What Did the Bear Say?
Ellen, our keyboard player had a family emergency. Originally, she thought she would scramble back from Iowa in time for the show. The band put together a set list based on that information. Then, poor Ellen had more to deal with and informed the band that she would not make it back. So – the band put together another set list the morning of the show. I can not speak for anyone else, but that is a nervous situation for me. I like to play the set list at my leisure at home as far before a show as I can. This of course was an unforeseen circumstance, so that was not possible. I have learned from playing with Rich, Lisa, Joe, Rich, Ron and Jimmy, that it will be okay, no matter what. Also, I am learning that the fun of playing live is trying to adapt to whatever comes your way. At the Tailgater's show, I had two shots before the show on an empty stomach (I really am not much of a drinker, so it always takes the edge off). As we began playing, I had not turned on my amp. OOPS! You just have to figure it out and react appropriately. I can not commend the other 5 folks in the band enough, for stepping up and playing the best we could without 1/7 of our band.
This was a fundraiser for Fire Buddies www.facebook.com/projectfirebuddies/. Rich's brother is very involved in the charity and DJ'd the whole day before we started at about 6pm. Give that man a Fresca, that was a long day for him, but we all know he relishes it. He has not met a microphone he does not love. The man loves music and singing. He was in his element, happy as a pig in "Poop." Note - I am working on my swearing, we have played a lot of family shows lately and I truly enjoy colorful language but understand I have to do better. Jimmy once told me before a show, I only got 5 F-words, he put me on a budget. God knows at some of those Pub 78 shows, I hardly said any other words but that glorious F word. People passed in and out of the fundraiser, held in the giant parking lot of Duke's Drive In and the Great American Bagel in Mokena. When it was time for the show a modest but enthusiastic crowd had gathered. There was something about the evening that just made it ridiculously fun. Rik Kroll of (RAK Sound) did an amazing job managing the band's sound, at the risk of sounding effusive, it was down right magical. With no keyboards, Joe and Jimmy turned up the growl as we pounded out 1 ½ sets with a 2 song bonus after the big raffle to conclude the evening. It was super fun. Joe kept twirling bottle caps at me to get me to shut up. One even stuck to Rik's laptop! Lisa and Rich, along with Ron really did a great job on vocals and harmonies. Ellen is big part of the backing vocals and with her out, the three of them blended to cover the absence. Lisa and Rich are sounding like a well oiled machine (which I really don’t think either of them should oil each other)…. They blend and trade vocals brilliantly. It is a blast to hear them sing. "Counting Blue Cars" does not always make it into the set list, but hearing Joe add the texture and tones to that tune while Jimmy provides the rhythm guitar has become one of my favorite songs to (hear) play. I love that as much as when Lisa rips the crap out of "The Story" and Rich delivers "Fooled Around and Fell in Love." The show felt relaxed and a great freakin' time. Rik Kroll got called up to play, "Stay in Time," by Chicago's own Off Broadway. What a blast. How lucky am I? I get to play with Ronnie on the kit and then as a bonus, Rik who is also j a monster player. After a break, the band ripped through six more tunes before concluding with the show closer, "Purple Rain." After the drawing, Terry Lynn gloriously drummed the King's classic, "This Beat Goes on / Switchin' to Glide." She killed it, and that is a tough song to just wing it. It has several changes and is really two diffent songs sandwiched into one. To close the night, Rik was called back and the band ripped through a version of "Rock You Like a Hurricane." For those of you scoring at home, that is three drummers in one evening!!! I wish I could bottle that feeling! It was a magnificent night!!! The beautiful weather, the charity and Rik's amazing sound lined up for one crazy awesome time,,,, Rik's band info here: www.facebook.com/people/BLOCK-PARTY-BAND/100083476188846/?paipv=0&eav=AfbWrQJr9jWgaJkH8dZt4jwy5yjSkTLuYQMAfkfkn8z89me_Y7wZh3WIB82nluBdZeA&_rdr Terry Lynn's Bad Reputation (band) info here: www.thebadreputationchicago.com/
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