Hello ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and neighbors, in-laws and outlaws!
Me and the KRB had another wonderful evening at the Valley View Casino. I guess the gig began for me when I left early from work, taking vacation time, and drove down the 15 freeway just a couple of exits past this bridge, the "old 395" over pass.
Once I exited the freeeway, after a number of miles on a two lane road, "Here's your sign".
And here's another sign after I climb the hill to the hotel/casino.
I drive right past the main entrance, past the valet parking, and past the self-parking.
I drive all the way around to the loading dock, where the hired help enters the building.
After unloading my gear, two basses, garment bag, and a back pack, I park up the hill in the employee parking behind the casino. This is the view as a walk back to the rear entrance of the stage. It's a nice view from up here.
Then I check in at security. You must trade your drivers license for a numbered security badge while on the premises.
If you look past that ugly bass player, past the row of slots, you'll see the orange-ish curtains behind the bar. That's where our stage is located. Yes, it's a "band behind the bar" gig.
On the big screen behind the stage is some wild computer-generated scenery. This is all spacey and sci-fi.
This is our head sound guy for the evening, Bill. He's been a friend of the band for a number of years and likes to book us, or at least recommend us, around the San Diego area.
This is Bill's design in this room. He installed the PA and AV systems. He does a lot of this kind of work around San Diego.
Bill was nice enough to have my IEM pack, my iPhone mixer, and DI box all ready for me on my corner of the drum riser. Yes, it's a pretty cushy gig, but somebody has to play it.
This system remembers the setting I used the last time we were here. It makes for a really easy sound check.
I was really lazy this gig. I brought only my two basses, my garment bag, backpack, and my lyric bag (from which I needed only two pages). I had no amp, no cabinet, no mic, no mic stand, no mic cables, not even a guitar stand. These two stands were backstage.
Daniel, Art, and Mario get plugged in and wired up.
OK! It looks like we're about to start the show! You see Bill and Craig, the other sound guy, on the far right.
When we finish our first set, the sound guys take a break too. John is the other sound tech. We had a full crew tonight.
On the first break we all went to the employee dining room for supper, "The Daily Dish".
I think it's great when we all get to share a meal together.
It was a Chinese theme in the cafeteria tonight. I started with a bed of lettuce, spinach, and mixed greens, and topped it with steamed vegetables, orange chicken, and spring rolls. I needed some Ranch dressing too.
After supper we had to rush back to the stage. We get only half hour breaks between our hour long sets. But this dessert selection was waiting for us on our next break.
Art and I actually wore the same shirt tonight. His was the gold color design and mine was the silver.
We're about to start another set. Kelly is constantly communicating with her vast array of friends, family, and business contacts.
I snagged a picture during "Devil Went Down To Georgia". For some reason Daniel always kills on that song.
Kelly is probably singing "My Church". That's one of the only other intros that I have a chance to snap a photo from on stage. You guys know the routine.
You'll have to forgive me. I didn't take a crowd shot until after we were done playing. I stuck my phone out from behind the curtain to snap a photo of the room. Most of the crowd had left but there was one couple who must've seen my phone and decided to wave.
I think that's pretty funny. We didn't get a big crowd tonight, being a Thursday. But we got the tables about half full during the height of our noise-making. We got good response and a couple of dancers, right there in the isles.
Then it was time to head out. But before we could leave we let security check our cases and bags.
As I was walking back to my van I noticed that the moon was almost full and Mars was just ahead of it. But you probably can't see much of the beautiful heavens from my cell phone.
Then I drove home and arrived before midnight. Not bad for a school night. This is an easy gig to play. I just wish it wasn't so far away. But I'm not complaining. Not a bit. We are treated well here and are trying to make this at least a once a month appearance for us, we like it that much.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
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