From the Beach to the Desert, 4th of July 2015

Hello friends and neighbors!

I hope you all had a memorable 4th of July celebration. Happy Birthday America! 

I thought about posting two different gig blogs because I had two different gigs with two different bands on the 4th. But then I thought it might be just as entertaining, or annoying, to take you through both of my gigs in one huge post. It was a long, fun-filled day. I hope you enjoy it. I sure enjoyed it!

It began by rising at 6am so that I could get on the road by 7am because I had a 10am downbeat 46.3 miles away, and I was providing the PA and doubling as sound man.

This was the flyer that Leisure World had on their website advertising all the festivities. I was working with Gina Notrica and The Bootleggers. Today the band included three members of the KRB, my regular gig.

I arrived shortly before 8am at "One Way" World. (This was just bad timing on my photo as I drove into the facility, but I thought it was funny.) Actually this is Leisure World in Seal Beach CA, where the car show was happening.

Near the 9 hole golf course is Clubhouse 6 where the event was happening in the parking lot.

We had a covered performance area, a great thing in this SoCal weather, even by the beach.

I had arrived first because I had a lot of stuff to set up. The crew at Leisure World still had to bring out the drum riser. But they were very nice and were very helpful all day long.

Franc Ortega (drummer) and Art were the next to arrive. Art and Franc are old friends and have worked together before. This was my first time working with Franc. He is a great drummer and really knows how to "lay it down" without being loud all the time.

This was our performance area, right next to Clubhouse 6. I've got most of my gear in place so I snap a couple of pictures while Franc and Art are setting up.

This was my rig for this morning. I used a sub-mixer for the drum mics, one in the kick and one overhead. I also ran the bass and keys direct and mic'd Art's guitar amp. There were four vocal mics. That's a lot of wires for his old bass player.

Just before we get started, the band takes a picture. Gina Notrica and Art toured Afghanistan with the USO several years ago. She was a pleasure to work with. Art, Franc, Gina, Jeff, and some bass player. (L-R)

Franc is ready to entertain the crowd.

Art is always happy to entertain.

Jeff looks a little shy this morning. But he came out of his shell a little later.

Gina takes a picture with me just before downbeat.

Jeff walked out front to get an idea of how well my mix was working from the stage. It was a little bass-heavy. But there's nothing wrong with that, right? You see the car entries behind him. We'll get a closer look later.

We had a very lively crowd. They sang along, clapped, cheered, and danced. We even got requests for Santana, Jimi Hendrix, and Freebird! I guess Jimi Hendrix would be 75 years old if he were still alive today.

The crowd loved Gina.

Franc gave us more cowbell!

Gina is a good vocalist and had the crowd wrapped around her finger.

There was tri-tip and chicken on the BBQ.

Plus there was a food truck there serving burgers, burritos, and other typical food truck fare.

On a break I walked around and saw some of the entries. These were the decorated golf carts. These retirement communities always take their golf carts seriously.

As I continue around the lot I see a few entries that really catch my eye. Here are a pair of mid-60s Mustangs.

My parents used to have a Chevy Impala of this vintage. I must've ridden a hundred thousand miles in a car like this.

I thought this '65 Bristol was quite an eye-catcher.

And of course, what's a car show without a Nash? Here's a '58 Nash Metro.

As we get back to the entertainment, Gina's friend Lisa joins us onstage to play the tambourine.

On the next break the organizers treat us to lunch. We all had a tri-tip sandwich.

And that was followed by a decadent chocolate ice cream treat from the Coldstone creamery booth.

Then Gina is back on the vocals and Lisa is back on the tambourine.

We had a blast! The crowd loved us. We passed out lots of cards and got leads on several more gigs. Then it was time to pack up all my crap. (You notice it was "gear" this morning. I guess the status has changed now that I'm not so chipper after the gig.)

Since I was driving from Seal Beach to Barstow today, I stopped by my favorite ARCO station, near The Ranch, to fill up at the best price in the area.

I then drove home to unload my PA, hang out a little with my family, have a little something to eat, then hit the road again.

My second gig was with Rodeo Revival at the Barstow Community College Performing Arts Center as part of their 4th of July celebration.

After checking all the fluid levels, I headed out over the Cajon Pass to the "high desert" in my trusty old Astro van.

After the summit is Victorville and its surrounding communities of Hesperia, Apple Valley, etc. This big ride at the local Scandia amusement park was whipping around something fierce. They must've been doing a brisk business on this holiday weekend.

For you "more seasoned" readers who may remember them, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans used to reside in the high desert. Their home was in Apple Valley. There are streets named after both of them in the area.

After you leave the Victorville area there is pretty much nothing but desert until you get to Barstow, which is in the middle of the desert.

You know you're getting near some civilization again when you see the exit with outlet stores and hotels just outside of Barstow, which is almost halfway to Vegas for me.

Just in case you are wondering how I keep my day job and my band schedule, this is how.

I arrive at Barstow Community College to see the band on the marquis.

This is the performing arts center. It was just opened in the spring of 2015.

I arrived about 7:30pm. Jesse was already here and had most of his stuff unloaded and on stage.

This is an excellent facility. This was the mens dressing room, complete with restroom and shower.

The ladies, Chelsea and Lindsey, were making themselves at home in the ladies dressing room.

Jim arrives and starts setting up his drums.

I don't know why they put the pig prop by the bass player. I guess it's just one of those things.

Chad gets set up and then checks his phone. Chad has a day gig at The Happiest Place On Earth. The Mouse has been working him a bunch lately. He works 40-50 hour weeks. That's a lot for someone who's supposed to be part time.

Jesse brought his "large arena" rig, complete with wireless mic and wireless pack for his guitars.

Here's a shot of the stage. The production crew projected images and video on the screen behind us during our performance. It was pretty cool.

The stage crew wanted to make the stage look like a live rodeo event. That's why the lights are part of the decorations along with the hay bales and animal props. I was diggin' it.

From a little farther back.

My view from the stage. The theater holds about 800.

Justin warms up his Tele.

It looks like Jim is all set up. I enjoy working with this guy. He's a fine drummer who knows how to kick a band in the @ss.

Before sound check we retire to the green room for some food and drink.

We had a fridge full of soda and water, plus chile verde, rice, and beans with peanut butter cookies for dessert. Good stuff!

Our beautiful Chelsea and Lindsey are ready for sound check.

We have time for an amp-selfie during sound check.

Chad points at the nearest bass player while his picture is taken.

OK, sound check is done and it's time to entertain these folks. Jesse and I are ready.

Before we go on stage I get to meet the Barstow rodeo queen, Miranda.

Just before we hit the stage, Jesse took a picture of his rhythm section. The bass player, Justin, Chad, and Jim. (L-R)

The comedian warming up the crowd has finished. We take the stage a little after 10pm and begin the show with Chelsea leading the audience in the singing of the National Anthem while Jesse displays Old Glory.

Then it's on with the show! 

Chelsea and Lindsey harmonize and look very cute while they're doing it. The crowd fell in love. 

I didn't take a lot of pictures during the actual show because, well, I was putting on the show. Here we are after the show waiting to go out front for the meet-and-greet.

Lindsey relaxes in the hallway.

Then, of course, I turn into a roadie for the fourth time today (4th of July, coincidence?) and get my stuff in the van for the long (77.5 miles) drive home. 

It was a long day, a long dark drive home, 250 miles total that day, but very fun and quite profitable. I hope your celebrations and gigs were safe, fun, memorable, and enjoyable. Thanks for looking!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff