The band and I had epic fun this past Saturday playing for a wedding at the Casino San Clemente, a most ideal spot for an event. This gig had been booked for about a year. The happy couple, Steven and Sierra, became friends of the band when we worked our "Nashville" show at Disneyland last summer. Steve and Sierra both work for The Mouse, Steve as a choreographer and Sierra as a character/dancer. They fell in love with the band and wanted us at their wedding so they booked us a year in advance. They are a beautiful couple and I wish them all the best.
This is the front door of the place, an historical building built in the 1930s.
It's not a "casino" in the gambling sense. Over its history it's been a ballroom, playhouse, restaurant, Moose Lodge, dance hall, and a Coast Guard lookout station. Here is the view from the front porch.
Of course, being in the band I get to pull up to the back door to load in.
I was most overjoyed when I found out that I could leave my Astro van right there by the back door. We usually have to move and park on the street around the block. The parking is atrocious at the beach.
When I enter the main ballroom I see that Kelly's husband, Jack, and Skyler, who has worked with us before, have already got the lights and sound set up on the cute, but small, stage.
Shortly after I arrive, these two guys wandered in off the beach and started setting up.
And then this fiddle player and piano player show up. I guess it going to be a party!
Before we get started, our hosts prepare an edible repast for us. Chicken (not rubbery!), rice, salad, rolls, and later...an open bar!
We've had our meal and we are all dressed up ready to put on the show. This room is just behind the stage, very convenient for us.
We brought small gear since it's a small stage and the room is so lively. I really liked the sound of my old Randall RB2000. I think I'll try it on my Neo410 next week.
Art brought a closed back, solid state Evans amp. It sounded great but he still managed to get too loud for my tastes. But I'm just an old fuddy duddy.
Here's a shot of all our gear on the stage. Daniel brought only his fiddle rig for this gig, no mandolin or guitar.
Places! Places everyone! Places!
We take the stage with the curtains closed. There is a DJ playing right now and the live band is supposed to be some kind of surprise. I wasn't sure exactly what was going on. I guess that's typical for a bass player.
But Mario is ready for anything. He's super-cool that way.
Kelly joins Art and Daniel with all the anticipatory glee of a band about to have a multitude of fun.
Jeff has also got that glow of unbridled revelry and merriment.
So now we are all behind the stage, being very quiet, waiting for the curtain to open. We've been requested to play "Footloose" as the first song when the curtain opens. I thought that a little odd. The DJ is playing a slow, schmaltzy tune while the bride and groom have their first dance. Then the song is cut, the curtain opens, Mario counts us off, and we start rocking "Footloose". All of a sudden, the whole wedding party jumps up out on the floor with the bride and groom and they start doing the 'Slapping Leather' line dance, like a country flash mob!
As it turns out, the guests did not know there would be a live band but the bridal party knew. All of the guests go wild, clapping and cheering. It was a really fun way to open their celebration. Most of the wedding party and a few of the guests have seen us perform at The Ranch so they were ready to do some boot scootin'.
After the opening, the guests just start having their party. We play a dinner set with a few dancers and then gradually crank up the party music.
We get to take a couple of breaks during the evening while the party carries on with their traditional wedding toasts and ceremonies. This is the back courtyard of the event center.
As we take the stage again they are just finishing up the Mother/Daughter and Father/Daughter dance.
And the party is on!
Here's Sierra, our lovely bride, about to throw the bouquet.
Sierra congratulates the lucky "catcher" of the bouquet.
Now it's time to continue with the party! Here's my traditional shot of Daniel while he performs his big hit, "Devil Went Down To Georgia".
Jack took a few pictures with my camera. Does this leather vest make me look fat? (Actually, I don't think it's the vest.)
These folks were fun! They partied late into the night and really enjoyed the celebration. We played until almost midnight and most of the guests stayed to have all the fun they could.
Here's Skyler at the board making us sound good and doing double duty as the DJ.
After all the toasts and speeches, after all the celebration, after the rice was thrown, it's time to turn into roadies again.
In the front hallway of the venue is a lot of memorabilia about the Casino San Clemente. This poster tells us the history highlights.
Also in the hallway are a lot of pictures of celebrities who have visited or performed at the Casino San Clemente.
Unfortunately, none of these celebrities were invited to the wedding so I couldn't get a picture.
It was a terrifically fun gig at a great location. We've played a few events here and I look forward to it every time. Next weekend I've got a couple of park concerts with Kelly and the boys and a real honky-tonk gig with an old friend of mine. Busy, busy!
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
