Disneyland Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree Private Party 8/11/15

Hi everyone,

Kelly was out of town for this one so our friend Kellye filled in for her. We played a private party for the Disney Infinity group, the makers of the video games. They were a younger, fun crowd.

We got picked up at the employee lot for our shuttle ride in. Kellye captured the moment on her phone.

Then I returned the favor.

On the way to the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree stage we had to wait for a small, very small, parade.

Two guys on the sound crew, Beau and Noel, are discussing the problem they're having with the monitors while Art, Daniel, and Mario get set up. You can see the little SWR Redhead that I use when they backline us.

It was a small party.

Oh these two!

Kellye is a lot of fun to work with and is just as sweet as she can be.

Here's Jeff. Disneyland is celebrating their 60th anniversary.

Daniel and Art look like they are ready to celebrate, or at least sound check.

Kellye checks her mic while keeping an eye on the drummer.

Kellye and I share some photons during sound check.

Right on schedule, the petting zoo population gets hearded back to their sleeping quarters for the night.

We're about to start the show. The folks were taking advantage of the buffet and getting pictures with Mickey and Minnie.

On with the show! Kellye and I gave our cameras to Samantha, our handler, to take a few shots out front.
 

Just two quick sets and we were done. The stage crew does all the hard work while I unplug and walk off stage. Yes, it's a cushy gig but somebody has to do it.

I'll be back later with pictures from our concerts in the park next weekend and The Ranch the weekend after that. Thanks for looking!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Aliso Viejo Towne Center 8/9/15

Greetings one and all!

Yesterday evening we played a concert at the Towne Center in Aliso Viejo. It's a huge shopping center with a multiplex theater, lots of restaurants, and it's own amphitheatre. We played this gig last year. They liked us enough to ask us back.

The parking lot was crowded so I got as close as I could and rolled up to the stage area. The sound crew was still setting up.

This is Kyle, our FOH man, and behind him in the truck is Kyle, the stage crew. Yes, Kyle and Kyle. That's OK, one less name to remember. These guys were great and took really good care of us.

Here the band is helping each other set up our gear.

Kyle and Kyle get Mario's drum mics squared away.

A view of the stage area from up the amphitheatre a little ways. The courtyard behind us has a large, beautiful fountain.

Jeff loads up his key-tar with batteries before we sound check.

I was wondering where the FOH mixer was. There wasn't one. Kyle wandered around the whole venue with his iPad setting main and monitor levels. Welcome to the wireless world of 2015.

This is the same sound company as last year, Mark Wood Entertainment and Production, but this crew was a lot more fun to work with than the crew last year.

We had an opening act. This guy did a terrific job singing a few covers and playing his guitar. I was impressed.

The view from my mic just moments before we get started.

Mario is ready to play!

Kelly and Daniel are ready to put on the show. Art is still tuning.

Here's my amp-selfie as the emcee announces the band.

I think Jeff is really enjoying his wireless adventures this summer.

Here are Jeff and Kelly out front performing a duet. Jeff likes to use his wireless mic and key-tar to get out from behind the keyboard.

Daniel always kills them with his rip-roarin' rendition of "Devil Went Down To Georgia".

Jeff kicks off our closer, "Don't Stop Believing".

Art plays the harmonics while Daniel wets his whistle.

Kelly encourages the little ones to sing some classic rock.

This crowd was really fun. Not only the kids but the adults got up and danced and had a great time. A friend of the band took this picture on her phone.

After we played our encore, all these ladies wanted to take a picture with the band. I think they were attracted to my hair.

Kelly had lots of friends and family come out to see us today.

We said our goodbyes and then had to make like roadies.

This was a really fun one. Chances are they'll have us back next year. I'm looking forward to it.

My next gig is Tuesday, 8/11/15, for a private party at Disneyland. Kelly will be out of town but our friend Kellye will be filling in. She's worked with us before and always does a great job. Until then, thank you for looking. Take care and God bless.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

La Mirada Regional Park 8/6/15

Greetings and Salutations!

I think this is the third summer I have played at La Mirada Regional Park with The Kelly Rae Band. This is called "National Night Out"  and celebrates law enforcement and community partnership.

  

When I pulled in the parking lot Art was already there in his big yellow truck waiting for the sound crew to finish setting up the portable stage-trailer. I don't care for this stage that much. The portable stages are always harsh sounding with lots of reflective surfaces. But we made it work.

Right behind the stage was our power source. It gave is no issues at all and was very quiet.

Ross Creations was the sound company. They had some good JBL gear out front and QSC monitors with 6 mixes.

This year the crew set up the mains a little too close to the stage. The subwoofers really resonated under the raised stage and made my bass sound huge on stage even though I wasn't very loud and had dialed back the low end on my rig. But I was kind of digging it.

As we loaded in the staff was still putting up a posters for the event sponsors.

This is Spencer, our FOH guy today. He did an admirable job along with Ishmael and Larry, his sound crew. They were on the ball and took care of all our needs.

OK, the band is starting to get settled on stage. We should be sound checking soon.

It was warm that day, I even brought my fan. I was surprised it didn't make any noise sitting on top of my amp like this.

I wish that I had remembered that this gig has us facing right into the setting sun. I didn't bring a hat but luckily the cloud cover offered us some off and on relief. Next time I will definitely bring at least a ball cap and be a little "bro country".

OK, now that we're done with sound check I step out into the park to get a shot of the whole setup.

There were a few food vendors here, a taco stand, kettle corn, and ice cream. Unfortunately we didn't get fed on this gig. You can't win'em all.

This is Deputy Sheriff Mark. He's one of our regulars at The Ranch. He's a nice guy.

This is State Senator Tony Mendoza with some of the local city officials, mayor, city council, etc, making their announcements and speeches. I was happy to see that they kept it short.  

And here we go! On with the show! Jeff has gong completely wireless with his mic and key-tar.

Art and Daniel put the icing on top of the musical cake that we bake.

As we look right into the sun, Kelly gets the party started!

Jeff has fun singing for the crowd.

Kelly got her girls on stage to sing a song from their CD, Songs About Dogs.

Kelly announces the winner to a raffle before we get back to more dance music. The crowd had their fun.

The band poses for a picture as we play off into the sunset.

Then the lights come on and it's time to pack up.

In my next blog entry, Jeff and I are working with Rodeo Revival at The Shoppes at Chino Hills, so that should be fun. I'll get it posted soon. This past week I've played  Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and will again on Tuesday. I'm getting it while the getting's good! 

Thanks for looking! I'll post up Sunday's gig (8/9/15) in Aliso Viejo soon. It was a blast! 

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff