Giracci Winery 9/18/20

Hello friends,

Oops, it looks like I got a little out of order when trying to catch up on my gig posts. Sorry about that. But I'll continue just so that I get them all posted.

It was another outdoor pandemic gig that was too much fun. With all the new material and the acoustic feel of the band, it was a blast. It started off a bit warm as I left for the gig. It was a little cooler than this at the gig but it was very warm at my house. I had loaded up two basses and my amp for this gig. Yes, a little bit old school without IEMs.

The winery is out on Santiago Canyon road, about as close as you can get to a country road here in the OC.

I'm pulling onto the property now. We'll play another outdoor event at the "big house" next month. Today we are setting up in front of the barn to play to the crowd outdoors. We've played several events in the barn.

We are well into the setup dance as the taco truck pulls onto the property. Oh boy! Tacos!

We, and I mean Johnny Magic Fingers, are running our own sound today with just two mains on sticks, one sub, and five monitor mixes. Here's a shot of the seating under the big tree. Today's event is called "Wine Down Fridays". Pretty clever, hunh?

I brought my small rig, GK MB500, Carvin RL210, Fender Kingman, and Kiesel PB5. My acoustic bass guitar sounded so good and I was having such fun that I never played the PB5. Arnie did not bring a Tele either. I'll show you in a minute.

Paul was a busy guy tonight playing fiddle and steel. He brought the banjo but ended up not playing it.

Yes, I heard there would be tacos.

This was not really a "merch" table but more of an advertising table. Arnie set out business cards, tip jar, and even flyers with a QR code to use to tip the band through the interwebs. It worked!

If you're wondering why there's an extra monitor out front, Amanda was supposed to show up and sit in tonight but her daughter had a little thing (nothing serious) so Amanda had to pass. Here were Arnie's WMDs, a Taylor, a Martin, and a Godin.

We did some of our new Chet tunes and other acoustic-y instrumentals. The crowd loved the Merle and Johnny stuff too. Please don't think any less of me because I was drinking a Coors Light. The best thing about this beer was that it was free.



Dave does an excellent job in this combo. He doesn't feel like he has to play lead drums.



The crowd is starting to fill in as we start. It turned out to be a very pleasant evening.



As Arnie likes to say, "Back here on vocals, drums, and cymbals, we have Mr. Dave Terry!"



Dave says, "And don't forget cowbell!" After it got dark Arnie broke out the LEDs and John found a fan hanging out on his keyboard. That mantis stayed there for a couple of sets. I guess he liked what he heard.



Just before the last set it was taco time. Yay band!



After the audience enjoyed their supper and had a few glasses they were ready to party. No one danced in front of the band but they would bust a move right next to their tables.





We played three seemingly quick sets and then it was time to do the roadie thing. Everyone had a great time, even the band, until it was time to strike the stage.



Several people told me how much they appreciated us and how much they realize they miss live music. I hope and pray we are all better people after we get through this. I know this time has made me more grateful and thankful for a lot of things I have taken for granted in the past. One thing I am grateful for is good beer. After drinking that other stuff I had to stop on the way home to pick up one of my Lagunitas favs.




And that was my little winery gig on a Friday night. Next week the hairy legged boys and I will be backing True Willie at a drive-in concert at The Barclay in Irvine. That will be a first for me. Arnie will be filling in for Guitar Mike so we will include a few Merle tribute songs too, like our show in Branbury TX last January. It should be a real hoot.

Thanks for stopping by and checkout out my little gig. And thanks for sharing yours! We're gonna make it gang! Keep the faith! Be cautious, be courteous, be kind, be not fearful.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Rockin' R Ranch Horse Rescue Benefit 10/10/20

 Howdy Buckaroos!

Saturday night the hairy legged pickers and I, along with Amanda Kate and Claire, performed at the Rockin' R Ranch Horse Rescue. It was a benefit to help out with the farm animal rescue here in the OC and in Texas. The owner, Cole, owns both ranches where he takes care of abandoned and neglected horses and other farm animals. It was a great evening and we got to play for friends we haven't seen in months.

It was a pretty normal gig with a mundane commute down to the OC on freeways without much traffic at all, even with the widening project going on near my part of town.

I turned into the ranch and pulled right up to the stage in front of the "livery". Cole has lots of facades sitting around here. They really added to the atmosphere.

These facades would be moved later to surround the spectator area. You also see a few of the residents here.

There were some nice tractors on display today. Pretty cool.

I'll bet you could really plow a field with this Ford tractor.

The stage was just big enough for our eight member band tonight. Jed was working sound for this gig and was not on stage. The setup dance is in full swing.

While the band is setting up, Kevin is driving the Bobcat and smoothing out the "dance dirt".

We maintained proper distance from the horses.

Just before soundcheck Amanda arrived with some refreshments. I like the Sam Adams Octoberfest. Thanks Amanda!

Johnny Magic Fingers and I wait our turn to sound check. It's running a bit late due to power problems but we'll be OK.

The food truck arrives while we sound check. Baby's BadAss Burgers would be excellent!


 
Jed is still running lines and trying to find good power. We had to find a couple of stable circuits.



OK, after a lot of hard work on Jed's part we finally we get to soundcheck. Jed steps out front to twiddle the faders.

Claire needs a little extra attention to get her IEMs working right. Amanda is in good form this evening. Paul joins us on pedal steel and Daniel handles the fiddle.

Jason puts on his mask for this picture, just in case his wife sees it.



Johnny is happy now that he has power, even though he's powering only two keyboards.

Hay! We must be in the country! I've got my cowboy clothes on. We are probably getting close to downbeat.



Old Glory was flying in front of the ranch above the Rockin R Ranch flag.



Here's the front gate to the barn where we usually play these benefits but protocols moved the gig outside.



We saw lots of friends tonight. Here are Beth, Gladys, and Jefte as we order our burgers.

I decided to dine on the Baby Blue with sweet potato fries, and I don't regret it.


 

Bill (my friend in Jersey who loves the food shots), will you look at that! It's a half pound of Angus ground beef, lettuce, tomato, sauteed onions, bacon, and ranch dressing. The sweet potato fries were perfect.



I had to dine quickly because downbeat was looming. I chased it down with another October Sam. Our crowd is just beginning to arrive.



Our friends wait patiently while we tune up. We'll start after the break music plays one more song.



We saw lots of friends and fans from The Ranch as they enjoyed the contents of their coolers and ordered from the burger truck.

While we wait for a real photographer to show up, Amanda and Arnie join me in a selfie.



It looks like Arnie's in tune, let's get going!



Amanda says "Howwwdeeeeee!" to the audience.



We had a few dancers but it was mostly a listening crowd. You have to be really dedicated to dance in the dirt.



Yeah, we could use better lighting. At least the crowd could see us.



Hey! Looky who's here! A bunch of ladies from The Ranch are visiting the dress shop, Kathy, Stephanie, Jen, Sonia.

 It was a nice evening for a benefit.

A rustic but functional stage. We took one break in between two 90 minute sets.

Here we are, back for the second set!

We have dancers! We had a few line dancers too.

Daniel steps up to the mic and does his big hit, "Devil Went Down To Georgia".

The Ranch ladies put on a line dance exhibition.

At the end of the night we played a couple of encores, "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Don't Stop Believing". Yes, folks still like those songs.

My set lists.

And a parting shot. I'm all loaded up and get to roll my cart across the dirt to the arena next door where we parked. It's easier than pulling my truck around.

And that's it. You've pretty much seen it all. There's talk of doing this event once a month for a while, as long as the weather holds, and as long as the Covid madness is managed. Cool! Thanks for sharing the fun with me.

Before I go, here's a little fan video from the gig. 

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff