Sunday, September 1, 2013

Haley And The Reinharts Rock the Grove


My girl Haley Reinhart performed with her family band "Midnight" at the Buffalo Grove Days music festival near her hometown of Wheeling, Illinois last night. I wasn't there (it's a bit far from South Florida), but many of her most devoted fans (Haliens) from far and wide were in attendance, and generously uploaded videos of several performances from her set.

Now, I know what some people are thinking. I've read it on message boards and twitter, and it goes something like this: "Performing with her parents at small, local summer festival? What the hell happened to her. This is nothing to write about, it's just pathetic."

Well, pardon my French, but fuck you. You're making a snap judgment about her and this gig without knowing what the fuck you're talking about, so STFU and GTFO, you hateful, spiteful, negative, nasty, worthless piece of shit.

Too much? Sue me.

Haley's family band unquestionably brings out the best in her. Better than Casey, better than her other full band incarnations, better than the Idol band, and better than everything else she's done with a band, period, end of story.

Why was she so good with them? What made it different or special? It goes beyond nurture and love, also has a lot to do with rehearsal, repetition and preparation.

Haley's parents have had their own band for over 30 years, and are consummate professionals. Her father, Harry, is an expert blues rock guitarist whose musical influence on Haley cannot be overstated. Her mother, Patti, has always been the lead vocalist of the band, and inspired her incredibly talented and gorgeous daughter to follow the same career path. Even little sister Angie got in on the act, singing backup and no doubt providing comfort to her big sis. With this family support, Haley has been able to take her natural gifts to incredible highs, and that was evidenced by the brilliant show at The Grove.

To consistently gel and perform at the top of her game with confidence, Haley, like everyone else, needs practice and discipline. However, being free spirited by nature, she often seems to procrastinate and rely on talent to bail her out. Because of this, she's had mixed results on stage, at times looking like a star, and others appearing awkward, flustered and prone to gaffs. Only when performing jazz, a genre that rewards improvisation, and is her natural vocal element, has she been able to find comfort zone and get lost in the music.

That all changed at the Grove. She was a pro. She sounded great. She had confidence. She was prepared. She knew the cues. She knew the words. She knew her shit. That released her to be Haley at her very best, because she didn't have to think too much. She just let loose, trusted herself, trusted the band, and it really helped restore my belief in her that she has what it takes to become a highly respected artist in the music world.

Contrast that when Haley performs with her BFF Casey. While I love the chemistry they perform with together, and enjoy that she has fun on stage with him, and like the jazzy musical influence he provides, she frequently seems like she's joking around and winging it with him on stage instead of digging in and delivering like a pro. Fun on stage is great when it's about getting lost in the music and jamming out, and sometimes they have that, but when they don't it's a distraction that can make her appear unprofessional.

Look, I think Casey is a great guy, a great friend, and a great musician, but he seems equally free spirited and unstructured, and I don't think that helps Haley. I really dig them together in doses, but not as a career path.

The ideal scenario for Haley is finding a team around her that gives her the necessary nurturing, structure and discipline she needs to be great. A small label that's very hands on would help. Until that time, maybe she should do some touring with her parents band. She badly needs to gig more, so how about Haley and The Reinharts hit the road, Jack? Not sure if that's doable financially, but Haley really thrives with them, so why not?

RECAP: Great show, great band, and Haley proved without a doubt that she's the real deal with star power when in the right environment. Below is the video of her new song "Better", which she debuted at the concert. I seriously dig it, especially the a Capella intro and intense finish, and think you'll see what I mean about the killer job Haley and the Reinharts delivered gigging at the Grove. Let it loop and you'll get to enjoy a full playlist of Haley music from HaleysTusk, a superfan who has become Haley's unofficial videographer.


25 comments:

  1. I like the recap, and I think we all know who you are talking to... One thing is for sure you always speak your mind and you are passionate :)

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    1. Appreciate the nice comment. I'm not always politically correct, but at least you know I'll give my real thoughts and feelings. lol :)

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  2. this was a awesome column. i agree with you about what you say, but i think you act like you know what haley is like when maybe you don't. no offense because i love you writing and what you are saying. just think haley might read it and not like you even tho i can tell u love her very much.

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    1. Well, thank you for liking my writing, and you're right...I should probably use a disclaimer that "the opinions expressed in this blog are strictly those of the host, and in no way reflect anything based in reality outside of his own unsubstantiated, delusional, arrogant presumptions."

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  3. I totally agree with the smell of that poo. I love both new tunes too.

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    1. Thanks for smelling. I think Haley has got a great direction with her music right now, making blues the centerpiece with rock, jazz and soul accents.

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  4. I like haley and casey performing togethr and think their funny and cute, but agree with you they sometimes are joking too much. Haley seems to have trouble keeping straight face when singing with him. BETTER is a great song. I hope haley will do a lot of songs like this and cake. she needs to be a little dirty. makes it more interesting and hot. she must feel funny singing the dirty ones with her parents tho. lol

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    1. Her dirty songs are pretty mild by today's standards, and being in the rock biz themselves I'm sure her folks have a pretty high tolerance for sexuality in music. Then again, I'm not her dad so what do I know!

      What I do know, is Haley can create more sexual heat by turning a sexy phrase or giving a glare than Miley or Gaga could ever dream with their gratuitous, desperate attempts to shock.

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    2. Haha! Miley is totally disgusting, and Gaga is trying too hard and i think her act is getting old. Haley is way more sexy thn they are.

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  5. I've been following Haley ever since Benny and The Jets back on American Idol. I happen to agree with you that she needs to be more active in gigging, and that she has at times looked to not be taking her shows seriously, and failing to rehearse and prepare.

    I don't blame her, because she's still very young and was basically abandoned by her label when Free failed to chart. What this weekend showed is just how good she should be if in the right environment, as you mentioned.

    However, I think Casey is more good than bad for Haley. He provides her unconditional support, musical consult, self-confidence and she obviously enjoys his goofy, crazy personality.

    I do think you're right when you say as far as it being a mistake to pair them in the same career path. She does have trouble being serious on stage around him, and seems to almost get swallowed up by his manic outbursts.

    Anyway, I love reading your blog, and wanted to thank you for helping keep Haley in the news while she goes through her growing pains. Same goes for Pia, another beauty with great talent who can't seem to catch a break. Keep up the good work, Mr. Poo!

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    1. Very thoughtful and intelligent comment, Trent.
      Appreciate the kind words, too. Hard for me to disagree with you on any of your points. "Growing pains" is a great way of putting it for Haley. Based on how great her new material sounds, and how much more comfortable she's looked on stage her last two shows (Vegas and The Grove), I think she's really making strides. Hope it continues, and she is rewarded with some good news from a good label.

      As far as Pia, it breaks my heart she hasn't been able to release an album yet. Beautiful girl, beautiful voice, and she just can't catch a break. If I had any say, she and Haley would be competing for Grammys the next few years. Ahh, to dream.

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  6. Good shit there! ....Nevrbluffs

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  7. Mr Poo, why did you call Haley a procrastinator? I agree with most everything else but that stood out as being a mean thing to say and I don't know why you said it because how could you know if you don't know her personally???

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    1. Fair point. That's the presumptuous side of me! I guess it's because Haley has seemed to be winging it on stage in many previous shows, has missed cabs, missed flights, is famously late for everything, and I think I remember an interview she herself said she's a procrastinator.

      BTW, it's not really an insult. I'm a big procrastinator, too. Many of us are, and we all have been bitten by it when we scramble at the last second and it doesn't work out. That's why I said being in a structured environment would be a benefit for her.

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  8. Procrastinating is my specialty. It's a great quality. I never started a term paper until the morning it was due. And this was before personal computers. So back off Haley-HA!

    I was thinking the same thing when watching the videos. Haley was so comfortable on stage. And why not? She was surrounded my her very loving and talented family and a hometown crowd. It had to be a magical evening. I would love if the Reinhart family did a tour--especially if they came east. (I flipped when I saw Harry playing Pretzel Logic.)

    As far as Casey goes (and u know I am a big fan) I agree with some of it. They both seem to get a kick out of winging it to see what happens. They are talented enough to pull it off and it's fun to watch. But, Casey is not always "manic" or being silly. When they performed at the Blues club in LA--he was perfectly calm. And I thought that was a very nice laid back show. Perhaps their schedules haven't allowed them a lot of time to rehearse.

    However, I have also thought about what a show would be like if Haley and Casey really had the time and inclination to prepare and rehearse. Something very professional without losing the fun. She's very comfortable with him as well. Plus, she's laid back and he's not so laid back--so they strike a great balance that way.

    Haley is singing never ceases to amaze me. She can do anything. Hope the right record deal happens for her ASAP. Laura

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  9. Thanks for the comment, Laura. I know Casey can at times be a very thoughtful performer who lets the music be the focus of entertainment. He also enjoys being the showman, which is fun when he stops short of going into manic mode.

    Overall, as a performer, I think he's become a real seasoned pro the past 18 months.

    The problem I have when Haley and Casey perform together is it can go from really great to really awkward really fast when they overplay the improv card, or Casey gets into wild mode. She loses her mojo when that happens, and seems to get flustered.

    Like I said, Haley is at her best when comfortable and very well prepared. It wasn't just love and support of family that made her so comfortable on stage at The Grove. She rehearsed and drilled and practiced and prepared, and that was likely do to her father playing task master and making sure she and the band were ready come showtime.

    Casey, God love him, is a great musician and tireless live performer, but he is not going to lean on Haley to get in the studio and rehearse. He's not going to push her. He probably is still in love with her, and just wants her to love him back. Haley won't get the structure she needs from him. At least, that's how it seems to me... but, then again, what the hell do I know? lol

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    1. Ya think? I don't know. He probably had a crush on her--what guy wouldn't? It's obvious they care about each other. I do know he loves and admires her talent.

      Casey must have some structure--cause how do you learn to play all those instruments without practicing? But, he seems to be a free spirit and she may be too. Laura

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    2. Casey is doing great with his career, and shouldn't change a thing. He's a pro who lives the live gigging life. He is a gifted musician, and a free spirit like you said. I'm a fan of his, and respect him, too.

      Just would rather see Haley find a team with the right combo of nurture and structure to get her perfect tuchas in gear and take her career to the next level. They are, and should remain, best of friends and musical soul mates who occasionally jam...and leave it at that.

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  10. So much great conversation here! Great to see Haley getting some buzz again. Hope she keeps busy now after this flurry of activity, and doesn't slink back off the radar again. She's so talented, and has so much potential, if she can just put it all together look out.

    I disagree about the family tour thing. As nice as the weekend was, and the show looked amazeballsm she has to get her own group together and make it happen. Love the Reinhart family band, but she won't be taken seriously in the music industry doing a mom and pop traveling show.

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  11. Your Poo is the best!!! Haley is awesome, and I so hope she finds the right path to make it. Would love to see her open for Phillip Phillips. They share that love for jazzy rock, and would be a kickass show. PP is awesome live, and is the total get lost in the music jammmer she would benefit being around. Plus, they're both very easy on the eyes...that doesn't hurt! ;)

    -CBO

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    1. CBO, I like the way you think. I share your opinion entirely. You know, after Haley did a gig opening for Phillip a year ago he said after he'd love to work with her sometime. He loved her sexy, jazzy voice and even mentioned a duet. Haley said on twitter she'd be down with that, too. Would love to see it happen!

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  12. OMG, i love Hailey! She was totally my favorite of her season. i hadnh't heard anything about her in like forever, so i'm super excited to see the new songs and all the stuff going on with her!! She's so gorge and luv her voice. someone retweeted the link to this blog from my twitter, and i love it! Definitely going to keep checking it out. (: Tiff

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    1. Thx for commenting, Tiff. As Haley's song says, "Keep coming back." :)

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  13. Looking and sounding great, Haley! She's beyond perfection. Her whole family is!! Listen to Mr. POO and do a Haley and The Reinharts tour!

    :) Cayla

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