Zydeco's 7/30/09

Zydeco's Is Awesome!
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Bill Ritter and I debuted an couple of new songs in Mooresville last night. They went over pretty well, so I think they'll be added to the show. I made a video of us performing "Fool's Gold". Check it out:

Of course, one of the best parts of our nights at Zydeco's is dinner. I had the chicken Ya Ya and Bill went with red beans & rice. Mmmmmm....

Deb still wants votes for Zydeco's on the A-list (vote for her here)!

 

P.S. Vote for us (click here to vote) on the A-list, too! Once again, we're under "wedding bands" because Indianapolis is too lame to have a "live music" catagory. How cool would it be if we won best wedding band?!?

Plumbers and Steamfitters 7/29/09

110th Anniversary
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

It was the 110th anniversary party for the plumbers of Ft. Wayne, IN. We had to be there to set up by 6:30 but we didn't go on until almost 9:00. We waited through dinner and an awards ceremony before we took the stage.

By the time we were told to start, the majority of the people had left. The ones who stayed were thrilled to hear Duke play his hits.

We finished up to a dozen folks, and headed home. Long drive after a long night.

Howl At The Moon 7/28/09

Rob and Dan at Howl
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Rob and I (with Tod and Jeremy) played to a packed house last night.

We had one guy have such a good time, he had to be escorted to the street. He gave us $8 to play ten songs, and got super-mad when we didn't know one of them. Ah, alcohol. It puts so much in perspective.

Private Party 7/26/09

Joe Warhol
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

The second private party of the week was definitely much wilder. Jack Joseph filled in on bass because Bill Ritter went to the Brickyard race in Indy. We were at a house in Leesburg, Indiana, outside on a deck, about thirty feet above Lake Tippecanoe. The people danced so hard, they broke a support beam on the deck! I thought for sure my gear and I were going to end up in the lake. But even though it broke, there was still enough support for people to dance (and bounce) on it. Everyone had a good time, except one man who decided to put some gasoline on a small fire they had going, only to catch his sandal-clad right foot on fire. He put it out and was fine.
Wow.

Private Party 7/24/09

From Dan's Amp
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

We played for a birthday/anniversary party tonight in Cassopolis, Michigan with Duke. Nice people having a good time on a special occasion. The only odd thing about it was to get to their very, very nice house, we had to drive down what looked to be a dead end street with a one-lane tunnel under some railroad tracks. Kinda scary to do while hauling a trailer full of gear.

Howl At The Moon 7/21/09

Dan Holmes Dueling
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

I filled in for Tod in downtown Indianapolis tonight. Rob, Jay and Jeremy kept the crowd all night. Usually, there is a big turnover in the crowd at about eleven, but we pretty much kept the same folks all night long. Fun night and pretty busy for a Tuesday!

Speedway Daycare 7/20/09

Dan Holmes Group at Speedway Daycare
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Joe Maddox, Bill Ritter and I performed at the daycare today. We rocked fun renditions of "Old MacDonald" and "Row Your Boat". Joe did a drum solo with five kids, and Bill impressed everyone with his bass skills. Always lots of fun at the daycare!

P.S. Vote for us (click here to vote) on the A-list!

BBQ And Blues, Too 7/18/09

Dan Holmes in Waterloo, IA
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Tonight was a blast in Waterloo, IA. We performed for a BBQ competition in front of several hundred people. Jack Joseph covered the low end for us, and on our first break, we had a chance to sample some of what the vendors had to offer.

The crowd was involved, the weather was great, and all-in-all, a really fun event. The non-stop church bells from across the street were odd to try to play over the top of, but not even that slowed the show down. Now, if we could just figure out a way for Waterloo to be less than a seven-hour drive away...

ABATE Boogie 7/17/09

Dan Holmes at the Boogie
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Southern Indiana is taken over by 10,000 bikers once a year for the Boogie. This year, we opened for Eddie Money. The crowd was mischievous, but they are good people out to have a good time!

We performed till dusk, and my wife took some great photos of us while we played. The Boogie is an event everyone should experience at least once in their life!

Zydeco's 7/16/09

Deb Hutchinson Uses Dan Holmes
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

The first set was brutal. I didn't think we would make it through our first song. The people who were there definitely were not there to hear live music. My acoustic piano was too loud for them in the back of the room. We ended our first set with no applause.    

Then, after we ate dinner and a couple of tables left, a few new people came in and it was music time! They clapped and sang along with us, they bought CDs and tipped us (very well), and they made us play an extra forty-five minutes! Deb made some announcements about voting for Zydeco's on the A-list (vote for her here) and everyone left happy and full!

The End! 

P.S. Vote for us (click here to vote) on the A-list, too! We're under "wedding bands" because Indianapolis is too lame to have a "live music" catagory...

Lincoln Park Concert Series 7/15/09

Bill Ritter and Dan Holmes
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Zionsville, IN welcomed Bill Ritter and I again this year to their concert series. We played to a large crowd outside, with great weather conditions! I'm so glad it didn't rain.

The best part of the event for me was just before we took a break, I pulled a young couple up on to the stage with us. I played the old standard, "L.O.V.E." and gave the mic to the man to sing to his girlfriend. What she (and the audience) didn't know was, the man set it up with me beforehand, and he took the opportunity to propose to her! She said "Yes"...

P.S. Vote for us (click here to vote) on the A-list!

Kingston Mines 7/10/09 & 7/11/09

Duke Tumatoe On Keys!
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Kingston Mines was crazy-packed this weekend! We had a great crowd both nights, and they were ready to dance. The crowd on Friday seemed much younger than previous times we've played there, but they were just as in to Duke's guitar as his long-time fans. We did several songs from Duke's new CD, and they were received well. Fun and mayhem ensued.

Saturday held a special treat for me. One of my childhood friends, who I haven't seen for years, came out to watch the show with her husband. Great people, and I hope to see them again soon!

Zydeco's 7/9/09

Dan and Bill Rock Zydeco's
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Bill Ritter and I set up in Mooresville tonight expecting the crowd to be lethargic. We were right. So, we played a hugh variety of songs, upbeat, slow, funky...

Nothing worked. It was just too hot. We did sell some CD's, so I know people were listening and enjoying themselves, but their hands would've stuck together if the tried to clap.

On the other hand, Deb was so full of energy, she made an unwatchable video of us! Neat!

Static Shack 7/9/09

Jake Hahn and Dan Holmes in the studio
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Duke wanted some backing vocals recorded today for his song, "Sex Cures It" so Jake Hahn and I headed in to the studio. This was a pretty fast session, but the song is sounding great!