Well, the gig is officially in the books. It was quite the day, I must say. I'm ready to get some sleep before the long drive back late tomorrow afternoon, but I had to mention a couple of things and share a terrible pic that some I'm sure will claim to be staged. It was. I asked one of our lady singers to take a pic of me before we began and she said sure. I changed my mind because I decided we could do it later. Yeah, later never came because we forgot. But being a man of my word and knowing GP is sitting on pins and needles waiting for my Hawaiian shirt pic, so I cheerfully took one back at the hotel. Here it is:
View attachment 3483450
The guitar case was so no one thought I was still in Iowa at an all-night snooker tournament or something. We did record the show on a couple of SD cards from the mixer and as soon as I can find the time to get on the computer I'll see what there is.
Overall, the show went wonderfully. I think they said around 80 people attended the meal and church service, and being it was so hot outside most of them grabbed food and came back to enjoy the music. The regular group was fantastic with crisp vocals, fine strumming, and a lot of flute work. The bass fit right in there like it has the past couple of summers and this one was no different. We played around 90n minutes and then they began serving food prior to the Saturday service, which we played another half dozen songs as well. Most of us even elected not to eat so we could continue to provide entertainment. I say each year, I came this far, I'm playing!
We received many nice comments, overall, and I even snagged a couple of great reviews; one from a gentleman from one of the churches that are merging with Pastor John's church. There are three consolidating and this was one of their first social events. While he was busy complimenting the sound and band's drive, I was late playing John Denver's Rocky Mountain High.
Another guy who has come to previous Family Day festivities said how nice it was to hear the bass being he listens to them the rest of the year without one and it just isn't the same. Made my day. While this, sadly, will never be more than a really fun hobby, I could've played all night. What an incredible talent we all have to make this world a better place by sharing our ourselves through music. I'm kinda hoping it's the last thing I do before...well, you know. Either that or the other thing...
So I'm singing at tomorrow morning's service before embarking back to the land of corn around 5:30. That should get us home by midnight. Though the weather was terrible and the Columbus traffic a nightmare, it was all worth it as in past summers. I loved playing with this fine group of musicians and it's bittersweet that this was our final time forever. After the consolidation is over, John is moving onto a new church as an interim pastor. The window in Ohio closes, but who knows what window may open up in the near future? And more importantly, what bass amp will I be using?
I think it's finally time for me to seek out some players and form the polka punk band I've always dreamed of.
As always, thanks much to the faithful readers of what's become the annual Combo Club journals. Maybe next summer one of you will decide to share your greatest gigging hits. I'm telling ya, there's nothing like putting together a song, making it your own, and then getting whoops and hollers because the audience likes it. Take my advice and give it a try if you've always wondered.
Fearless Leader out...
BTW, Nice shirt. Certainly "quieter" than mine in the avatar.
