Downtown Disney, 4/23/17

Hello friends,

It seems like I've reported on this gig so many times but tonight was a little bit special. Even though we were without keyboards we had a good crowd and some special visitors.

Getting there was really tough this evening. I didn't hear what was going on but there were some surface street closures around the park that made navigating a nightmare.

 

It was not due to all the new construction for the new Star Wars attractions.

 

I finally made it to our new parking area for contractors/employees. I was a little bummed that it was three times farther away as the general public parking we used to use. But it's a more convenient in and out. I just have one cart load so I won't complain, much.

I needed my workout today anyway. Once I got to Downtown Disney we had to go through security like everyone else. But the security guys were nice and just wanted to look in my bags, not instruments cases, amps, speakers, etc.

Jack was pretty much ready with the PA by the time the band got there. Wow. What a thankless job. The sound guy gets there first, leaves last, and has the most gear.

Art and Daniel get their stuff up on stage.

I had just left my gear in the van from the last night so I'm using the same rig and basses today. I'm getting lazy in my old age.

It looks like us lads are just about ready to sound check.

Jack had brought along a helper to show him the ropes. That's Andy giving Jack a hand with sound today.
 

The stage is all set.

I guess we're just about ready to go. Here's my amp-selfie.

Kelly kicks off the show.

The crowds varied all throughout the evening but were generally good and energetic.

Here's where Daniel is doing "Devil" so I have a chance to snap a picture.

This was pretty special. These lovely young ladies are sisters and are a band called Crimson Apple. These ladies can play! Check out their Youtube channel. They will be on this stage next Sunday evening. I think I'll come back to hear them.

They were asking us for tips and advice. I don't think they need any advice from an old geezer like me. These young ladies ROCK! Check out their website and Youtube channel. I'm seriously impressed. Everyone should know their name soon.

Then we went back to work.

Here are a couple of action shots from out front, thanks to friends.

This was the end of our third set. There was a great crowd gathered, and they stayed!

Then at 10pm we were done. Everyone made a hasty getaway. I was a little disappointed there were no fireworks tonight. The winds aloft must've been blowing too hard. Oh well, next time.

We had to roll our gear all the way out to our new parking lot. OK, the race is on!

I huffed and I puffed, and I was able to pass Kid Mario in the home stretch!

Just kidding. But, yes, this old geezer did make it first to the parking lot.

It was a fun night. I'm seriously impressed with Crimson Apple. Did I say they were all sisters? I met their parents (they took the picture) and they all seem like great upstanding folk. I will be very surprised if they don't make it big, and I mean BIG! It does my heart good to see such talent in ones so young. Here we are, playing the same stage, but I'm three times their age. They should go far. I hope so.

Thanks for looking. Be sure to check out Crimson Apple.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

True Willie at Laguna Woods Village PAC, 4/22/17

Hello my friends,

I had another fantabulous engagement with The True Willie Band at the Laguna Woods Village Performing Arts Center.

It would normally take an hour to get there from my house but it's a good thing I allowed myself an hour and forty five minutes to get down there.

The traffic was sticky in a few places, more than I would like. It was similar to morning rush hour. I was a little concerned that I didn't leave in time but as I got closer I knew I would be there just before call time. Whew.

The Laguna Woods Village Performing Arts Center (formerly Clubhouse 3) is a very, very nice facility.

But of course we had to use the rear entrance with the rest of the hired help. (Musician joke!)

It was a pretty easy load-in with the ramp and my Rock-n-Roller cart and all. The stage is right there inside the door. As we walked in we were greeted by a nice room.

This is an 814 seat auditorium. I wandered to the back of the room to get a picture.

Then I turned around and took a picture of the control booth. I wish I would've asked to have a look inside.

The place was full of Renkus-Heinz speakers. The monitors sounded good.

As well as the flying subs and mains, there were also front fills. You can see one in the picture above next to the monitor.

Here's Mike warming up is Gibson ES5, a 1960 model. This is also called the "Switchmaster".

Here's a peek at his Mesa Boogie. We were not backlined for this gig so we had to schlep our own amps. But it was no biggie, an easy load-in.

John brings a ton of gear. He's got four keyboards, a sound module, a mixer, and two powered speakers.

But he uses all of it to hit the right sounds at the right time. I dig it.

Dave gives Hugh (the FOH guy) his parameters as to how to mix his monitor. Hugh did a great job putting up with all of us.
 

I brought my regular small rig with my JBS as a backup.

Here's my amp-selfie while someone else is making noise for the FOH guy (Hugh).

This is Dave's sound check picture. He was just a little under the weather tonight, but you couldn't tell it from the way he played and sang his songs.

Roger and Mike must be trading licks before the show.

As we sound checked, every once in a while this nozzle would light up and tons of fake smoke would come pouring out. Well, I guess it was real smoke, just not the kind that Willie Nelson would have.

As it turns out, I think it was Adam pulling mischievous little pranks on us. He's supposed to be the lighting guy. I guess he's the smoke guy too.

As we were finishing up sound check, Johnny checks out the wardrobe closet and finds something to channel Elton John.
 

After sound check I wandered out front and found a nice lobby area.

The True Willie Band had a poster on the wall in the lobby, along with Debby Boone, a Beach Boys tribute, a Carol King tribute, Four Seasons tribute, and Elton John/Billy Joel tribute.

Do you think they like their tributes? Theatrical productions are also held here. It's a nice facility.

We were invited to the rehearsal room for some pizza.

We were treated to pizza and soda. Some of the guys went out for supper. I had pizza because free pizza is the best.
 

Our green room was pretty nice too, right off the stage with mirrors, restroom, a place to hang your duds, most of the comforts of home.

We're about ready to hit the stage. Wish us luck. Or tell us to "break a leg".

I stuck my phone out from behind the curtain to take a picture of the crowd. It was a sellout.

There were a few empty seats but that's only because they hold back about 20 seats for VIPs. Every ticket available was sold. Pretty cool. This is Lori making a few announcements before we start the show.

Here's my amp-selfie just before we start the show.

I took a picture of Mike just before we got started. He looks a little lonely over there.

Here's John behind his fort of keyboards.

We kick off the first number and transition into True Willie's first tune as he walks out on stage.

We played for about fifty minutes and the took an intermission so the venue could sell some adult beverages. I took this picture just as we walked on stage for the second set.

Here's one of Mike with the crowd behind him. Sorry for the lighting.

Dave was feeling a little under the weather this evening, suffering from a head cold. But he played great and sang great. What a trooper.

At the end of the show, most folks in the "balcony" seats started for the exit. Everyone at the floor level gave us a standing "O". They were a great crowd.
 

John and I fist bump at the end of another successful show.

We went out front for a little meet-n-greet. My dear friend Reets came to the performance tonight. You might remember seeing her at a few of my Ranch gigs.

After our meet-n-greet I went back to the stage to pack up my gear and head for the house. The stage crew did a great job.



The crowd was very pleased with our performance. I was pretty pleased. There was one intro where Mike and Johnny were not ready. I hit a couple of brain fart clams. But we kept the momentum going. Every show has gotten better and tighter. If we could play three weekends in a row I'd have it all nailed. We'll have another rehearsal before the Hayfork Festival. It'll have to do. In the meantime I'll just practice on my own until I can play and sing these songs in my sleep.

Tomorrow I'll be playing Downtown Disney with the KRB. True Willie won't play again until our Hayfork Festival (near Redding CA) with The Strangers, in three weeks. That should be quite fun also.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff