Cliff and John Drink A Beer, 7/3/20

Hi!

Mrs. BassCliff and I went to spend the evening with Johnny and Mrs. Magic Fingers on the 3rd. We made some music, BBQ'd in the back yard, and had a wonderful felloship with friends.

Johnny is really good with a grill. He plays it like a piano.

Oops! Now you know his secret ingredient!

And a good time was had by all.

A little earlier in the day, John and I got out our instruments and pointed a cell phone at us. I'd like to send out this song to all the heroes who deserve honor on this 4th of July. So many have sacrificed so much to make this country great. I'd like to honor the families of our service members and first responders for their sacrifices. I would also like to send this song out to all of you who have lost loved ones from time to time. This song has a special place in my heart because it hit the radio just at the same time my father-in-law. a thirty year Navy Veteran, was killed in a hit-and-run. We had just started to get to know each other and bond in things we had in common, his daughter (of course) and motorcycles. We both loved to ride. God bless us and God bless America!

I hope you all had a happy and safe 4th of July. Take care of each other and be kind to strangers.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Temple City, 7/1/20

My dear readers,

This past Wednesday was a lovely afternoon for a concert in the park, sans the audience and a large sound system. We played to a film crew and just a few spectators in the Temple City Park who had to stay behind the fence. This was the lovely pavilion in the park next to the town hall. Oh boy! Another gazebo gig! I've actually played on this gazebo before with the Kelly Rae Band. A couple other members of the band have played here before with other various projects.

We were scheduled to load-in at 2pm with soundcheck at 3pm for a 6pm downbeat. Johnny Magic Fingers, Jason, and I were a bit early arriving even before the sound and film crews.

There were just a few people in the park. The little playground and picnic area were closed to the public. Gov. Gruesome had just ordered everything locked down again. I'm a little surprised this event didn't get cancelled altogether.

But we were bound and determined to make some noise and have some fun. I mean, look at this lovely setting. It would have been grand under normal circumstances, even under that big soundwarp of a gazebo.

There was a nice memorial in the park. I am a red-white-and-blue patriot at heart and it brings me joy to see honor given where it's due.

I had parked on the street rather than in the parking lot by the city hall. The roll was a little shorter. The other guys pulled up to the other side of the stage to unload. I always try to park once and not move back and forth.

Here's another exciting picture of my gear after rolling it up to the stage to take in the view of Big Betsy waiting patiently on the street for me to finish my activities.

Arnie had called the organizer of this event because we were all here but there was no sign of a sound crew or film crew. Since it was not a big event both crews were minimal and it did not take them very long to set up. Plus, rather than waiting around until 6pm for downbeat we all decided to just get started as soon as soundcheck was done. But first we all had to fill out and sign these waivers from the city. We promised we were healthy and the organizer took our temperatures. Mine was 96.1ºF. Seems a little cool. I'd better have my thermostat checked.

The band is just about set up but the sound and film crew are just getting started. It was a little hard to get excited for this performance. I'm glad I brought my BANG! energy drink.

This is Walter, our FOH, and his view from the sound board. It's not a big rig today since the crew is more concerned with the video recording. There were only a couple of PA speakers on sticks, no subs, but five floor wedges with five mixes.

That's Carlos in the view from my mic. He was the sound tech on scene. Both of the sound crew were very helpful. They had to bring out power from the city hall because the power outlets in the gazebo were not working. What a hassle.

Here's Johnny Magic Mask during soundcheck. I wore my mask only when I could not physical distance from the crew.

As I was plugging my rig into the system I discovered that my direct out jack was busted. It would not hold the XLR cable. Drat. That's inconvenient. So I used the crew's DI box for my bass. When I turned on my amp it got a fault light. All it would do was fart occasionally. I tried different cables, different basses, etc, and determined that my "new" GK MB500 had developed a hardware error. So I put bass in my little 10" monitor as did everyone else who wanted to hear me. At least everyone else had 12" monitors. We all smiled and made the best of it. Amanda is always a joy to work with.

It's plugged in, but there are no electrons flowing. The amp isn't working either.

There were five cameras placed around us. Every once in a while I would look into the camera, wink, and blow a kiss. Hopefully I won't give the old ladies a fainting spell. Probably not. I've always heard that the camera adds ten pounds. Since there were five cameras on me, well....

I think we are just about to start here. Mrs. BassCliff said I must not have gotten the plaid shirt memo. I had the only Scully. I brought a plaid shirt. I was just not in a plaid mood.

I'm not sure what John is trying to communicate here, something about beer, I think.

The sound crew put cables everywhere. I guess it didn't have to look pretty. Even under the gazebo and without a bass amp, a certain drummer would not adjust to the situation. That's why Arnie covered the kick drum. But that just gives him an excuse to hit harder.

I'm ready for my close-up.

Here's the whole gang doing our best to have a good show. It was not one of my better performances. At least not very many people will see it. (Ha!)

The crew said Temple City will stream this show on their Facebook, Youtube, etc, social media outlets on the 8th of July. But the city's website says it will be released on the 15th of July. So I just don't know. Here's the link: Virtual Concert Series | Temple City, CA - Official Website

And Virtual Concert Series - The Country Club Band

It looks like the rest of the month is cancelled. I'm going to try my best to follow some friends examples and record some more music at home to share. I like doing some pickin' and grinnin'. I'm going over to Johnny's today to run some tunes. I'll probably pull out my cell phone and see what happens. Thanks for stopping by and having a look. Hang in there, my friends. Take care, be considerate, and we'll all get through this. God bless.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Private Party, Family Reunion Fun, 6/20/20

Hello friends,

Yes! A real gig! Hauling and setting up gear and making noise in front of people! Hearing applause! Watching dancers! Eating! Drinking! Making merry! Woo hoo! We were hired to play a backyard private party on some horse property not too far from home. It looks like all my gear still fits into my truck, unlike my jeans.

I drove around the corner to pick up Johnny Magic Fingers and load up half his rig. He brought only two keyboards for this gig. We found the property and proceeded to back in to unload.

There was a small dance floor which eventually got used pretty good. The band set up on the back porch. Arnie and Jed had arrived earlier to setup the PA.

We were all so happy to be working again we brought the whole enchilada, full PA, IEM rack, I even brought an amplifier and two basses. I thought it was great our host and hostess flew Old Glory.

Here's my normal rig in all it's splendor. The pool still needs to be finished and there are two horses in the back yard. There's also an arena in the neighborhood and horse trails all over.

Arnie does a little pickin' and grinnin' while we setup and sound check. He played his acoustic on a few numbers today.

The host was able to set up an umbrella to keep the sun off of John. Now he's cool.

Hey! Looky there! I get to sing with these pretty ladies today, Claire and Amanda.

Ain't they cute? Paul is also on the gig today playing steel and fiddle.

We learned a couple of tunes just for this gig and so we are talking about arrangements. I think we'll keep these tunes just because they're pretty cool, Bonnie Raiit's "Angel From Montgomery" for our hosts and I wanted to do Luke Bryan's "Drink A Beer" just because I like it. ;-)

Jason gives us a big smile.

When the guests arrived, mostly family with a few close friends, they were greeted with this at the entrance.

Originally the host was planning on a party for 200 but decided to pare it down to about 50 family and close friends. So there was an over abundance of food and refreshments.

I've always been a fan of a Little Sumpin' and this IPA from MadeWest was quite good. I did not try the MW Light Ale.

Claire and I have one more swig of beer before we start the set.

And we're off! We are playing! We are singing! We are blowing the dust out and knocking the rust off!

After the first set we were invited to help ourselves to the vittles. There was beef brisket, grilled chicken, pulled pork, BBQ beans, mac-n-cheese, and salad. Yes! The hosts asked a restaurant owner friend of theirs to cater this event. The restaurant has had a hard time getting through this pandemic madness.

Just as we began our second set, the host brought up a little something special.

I handed my phone to Jed, who was running sound for us today, so he could take a picture out front.

I returned the favor and took a picture of Jed hard at work, pushing faders on his tablet.

Amanda says "Hi y'all!" as Arnie kicks off another honky tonk song.

It was an afternoon gig, scheduled from 3-6pm but there was plenty of shade.

Everyone was having so much fun the host asked us to play an extra set, until 7pm, for a little extra scratch, of course. We were more than happy to! The horses came up to say "Hi" to the guests and to find out why the music stopped.

The dance floor got some dust knocked off of it too! Sorry, I didn't get a picture of the line dancing.

Bob, the family photographer, gets a picture of the band before getting the crowd together for a family portrait.

It looks like the family is just about ready. There were members from Arizona, Maine, and points in between.

Now it's time we earned our pay, i.e. become our own roadies and schlep our gear outta here.

This is Tricette, our lovely hostess, and her beautiful mom, Melissa. I asked them, "What was this party for?" They said, "Just because!" Everybody just wanted to get out of the house and have some fun.

And a good time was had by all. After Johnny and I are loaded up, we head for home at just about sunset.

I dropped John and his gear on the way back to my place. When I arrived just after dark I found a little lost kitty in my yard.

I decided that cat could fend for itself and left it alone. It sure felt good to work again. I was tired but happy. Now we have to prepare for a rehearsal Thursday night.

These next photos were taking by the family photographer, Bob, who so generously shared them with us. Thanks Bob!

John and Claire relax before the show starts.

Amanda and Claire gets the floor warmed up with a nice country line dance.

Here's a pretty good glam shot of the band after all the noise.

Our host and hostess, Steve and Tricette, join the band to commemorate the evening. These great folks know how to throw a backyard barbecue party, excellent hospitality. Thank you!

From left to right; Paul(steel/fiddle), Tricette (hostess), Jed (sound), Claire (vocals), Amanda Kate (vocals), Arnie (guitar/vocals), Steve (host), Johnny Magic Fingers (keyboards), and the old country bass player.

It was a little slice of "normal" and a break from all the insanity in the world. Thank you Steve and Tricette for inviting us to play for your family reunion, treating us so well, being so considerate and hospitable. We all really enjoyed ourselves! God bless.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff