We played this event last year. It was nice to be invited back.
This Friday engagement at the El Cajon Dinner and Concert began by loading up my small rig into my trusty Astro Van along with my cowboy boots, my cowboy shirts, a couple basses, a gig bag with extra everything, etc. I love bringing my small rig when I know we'll have a good sound company.
I was a little surprised at running into a little downpour just south of Temecula. I thought I'd seen rain off in the distance. Sure enough, it rained heavy for just a couple of minutes, just enough to mess up my freshly washed Astro Van.
Taking the 52 east is always heavy on a Friday afternoon. If you like the desert, eastern San Diego county is quite scenic.
I just noticed this time that El Cajon has its own Air and Space Museum, actually it's the Gillespie Field Annex of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. You can see their rocket from the freeway.
(Sorry for the dirty window. You remember, rain.) I exit the freeway and drive into lovely downtown El Cajon. It actually is a nice place and the homeless folk are friendly here at the park.
I pull around to the parking lot behind the stage. I see our green rooms are blue for some reason.
The sound company is pretty much all set up and ready to go. Bill Noble and his crew are great to work with. We've worked with Bill a bunch over the last few years. He always makes us sound good. He's a bass player too, ya know.
Art was already here, just waiting in the parking lot shade. Mario arrived just before the half of the band that carpooled with Kelly. We perform our setup choreography. It's an artful dance, full of skillful maneuvers and daring feats of cable plugging.
It's a pleasant day in El Cajon. Last week for this event it was 104ยบ at downbeat. Today it's in the mid-80s. Very nice. There are food and craft vendors spread throughout the park.
As we sound check the overcast keeps the sun out of our eyes. But it doesn't last. The crowd starts to build.
Here's the man, the myth, the legend, Bill Noble at the helm. He also works with us at the Valley View Casino. He really is a great soundman and has been working in the area for years, decades.
Mario gets his kit wired up. I really like that "SubKick" kick drum mic. Didn't Quest Love design those?
Art and Daniel await their turn to sound check.
Skip is on the gig today. He's really working in nicely and gets tighter every time he plays with us. He'll be working with us more in the future, hopefully be the steady guy. We love Hal but he has other projects that keep him busy.
OK, we've got our cowboy shirts on so it must be near downbeat. Kelly likes to hang out in the shade while we play an instrumental opener, usually a fiddle tune like "Turkey In The Straw" or "Arkansas Traveler".
Mario has a little shade when we start.
Skip wore his plaid shirt. I guess plaid is the new black.
This was my view when we started. Frank, our emcee, is getting the crowd fired up. That sun was brutal for almost the entire first set.
On the first break Kelly takes a selfie of us in front of the crowd.
Then Frank makes some announcements and gives away some prizes.
We're back to finish the show. Kelly is peaceful. Mario takes a picture while Art and Daniel tune.
I wanted to take a picture of Mario taking a picture but he put his phone down and geeked the camera instead. He likes doing that.
You know what song Daniel is singing, right?
Here's a crowd shot. It was a great crowd.
Daniel is still singing that song.
Another crowd shot while Daniel sings his song.
My friend Deanna took some pictures with her phone and shared with me.
She likes the angled shots from behind the band that show some crowd.
Mario is singing "Can't Stop The Feeling" because he's the youngest, hippest cat in the band.
Am I blue?
Yes I'm blue, with a bit of bass face happening.
Where's Kelly?
There she is!
At the end of the show a couple of the food vendors shared their wares with us. I had an excellent sausage dog and an empanada.
Then it was a two hour slog to the house. But since it was late I could just set the cruise control and nap on the way. I was home about 11pm. Not bad at all. I ended up driving over four hours to play less than two hours. But that's OK. I get paid to move gear and be a roadie. I make music for free!
Thanks for looking!
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
No comments:
Post a Comment