Friday, February 27, 2009

Zydeco's 2/26/09

Wow. A total 180 from Mardi Gras. First off, I must say thanks to the French Club for singing and participating at the beginning of the night, you guys got us started off right. But then you left, and you took all of the energy in the room with you. We finished out our first set in dead silence as we walked away to eat our food.

Then, the Rose Holman crew showed up. They brought some life back into the place, but then really started to enjoy their drinks. We ended the night with people telling each other, "I love you, man..."


Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Zydeco's 2/24/09

Zydeco's in Moorseville, IN was crazy-packed tonight! We had the full band with us including myself on piano, Brian Yarde on drums, Karl Liechty on sax, and Bill Ritter on the electric upright bass. We sold a bunch of CD's and met a bunch of new people. The crowd was singing and dancing more than I think I've ever seen at Zydeco's. Karl brought his wireless (mostly so he could get out of the way of the front door when needed) and ended up in a conga line. Brian wore a wig and looked like Velvet Jones. Bill and I looked like rejects from some terrible kids story about all the holidays.

You know, a good Mardi Gras all around!!!
Karl "Patchy" Liechty and Santa Gras Brian "Velvet Jones" Yarde
There's a video of this show on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1080347458644&ref=mf


Speedway United Methodist Church Childcare 2/24/09

The kids at the daycare had a parade for Mardi Gras, and Bill and I performed while they marched and danced through the building. Of course they liked "Big Chief" and "Go To The Mardi Gras", but they were the most excited to hear us perform the true Mardi Gras classic, "Spongebob Squarepants".

The staff wore masks and gave out beads as the kids marched through the daycare. They had the whole building decorated, including the dolls of Lincoln and Washington!
Mardi Gras at the daycare!!! Masked Mr. Mark Lincoln and Washington do Mardi Gras


Monday, February 23, 2009

Dance Street Studios 2/22/09

Karl Liechty (sax), Brian Yarde (drums), Bill Ritter (bass) and myself (keys) performed for the third Dance Street Showcase in Columbus, IN, tonight. All the different people who take dance lessons are able to strut their stuff at this event, and it is really a fun show for us to perform. We hope to be back next year!
Dan Holmes and Karl Liechty


Sunday, February 22, 2009

Mardi Gras Ball 2/21/09

A formal Mardi Gras Ball was held tonight in Danville, IN, by Cajuns Cafe (in Avon). So this was gig #2 for Bill Ritter and myself. We rushed up to Danville after finishing in Mooresville, where we met up with Brian Yarde (drums) and Karl Liechty (sax) to perform from 9:30p-12:30a.

My wife, Christine Barton-Holmes, was the DJ for the evening, and she had the crowd energized by the time we took the stage. She also kept the crowd on their feet during our break. We had a great time, and we've been invited back next year!

It was a real treat getting a chance to perform at the same event my wife was the DJ for.
Karl Liechty and Dan Holmes Bill Ritter and Brian Yarde-3 Tonight's DJ


Zydeco's 2/21/09

#1 of two gigs this evening. Bill Ritter and I went to the site of gig #2 first to set up, then darted to Mooresville to play for the packed house at Zydeco's. It was sheer insanity! People were everywhere, a magician was roaming around, Chris Wolf was about to take over for us when we left, Mojo Gumbo was upstairs and folks kept coming in the front door! We played from 6p-9p...

I only saw Deb for a hot second, then it was time for us to leave for gig #2!


Saturday, February 21, 2009

Howl At The Moon 2/20/09


Bill Ritter-3
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group
Karl Liechty on sax joined us tonight as we rattled through a whole mess o' Mardi Gras tunes.

Bill was having some technical trouble with the in-house amp, but we made it work. The house was packed, and I'm sure Howl had a great Friday night!
Brian Yarde and Karl Liechty


Friday, February 20, 2009

Zydeco's 2/19/09

The crowd was hit and miss tonight. We had a few tables really into what we were doing, and a few that seemed irritated to be alive. Bill and I pushed and pulled until the very end, trying to please everybody. We ended up selling a bunch of CDs and people were getting our info for private events. Odd crowd.


Thursday, February 19, 2009

Static Shack 2/18/09

Duke had us meet him to work on the CD some more today. A slow blues tune and a re-record of "The Traveler" were all we did today. Good session.
Brian Yarde In The Studio


Sunday, February 15, 2009

Hoosier Bar & Grill 2/14/09

My wife loves me so much, she went to a smokey bar in Bloomington, IN, with me on Valentine's Day to take pictures of the band. She is the best!

We played "The Traveler" tonight, one of the songs we've been working on in the studio for the new CD.
Duke Tumatoe At Hoosier's Bill Ritter At Hoosier's Brian Yarde At Hoosier's


Saturday, February 14, 2009

Callahan's Pub 2/13/09

The scariest thing about this Friday the 13th show was just the fact that we had to drive home from Auburn Hills, MI, in blinding snow after the gig. The crowd was great, and they stayed til the end. We had a young guitarist warm up for us who played about an hour. We did our two, seventy-five minute shows and packed up. Didn't get home until 8:00am.


Friday, February 13, 2009

Zydeco's 2/12/09

Bill Ritter and Dan Holmes in the front window of Zydeco's!!! A bunch of cars parked outside from the dance studio next door!!! People not stopping because they think Zydeco's is too busy!!! All this and much more can be seen in the new movie, "Customers?" with the sound track by Dan Holmes Group.


Thursday, February 12, 2009

Static Shack 2/11/09

Back in the studio with Duke today, working on his new album, was fun. We really are getting some good takes down, and hopefully, the new CD will show some different energy than his previous albums.
Recording At Static Shack-1


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Indiana Live Casino 2/7/09

Bill Ritter and I performed for a high rollers wine tasting event at the Indiana Downs building, next door to the casino. This was a private event with some of the best food I've had in a long time. Fried oysters with garlic and parmesean, salmon wraps, lamb cups, chocolate dipped strawberries, and much, much more.

Oh, yeah, we played a bunch of instrumentals while the guests ate their food. Mmmm...


Saturday, February 7, 2009

Howl At The Moon 2/6/09


Dan Holmes-6
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group
Brian Yarde, Bill Ritter and I played at Howl in downtown Indy tonight. Bill played his electric bass instead of his upright, but other than that, it was a very normal Howl night. My new camera caught some of the action...
Bill Ritter and Brian Yarde-2


Friday, February 6, 2009

Zydeco's 2/5/09

The crowd was in such a good mood tonight, we played for about two-and-a-half-hours before we took a break.

Lots of new people, sold some CDs, and ate some great food. No complaints from me!


Thursday, February 5, 2009

Bob & Tom 2/4/09

This morning, Duke, Mark and I dressed like Tom. Denim shirts all around...

Today was also our last Bob and Tom show until the next football season. When we arrived, the great songwriter Dave Mason ("Feelin' Alright") was live in the studio playing some of his hits ad material from his new album. Cool!


Monday, February 2, 2009

Zydeco's 2/1/09

Bill Ritter and I started February with a fun brunch in Mooresville, Indiana. It was pretty busy, especially considering it being Superbowl Sunday. Not that I care, but a bunch of other people would like to stay home and watch TV. So Bill and I are very grateful to the folks who joined us this morning.


Sunday, February 1, 2009

Locals Only 1/31/09

Brian Yarde, Bill Ritter and I backed up Tish Lyndsey at this cool, but smokey, club in the Broad Ripple area. It is one of Tish's last gigs before she moves to Nashville, TN.

We wish her all the best in her big move!