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Today's gig adventure...


Terry Allan Hall

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Posted

Got a call last night from an old friend (Marilyn) who is now the manager of a "Victoria's Secret", at a local mall. Seems that at a meeting of the various stores, the idea of having some live "Holidy Music" was discussed and approved, so Marilyn called me and asked if I was interested in doing this sometime and if so, when?

 

I had nothing to do today, so it was agreed that I'd come down and play from 10am 'til 2pm for $200, plus whatever tips/CD sales might come about. I immediately called up Richard, my favorite bass-guy, and he was willing to come-out for $50 and 1/2 the tips, if he could borrow my bass amp (his got a beer spilled on it last weekend, at another band's gig, and judging from the amount of sparks and smoke, he's thinking he may have to buy a new amp! :()

 

Got there about 9am, and set up my PA on this tiny (about 6' by 8') stage area, right by the food court (a fantastic location, btw), and ran a quick soundcheck...all was "go".

 

At 10am, we officially started off with some straight-forward Xmas carols (later, Richard jokingly asked if I was going to go to the Pagan equivalent of Hell for singing such tunes...I assured him that We Who Are Washed In The Blood Of The Elm don't have strict rules about such things :lol: ), but the party really started when I sang Samilyn's new favorite (Santa Claus Is Copping A 'Tude)...as usual, that silly ditty went over like gangbusters!

 

I was a little concerned when I spotted the mall manager watching us during that one, but she just smiled and gave me a thumbs up at the end of the song, so all was well. :cool:

 

Shifted back to "normal" holiday fare, but every little while, someone would ask for another silly one, so I ended up doing every single "Holiday novelty tune" I knew at least once, and a few twice ("Jim-Bob, The Red-Neck Reindeer" is a tune I'll never live down, I suspect :p)...

 

One instrumental that went over very well was a medley of "Pachabel's Canon/Joy To The World/Carol Of The Bells"...Richard REALLY made that one work with his excellent bass backing.

 

Before we knew it, 2pm had rolled around and the next act was ready to set up...as I was toting my gear out to my truck, the mall manager asked if she could call tonight to set up other appearences during the week, in between my nursing home/veterans hospital/institutional gigs (this is a VERY busy time of the year!)

 

I love my job! :)

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Posted

Sounds like great fun, TAH! Nice bonus, too, the prospect of more mall gigs.:thu:

 

Must be wonderful to generate income doing something you love.

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Posted

Well, last night's gig was just about the opposite...no idea why, but just about everyone at the bar-and-grill I played at was in a downer mood! :eek:

 

Probably the least responsive crowd I've ever run across!

 

Strangely enough, the owner booked me for two more nights, one in Feb., one in May...

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Posted

-and-grill I played at was in a
downer
mood!
:eek:

Probably the least responsive crowd I've ever run across!


Strangely enough, the owner booked me for two more nights, one in Feb., one in May...

 

Generally alcohol = "downer" in my 27 yrs experience at gigging. In some cases it leads do violence and stupidity. That is why I am not crazy to perform in many of those types of venues anymore. Give me a nice "sober" audience anytime. :)

  • Members
Posted

Well, last night's gig was just about the opposite...no idea why, but just about everyone at the bar-and-grill I played at was in a
downer
mood!
:eek:

Probably the least responsive crowd I've ever run across!


Strangely enough, the owner booked me for two more nights, one in Feb., one in May...

 

Hmmm.....sounds like you played at the favored watering hole of Zombies Anonymous.

 

On the upside, though:

(1) You got booked for two more dates. :thu:

(2) You don't have to duck flying beer bottles.

 

Oh, speaking of flying beer......did your bass man finally bless and bury his beer-soaked amp?

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Posted
Hmmm.....sounds like you played at the favored watering hole of Zombies Anonymous.


Sho' 'uff!
:lol:


On the upside, though:

(1) You got booked for two more dates.
:thu:
(2) You don't have to duck flying beer bottles.


True...but I occ. felt like checking for a pulse...


Oh, speaking of flying beer......did your bass man finally bless and bury his beer-soaked amp?


Not yet, it's still in the repairshop and he's hoping for the best (and wishing he'd used his cheap Peavey instead of his Hartke rig).

  • Members
Posted

Well, last night's gig was just about the opposite...no idea why, but just about everyone at the bar-and-grill I played at was in a
downer
mood!
:eek:

Probably the least responsive crowd I've ever run across!


Strangely enough, the owner booked me for two more nights, one in Feb., one in May...

 

At least you know what to expect. Whoa ... booked way out in May? That place sounds like it's hopping ... but it's not?

 

Hmmm ... I played a wine bar out in Collin Co that was pretty lively!

 

I don't really mind the unresponsive crowds, especially if it's a "service" gig -- restaurant, wine bar, etc. Just part of the ambience, ya know? ;)

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Posted

I don't really mind the unresponsive crowds, especially if it's a "service" gig -- restaurant, wine bar, etc. Just part of the ambience, ya know?
;)

 

If I ever started gigging again, that would be about my speed. I just don't have enough energy these days to run fast when things get rowdy. Nursing home gigs do have a certain appeal now. ;)

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Posted

Yeah...makes ya feel good to be a grandmother and STILL be the youngest chick in the room.
;)

Watch for the old dudes!!!!
:D

 

I hear ya on both counts! :p

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