Well, here is the first of four gigs for my busy Memorial Day weekend. I hope we are all very thankful for the sacrifices of those who paid for all the freedoms we have.
Me and the KRB did our second gig at the Valley View Casino. I took a half day vacation from the day job so I could get down there in time to load in and set up. The rest of the band carpooled with Kelly from South Orange County. I had twice the drive they did but it was a pleasant day for tooling on down the 15.
Then there's a good half hour of two-lane road once you get off the freeway until you get to the big sign.
If you can't read the green sign, there are two other casinos in the area, the Pala casino and the Pauma casino. I've played all of them with different bands. I make the right turn and head up the hill to Valley View. You can see it on the left at the top.
This is the view from the load-in area. You can see why it's called "Valley View" Casino.
This is the loading dock backstage. I have to wait for security to check my gear before I setup on stage.
Here's a view of the "band behind the bar" stage, complete with automatic curtain that the sound guy opens and closes during the first and last songs of the set. So cheesy, but fun.
As I take the stage there is a college softball game on the big screen, Florida and Alabama. I love watching young ladies play ball.
Yes, Mario uses the house kit (V-Drums) for this gig and we all go direct, using IEMs. It's a pretty cushy gig. Here's the mixer, a Behringer Q32 (IIRC), and assorted amps, controllers, and wireless stuff in the rack.
My IEM pack and iPhone mixer were ready and waiting for me.
The band starts getting set up. You see Bill Noble, our sound guy for the evening, overseeing this squirrely bunch of musicians. Bill is a great guy. We've worked with him several times over the last couple of years. He runs a lot of sound in the San Diego area. He'll be at our El Cajon concert later this summer.
Here's a close-up of my little personal mixer. These iPhones are so small that I have to use my glasses to get my mix set at first. Once I learn where all the voices and instruments are then I can do it on the fly.
Channel 1 was drums, channel 2 was instruments, channel 3 was voices, channel 4 wasn't used for us.
Here's Art installing his IEM pack, hiding the cord in his shirt.
OK, we're ready to go. Kelly checks her texts just before the curtain opens. She has family and friends coming out tonight.
The curtain opens and we put the hammer down!
The crowd started off a little light, mostly Kelly's family and friends, but it grew throughout the night. We didn't pack the place but it was a good, appreciative crowd.
After our fist set I hurried to the employee dining room. Because I worked only a half day I skipped lunch.
I grabbed what looked good, a nice stuffed pasta shell, pizza, some grilled vegetables, sauteed green beans, a nice salad with extra turkey, ham, and cheese, plus coffee. It was a long day.
Then we were back on stage for another set. Here we play one hour sets with half hour breaks. Tonight was 6pm-10pm. When we play on Sunday it's 5pm-9pm.
On the next break I went back for dessert. I helped myself to a slice of pumpkin pie and a fudge brownie. I also had room for a frozen fudge bar. Hey, I didn't eat lunch today.
Kelly charms the camera one more time.
The gig seems to be over quickly. I guess I was having fun. Not much to pack up, just a couple of basses and my backpack.
After security checks out our gear as we load out, we make our way back to the security office to turn in our badges and pick up our drivers licenses.
That nice two-lane road back to the freeway is VERY dark at night.
After a two hour drive I make it safely home. I'm back in the office in the morning, dull-eyed and ratty-tailed, trying to learn Intel AMT. (Anybody have an "AMT For Dummies" guide?) I'm off on Friday, going to see some friends in a band called The Fab 8. Then I'll be playing two more gigs with the KRB, a private party Saturday, and a "Boots On The Beach" festival Sunday. Then I'll be playing the San Bernardino County Fair on Monday, Memorial Day, in a new "project" (more like a pick-up band) with my good friend Joe. But who knows? I could be doing a few more gigs with Joe's new project. It's going to be pretty traditional, vintage and classic country, and I love that stuff. We'll see.
Anyway, that was my Thursday night. I'll be back with more. And please remember why we observe Memorial Day. My gratitude goes out to everyone who gave their all to keep us free. Thank you. May God bless your families.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
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