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