Water Wheel, 4/9-10/21

Greetings ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and neighbors, in-laws and outlaws,
 

This weekend The Country Club Band (a.k.a. Arnie Newman Band, a.k.a. Hairy Legged Pickers) worked at The Water Wheel Saloon in Horsetown USA (Norco), both Friday and Saturday nights. You often see the citizens of Norco riding their horses down the main drag. I suppose that's why the speed limit is 35mph, strictly enforced. It's amazing, and very courteous, that everyone drives the speed limit. There are lots of good ol' folks in this town. 

It's been at least a couple of years since we've played this room but I remembered to pull around to the back door to unload by the pool tables.

I used my handy dandy rock-n-roller cart to slide on by the mechanical bull. That's new since the last time we were here.



I found out too late that we were supposed to load in before 7pm when the line dance lessons start. Oh well. I'll remember next time. The dancers were polite and let me toss my rig on stage, to the left behind Old Glory.



As I went to park my truck I noticed the Boot Barn. Across the street is the Norco Ranch Outfitters. All up and down 6th street are hay and feed and tack stores. All the storefronts in the main drag have a look that pays homage to the Old West.



After parking out back I walk around front to snap a picture of the entrance.



I was quite pleased to see this sign on the front door.



Hello honky tonk! This place hasn't changed much.



As the line dancers finish their lessons I strategically place a Shiner Bock on stage to wet my whistle.



Hey! Look at that! Arnie must've forgotten his cowboy hat. He's done that once or twice before.



Wow, Drummer Dave is in the red zone.



Johnny Magic Fingers seems upset about that. Maybe he wants to be in the red zone too.



Behind Johnny is Sean, our DJ/Bouncer. Hey! Look who else is in the house tonight! There's a celebrity in our midst. You might remember Chelsea. I used to occasionally work in a band with Chelsea and her dad, Jesse, a few years ago. Chelsea was having a girls' night out.



Of course, we had to get Chelsea up on stage with us. You go girl!



I don't see how Arnie can stand to play Merle Haggard without a wearing a cowboy hat.



Dave's not in the red zone any more.



I did not get a good picture of Pedal Steel Paul on Friday night. Here's one of Paul in the red zone.



John seems to have settled down but he looks a little green. I hope he's not coming down with the boogie woogie flu.

Hey! Looky here! Our buddy Sal buys the band a round of shots on the last set. Just what we need.



And that was pretty much our Friday night. Jed and Arnie had brought the PA but only half of what we used at the winery last weekend. Jed hung around the first set and a half to dial in the FOH. After that it was pretty much "set and forget". I had my IEMs dialed in and everything felt great. Chelsea loved the sound of the band so it must've been OK.

And we're back on a scintillating Saturday night. The old country bass player tunes up while the DJ takes care of the dancers on the floor.



It was a really good crowd both nights. Arnie points at his favorite bass player on this stage.



NOW he's really in the Merle groove! The hat makes all the difference.



Dave's in the red zone again. He's going to score any second.



This crowd loves to dance, line dance, two step, swing dance, cha-cha, whatever.



On a break I wander out to the front patio.



Dave and I are in front of the waterwheel in front of The Water Wheel.



There's a good crowd on the front patio enjoying the evening. I think Cody is enjoying his evening a little too much.



Our dear friend Kathy is here tonight. Everyone say "Hi" to Kathy!



Mortimer the Party Moose watches over the line dancers having their fun. I think he approves.



Johnny got to rip on "Mama Screw Your Wig On Thight", one of my favorite boogie-woogie songs. We haven't played it in a year. John brought the house down.



Hey! Don't point that thing at me! It might be loaded!



Here's our set list for the evening. We didn't follow too closely but at least it was there just in case we couldn't think of anything to play.



Yes, those are tips. The crowd was quite generous. We made $60 each in tips for the weekend. Plus, our buddy Sal was in the house again and sent up another round of shots.



They were delivered with a smile.



Soon it was time to be roadies again. With the band's PA (QSC) and the DJ system (JBL), there was a lot of gear on stage. Plus there were several large TV sets in boxes taking up room. It's a good sized stage but the club is storing too much crap on it. It made the stage a little cramped.



The raised stage is new since last we played here. Let's hope they get it cleared off a bit so the band can spread out a little. Maybe next time. Here's a shot you haven't seen for a while. It's my handy dandy Rock-n-Roller cart all loaded up and making its way out to the truck.



And what's a gig report without a parting shot with one of my favorite brews to top off the night? Was this a normal weekend or what?



Unfortunately we don't have anything on the books for a couple of weeks but you never can tell. Things are opening up and gigs can pop up quickly. We shall see. I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying life. This sure was a little slice of normal. Thanks for looking!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Giracci Winery, 4/2/21

 Greetings!

This gig at Giracci Winery was originally a duo gig but turned into a big party to send off our dear Amanda Kate who's moving to Texas. We invited a few musical guests to party with us. Arnie even rented a dance floor and the CC production group brought out the big guns for PA and lights. Over three hundred tickets were sold at $25 each, meal included, but the band worked for cheap, basically singing for our supper. Nobody minded a bit. It was quite the party. 

 I snuck out of work a little early on a Friday afternoon and headed down the old 57 freeway like I have hundreds, if not thousands, of times before.

Once you get off the main drag and head out Santiago Canyon Road you could swear you're out in the country.

Here we are pulling into the main gate of the winery property.

It looks like we are under the big gazebo again. That's Jed putting the finishing touches on the PA and light setup.

I tossed my rig on stage and parked around back of the tasting room. Here's a view of the party area as I make my way back to the stage. This shindig grew to be three times it's original estimate.

Oh boy! Four subs! We're going to be kickin' it tonight!

I brought both of my Carvin products tonight. Look at those road cases, almost all perfessional and stuff. We can hide all our gig bags and junk behind them.

Here's my rig next to Arnie's rig. My 210 cab has developed a rattle so I used that as an excuse to bring out my big guns.

If this bass player was half as cool as he thinks he is, he would've helped the drummer get the kit on stage.

It looks like we are just about done with the setup dance. Paul plugs in his fiddle. Jed checks PA connections. Drummer Dave aligns his skins.

Tonight we'll be doing a few of Amanda's originals, which I haven't played for a year. I had to pull out my Nashville number charts.

Yeah, I know. It's not real beer. At least it's cold and free.

We did a very quick sound check while folks are getting settled and waiting in line.

Wow! Look at that line! There must be something going on here.

Jed puts the finishing touches on the stage mix. I'm using IEMs. Rob is out front at the console doing FOH.

Paul looks happy, ready to slip and slide on his steel guitar.

Johnny Magic Fingers and the old country bass player are ready to make noise.

Arnie is ready to play some Merle Haggard.

Oh wait, he's got to adjust his pedals and check his tuning.

Here's our guest of honor. We're all going to miss this gal. Amanda promises to fly back often to play shows with us. Besides, the grandparents are still local so they'll want to see their grandbaby at least once a month. Let's hope so.

Who knows? Maybe she'll get famous while she's in Texas.

You might remember Kevin Click. He's done a few shows with us.

Brad Johnson also got up to sing a couple. He has another band that plays the area and was also in rotation at The Ranch.

Here's a better picture of Brad with Arnie, Dev, and Stephanie.

I wandered over to the BBQ and took this picture of the proceedings. It was a pleasant evening and everyone was having a great time.

Here ya go Bill! The traditional outdoor country gig meal, beans and BBQ.

We've done a couple of shows with The Joy Reunion, an acoustic trio that sings great together. Neil, Gentry, and Robert blend exquisitely.

Lots of fun being had on the dance floor!

Jed and Claire brought up their bass player and drummer so the band Cross County Line could play a few. I got to walk out front and check out the FOH sound.

We played from 6pm to 10pm. I like early nights. Arnie photobombs my load out picture.

But wait! What's that sound? Oh no! Somebody forgot to turn off the sprinklers! We hustle all the gear off the grass onto the dance floor.

After my commute home I enjoy a Reese's Easter egg and wash it down with a GOOD beer. It was a good day.

I'm glad more of us are getting back into the swing of things as people are taking precautions, vaccinations, etc, and the fear subsides. May God continue to bless us.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff