the tonedef blog

Friday Stepping Stone was scheduled to play at Bradford’s. Travis got word from George early in the day that he would be unable to make it since his father-in-law was hospitalized with heart issues. So we weighed our options and Band Mom called to see if Rocky would be willing to sit in with us for the evening. He said sure so we were good to go. Band Mom and Rock worked out a set list based on what we played previously with Rock and all was a go.

Band Mom and I picked Rocky up around 6:30 and headed to the hotel to have some dinner before the show. As we were eating, or rather waiting for our food, Michelle showed up and then so did Trav. We ate and got started setting up.

The Penguins playoff game was on so we watched that while setting up, then waited until it was over to actually start playing. We got rolling about quarter to 10 and things went well. Everyone was loose and had no expectations since we hadn’t practiced since the last show and hadn’t worked with Rock in a few months. No worries it went off without a problem. As always there were some minor things here and there, but nothing to get all that upset about. I think all there had fun.

Scooter showed up and added some levity to the evening. Also making and appearance was Pete. I haven’t seen Pete in a good long time. We got him up to play the congas on Godzilla it was pretty cool…

We finished our 3rd set around 1 and I ran Rock home since he had to work at 6 Saturday morning. When I got back, Trav had 99% of stuff torn down and ready to go. He headed out and I finished packing the van and had a couple of beers before closing time.

And it was a good Friday. Thing 1 was off school, Pooh was off school as well and at our house. I decided to take the day off of work as well. So there was some sleeping in done all around. My sister (who was up for the weekend) came and picked up Things 1 & 2 in the morning. She took Thing 1 to get a haircut. Band Mom spent the day doing last minute things for the Night At The Races that was going to happen on Saturday. Pooh and I ran out and did some last minute Easter shopping. We also picked up a present for our neighbors grandson who’s third birthday party would be on Saturday. And finally I picked up a poker set since I was going to be dealing hold ‘em at the night at the races.

Around 4 I took pooh to work. When I got home Band Mom and I spent the next few hours getting ready for the evening. Around 7 JuJu came over to babysit Things 1 & 2 and we headed out to the hotel. We were going to eat there before the show and Band Mom needed to meet with some of her committee about the Night at the Races. We got to the hotel and Trav and G were already there. They and Trav’s wife joined us for dinner along with members of Band Mom’s committee. As soon as I ate I then started getting things set up for the show.

Joe and Kimmy opened the show for us once again starting around 9:30. They played for almost an hour. Three shows now with them opening for us, and each one was better than the previous show. Even with Joe’s one gimpy arm, they performed well.

We finally took the stage around 10:30. The show was much better than our last one. I think everyone wanted to make up for that show to a point. Having G on guitar was pretty cool. We played some different songs than we have the past few shows. Its too bad G is already in 2 other projects, because he would be a good picker to have with us in the future, but I doubt that is gonna happen.

We had a nice crowd show up. Including my folks and sister and some old friends who we haven’t seen in a while. We had 4 former Shot:30 members in the crowd, Bill (who was kind enough to loan us the PA for the evening), Jason, Mike and all the way from Cadiz, OH, Keyser! It was cool having them come out and check out the show. Also if it wasn’t for Mike I would have gotten stuck singing Margaritaville, which is something I was trying to avoid like the plague. For some reason I just can’t sing that damn song…

We played 3 sets and finished right about 1:30. Tear down was quick and, bonus!, I loaded the PA right into Bill’s ride so I didn’t have to make a trip to Canonsburg to drop it off on Saturday! We all hung out for a bit and had a couple of beers before close and everyone headed home.

Thanks again to all who came and saw the show! We appreciate the support (and critisisms as well). I don’t know when or even if there will be a next show. But, hopefully, there will and you will all come out again!

Sunday, Band Mom got up early and took Pooh to church. On her way home, she was kind enough to stop and pick up the rest of the fam some McDonald’s breakfast. After breakfast she went back to bed for a little bit. Around noon I started getting ready and then got Things 1 & 2 ready. Around 1 I took them over to my folks for the day. Then back home to get Band Mom.

We then headed to Michelle’s for some band practice. This was our last practice before our show on the 21st. I think everyone was running a little behind because of daylight savings time. Anyway we ended up practicing for a few hours. We ran through the majority of the songs we are going to be playing on the 21st. And most sound pretty good. I need to work on a couple of vocal parts and memorize my lyrics, but on the whole I think it should be a good show.

We got home a little after seven and Band Mom started steaming some pork buns and frying up some pot stickers for her and I to have for dinner. Around 8 my folks brought Things 1 & 2 home. They had a good time with Grandma and Grandpap, who were kind enough to take them to Red Robin for dinner.

While Band Mom and I ate dinner, we watched some DVR of The Celebrity Apprentice…Yeah, Omarosa finally got fired…

Then it was showers for the girls and bed time. I ended the night watching some TV before heading to bed myself.

Well. It’s official. MindbenD is no more. Rock didn’t wan’t to play acoustic anymore. As for Trav, Michelle, and myself, we were having fun doing the acoustic thing. Plus its easy. Not the performance end, but there is way less equipment and we can play a lot more venues that are closer to home. Unfortunately, the three of us can’t do it on our own. Well, maybe we could, but it would be odd with only congas and vocals. Kinda need a guitar.

So at least for our show on the 21st of March we have teamed up with our pal George. I’ve played with G in the early Shot:30 days, and Trav has played with G in the past for like 3 years both electric and acoustic. It was an easy choice. He knows most of the songs. And personality wise we knew he’d fit. Even if its just short term.

So this Sunday we got together for our first practice together. And it went great. Band Mom had came up with a tentative set list by talking to all 4 of us and figuring out what we all knew or wanted to do and would also work for the Bradford’s crowd. Things were so natural. Its like we’ve been together for a while. Everything was clicking well. We ended up running through 20 + songs in a couple hours.

We met up at Michelle’s. Her kids were there. Trav brought his little girl. My girls were there and G brought his boy. The kids all got on great up stairs and proceeded to demolish Michell’s house while we were practicing. After a few hours we ordered some pizzas and all of the adults and kids had a late lunch/early dinner. We’ve got two more weekends before the show and I think that will be plenty for us to polish up a full night of music.

After practice we all headed home. The remainder of the evening was spent like all of Saturday.