Me and Arnie Newman's Country Club Band, the band most popular among housewives, insomniacs, alcoholics, truck drivers, and those inclined toward socially deviant behavior, played at our favorite dive bar this past Sunday afternoon, the Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano.
It was a fairly pleasant drive down into deep Orange county. The freeways are least busy around here on Sunday morning. We're having our own mustard "super bloom" on the hillsides around here.
Here's where we exit the freeway. You can smell the ocean from here. The venue is just a mile from the beach.
The is the old Mission at San Juan Capistrano, a very historical place. You should visit sometime, it's interesting. I take a left here to pull into the parking lot behind Swallows Inn.
I got really lucky and found a parking spot right away only a block away from the stage door. I'll roll around the corner and down the street to load in.
And here we are. The stage door opens right to the sidewalk for a convenient load-in.
John was already here and mostly set up. Here you go John, here's my mic cable. John?
Arnie arrived soon after and I helped him set up the PA. I think Arnie is looking for a place to plug in his powered speakers.
OK, sure. That ought to work.
We have fun during our setup dance, don't we? Here's a look at the funky decor of the place. Every time we play here there are new ladies undergarments strewn about.
Yes, I think that leopard print is new.
Since I'm done setting up I visit Rebecca at the bar so she can pour me a refreshing IPA.
I didn't know Randy was going to be here today. Fitting all of us on this little stage is always fun.
You see our buddy Dave, drummer from True Willie, is also joining us today. We love Dave.
Let the two-stepping begin! We had a lively, generous crowd today. They hit the tip jar pretty good.
Since the day before was Merle's birthday, and the anniversary of his passing, we did a whole set of Merle songs in tribute. The crowd loved it.
Look at those smiles. There's nothing like a Merle song about prison to make you feel good.
We were so happy that Dave got furloughed in time to play with us today.
This is just another random shot of the room looking back from the bar as I got another refreshing beverage.
There were five or six birthdays in the house today. The band got cake to go with our beer.
Yes, we had a few line dancers. This is Kathy and Dianne. Say "Hi!" But most of the crowd were two-steppers and West Coast Swing dancers.
We're just about to start another set. That red garment is brand new. Shannon just hung it up there today. She said she put it there so her husband would see it.
Arnie was on fire today. We didn't use a set list but kept the momentum going with sheer will power.
Dave did a great job driving the bus today despite the fact that we threw a few new tunes at him. He's getting used to the way we do things and rarely misses a trick.
One of our favorite fans stopped by for a refreshing beverage. I'm sure you all remember Tammi. She's always a good hang.
Arnie steps back while Johnny Magic Fingers does his boogie-woogie magic on the piano.
Dave keeps time on the rim during Johnny's big intro.
OK, one more Dave just because he's such a handsome devil.
They like us! They really like us! That's Shannon in the black dress on the right. That's her red bra that she wore to celebrate her birthday.
Lynn and Rebecca also stopped by to have a dance or two. I was happy to oblige.
Then it was time to say good night. Here's Johnny loading out next to all my gear on the sidewalk.
And now it's back to the grind. Thanks for stopping by. It's all fun.
Thank you for your indulgence,
BassCliff
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