In the middle of the week me and the TW Band trekked across the desert to play the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix. Unfortunately the budget did not allow for a full-on fly date with provided backline. We rented a van and went on a road trip! Since everyone was meeting at my house I picked up the Ford Transit 350 XLT van the night before and took out the back row of seats so we could stow our gear. I think my trusty Astro van was a little intimidated. I told him not to worry. He's still my favorite gear hauler.
The band parked in my cul-de-sac and loaded their gear into the back. We put a drum kit, three keyboards, two guitars, four amps, and three keyboards, plus luggage, into the van.
Then we hit the road singing a merry tune. Jeff is playing drums again for us because Dave it still at home taking care of Mrs. Drummer after her surgery.
We headed east on Interstate 10. There sure is a lot of desert out here on the way to Phoenix.
Right on schedule we cross the Colorado River into Arizona.
Welcome to Arizona, the Grand Canyon State.
We must be getting close. I hope so because the band is getting hungry.
We decided to have some Italian food for lunch. John says, "Look! Here's an Olive Garden." Close enough.
After lunch we found our Holiday Inn on the west side of Phoenix. It's a nice place.
Roger and I take the elevator up to the top floor.
It's an impressive lobby for a Holiday Inn.
Here's my room on the top floor. It was clean and well appointed.
Here's the view from one of my windows. It was a bit of a tease because I couldn't get out onto the balcony.
We freshened up and then made our way over to the fairgrounds, about 15 minutes away.
We found our gate and said, "Hey! We're with the band!" They let us right in.
As we made our way to our parking lot we couldn't help but notice the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Our stage was to the left of the coliseum.
As we passed we noticed the bus for 38 Special, who were playing in the coliseum tonight. We played before and after their show.
Here we are in the "participant" parking lot. We don't get to park as close to our stage as 38 Special does.
We had a cart come out to help us schlep our gear to our stage, the "Backyard Stage".
It took three trips with that little cart to get all of our gear relocated. This is Mike, our helpful, friendly, and courteous driver.
We arrive at the stage, a good sized stage with a very nice sound system, and begin our setup dance.
This was our green room located right next to the stage. It's very convenient but not very green.
The setup dance continues.
It looks like Guitar Mike is ready to sound check. He brought his smallest amp, as did I.
Drummy Jeff brought a small kit tuned to compliment the vintage Willie material we are doing.
This is our soundman, Nate. He was very professional and great to work with. He had us dialed in quickly with very little hassle.
John brought both of his powered speakers, mixer, and three keyboards. I guess I should be glad he didn't bring all four keyboards. Half the gear in the van was his. John has all the sounds.
Here's the view from my mic. There were also tables and chairs on either side of this spectator area. People were eating and drinking all around. That's the coliseum on the other side of our audience area.
Jeff gives us a tour of our green room. That was it. Just a room with a mirror, a table, and a few chairs. There was a cooler full of water outside.
Before we start our first show we take a few pictures. This is one of them.
We take the stage and just before downbeat I grab a few pictures of the band. Mike's got on his best hat.
Jeff and John work out some last minute details.
John next to the amp rack. Nate really knew how to use this system. Everybody loved the sound on stage.
Here's my selfie just before we play True Willie's intro.
This is John playing the intro to "Always On My Mind".
Here's True Willing singing "Always On My Mind".
We played our first show, only forty five minutes, then took a break for an hour and a half while 38 Special did their show in the coliseum. I went to talk to an old friend who had come to see us.
Here's a view of the stage after dark.
During our second show, the go-cart racers were making a lot of noise. The track was right behind our stage. It was a little distracting.
Here's a picture of some of the goings-on at the fair, typical fair fun.
Here's some fair food for you, a grill full of turkey legs.
I didn't eat any fair food. Instead we went to the employee dining area where the food was cheaper. Then we met some friends. This is Larry. We have mutual friends who used to work with Merle Haggard's band and he hangs with those guys a lot. Nice photobomb there, True Willie!
This is our friend Laura, also a fan.
It's getting close to time to start thinking about putting on the second show. As I wander back to the stage I stopped by the sound tent to check it out.
Here's a view of the stage from the console.
As we take the stage for our second show, Colt and his helper are getting the spotlights and smoke machine working.
Guitar Mike is ready for the big show. I thought it was great that he was plying in front of the "Rockin' Rodeo".
John is at the ready, just waiting to make all the sounds.
Jeff is ready to dazzle us in front of the smoke and lights.
The crowd was very receptive of True Willie. We had a really good crowd there for a while.
After the show we had to strike the stage and get another cart to schlog our gear back out to the parking lot. I don't like being my own roadie.
We got a few hours sleep back at the hotel and made an early getaway. TW and Jeff had to be somewhere in the afternoon. But first we had a good breakfast, included in the room. I had a killer kitchen sink omelette.
Guitar Mike enjoyed a huge breakfast burrito.
Then we loaded up the van and headed back to California.
We ran through a little rainstorm as we left Phoenix.
But there's always a rainbow.
We assured the inspectors that we had no agricultural products of any kind with us.
Once we descended into the Coachella Valley we knew we'd be home in a couple hours.
It was a quick, fun road trip. Everyone liked my driving. I always try to provide a safe and enjoyable conveyance.
On Friday (10/12/18) me and the ANB Quartet are at the Old Crow Smokehouse in Huntington Beach. I'm looking forward to good food, good beer, and loud music. I'll tell you all about it later. Thanks for looking!
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
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