What's even more rare than a Tuesday or Thursday night gig for us is a Monday night gig. We played a corporate event for Nuix Inc, a software company that deals in information management applications for lawyers, law enforcement, investigation, cyber security, records management, etc. Pretty geeky stuff.
The event was held at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach CA. I pulled up to the front door just like I owned the place and told them I was with the band. The valet even parked my Astro van on the client's dime. As I unloaded I noticed this cool statue of Aquaman. (Actually, I suppose it's Poseidon.)
This place was lousy with fountains. Here's another on the way to the conference center where the Huntingon Ballroom was located.
This courtyard, located between our green room and the ballroom, was quite an attractive place.
My buddy asked if I'd like to take his longboard for a spin before the gig but I didn't want to play with wet hair.
Art seems to like our green room, the Bolsa Chica room, one of the smaller conference rooms at the facility.
The hotel has its own bridge over to the beach.
We load in our gear and start setting up. This is the random backstage mess.
Out front the staff are busy putting the room together. There was a meeting in here earlier so no one could get in to set up until the meeting was over, us included.
Jack was running sound for us again. We're all lending each other a hand trying to sound check as soon as possible.
This is the theme for the evening, a Route 66 Gala Dinner.
I thought, "Why not?" I'll try a car selfie.
We were really setting up in a hurry, no snake, just slamming stuff into the board. What a mess.
Here you see a couple of the raffle prizes, a retro radio and a Les Paul.
The Les Paul even had those auto-tuning pegs.
I thought the staff did a great job with the tables.
I even got one of those cool little paper car decorations for the top of my amp.
We're all set up and sound checked. Here's a view from near the back of the room.
And a shot from a little closer.
We walk back across the courtyard to have supper in the green room. On the way I stop to take a picture of the sunset on the beach.
There is some activity on the other side of the bridge. I'll ask what's going on over there later.
The courtyard is a lovely place to hang out. Even after the sun went down it was still pretty warm, even by the beach.
Jeff helps himself to some tea from the hospitality offerings. I help myself to some coffee.
I had some really good chicken, vegetables, and mashed potatoes for supper tonight. Not bad at all!
Everyone enjoys their meal as Rebbecca takes great care of us.
After supper we put on our uniforms and take pictures before we take the stage. Sorry, no Daniel tonight. The gig didn't call for a fiddle.
Oh, why not? Here's a back stage selfie.
After our first 15 minute set we get a 30 minute break. (I know, tough gig!) I hear music coming from the beach. You may be able to see the red tent and other stuff over there.
It turns out that the Carl Karcher comany (of Carl's Jr. fame) was also having a corporate event. They had a live band too.
We come back for our second set, a long one, a combination of dinner music followed by dance music. Kelly and I take an amp selfie.
Jeff is ready to hang ten on his keyboard.
Mario knows that we have to play very, very quietly during the dinner set.
Kelly and Art share their lovely smiles before we start the set.
I think this is some kind of pinkie promise. Mario promises not to rush and Jeff promises to play on all the keys, because all keys matter.
We step back from the mics just for a few minutes while the emcee gives away the raffle prizes.
Then we hit the dance music. Toward the end of the night, we quit at 10pm, there were a couple of tables, there always are, who were really into the band and having a lot of fun. Trudy decided she wanted to dance on stage with the band.
Then a couple of her friends also wanted to get on stage and sing with the band. We all sang "Live Is A Highway" together.
Ha! I just noticed that they projected us on the big screens behind us.
Trudy and her friends belt it out. We were having fun.
The teleprompter screen in front of the stage was also getting video feed of the band.
At ten o'clock they shut us down. That's OK. We had had enough fun. I give Jeff and Jack a hand packing their gear before starting in on my own. Jeff wasn't feeling well and Jack just had a lot of stuff.
We're back at The Ranch this weekend, both Friday and Saturday nights. My boss told me he is coming out again with his wife and some other family members. That should be fun. No, really. It will be. My boss is pretty cool. He even takes line dance lessons.
Until then, thank you for supporting live music!
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
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