Stillwater Spirits and Sounds, 5/6/21

 Hey gang!

We used to play this room all the time, almost once a month. It's been a year and a half since we played this cute little honky tonk down by the beach, Stillwater Spirits and Sounds. Actually it's only a honky tonk on Country Wednesday Nights. There are different music genres in here almost every night, classic rock, 80s, tribute bands, etc. I wasn't able to slip out of work as early as I'd hoped. Wouldn't you know it? The traffic getting to the gig was near pre-madness levels. Here I am cruising slowly by Anaheim Stadium.



I just kept heading for the beach and turned right when my wheels hit sand.



I arrived just 15 minutes before our downbeat at 6pm. But that was OK since there was a soundman, a back line (Rumble 500), and a hook to hang my bass. I didn't even have to bring a guitar stand.



Here's Paul helping Johnny Magic Fingers get hooked up. John brought only one keyboard. How about that?



Drummer Dave is happy to be here. This gig is about ten minutes away from his house. Lucky duck. It's an hour and a half from my house.



It's not a large place but the room starts filling up early with the Orange County Two Steppers.



This is on a break. Soundman Paul plays DJ to keep the folks on the floor.



It's a good crowd tonight with lots of familiar faces happy to be somewhere dancing, eating, and drinking.



My friend Kathy is here with her friend Hayden. They are both big fans of the band.



OK, let's get to work! Play that country music cowboy!



Arnie plays the intro while I take the selfie.



Arnie was feeling pretty happy about right now. We are an instant country band. Just add beer.



This is more of a two stepping and swing dancing crowd but they like a line dance every now and then.



We did pretty good with our newer tunes. I missed a key change in one of my songs and modulated a whole step instead of a half step. The band caught up and nobody but us noticed!



At the end of the third set I finished my Stone Delicious IPA. It's one of the few IPAs I really like.



The curtain is closed and Johnny is packing up his gear. He didn't bring much tonight. That's unusual for him.



After I pack up my Kiesel I carefully return the vintage Zeny to it's rightful place.



I know, right? You don't see these often. This is one of the good ones. The action at the 12th fret is only a half inch.

Hey! Look at that! The folks were very nice to the tip jar this evening. There was a fifty and a few twenties in there. We all made and extra $25 and we tipped the soundman.



I was in such a hurry I didn't take the usual load-in/setup picture. But here's the back door as I carry my bass out to my truck. The stage door is just inside to the left down a couple of stairs. It's not a bad load-in at all.



We've decided to play here once every other month or so. It's a fun place but it's a long drive for average pay. We'll use it for a paid rehearsal and free beer. It was a good evening, seeing old friends and knocking the rust off. Next up is Saturday at Knott's Berry Farm. Johnny won't be with us and Jed will be taking his place. Then next week we are at Gilley's in Vegas. Wow, this is like the real world again. God bless us.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff