Ah the perks of getting older. I am proud to be advancing in age, as soon I will be 57.
You know you’re old when your back goes out more than you do.
The past couple of gigs, standing on hardwoor floors for a few hours can really do a number on your lower back and legs. When either Supernova or Rubber Duckie Riot played on stages with carpeting and rugs, I noticed a huge difference in my performance. After playing Mason Street Grille last week, it was pretty obvious that it was time to make a couple of changes. First of all, the Orange Crush 60 is 47 pounds so I bought a small Anvil dolly at Home Depot for $11. Best I ever spent! But finding a rug was a challenge. So who did I turn to?
A student’s mother. I am serious.
His famliy is moving soon, staying in the same town but their garage was filled with stuff for either donations or garbage. I asked if they had any rugs they were willing to part with and she supplied me with the one you see in the pic. It’s bigger than I expected but worked to my advantage. It’s not 100% soft but after last night’s show at Black River Barn, I didn’t drive home feeling my spine in my eye (10 points if you get the reference).
But now I am facing another small dilemma. Not sure if it’s just Black River Barn, but lately I’ve had some trouble seeing the fretboard and strings. Lighting can be tricky, as it’s either too blinding or too dark. When I played Mason Street or any of the campgrounds, I had no problems. I chat with a friend about struggling to see, and she said “Other bands say that too.” If I have to start wearing my reading glasses on stage, fine with me. Geddy Lee rocks them, so why not I?
The true test will be the next few shows I have lined up. If I can see the guitar fine, then I know it’s only Black River Barn and its lighting that’s the problem. (No I don’t have a problem with that place AT ALL! Just want to see, dammit!)
So with Lentini Farms on Oct 23, Halloween with Rubber Duckie Riot at Mason Jar, and Now 6 at Jefferson House, let’s see what happens. I also think that past a certain time, my eyes just tend to get weird, even if I nap earlier in the day. These upcoming gigs are earlier, so my eyes might be fine.
Wishful thinking, I know.
But the show last night was quite good, some technical snags but they were resolved soon enough. Black River was PACKED, and that was around 6pm or so. By the time we hit the stage (well, the floor) at 10, the place was jumpin’! Tore through the tried-and-true songs, added new ones, dusted off tunes that we’d not touched in ages. Overall, a pretty good performance and evening overall.
Now if my eyes cooperate…
