Couple of fun gigs this weekend

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I got a call to fill in with my friends and their classic rock band last Friday, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], at a local sports bar. They are a band that's been together for over 20 years and a couple of them have subbed into my projects in the past. We share the love.

The place was called Grazies. They serve good Italian food and the sports bar is small but at least it's LOUD!

The stage was so small that the keyboard player, Matt, has to set up in the corner right off the stage. Matt's a great player and excellent vocalist. In fact, all of these guys sing great and have wonderful harmonies.

This is Steve, a solid, solid drummer. He and I met at church playing on the worship team.

This is Kenny, a killer guitar player and owns his own speaker repair company.

This is Doug, the other guitar/percussionist. He's "Mr. Fun" and does a great job spicing things up. You can tell by the hat.

I didn't get a picture of me but here's a picture of my rig on stage.

The view from my mic. The place was packed.

These guys are a pleasure to work with. They treat me like a real bass player.

I'll be back to edit in my other gig last weekend. It's supper time!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[modulusman]

Well it is nice to see they had the sense to buy a smaller top speaker with subs.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I'm back.

In addition to The Kelly Rae Band (modern country), I'm also involved in a new project called Link Removed (vintage country) (Facebook page). Those of you who are old school country fans will know where the name of the band came from.

The band's first event was a benefit for the City of Hope. We played a few tunes at the top of the event and then closed the event. But in between we backed a BUNCH of guest artists who were out to help support the City of Hope.

This is Bobby Jay and Leo Eiffert. "Uncle" Leo has played with everybody from Elvis to Tina Turner. Merle Haggard used to come over to the house and hold Leo's infant son, Joey, on his knee. Joe (pictured later) kind of jokingly brags, "Yeah, I'm the only guy I know who can say that he's pissed on Merle Haggard."

This was the place where the benefit was held. It's a real cowboy place with dirt and horse droppings and everything.

This was our stage, a little rickety but it got the job done.

This was done on a shoestring budget to maximize the proceeds for The City of Hope, hence the mix-and-match PA. But it sounded pretty dang good.

This is Arnie's wife, Terri, manning the merch table. She did a good business.

We're about ready to sound check. This is Joe Eiffert on guitar. He used to work with Keith Whitley before Keith drank himself to death. (I know, typical country song. God rest his soul.) And that's Paul Haaker on the fiddle/steel. He's done a lot of work with Johhny Lee.

The drummer is Jason Hawks. I've worked with Jason before. He's worked with LOTS of folks including The Nelsons and Wayne Brady.

Sean Brass is playing keys and accordian. I don't have Sean's resume. I know that he and Jason have appeared on the Craig Ferguson show with Ben Dukes.

http://youtu.be/xyHnnJit7bU
http://youtu.be/7Kdt6w8Jas4

Here's the view from my mic during sound check. Lots of dirt and more dirt.

This is Arnie Newman. Arnie is a monster player who either knows or has worked with everybody in country music. I know he spent a couple of years on tour with Shenandoah back in the day.

We're just about all set up, plugged in, and sound checked. Looks like there's not going to be a lot of line dancing today.

Well, that's the band. Here are a few pictures of the artists we were backing during the benefit show.

But first, this is Skip Edwards with Arnie. Go ahead, Google Skip's name. He decided to stop by and sit in with us for a few. What a tasteful player.

While Skip was sitting in with the band, Ron Epperson also joined us on the steel guitar.

This is Teeci Clark, Joe Eiffert's wife. She can really belt out those country songs, a real pro.

This is Lawton Jiles. Mr. Jiles wrote about seven number one hits for Patsy Kline. Buck Owens used to be in his band. Then Mr. Jiles decided Buck had too much talent so he stuck Buck out in front of his band. The rest is history. Buck Owens started out working for Lawton Jiles. Then Lawton Jiles ended up working for Buck Owens.

He might be 80-something and in a wheelchair but he can still sing and play the guitar. He took control of the show and we all had a blast. He's smart, funny and tells great stories. Lawton Jiles has written a book, [This invalid link has been removed], and was signing copies at the event. Yes, I picked up a copy.

If any of you watch "The Voice" you might recognize Michael Austin. He didn't win but got pretty far in the show. It seems his career is still working up steam. He's a really nice guy and did a great job.

This is Kevin O'Neal of Link Removed. He's also a radio personality.

This is Kellye Huff, a well known gospel and Christian artist. She did a great job singing those good old Patsy Kline songs.

We all had a great time playing that good old country music, Merle, Buck, Patsy, Johnny Cash, Ronny Milsap, Marty Robbins, Conway Twitty, and many other oldies-but-goodies. Plus we were able to raise some money for a good cause.

For some reason, this event and this band has created a lot of buzz. There are plans for many more tribute events and showcases, possibly recordings. Who knows? There are a few old school industry people interested so I'm hoping that it could really take off. Then I could retire from my day job.

Thanks for letting me share my fun. I hope your weekend went well.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Well it is nice to see they had the sense to buy a smaller top speaker with subs.

One of these days, when I grow up to be a real musician like you, I'll buy a PA just like yours. I promise.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Jeff K]

Man, Cliff, you always seem to have a great time, great gigs, and a great outlook. If I wasn't so damn old, I'd be jealous!

Seriously, you always seem to have fun gigs.

 

[modulusman]

Hi,



One of these days, when I grow up to be a real musician like you, I'll buy a PA just like yours. I promise.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Somehow I doubt it. If you don't by now you probably never will. It is amazing that you get to play with all those talented people but obviously none of them know anything about sound reinforcement. If they did they would have the subs on the ground.

 

[charliefreak]

Somehow I doubt it. If you don't by now you probably never will. It is amazing that you get to play with all those talented people but obviously none of them know anything about sound reinforcement. If they did they would have the subs on the ground.

Are you guys friends? Or is this guy really like this??

OP- looks like a great time! I do remember that guy from the Voice! Very cool.

 

[Up the dose]

Love your posts Cliff! Really enjoy the pictures and stories that go along with your gigs. Keep em coming!

 

[kikstand454]

Love your posts Cliff! Really enjoy the pictures and stories that go along with your gigs. Keep em coming!

Ditto.
Keep em. Coming cliff.... your shows give me something to aspire to. Lol!

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Are you guys friends? Or is this guy really like this??

OP- looks like a great time! I do remember that guy from the Voice! Very cool.

Mr. modulusman and I have a love/hate relationship. He hates my PA systems and I love to tell him that they really do sound good. It's all in fun.

Thanks to everyone for letting me toot my own horn. I'm just your average bass player who's been doing it long enough to run into a little luck. I wish more of you would share your gig experiences. I really do enjoy seeing how other bands have their fun.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[HolmeBass]

Man that was some band for the benefit! Some real skills, experience, and no doubt firepower. Thanks for posting this, and congrats on working with such an excellent band. And you got to back up Lawton Jiles, which is just very cool.

 

[Stewie26]

Great photos and story. Looks like it might have gotten a little hot and dusty on that stage with no canopy, but oh well, the show must go on.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Great photos and story. Looks like it might have gotten a little hot and dusty on that stage with no canopy, but oh well, the show must go on.

It wasn't hot but it was very sunny, luckily not much wind. We used lots of sun block. Yes, the show must go on. Hey Mr. Stewie26, I'll be at The Ranch this weekend with The Kelly Rae Band. If you feel like it, stop by and say "Hi".

Mr. Holmebass, do you know Lawton Jiles? He's not exactly a household name but is well-known in certain circles. Thank you for your kind words.

To Mr. Jeff K, Mr. charliefreak, Mr. up the dose, and Mr. kikstand454, I'm glad you enjoy my ramblings. I'm kind of "the picture guy" on the gig, always with my little point-and-shoot. I like holding on to the memories.

Thank you for letting me share them with you all.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[modulusman]

Hi,



Mr. modulusman and I have a love/hate relationship. He hates my PA systems and I love to tell him that they really do sound good. It's all in fun.

Thanks to everyone for letting me toot my own horn. I'm just your average bass player who's been doing it long enough to run into a little luck. I wish more of you would share your gig experiences. I really do enjoy seeing how other bands have their fun.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Well I did get a chuckle out of the fact that it looks like the band was using $1000.00 QSC HPR122s for monitors meanwhile the paying audience had to listen to those $200.00 POS peaveys.

 

[DannyBob]

Love the 5th pic! Go nukey brun!!!

 

[Stewie26]

Hi,



It wasn't hot but it was very sunny, luckily not much wind. We used lots of sun block. Yes, the show must go on. Hey Mr. Stewie26, I'll be at The Ranch this weekend with The Kelly Rae Band. If you feel like it, stop by and say "Hi".

I would love to but my guitar player is getting married
this Saturday and I have a wedding and reception to attend.
Thanks for the invite and looking forward to meeting you in the future.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Well I did get a chuckle out of the fact that it looks like the band was using $1000.00 QSC HPR122s for monitors meanwhile the paying audience had to listen to those $200.00 POS peaveys.

This was a benefit show free to the public. Several generous benefactors donated goods and services that were raffled to raise money for the cause. One of the benefactors even paid the band gas money for all the rehearsals and the performance. But all of the guest performers did so on their own time.

Would you like to talk about our mix-and-match PA system with its QSC monitors, Crown amps, Peavey 2-way mains, no-name 3-way mains, Behringer subwoofers, and Carvin mixer?

Or would you like to talk about all of the generous people who loaned the gear, hauled the gear, set up the gear, and ran the gear? They did this for no pay just to benifit the cause.

Or would you rather use me as a punching bag to slam with your cold-hearted, condescending superiority?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[modulusman]

Hi,



This was a benefit show free to the public. Several generous benefactors donated goods and services that were raffled to raise money for the cause. One of the benefactors even paid the band gas money for all the rehearsals and the performance. But all of the guest performers did so on their own time.

Would you like to talk about our mix-and-match PA system with its QSC monitors, Crown amps, Peavey 2-way mains, no-name 3-way mains, Behringer subwoofers, and Carvin mixer?

Or would you like to talk about all of the generous people who loaned the gear, hauled the gear, set up the gear, and ran the gear? They did this for no pay just to benifit the cause.

Or would you rather use me as a punching bag to slam with your cold-hearted, condescending superiority?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Still doesn't change the fact that whoever was in charge of sound was an idiot for putting the subs onstage and if they had actually cared about the audience they would have used their best PA cabs out of what was available for the people out front. BTW I play probably 2 or 3 benefits a year. I usually make it a point to find out what PA gear is available and if it us up to the job. If not I will volunteer my gear.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Still doesn't change the fact that whoever was in charge of sound was an idiot for putting the subs onstage and if they had actually cared about the audience they would have used their best PA cabs out of what was available for the people out front. BTW I play probably 2 or 3 benefits a year. I usually make it a point to find out what PA gear is available and if it us up to the job. If not I will volunteer my gear.

So, the third option? Very well.


Thank you for yourindulgence,

BassCliff