I have never been so nervous in all of my professional performing career as I was today. I showed up to find myself in a new building, with new musicians, using a new in-ear monitoring system, playing new songs on a keyboard rig which was uncomfortable (standing rather than sitting, with the pedal under my left foot instead of my right), with people being let go from the gig while the clock ticked down to start time. I don't make excuses for when I perform something badly, but I think the deck was stacked against me this time. My heart was racing for almost an hour after the service, and I don't think I'll be able to sleep much tonight.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Howl At The Moon 11/28/08
Vincent Finnell joined Bill Ritter and I as we played happy hour indowntown Indy tonight. It wasn't very crowded because the lighting of the tree downtown was tonight, as well as a Pacer's Game and the high school football state something-or-other at the Lucas Oil Stadium. The people trickled in, and by the time we were finishing, the place was pretty full. Vince played because Brian is out of town this week. Thanks Vince!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Key Palace 11/26/08
Gary Brewer filled in once again for Brian Yarde, who will be out of town until next week. When Gary arrived at the show, he told us he was pulled over on the way to the gig. Despite the fact that he spent more than he earned toinght, Gary kept out great, and we all had a fun night. Charlie Noble was a blast to listen to, as always. He has jokes most bassist are ashamed to tell!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Bob & Tom 11/26/08
Da nah nah nah nah nah, you say it's Chick's Birthday,
Da nah nah nah nah nah, it's my Birthday too, yeah.
Other than it being my (and Chick's) birthday, nothing was different about today. We did both songs, plus the same Ball State song we performed last week. It all went well, and Mark and I went out for our usual cup of joe afterwards. Thanks Mark!
Bass Talk:
A bass player, a lawyer and a preacher go hunting together one day. After a while of not seeing anything, they decide to split up and try to scare something out. Sure enough, a hugh buck jumped out from a bush and all three men fired at the same time. Upon inspecting the buck the lawyer says, "Great, there's only one shot. One of us got him, but we'll never know which one of us."
The bass player says, "I can tell just by looking at the wound, it was the preacher who shot it."
The lawyer says, "Really? How can you tell that just by looking at the wound?"
The bass player said, "It was the preacher's alright. It went in one ear and out the other."
*Groan*
Da nah nah nah nah nah, it's my Birthday too, yeah.
Other than it being my (and Chick's) birthday, nothing was different about today. We did both songs, plus the same Ball State song we performed last week. It all went well, and Mark and I went out for our usual cup of joe afterwards. Thanks Mark!
Bass Talk:
A bass player, a lawyer and a preacher go hunting together one day. After a while of not seeing anything, they decide to split up and try to scare something out. Sure enough, a hugh buck jumped out from a bush and all three men fired at the same time. Upon inspecting the buck the lawyer says, "Great, there's only one shot. One of us got him, but we'll never know which one of us."
The bass player says, "I can tell just by looking at the wound, it was the preacher who shot it."
The lawyer says, "Really? How can you tell that just by looking at the wound?"
The bass player said, "It was the preacher's alright. It went in one ear and out the other."
*Groan*
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Four D's Bar 11/22/08
We saw the sunrise as we were falling asleep. We woke up just a few hours later, got in the car and drove. After a couple hours, we stopped at Iowa 80 A.K.A. The World's Largest Truckstop. We drove until the sun went down. Ft. Wayne, Indiana, is about eight-and-a-half hours away from Des Moines. It's okay, though. It only feels like sixteen hours.
The gig was fine, although they had a fog machine and lasers going all night. Gary Brewer was still filling in for Brian. We left at about 2:45am and drove two more hours home. Ugg.
The gig was fine, although they had a fog machine and lasers going all night. Gary Brewer was still filling in for Brian. We left at about 2:45am and drove two more hours home. Ugg.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Blues On Grand 11/21/08
Bill Ritter and I left for Des Moines, Iowa at about 1:00pm when we got a call that the music store we both work at had a car crash through the front of the building! We stopped on our way out of town to see the damage. Luckily, no one was hurt, and it seems like insurance will take care of the mess.
So we got on the road (after stopping at the Music Station) at about 1:45pm, and drove. And drove. And drove. And drove. After we hit Peoria, IL, we drove some more. We arrived at the club at 10:00pm (9:00pm Iowa time) and played to a very fun crowd. Gary Brewer filled in for Brian Yarde on drums this weekend, and did a great job. Blues On Grand is a cool club, but it's just so very far from everything.
We stayed in the Fort Des Moines Hotel, which was very nice, got a couple hours sleep and then, yep, you guessed it.
We drove.
So we got on the road (after stopping at the Music Station) at about 1:45pm, and drove. And drove. And drove. And drove. After we hit Peoria, IL, we drove some more. We arrived at the club at 10:00pm (9:00pm Iowa time) and played to a very fun crowd. Gary Brewer filled in for Brian Yarde on drums this weekend, and did a great job. Blues On Grand is a cool club, but it's just so very far from everything.
We stayed in the Fort Des Moines Hotel, which was very nice, got a couple hours sleep and then, yep, you guessed it.
We drove.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Slippery Noodle Inn 11/20/08
Duke called me about this gig two weeks ago. I told everybody I knew that we would be playing in downtown Indy (our hometown) because we very rarley play here. Then I found out it was a private event for Republic Trash Service. So the hour or two before the show I spent on the phone calling everyone to let them know not to come.
The show went fine, except it was a corporate party, which means nobody was there to listen to music, only to network. We went home a little disappointed, but very full, because Bill Brian and I ate at the Spaghetti Factory before the show.
The show went fine, except it was a corporate party, which means nobody was there to listen to music, only to network. We went home a little disappointed, but very full, because Bill Brian and I ate at the Spaghetti Factory before the show.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Howl At The Moon 11/19/08
Tod, Nate, Nick and I performed to a half full room at the downtown Indy dueling piano bar tonight. We had a good time, and I had a chance to see Nick's new guitar. He's learning how to rock it and soon, he'll be playing it as well as he plays piano. I also got a chance to see the "tree house" in the backroom for the first time tonight.
They built a staircase leading to over their storage room, so the players have somewhere to go during breaks. Pretty cool.
They built a staircase leading to over their storage room, so the players have somewhere to go during breaks. Pretty cool.
Bob & Tom 11/19/08
Duke, Mark and I performed three songs today. Besides the two regulars, Duke wrote a catchy song for the fans at Ball State. I was a little tired (due to jury duty lasting 14 hours the day before), but all-in-all it was a fun show today.
Mark told this bass talk joke:
A bass player was driving home from a gig when he was pulled over. The officer came up to the bass player's window and asked him to take a breathalizer test. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I have bad asthma, and it would bring on an attack."
So the officer asked him to go down to the station to take a blood test. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I'm a hemophiliac, and I wouldn't stop bleeding."
Then the officer asked him for a urine sample. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I have a UTI and it would be far too painful for me to give a sample."
The officer then asked the bass player to step out of the car to walk a straight line. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I'm too drunk."
Mark told this bass talk joke:
A bass player was driving home from a gig when he was pulled over. The officer came up to the bass player's window and asked him to take a breathalizer test. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I have bad asthma, and it would bring on an attack."
So the officer asked him to go down to the station to take a blood test. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I'm a hemophiliac, and I wouldn't stop bleeding."
Then the officer asked him for a urine sample. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I have a UTI and it would be far too painful for me to give a sample."
The officer then asked the bass player to step out of the car to walk a straight line. The bass player said he couldn't do it, and when the officer asked why, the bass player said, "Because I'm too drunk."
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Knickerbocker 11/15/08
The first set in Lafayette, IN, tonight was awesome. People were singing and dancing, and we were all pushing each other musically. The second set was still fun, but less energetic. There were mirrors all around the stage, which made for some interesting shots.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Howl At The Moon 11/14/08
We returned to the awesome Howl At The Moon in downtown Indy. The place was packed, and people were having a good time. Bill and Brian tore it up, and I had a chance to meet the new management team. Bill was physical with Brian.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Zydeco's 11/13/08
Time stood still tonight at Zydeco's. We had a fun table from the Plainfield High School French Club, but they were just finishing up as we were starting. So after the 2nd or 3rd song, we played to an almost empty room. We had a couple of fans come out, but for the most part, we tried to play as if the place was packed.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Bob & Tom 11/12/08
Kristi Lee is back! Mark and I took pictures of each other in the NAPA Studios after the Bob And Tom Show this morning. Duke sang the songs and Tom talked a little about my vacation accross Route 66.
Mark's Bass Talk this week was great:
"A bass player dies and approches the gates of heaven. An angel stops him and says: "You look a little shadey. I don't think we can let you in unless you can tell me two good deeds you've done." The bass player thinks for a minute and says, "Last week I dropped a quarter in one of those bell-ringers buckets, and last summer, I gave a quarter to a homeless guy." The angel says, "Wait here," and goes to see Saint Peter.
The angel tells Saint Peter, "I've got this bass player out here who wants in to heaven. He dropped a quarter in the bucket of a bell ringer and gave a quarter to some homeless guy. What do you want me to do?"
Saint Peter says, "Give the guy his fifty cents back and tell him to go to hell."
Mark's Bass Talk this week was great:
"A bass player dies and approches the gates of heaven. An angel stops him and says: "You look a little shadey. I don't think we can let you in unless you can tell me two good deeds you've done." The bass player thinks for a minute and says, "Last week I dropped a quarter in one of those bell-ringers buckets, and last summer, I gave a quarter to a homeless guy." The angel says, "Wait here," and goes to see Saint Peter.
The angel tells Saint Peter, "I've got this bass player out here who wants in to heaven. He dropped a quarter in the bucket of a bell ringer and gave a quarter to some homeless guy. What do you want me to do?"
Saint Peter says, "Give the guy his fifty cents back and tell him to go to hell."
Sunday, November 9, 2008
ABATE Blues Dance 11/8/08
The Jerome Mills Blues Band opened up for us at the ABATE Dance in Kokomo, IN. They slammed through their set, and at the end of the last song, I thought Jerome was going to fall down. He had hurnia surgery on Friday, and showed up on Saturday for the gig. He's crazy.
Our portion of the show went great. All was fine, and after theshow, a woman came up to Brian and asked to see his private parts. She was less discrete than I am being. Brian kept his pants on.
Our portion of the show went great. All was fine, and after theshow, a woman came up to Brian and asked to see his private parts. She was less discrete than I am being. Brian kept his pants on.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Rookies 11/7/08
Hannibal, MO held an interesting gig for us. It was a pretty long drive from Indianapolis to Hannibal, so when we got there, we were a little worn down from the drive. We walked in, and the years of smoke just smacked us in the face. It became smokier as the night went on.
The people were great and they danced all night. I think the only person who didn't have enough fun was the one woman who insisted that our next song would be "Kansas City", at the end of every song, all night long. We never played it.
The people were great and they danced all night. I think the only person who didn't have enough fun was the one woman who insisted that our next song would be "Kansas City", at the end of every song, all night long. We never played it.
Zydeco's 11/6/08
Woo hoo, Zydecos! We played in Mooresville tonight to a bunch of Mooresvillians. Everything was familliar and good. What can I say that I haven't already said a million times?
It's like coming home.
It's like coming home.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Rum Runners 11/5/08
Tommy, John and I performed for a less than enthusiastic crowd tonight in South Bend. They didn't want to sing. They didn't want to request songs. They didn't want to get their friends on stage.
They did drink. $.75 well drinks all night long.
I got home about 5:00am.
They did drink. $.75 well drinks all night long.
I got home about 5:00am.
Bob & Tom 11/5/08
Today marks the first day of us performing for the TV cameras in the NAPA Studios. Bob & Tom have been picked up by WGN on cable, and a one-hour best-of-each-day show will be aired nightly at 12:00am. Hope we make the cut!
Laura Steel filled in for Kristi Lee today. The picture is of Laura, Duke and myself.
Laura Steel filled in for Kristi Lee today. The picture is of Laura, Duke and myself.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Zydeco's 11/2/08
Brunch in Mooresville! Ahhh...
Bill and I were both a little groggy from performing in Bedford last night, but we still had fun. The first set was like pulling teeth to get people to respond to our presence. We took a break, ate some brunch, and when we got back up to play, the new people were excited to hear us. Set two was awesome.
Thanks to all the new fans who purchased CDs. Hope you enjoy them.
Bill and I were both a little groggy from performing in Bedford last night, but we still had fun. The first set was like pulling teeth to get people to respond to our presence. We took a break, ate some brunch, and when we got back up to play, the new people were excited to hear us. Set two was awesome.
Thanks to all the new fans who purchased CDs. Hope you enjoy them.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Olde Downtown Tavern 11/1/08
Bedford, Indiana was the last stop of my two week vacation. My wife and I traveled from Chicago to L.A. on Route 66, and then followed it back to St. Louis. We broke from it there and headed to tonights gig with plenty of time to spare.
The club was your average stage-on-one-side/bar-on-the-other kind of place. People were less than excited to see us, but I had a good time, mostly because I hadn't played piano for about a week or so (which is about a week longer than I usually don't play).
We headed home to see our pups and to get about 3 hours rest before performing at Zydecos at 11:00am....
The club was your average stage-on-one-side/bar-on-the-other kind of place. People were less than excited to see us, but I had a good time, mostly because I hadn't played piano for about a week or so (which is about a week longer than I usually don't play).
We headed home to see our pups and to get about 3 hours rest before performing at Zydecos at 11:00am....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)