CONCERT DAY WEIRDNESS

 Concert Day!  It's a great, busy, tiring day normally, with lots of nervous energy, lots of repeated questions, and dress rehearsals for all of the groups.  Except this one.  This Winter Concert was very odd - I wasn't at school.  I had meetings two hours away and returned just before students were required to be at school.  It was difficult to focus in the meetings and difficult to calm down once I was dealing with the pre-concert responsibilities. Plus, everything had to be set up the night before. 

Although I wouldn't recommend this course of action, we do what we have to do!  The concert was good and the kids learned a lot.  Overall still worth it.

TEENAGE EMOTIONS

 I often forget how emotional teenagers can be, or maybe I'm simply not as empathetic as I should be. I announced to the band that I'd be away for next school year.  The entire junior class ended up crying in the hallway. I had not expected that.  Some of them cried through several more blocks.

What could I have done to avoid this? The only thing I can think of is to have called a special meeting and told them at the end of the day. They still may have cried, but at least it wouldn't have been during rehearsal, and it wouldn't have affected other classes.

Thirteen years ago told the band that their previous band director had died. The juniors and seniors had both had him as a teacher. I don't recall any tears. What's the meaning of all of this? Maybe teens are less able to deal with their emotions now than they were then. Or maybe I'm just a little too ignorant. 

PEP BAND!

 We finally played our first pep band tonight. If we were missing one more student we wouldn't have been able to do it.  No trumpets and only a bass clarinet for the low section.  Out of the 15 or so kids there are a lot of strong players though, and they actually sounded pretty good.

Songs have to be chosen carefully when the instrumentation is so sparse. I think about where the melody is and who has it for every song.  It's way easier to think about ahead of time. Trying to think about the pep band's strengths and weaknesses during the game is much tougher than it should be.

AUDITIONS

 It's the season of auditions. The Advanced Rock Band and the Jazz Band both have openings!

ARB is looking for a guitarist.  There are like five kids interested. Hopefully one of them can handle it, but I'm not convinced.  Will they know their open chords?  Do they dare to solo?  Can they find notes to build power chords on?  The way the class is run, I think those are the most important things I need from them.

For Jazz Band I'm losing some senior leaders in the sax section, my entire trumpet section, and my drummer.  I think the drum position will be the most challenging to fill because no one has the experience.  I will have to choose music carefully next year so they're learning, they're challenged, and they feel good about the music.

It's always so hard to tell kids they aren't ready. I haven't done it too much really, since most kids have got in and the ones who haven't - it's obvious to everyone that they aren't ready. I need to have in writing what they need to work on. I'd like to develop a rubric like we use for All-State.  Not right now though!

STUDY HALL

 I'm so lucky to have students show up who want to play music in our flexible study hall.

• The drummer who has questions about his jazz audition, so we play his piece along with a bass player and vibes player (who's also auditioning, so gets the extra practice)
• The flutist who has decided to audition for Advanced Rock Band. She played Day Tripper, Rock You Like a Hurricane, and Sunshine of Your Love.  I think she can do this!
• The Concert Band drummer who misses a lot of class and has a hard time with rhythm but shows up because she wants do well and needs some extra help.
• Plus the kids who just want to be there experiencing all of this music

If you're a music teacher, you must have an open mind to all of this music and the stuff these kids wnt to do.  Because why not!? I'm all out running around working with these kids but they're so enthusiastic and learning so much.  So worth it.

Maybe YES, Maybe NO

I've been thinking about blogging again. Quick little entries. So I'm starting it up again but will I actually keep up with it?  Seems doubtful....

As we begin a new semester I'm filled with hope and a little dread. Not sure I have the energy to do everything I should.  Beginning Guitar classes are both starting now. Really focusing on reading. Some kids are picking it up very fast others are not. A few are reading really well but can't stay in tempo.  Hopefully if I stay the course most of them will get through all six strings - something I've never actually done.  Need to remember to get enough books before the semester starts next year!

• READING MUSIC on a staff
• READING TABLATURE
• READING CHORD CHARTS
• Combining those three concepts to play along with music 

BWSC at the East Side

We've had a few gigs at Sweet Harmony that were good but nothing really worth writing about.  Last night we played at the East Side Restaurant for the Poulin Grain Christmas party.  The gig started weird, with people still eating, and just kind of looking at us.  About halfway through the first set they got up and started dancing and it turned out to be a great night.  I usually like the sound at the East Side, but the room was SO LOUD before we even started.  Our sound was like soup to me by the end of the night.

I used an ipad instead of a music stand.  It's less bulky and easy to see, but it took me quite a while to get the pdf to look the way I wanted it to look.

SET ONE
Take a little ride - John challenged us to play this one quietly.  We sort of did, but this is where people started dancing.  Then we just got into it.
Watermelon Crawl - Andre forgot the beginning, and gave us a slow countoff.
Little less talk -
Cocaine Blues - Great response to this tune
How I got to be this way- I think I sang it ok, but there was something weird with the chords.  I'd be fine with letting this song go... People told me after that I sang well but was hard to hear
Good hearted woman -- We started the set here, since it's a nice way to ease an eating crowd into the music.  After We Went we started back over with Take a Little Ride.
Born on a Bayou -
Sunshine and Whiskey
Dust on the Bottle
Radio
God bless Texas
We Went

SET TWO

Copperhead Road - Played this with the first set.  I was surprised how many people sang along.

Boot Scootin' Boogie - people sang along with this one too.

Honky Tonk Stomp

Can't You See - 

Drink in my hand - 

Something about a truck was replaced with Fix a Drink - People didn't get into this tune.  Hopefully they will eventually.

Move it on over (E) -

Tulsa Time - 

Friday night -

That's alright momma - 

Dumas Walker - Skipped this one

Six Days on the Road - Hadn't played in a long time but did fine.

SET THREE

Neon light - Included in the second set.  People seemed to like it.

Cruise - Again, lots of people singing along

achy breaky heart - We might have ended the second set with this tune

Aw naw - 

Country Girl - Started a bit before I was ready because I was thinking we were on the next song.  For some reason I played my fill in the second verse starting on a D.  Fixed it quickly, but it's the 2nd time that's happened.  And it keeps "disappearing."

Folsom Prison - 

Blue ain't your color -

Hog Wild - Played on fretless.  I think I could change the fill to fit the instrument better

Wagon Wheel - 

My kind of night -

Some kind of Wonderful - Well-received, and when we switched right into HTW they loved it

Honky Tonk Woman - 

SET FOUR

Save a horse - 

Homegrown Honey - I'm wondering if we should let this song go

*Head over Boots - I think we skipped this one.  

Ain't my fault - 

Big Green Tractor - Something really strange happened after/during the first chorus, and then going into the bridge

5-1-5-0 - 

Born to boogie

Dirt on my boots -

Honky Tonk Be-donk-e-donk -  skipped

Family tradition - skipped

Redneck Life - I was surprised when we still played this new song, since it was so late in the evening to play a new song.  However, it went over great and I think I sang it pretty well.  I played all quarter notes instead of eighths.  There's no way I could have kept the tempo by that time of night.

Boys 'round here - Stu almost went right into this.  It was a great way to do it.  I still switched to fretless, since there's a long time before I play.

We added Sweet Home Alabama somewhere, and ended with Roller Derby Queen.  I think those were both requests.  In the middle of a song someone asked me if we could play a slow song and then left before we even had the chance to play it.

Jazz Band at the Celebration of Community

The jazz band played at the NCUHS Celebration of Community tonight.  Three students were late, so we could not start on time, which was very frustrating.  It was VERY hot in the student lounge - we should have set up outside!  Our bass player was gone to a funeral so I had to play bass.  Oh darn,  I had to play!  Very proud of these students for performing so early in the year.

1. Blue Warmup - Bluesstart - I felt better when we finished this one. They sounded really good, and Mr. Wing helped lighten the mood.
2. Blue Train - Jack played flute. Joe took a solo.
3. Manteca - Jack soloed on flute. Well done piece.
4. Tomorrow is Always a good Day - Joe was featured on this.
5. Buckjump - This was a tune from last year. Students new this year picked it up quickly. I got to tune down to D.
6. Starboy - Carlo came over and played drums for us. AS he was saying "I don't know what to play" I counted it off. He did fine. It's actually a pep band piece.
7. Work Song - Joe played flute. Don't recall who soloed.
8. Sing - Another pep band tune. Carlo played drums again.
9. Mercy Mercy Mercy - We've adjusted this so it's more hard bop and less over-the-top Buddy Rich big band style. Tori soloed on vibes.

We performed this on Facebook Live. Check it out:

BWSC at Shrindeom 2017 (not)

I haven't posted in well over a year, but I have to post this one before I forget the details.  Every gig is unique, and I'm quite sure there won't be another Shrinedom.

I heard rumors about a year ago about Shrinedom and I looked online.  Some hair bands, including Ratt, were going to be performing in Irasburg.  I considered buying tickets but immediately doubted its legitimacy.  The website didn't look professional, this was several big groups, and...Irasburg?  At a gig near the start of 2017 we met the promoter and he talked big.  We signed a contract to be the backup band for Shrinedom.  Our job was to be there and play if any local bands didn't show. We knew we wouldn't be playing, but we could get in free and meet the bands. If we did play, it would be a half-hour set, for $1000.  Cool!

Maybe a month before Shrinedom we were told he had a problem with the Hit Men - allegedly they weren't holding up their end of the contract - and that we'd be playing.  He hadn't told them yet.  Sounded fishy, but okay, we'd be playing!  Posters were put up, we publicized.  About a week before the gig we were told the Hit Men would be playing.  This was more vague, but it sounded like the the promoter wasn't happy about it but was forced to let them play.  He really shouldn't have told us we were playing but hey, that was our contract.  We didn't really expect to play but it'll be fun.

Remember I wanted to see Ratt?  They'd backed out way back, maybe February.  Notice also that this poster says "charity concert."  The Shriners fronted a bunch of money for this and supposedly took out a big loan.  This was supposed to raise a bunch of money for the kid they help.

As the backup band we were told to be there at 7:00am.  John arrives at 6:45.  Promoter waves him in to park at the main building (a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere).  "You guys are playing!  Where's your band?" John tells him we're on our way.  "Not good, not good."  This implies somehow that we're unprofessional?  Anyhow, Stu & I were there at 7:00, and they parked us somewhere different, a bit further away.  When Gail & Andre arrived at like 7:02 they didn't believe that they were with the band!

So we're playing!  But not on the big stage.  The big acts don't want us using their stuff.  Or there's a problem with power.  Or the stage owner doesn't want us using it.  Honestly, any of those reason could have been valid.  The stage was huge, the equipment was really expensive, and it must have cost many thousands of dollars just to rent.

"We're bringing a trailer to set up as a stage."

"We're bringing a second trailer to add to the stage."  Guess they thought one trailer wasn't enough.

"Things are running late, so you won't be playing but I'll introduce you to the artists that came up from Boston"

So we met Caroline Gray, the Southern City Band and Alec MacGillivary.  They all looked like they were about 20 years old.  We had a good chat with Alec.  I think he was the one who told us that the GPS brought them on about six miles of dirt roads to get there. He had a time limit so he could get back to another gig, so the delay was bothering him for sure.  Caroline Gray is a great singer and she played country and rock.  Her band had really good musicians too.  The Southern City Band sounded good and their singers were talented, but they had no bass player - they used an iPod for the basslines.

Alec MacGillivary is another great singer.  He was country but his band was not!  The bass player kept adding effects and the guitarist and drummer were WAY over the top.  We had a good conversation with Alec, and he's a good talented guy.

I feel really bad for the Southern City Band - during their set there was a sound check on the main stage right behind them.  Vince Neil's band (Slaughter without the singer) played two Motley Crue songs.  The sound system on the trailers wasn't quiet, but the main stage had to have been ten times louder.  Devastatingly loud.  They almost started between songs but then had to stop again.  They looked so depressed.  They started back up again, had power issues and said that's all the time they had.  Their lead singer stayed positive but had to have been upset.

At some point during these bands I heard from Raized on Radio that the local bands weren't getting paid.  Not enough ticket sales.  Also during those bands I did see a plume of smoke from behind the stage.  I left around 1:00, along with John & Stu.  I had a headache and was thinking about everything I should be doing at home.  I didn't really care to see the old hair bands, although hearing that sound check made me a little interested.  

When I got a text from John about going back to play in place of the big acts I thought he was kidding.  I told him I'd get my spandex on.  But he was serious.  Apparently no one was getting paid and Warrant and Lita Ford had showed up but left when they weren't getting paid.  I don't blame them - if I showed up for work and they told me that today was a volunteer day I'd quit.  If it had been arranged ahead of time to be charity, that would have been different but they shouldn't have been put in that position.  I thought it was a bad idea for us to play, because the crowd wasn't going to want us to play.  I kinda wish we'd been there to play, but local band Mindtrap was playing when the power was cut and they began tearing down the stage.  So we wouldn't have been on there.  It was nice tha.

the local bands Mindtrap and Raized on Radio played even though they knew they wouldn't be paid.

I believe they did have a generator issue but they also had a money issue.  The details simply weren't worked out all the way through.  It almost seems like the promoter was just doing this to prove that he could do it.  Unfortunately it didn't work out.  I hope the Shriners aren't out too many thousands of dollars.  Apparently many people who stayed until the end actually donated money to the Shriners to try and help them out.  Many other people though were very upset that their ticket purchases were a "charitable donation" and really aren't subject to a refund.  I can see both points of view there.

Hopefully there isn't too much opinion in here.  I tried to just write what I saw, but I'm sure there is some speculation.  What a weekend.  At least we got some great pictures...

BWSC at Parker Pie

Big Whiskey Social Club returned to gigging after a break of several months.  We had recorded several tunes on Thursday 2/18 and two days later we played at Parker Pie in West Glover.  It was only a two hour gig but involved just as much lugging as a longer gig.  In fact, set up wasn't easy at all.  The driveway was very icy, there were several flights of stairs to go up, and the stage was 5' tall.  Once we were set up, though, we had plenty of space and although not many people fit in the room, it was quite enjoyable.  The person who'd set up the gig with me at the ETA gig was there listening.  I think she liked it.

SET 1

Drink in my hand - Stu

Take a little ride - Stu

Cocaine Blues - Stu -- At this point I switched basses because I'd left my fretless plugged in and the battery had died.  I changed the battery during our break.

Sunshine and Whiskey - Andre

Friday night - Andre -- after the first verse we play A and F#.  After the 2nd verse it's supposed to be just an A, but there's always some confusion.

Achy breaky heart - Stu

Something about a truck - Stu

Save a Horse

Big Green Tractor - Stu

Good hearted woman - Stu -- this one felt too slow

Folsom Prison - Stu

Six days on the road - Stu -- this was definitely too slow -- we ended the set with this song.  I tried to start the 2nd song with Parking Lot Party.

Booze Cruise - Stu

SET 2

Parking Lot Party - Andre

Country Girl - John

My kind of night - Andre

Move it on over (E) - Stu

Homegrown Honey - Stu -- really good, except for the ending.

Aw naw - Bill -- I did ok, except for the first few notes I sang.

5-1-5-0 - Stu

Neon light - Andre

Buy me a boat

Family tradition - Stu -- the opening was weird.  Started with a guitar solo, but no one seemed sure about what we were doing.

Sweet Home Alabama

Honky Tonk Be-donk-e-donk - Stu  -- I screwed this one up by trying to come out of the guitar solo too soon.

Boys 'round here - Stu

There was one tune that ended early, but I can't remember which one.  We definitely did better at going from song to song.  They got us to play "one more song!" and we played a kick-ass version of "Can't You See."

ETA at the Irasburg Town Hall

Playing with ETA is always fun, and we had a good time at the Irasburg Town Hall last weekend, Feb 13, 2016.  The time got changed from 8-11 to 7-11, but they took up most of the first hour with a raffle.  The tunes we played were pretty much the same as usual and I played most of them from memory.  We did "Old Time Rock & Roll" and "Mony Mony," neither of which were on the set list but aren't real complicated and I did fine.

The load-in was extremely fast due to below-zero temperatures and high winds.  It wasn't any warmer for the load-out, either.  Coldest night of the winter so far.

For me peronally, this marked the end of a bass-playing drought.  BWSC had started rehearsing a few weeks earlier, and a gig the following week.  Someone came up to set up a gig with BWSC at the end of the ETA gig.  Good stuff.

Kingdom Dixie at the NCC

The Newport Country Club hosted Kingdom Dixie as part of the Newport VT Jazz Festival.  We were scheduled to be outside, but it was so hot that they decided we should be inside.  I think it worked out well for them, since many in the audience bought food and drink.  In the morning Richard called me and asked me to bring my PA - I worried that it might not work.  Setup was pretty frantic, and I didn't get a chance to check it much.  It barely amplified anything.

I was SO TIRED, and SO VERY RELIEVED when Richard called for a break.  We had to add a few tunes to finish out the two hours.  I had a V8 and figured out the PA (had to crank everything, including the equalizer).  Also bought a coffee.  Felt better for the second half.

We had Dan Ryan playing with us.  He did a great job, especially considering he didn't know most of the tunes.  He read Chris' music and I tried to help him with cues.  Woody hadn't played in a few days, so had Chris play a solo part in one tune.  I have GOT to learn that melody part that I have in one of the songs - I always skip it.

This may be our last gig for the year.....

Gigs on August 8

I had two gigs on August 8, 2015.  The first was at noon with the NCUHS Jazz Band.  My car was completely full of equipment, but when I arrived I found out that we didn't need most of it.  That was a hassle, but ok.  The sound guys finished setting up and we took over.  The stage was more crowded than this group is used to, and we didn't have enough stands (my fault for not telling the people absent from rehearsal; not my fault for the one who forgot).  I read music over Johna's shoulder.  In addition to her, we had Saige, Braxton, Cody, Rachel, Desiree, Olivia, Brianna, Julianna, Joe, Jon, Ely, and Chandler.  No trumpets!

• I Saw Her Standing Ther
• Piano Man
• All About the Blues
• Skyfall
• Sticks*
• American Patrol*
• Fever
• Tequila

*Time permitting

We had plenty of time to play everything.  Johna was sight-reading Sticks and American Patrol, and was missing a page from Tequila!  I think it went well though.  The sound guy in charge said another jazz band played the previous day, but we KILLED it!

Earlier in the day we went to a Bernard Purdie clinic.  I learned some things by seeing him play - he kept his left foot with the beat, even when not playing the hi-hat, and he kept his ride near his hi-hat so he could use them both easily with his right hand.

After the Jazz Band gig I rushed off to a family reunion, then rushed off to a wedding reception in Coventry.  Big Whiskey Social Club was partly set up before I got there, and I set up after eating.  It was in a big garage, and was a good crowd to play for.  Same set list we've been using.  I was going to write down the problem spots, but I don't remember much.  I know I came in on one tune with an A instead of an E because I'd just switched basses - not a mistake I'd make unless I was tired.  Gimme Two Steps was interesting - Stu didn't remember who sang it so he and John both ended up singing the first verse.  Overall we played really well.

On a BOAT!

On August 6 Kyle and I played 60's tunes on a boat.  Paul Decelles asked me to provide background music, so I asked Kyle if he wanted to do this.  We worked out a list, rehearsed a few times and performed.  I sang lots of backup, and even some lead.  Actually, I practiced more lead than I actually sang, but this was another small step towards becoming a more complete musician.  This was so much fun - looking out over the lake on this beautiful evening and getting paid for playing these fun tunes.  It was over far too quickly!

Sloop John B	Beach Boys
Help Me Rhonda	Beach Boys
Long Cool Woman	The Hollies
Down on the Corner	CCR
Proud Mary	CCR
Little Sister	Elvis
Runaround Sue	Dion
Merct Mercy Mercy	The Buckinghams
She Caught the Katy	Taj Mahal
Feelin Alright	Traffic
Michelle	Beatles
I Feel Fine	Beatles
Daydream	Lovin Spoonful
Happy Together (I sang lead on this one!)	Turtles
My Girl	Temptations
Runaway	Del Shannon
She's Not There	The Zombies
Homeward Bound	Simon & Garfunkel
I'm A Believer	The Monkees
Sittin On the Dock of the Bay	Otis Redding
I Heard It Through the Grapevine	Marvin Gaye
Good Golly Miss Molly	Little Richard

Summer Beach Concert!

The NCUHS BAND played at Prouty Beach on August 5, 2015.  Alex C and Zach R helped bring stuff over and setup went pretty fast, with on and off rain.  The rain started at about the same and got REALLY bad a few times.  I got soaked, but most of the kids did not, because they weren't on the edge of the tent - except Dasha & Brianna, who got pretty wet before I had them move back a row. It was really nice that we had community members Judy, Ron, and Jason playing, as well as college student Brianna on clarinet. Torie was the youngest musician there, on xylophone & bells.

In the last rehearsal Nathan B. had a melody by himself, which made him pretty nervous.  I promised him that he'd have help, and when we got to that spot Joe joined him and played nice and loud.  Great moment. When the wind blew the drummers music just as a soli began, they dealt with it and got through. The trumpets kinda missed a section in the Hobbit.

Jumpin’ at the Woodside - Basie, arr. Lowden

When I’m 64 - Lennon/McCartney, arr. Jennings

Procession of the Sorcerors - Robert Buckley

Symphonic Chorale for Band - Eric Osterling  <>

Suite from the Hobbit, Mvt 1, 3, 4 -  <>
Howard Shore, arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Our Director - FE Bigelow, ed. John Boyd

Happy - Pharrell Williams, arr. Ishbah Cox

BWSC at CCC

Big Whiskey Social Club played for "Ron's Fire Recovery" fundraiser at the Coventry Community Center for about 75 people.  It was a good gig, even though we hadn't played together in quite some time.  I found out the their alternate bassist has not been able to rehearse with them, and I agreed that I'd stick around.  I'm not a big fan of the music, but I enjoy playing with these guys.  The set list was the same as the last few gigs.  I think I played really well, with only a few issues:

• Honky Tonk BeDonkadonk - used the Fender, tuned down and screwed up some of the low F#'s and G's.
• There's an ending with a run that I left out because I couldn't remember it, but I'm not convinced it's being done correctly.  I'm going to have to figure it out.

Great night, though, overall.

Conducting the NCAVB

Last night I conducted the Newport City Area Volunteer Band.  I rehearsed with them on Monday, sight-reading the scores because Peter was sick.  He was hoping he felt better by Thursday and I planned on playing trumpet but he did not feel better, so I picked up the equipment and music and was able to study the music a little in the afternoon.

O CANADA / STAR SPANGLED BANNER

SABRE DANCE - Everyone repeated!  There was just a little blip when someone attempted to play.  It went really well, although the decrescendo at the end didn't really happen.  Dynamics don't really happen much with this group, I suppose.

SING FOR AMERICA

THE GENIUS OF PAUL SIMON (new) - This is a pretty big arrangement, and I was concerned about the different tempos but it went fine.  The flutist came in on the wrong beat at one point and the clarinet had tried to stay with me but most of the band followed her.  I ended up adding a beat - not sure if anyone noticed.  Maybe Saige.

SEMPER FIDELIS March

SHENANDOAH

THE SOUND OF MUSIC - Very big arrangement, over ten minutes long.  I listened to it on Youtube and that helped.  I think the trumpets started in 4/4 but it was in cut time, so we didn't  We skipped some measures to make it a bit shorter and almost got through unscathed,

THE SYNCOPATED CLOCK - I love this tune.  The "alarm" section was supposed to be with a triangle, but they hit the cymbal instead, which was fine I suppose.  We rushed the ending a bit, since it had started to rain.  As soon as we were done, the clouds opened up and dumped buckets of rain down, causing a little panic.  I calmly turned and announced to the few people still on the benches that we'd be ending!

SOMEWHERE OUT THERE

THE SLOOP ‘JOHN B’ 

Theme from SUPERMAN 

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER March 

Independence Day 2015

My day started with organizing music and loading my car with boxes of music and lyres, drums, and a bari sax.  I also loaded Deb's car with my amplifier and the acoustic bass.  We dropped that car off at NCUJHS and then went to the Elk's Club.  There I opened up the trunk and waited for everyone to show up.  The last member showed up with only two minutes left, and he had to walk from Louis Garneau. He played bass drum, so I'm really glad he made it.  When we first got going, the drummers couldn't remember the very simple soundoff that they've used since the fifth grade, but after a few tries they got it....and the band didn't come in.  So I decided to count off.  That worked, and everyone started, though at different speeds.  It didn't take me long to realize they needed me conducting, so I walked backwards and conducted them through Happy, Louie Louie, and 7-Nation Army.  They sounded better than last year, although there weren't as many students (we had 18 this year, 25 or so last year).  The band was made up of a 7th grader, a parent, two 2015 graduates, one 2014 graduate, and the rest were current students.

When we finished the parade, I was pretty tired.  I sat in the car with my bass gear and tried to sleep, but really couldn't.  I found where Kingdom Dixie was going to play and got set up.  I only used the bottom speaker, and it's still overkill.  I need an amp that will fit under my chair.  This lineup of Kingdom Dixie is the regular lineup (Howie/clarinet, Richard/trumpet, Woody/trombone, Pete/Tenor, Chris/Guitar, me/bass) but with Brett playing drumset.  He used a really small kit with no toms.  He had a splash and a cowbell, though, and used those effectively.  John has basically quit KD at this point, because he doesn't want any summer weekend gigs. Brett's tempo is really solid, and his fills are great, so I really like having him playing.

Sleep All Night - Harry, Chandler, and Alex

My last gig as a member of Soul Kingdom happened later that night, at Gardner Park.  During the KD gig, Chandler texted me that there was no PA system.  This was a big deal, since Kyle had another gig and had his PA with him.  I had a hard time believing that there was no PA, but when we went down to see Sleep All Summer (formerly the Session Guys), I could see and hear that they'd cobbled something together.  They sounded fine, although their volume was really low.  We listened to three songs (they did a "punk-pop" version of Cruise, but nobody got the joke!) and then headed to NCUHS, where Deb & I dropped off the marching stuff and picked up band's PA system, which is really only used for rehearsal, but would hopefully be better than nothing.  I was lucky that I found out there was no PA before 5:00, when my key to the school would no longer work.  We got back to Gardner Park at about 6:30 to see that the band before us, the Hit Men, had a pretty complicated setup.  Larry Beaudry was playing guitar, and they sounded good (esp Larry and the keyboard player).  It rained quite a bit during their set.  Partly because of their age and partly because this was their first gig, the Hit Men took forever to tear down.  They had already played about 20 minutes longer than their time, but that wasn't their fault.  Jess asked them to play longer so the hula contest could have music.  She wasn't concerned about time to switch bands, figuring it was no big deal.  Travis and Gene both said not to bother with monitors, so I turned the speakers in just a bit.  Gene didn't have a mic and brought this up after almost everything was set up, but luckily I'd grabbed the clip-on mics from the school.  Travis didn't have a tuner, so tuned with my pedal, which didn't quite work right, probably because it's made for bass.  Because of that time, and tear down/set-up, we started after 9:00 and only played a fraction of our songs.  The PA couldn't put out enough volume for Travis' voice, even though we kept turning it up.  Brett and I grooved, though, and if everything had been balanced things would have sounded great.  However, people still got into it.  The crowd was dancing and loving it.  Especially the guy who always leans on the corner of the stage and a 12-year girl who stood in front of Gene and screamed the whole time.  I'm glad we grooved, because I was concerned about our lack of guitar - Travis played, but he's just not a lead guitarist - and our lack of practice.  Brett really knows his stuff, and I'd practiced plenty.  I think Gene was reading Emily's music instead of playing his parts, although I'm not sure.  Emily lost her lip at one point, I think, but got it back again.  In the end we only played SIX SONGS.  It reminded me of two years ago (http://mrprue.blogspot.com/2013_07_01_archive.html) when the bed races cut us off, but this was much worse.

When I talked to Andy after packing up, he mentioned that he really liked the band.  He didn't have the check ready, and it could be a week before we get paid.  I already wrote checks to the bandmembers because that way they wouldn't have to chase down any money.  I'm going to meet with him to suggest the city rent sound equipment.  I'd be willing to do sound.  It sounds like he definitely wants Soul Kingdom to headline again next year.  I won't be with the band, but there needs to be a guarantee that they can play their allotted time!

KINGDOM DIXIE setlist
We skipped some at the end, since the crowd was breaking up and 3/4 of the lips were getting tired.

1 Panama

2 Muskrat Ramble

3 Mapleleaf Rag

4 Blizzard Head Blues

5 High Society

6 Basin Street Blues

7 Livery Stable Blues

8 Darktown Strutters Ball

9 Sugar Foot Stomp

10 When My Sugar Walks Down The Street

11 Tin Roof Blues

12 Don’t Mean a Thing (if you don’t have that swing)

13 Millenburg Joys

14 That’s a Plenty

15 I Can’t Give You Anything But Love

16 Randolph Strut

17 High Society

18 After Your Gone

SOUL KINGDOM setlist

1. Soul Finger (good groove, weak beginning, Gene was a bit confused when we got to the guitar/bass break)
2. In the Midnight Hour
3. Got to Get You into My Life (felt like it ended quickly)
4. Ain't to Proud to Beg {DID NOT PLAY}
5. I Got You (I feel good)  (Horns didn't hear that we were skipping this one)
6. The Chicken  (sounded great.  I even threw in some double-stops)
7. Let's Stay Together {DID NOT PLAY}
8. Hold On! {DID NOT PLAY}
9. Higher and Higher
10. Low Rider {DID NOT PLAY}
11. Knock on Wood {DID NOT PLAY}
12. Feeling Alright {DID NOT PLAY}
13. Soul Finger outro {DID NOT PLAY}
14. Sweet Home Chicago (added; not sure we were in the key that Emily had)
15. Star-Spangled Banner (Gene played on his soprano.  Had a few squeaks, but sounded good)

The Gig that Wasn't

I was asked to sub with ETA for a gig at the VFW in Hyde Park.  I met Kyle at his house and we rode down together.  At this point I'd quit Soul Kingdom so we were able to discuss that at length.  However, when we arrived the bartender told us there was no party there.  Kyle tried calling people, but no word.  Travis and Adam arrived and they both tried calling people too.  It appears like there was a party but it was at the VFW in Morrisville, and they had a DJ.  Not good! I was surprised to learn that this was the 1st time this had ever happened to ETA.

Travis headed home, but Kyle, Adam and I stopped in at Lost Nation for food & beer.  Still a good night.

BWSC at the Elk's Club

Big Whiskey Social Club's gig at the Elk's Club on 6/12/15 was interesting.  Setup was easy, since we went in through a loading door.  Andre was raised up behind us.  I didn't get a monitor - it was on the other side of Stu.  The gig happened after a long day of grading exams.  I was so tired by the end of this gig.  Only like thirty people were there.  We won't get another gig there.  I only have three gigs left with BWSC.

SET ONE
Drink in my hand - Stu
Watermelon Crawl - Stu	Something weird happened at the end.
Little less talk - Stu
Cocaine Blues - Stu
I hold on - John
Sweet Home Alabama - Andre
Born on a Bayou - Stu
Sunshine and Whiskey - Andre	We didn't get the right order of words, but it didn't matter.   Just follow Andre!
Big Green Tractor - Stu
Friday night - Andre
God bless Texas - Stu
Six days on the road - Stu

SET TWO
Neon light - Andre
Cruise - John
achy breaky heart - Stu
Something about a truck - Stu
Country Girl - John
Folsom Prison - Roger
Can't You See? - Stu
How I got to be this way- Bill
Take a little ride - Stu
Wagon Wheel - Stu	too slow
My kind of night - Andre
Booze Cruise - Stu

SET THREE
Parking Lot Party - Andre
Save a horse - John
Homegrown Honey - Stu
Aw naw - Bill	Started on the wrong pitch.  Couldn't hear well.
Sweet Caroline - Stu
5-1-5-0 - Stu
In the AM - John
Turn the Page - Stu
Boys 'round here - Stu
Red Solo Cup - Andre	skipped
Family tradition - Stu
Honky Tonk Be-donk-e-donk - Stu

SET FOUR
Copperhead Road - Stu
Ain't Worth the Whiskey
Chicken Fried
Coming to your City - John
Gimme Three Steps - Stu (FILL)
Good hearted woman	skipped
Move it on over (G) - Stu	skipped
That's alright momma - John	skipped
Call me the Breeze - John	skipped
Who do you love - John (FILL)	skipped
REPEAT
REPEAT