Giracci Winery, 3/19/21

 Greetings!

It was really a last-minute call for me. Arnie told me Wednesday that he'd like to get the whole band to work where there was only budget for a duo. But for dinner and gas money, we'd use it as a warm-up paid rehearsal type gig. OK, I'm in! We like playing at the Giracci Winery and they are finally starting to book parties, corporate events, and weddings again. This was one of their regular events called "Wine Down Fridays". Mrs. BassCliff even tagged along. We got to dance on the breaks. We played three sets, 6-9pm, the last of which was very short. Arnie had set cards out on all the tables and we had a few interested parties inquire about bookings. Cool.

You've seen me posting about events here before. We played inside the barn this time with all the windows open and the tables distanced, etc. We loaded in the back door.

I used Big Betsy as my dressing room again. I just had to put on my Scully. A line of patrons are already waiting to get into the event.

I left my day job as early as I could but still I arrived at the gig fairly late for load-in. The gang was all set up.

Because of the nature of this gig, Arnie and I had made special arrangements. I could arrive late, leave early, and he'd bring his Rumble from the studio for my back line. Since I was working basically for free Arnie didn't mind putting in a little extra effort. He's a good guy.

In addition to my Kiesel PB5 I also brought my JBS for backup but left it in the gig bag. Here's the view from the bass amp. You see our IEM mixers on the stands. Arnie also uses a floor wedge for some reason that I don't understand.

It's a pretty echo-y barn so just a couple of twelves on sticks and one sub. The band did not get loud tonight and no one complained. Cool.

More of the crowd is just starting to filter in now.

Drummer Dave plugs in his ears. Paul is warming up his steel. He's also playing fiddle tonight.

Jed is just a blur of acoustical guitar-osity.

Here's a view from the back of the room toward the stage. It was a good crowd tonight. Eventually all the tables were full.

On the first break I was served a nice plate of Irish goodies, corned beef and cabbage. The soda bread was excellent soaking up the beans.

Arnie had a little fun working the tip jar. He told us last night he had a dream about being a muffler. He woke up exhausted.

Amanda Kate and her special guest were there for the first two sets. They both had a ton of fun.

Jed steps up to the mic and belts out a tune. Paul takes a nap until it's time for him to solo.

Yes, we are at a winery.

Look! Johnny Magic Fingers is so talented he can play with one hand behind his back!

Here's a glam shot of the hairy legged pickers just before we start the last short set.

And there is no load out picture because all I had to do was put my bass in the case and escort Mrs. BassCliff to my truck so we could drive home. We had a fun time knocking the rust off. For grins and giggles, here's a clip of the activity.

I think we'll be back here in a couple of weeks playing another Friday event. The gigs are starting to pick up, slowly but surely. I hope they are for you all too! Take care.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Swallows Inn, 3/7/21

 Greetings and Salutations!

It seems like it's been months since I've posted a gig report. I think the last one was before Christmas when we were at Gilley's. This past Sunday we played at one of our favorite honky tonk dive bars, Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano. Actually, we played in the parking lot behind the bar but, close enough. We begin our day as Johnny Magic Fingers and I carpool down to the gig. We loaded up a couple of his keyboards in front of my bass rig in the back of Big Betsy.

Then we took that familiar drive down the 57 deep into the OC. There was very little traffic late on a Sunday morning.

This is me and my setup dance partner, a skinny gal named Michelle Stand. Arnie and John are enjoying their setup too.

I brought my LB76 as backup but only took the PB5 out of the case. We were was using the wired IEM system today. I like this setup over the wireless packs.

Johnny warms up his Magic Fingers.

Arnie brought his little rig today. That pedal looking thing on top of that speaker cabinet is the amp.

Arnie also used this Kemper modeling pedal board rather than the monstrosity.

Drummer Dave is making sure his cymbal is set at just the right angle.

Jed ran sound for us while he wasn't on stage playing acoustic and singing. He does a great job at all three.

 OK! We are done with the setup and the sound check. It's been a while since I've been able to don the Scully. It still fits!

Here's a shot of the "stage" area from across the parking lot, um, dance floor.

Just before we start the set my friend Deb buys me a beer from Rebecca while Arnie and Paul photobomb. This is my first beer in weeks! A nice Stone IPA.

Let the festivities begin! I'm chomping at the bit. I want to play! Somebody count it off! I'll play the bass part!

On the first break we say "Hi" to more friends we haven't seen in a while. Here's the lovely Kathy Diane.

And here's everyone's favorite real estate agent, Tami.

Tami and the old country bass player. Wow, I really look old in this picture. I think Tami turned on the "geezer" filter.

It was a good crowd, lots of familiar faces, lots of two stepping.

To continue, it seems I caught Dave in the zone. We had a ton of fun today. Dave sings great harmonies and our voices blend well.

Arnie is thinking real hard about what Merle Haggard song to play next.

Oh, hey! I know! Let's get Claire up to sing a few. Capitol idea! Everyone say "Hi" to Claire!

On the next break John and I decide it's time for tacos.

These were the "crazy tacos", steak and lots of other good stuff. Excellent!

John and I enjoy our tacos on the back patio.

You could go inside the bar only to use the restroom. I had to wash the tacos off my hands and found only a single ladies undergarment hanging from the ceiling.

I think Paul is having fun today! He played fiddle and steel for us.

And yes! We have achieved line dancing! My gig is now complete.

We finished the last set, packed up our gear, said our goodbyes, and promised we'd be back soon. John and I put our stuff back in Big Betsy.

There's not a lot of money on this gig but it's fun and it's good for a paid rehearsal. The crowd was generous with tips. That's good. Otherwise one of us would've been working for free. It stayed a little cool and cloudy all afternoon but nobody minded. Everyone was glad to be out in the fresh air, dancing, dining, drinking, making noise, just like it should be.

Arnie's been working hard trying to book what he can. We've got a few gigs here and there and it looks like things will pick up over the summer. Things have to get back to normal soon. Thanks for coming along today. Let's do it again soon!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

My Roadie Gig, 1/2/21

 Howdy Buckaroos!

I know it's been a while since I've posted about my gigs. I haven't had that many gigs but they are starting to come back as the world gets over the fear and madness. It's time I get caught up on the few gigs I have played the last few months. Here's a gig back in January that I actually didn't play but instead assisted my friend Gary. It's actually kind of fun being a roadie.

My friend and neighbor, Gary asked if I could help him out on his gig last Saturday. I was more than happy to. He was working with a band based in Huntington Beach called 24k Country ( Facebook link: 24k Country ) and they were playing an outdoors-ish gig in San Juan Capistrano. Gary asked me a few weeks ago and I've been looking forward to getting out of the house and listening to somebody else play for once. Sometimes I get really tired of hearing myself play all the time. Anyway...

I met Gary at his house and loaded up his really nice gear in the back of Big Betsy. It fit like a glove.

Traffic was really light on this Saturday evening, we made good time on our trek down into the deep, dark OC, arriving before call time. This venue is located just about a block west of the Swallows Inn and has been several different places throughout the years. It's a collection of railroad cars with a big covered patio on one side next the the train tracks.

It's now an Irish Pub called Paddy's Station. I think it used to be called just "The Station" at one time.

The load-in wasn't too bad. There was a ramp into the venue but a long carry down the long hallway between the patio area and the railroad cars. Gary and I both donned our masks while we were walking through the venue. We can take them off once we sit down or get on stage.

Like I said, it's a looooong hallway.

We roll past the bar area into the main room of the patio. The stage is on the far end of this room.

For Gary's warm-up act he gets a lounge-y piano bar performer who did a fine job on the out of tune baby grand.

They were not seating anyone in the railroad cars themselves, but it's a neat atmosphere.

Gary and the keyboard player, Dave, do their setup dance. Seems the drummer is cutting it close.

I see the drummer has arrived. Here's a picture of Gary's rig. The G&L with the Genzler kit sounded great and carried the room without PA reinforcement.

There ya go! The setup dance is complete, the stage lights are hot, the camera is on, and I think the band is in tune. Something's going to happen soon.

Yes! Live music and dancing! The band, 24k Country, has a nice repertoire of classic country, classic rock, and newer country, a good mix. Rich plays guitar and sings, Steff sings the girl stuff, Dave plays piano and sings, the drummer Joshua drums, and Gary keeps it all together.

Look! Gary is on TV! How cool is that?

The band played three sets and kept the crowds enthused all night. I had fun 'people watching' and listening to another band work.

OK, I think Gary is having fun too. He is "dating" the band right now. I guess there have been no firm commitments either way and he's wondering if they will call back. Young love is so fickle. I think the lady singer and drummer are in another band as well, Steff and the Silverados. (I happened to see Stephanie's FB page with her other band.)

Since I was driving tonight and I wanted to make sure Gary and his nice rig got home OK, I enjoyed a Beck's non-alcoholic barley pop. It's actually pretty good pilsner style beverage.

I was having a great time until the drunk chick next to me start chatting me up. "Are you from Jersey?" No. "Wanna dance?" No. All of a sudden she grabbed me by the neck and said, "I'm bored. Com'on! Let's dance!" I politely thanked her and insistently turned her down. It upset her a little but at least she left me alone after that. I thought I was going to have to resort to telling her that I was a bass player. That surely would have sent her packing.

Even the last set had much merriment and revelry. I know this looks like a room but it's actually a patio with the curtains pulled down. There were heaters up near the roof it if gets too cold. It wasn't that cool this evening. I think Stephanie saw me taking a picture and smiled.

The band was scheduled 7:30 to 10:30 but played a couple of encores. Gary and I made our getaway as soon as was polite.

I had brought my handy-dandy Rock-n-Roller cart just in case. I'm glad I did. It came in, um, handy. We made good time packing and loading Gary's gear. I didn't even think about helping with the PA since I was Gary's roadie and not the band's.

I had a good time hanging out. Thanks Gary! I called Drummer Dave (of True Willie and Country Club fame) since he lives close. Dave came out for the second set. It was good to see Dave. Dave had played here years ago when it was called something else. I'd never been here before but I did see a few familiar faces from the Swallows Inn crowd. It was a good evening and we both made it home safe and sound.

Thanks again to Gary for sharing your gig with me! God bless.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff