Got Momma a gig for her birthday

[nutdog]

My Mom reached a milestone birthday this year. She and my dad were in the teenage orchestra in high school. He played trumpet and she sang.

She continued to sing, mostly in church. We occasionally do some musical things together including this one last year at her childhood church homecoming with my daughter.

She's told me before she dreamed of being a blues singer. Last week I had a wallpaper gig. It was an easy, decent paying deal but most of the regulars I play with couldn't make it. So I asked my Mom if she would sing a few tunes.

The picturesque venue:

After sound check. She said she was very nervous.

View from the mic:

The set list. She did the ones in bold and added harmony on some others.

1. "Mercy Mercy Mercy"
2. "Mister Magic"
3. "killing me softly"
4. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
5. "Peace of Mind"
6. "Breezin"
7. "Moondance"
8. "Smokin"
9. "Sweet Caroline"
10. "My Funny Valentine"
11. "Summertime Bb"
12. "This Masquerade"
13. "Brown Eyed Girl"
14. "At Last"
15. "Rock Around The Clock"
16. "Johnny B Goode"
17. "Crazy"
18. "Shake rattle and roll"
19. "Mustang Sally"
20. "What A Wonderful World"
21. "Jailhouse rock"
22. "Hound Dog"
23. "Stagger Lee"
24. "Love Me Tender"
25. "Oh Boy"
26. "All Shook Up"
27. "Hey Baby"
28. "Burning Love"
29. "Good Lovin"

She knocked it out of the park.

Our Tuesday evening small crowd even did a little dancing, for which I credit the open bar:

Our hosts were very complimentary and even gave us a 50% bonus, for which I credit the open bar. But for me the night was priceless.

 

[edpal]

WOW! THat is so cool. Your mom look mav-e-lous! Thanks for sharing.

In a whole nuther class than priceless.

 

[hrodbert696]

That is awesome nutdog! My mom sings too, was church choir director and all. The story says that her school music director wanted to send her to Juilliard but her pastor father wouldn't let her go to the iniquity of NYC. I don't know if she's steady enough on her feet to do a gig now.

 

[Ewo]

 

[Big John66]

This is the coolest thing I've seen on here in a while! Good gig!

 

[Jeff K]

VERY cool! Kudos to your mom, and to you for making it possible for her...

 

[BassCliff]

Hi!

I am loving this! That is a beautiful venue. There is nothing like being on stage and performing with family. It is such a joy. Your Mom is a beautiful woman. Thanks for introducing us. I hope you guys get to do more in the future.

My daughter and I have performed in church, at jam nights, and at her music school recitals. I treasure every moment. Thanks for sharing yours.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[pcake]

wow, that's the best thing i've heard today, and it really made me smile. i love the pic of your mom when she was a teenager, as well as the last pic of her singing

 

[bassWR]

What a great story!
Here's hoping you get to do some more gigs like this.

 

[nutdog]

Thanks guys. My Mom is beautiful inside and out with a sweet soprano voice. Here's another from the teen orchestra, not well preserved but a cool pic:

 

[will33]

Super, super cool, nutdog. What a great gift.

 

[Gusset]

I'm just a lurker, but I gotta say: this is a great post. Awesome from start to finish, man...old pics, new pics, story.

Made my day. Thanks.

 

[GKon]

What a great story. Thanks for sharing it.
Way to go, Mom!

 

[Gaolee]

This is a winner in all ways. Thanks for sharing such a great idea and a great outcome.

 

[AMp'D.2play]

What a great story and a great birthday gift! She looks like she's having a blast!

So, how are you planning to top that for Mother's Day?!

 

[Rosebud]

Yeah man thank's for sharing

 

[nutdog]

What a great story and a great birthday gift! She looks like she's having a blast!

So, how are you planning to top that for Mother's Day?!

Ha, she'll probably make me lunch.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

GOOD FOR YOU! I would love to do some more stuff with my Mom but she has dementia and having her leave the facility is difficult. Good memories, though.

Dan K.

 

[Haji]

Yup. Man, could she sing! Playing with family is the most fun there is. Glad you got to do this, Nutdog!

The funnest thing musically I ever did was play at church in front of about 750 people with Bob Taylor on guitar (go figure, the guy that owns a guitar company is a fantastic player) and my brother (who you would know here as Dan) on drums. Of course, since I was much cooler, I played bass that night. Not very well, but I played it.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

Yup. Man, could she sing! Playing with family is the most fun there is. Glad you got to do this, Nutdog!

The funnest thing musically I ever did was play at church in front of about 750 people with Bob Taylor on guitar (go figure, the guy that owns a guitar company is a fantastic player) and my brother (who you would know here as Dan) on drums. Of course, since I was much cooler, I played bass that night. Not very well, but I played it.

and your avatar is STILL cooler than mine! (but I still have my drum set!)

Hey Bro!

Dan K.