ANOTHER TOWN AND ONE MORE SHOW…

A former store manager used to tell me whenever I had a surprise sale that “Sometimes a squirrel backs into a nut.” Meaning, you get lucky when you’re not looking.

I need to look less often!

Yesterday I got another gig, this time with the cover band Vinyl Renegades. Classic rock, dance, pop tunes, you know the deal. But what makes this gig extra cool for me? It will be the first time since July 3, 2022 that I will be sharing the stage with my awesome friend/singer Deb Tote Harvey! We used to be in the band Naked Glory back then, was a short-lived gathering but a lifelong friendship came from it, which is more important than the music.

She asked me yesterday if her bandleader John could call me to see if we can work things out, and that I could be a sub on this upcoming August 23rd gig. OF COURSE! I chat with John, very pleasant, told me the deal with the band and whatnot. I accepted his terms, and he is aware that I’m not a typical rock player. (Curse and a blessing sometimes!) But that I will always stick as close to the songs as possible, yet my inevitable quirkiness will come through. He was cool with that.

Sent me the master song list and said “What do you know from this?” Obviously I’ve covered most of these songs, and a handful are new to me. But I am a fast learner, plus I will have a little over a month to get new stuff down. Deb told him and the rest of the band that they have nothing to worry about with someone like me. That I am pro, prompt, get good guitar sounds, and easy to hang with. The last thing speaks volumes, if you ask me.

As it stands now, I still have the August 22nd show with Supernova. And then this gig the next day. But wait there’s more…

The bassist in Supernova, Tony Buono, is also filling in with Vinyl Renegades. So we have to see each other AGAIN?!? He’s gonna get sick of me HA! But he’s excited, as am I. It’s nice to be around other musicians who enjoy my company, and not beat me over the head with “I don’t like when you do that” and “Stop playing that shit!”

Mean people suck.

While I don’t see myself fully submerged in the cover scene, I am enjoying it a bit more than I expected. I was your typical snotty “It has to be originals!” but while I am still creative and vital with writing music…if I have to play pubs and bars to see big crowds and make nice money, then fine. I didn’t sell out. I still have my integrity. And everyone knows that.

Will more gigs happen? Got me. If this squirrel backs into another nut soon, then great!

BTW: 5 points if you got the reference in the blog title.