was because of this, the band members' stubborn refusal to put aside their offer, and my insatiable interest in making music that ultimately led to me finally accepting their invitation to join. Since I joined, the band has played at two gigs, one of which was the 2004 Greenbrier 4th of July celebration. Thanks to a remarkable stroke of luck, and Hillary's initiative at seizing the opportunity, we were commissioned to be the band at this event. We were paid for our services, and got a little bit of a voice out to the public. The band plays about 2/3 cover music, meaning non-original songs. Cover songs we have in our repertoire include Closing Time, Girl All the Bad Guys Want, Push, 3 AM, among others. Additionally, we have an arsenal of roughly 6 or so Christian songs available for appropriate occasions. Roughly 1/3 of the music we play, however, is written by one of us, usually Hillary. They are very well written, and enjoyed by all. These songs' personal nature make them my favorite to play, by far. As the group has been in dire need of more material lately, the number of original songs has been increasing. We play moderate rock music, not too soft or too hard, but most importantly, songs that we can get into and get the crowd into emotionally. After all, that is what rock music is all about. We have received suggestions to carry at least some country music tunes, which we are reluctant to do, but as of yet undecided about. Also, we have recognized the need for more "classic rock" that people of all generations will recognize and appreciate. Seeing as how four of the band members attend UCA, it is somewhat difficult to co-ordinate schedules and find time to practice. This and our inability to find gigs, we feel is keeping us down at the moment. We hope to have such problems fixed, partially or wholly, in the near future. |