Triple Threat

I played three shows this weekend, and all of them had the threat of extreme weather in the forecast.

The first show was a late Thursday afternoon affair on the grounds of the Mass Mutual Center. While thunderstorms narrowly missed us, the extreme heat did not.

The staff gave us plenty of cold water and towels. We also got free food from a BBQ truck, which was a nice surprise.

The following day was supposed to be an indoor event, but the weather had other plans for us, and so we set up inside, and had a nice cooling experience with the AC and some cold beers.

Finally, our Saturday event was held in the bright sunshine with temperatures in the low 90s. Luckily, the event provided us with a pretty good sized canopy tent, which covered over half the stage, and made all the difference.

Once again, we were treated with plentiful ice cold water, a few mic ultras, and some cheesburger/hot dog combinations, which spells SUMMER. We survived. and I even managed to stop by JJ's Tavern in Florence to catch a few bands with my partner. We're not even two weeks into June, and I have 5 shows checked off, with many more remaining!

 

Mansion on the Hill

 

I've lost track of all the beautiful historic buildings I've performed in over the years. When I pull up to the next one, I'm never quite certain if I've played at it already. Such was the case last week when I arrived at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, CT to perform at my first Wedding gig of the season (we play less than a half-dozen of them per year, so it is still a fun thing to do now and then)

I strolled around the property, where I discovered a patio/terrace that connected with some steps to the back of the mansion, where the band was setting up.

I don't have much free time on the weekends because of all the shows that are booked for the next few months. It makes up for the very slows months in March and April, however. It still beats a regular job!

A Few Small Repairs

A year ago, I bought a very oddball guitar (which is one of my hobbies) in a Squier Paranormal Custom Series Nashville Stratocaster. Basically, it's a Telecaster and a Stratocaster all in one. The pickup in the middle is a Strat, but the other two are Teles, The outline of the guitar is a Strat, but the bridge and tone contols are a Tele. 

Bought for a low end price of around $300, the previous owner had already upgraded the bridge saddles, and now I was starting to upgrade the pickups. I had already swapped the Strat pickup for a single coil Quantum (from a busted Ibanez my brother stripped and gave the parts to me for possible re-use). Now I was replacing the stock bridge pickup with a higher quality Fender 62 pickup to give it a softer, more natural tone.

I had to re-wire things a couple of times, after discovering it was out of phase. Only burned myself once!

In the process of all that, I decided to replace the stock neck pickup with the middle pickup I had just removed. By the time I was finished, the guitar had a higher quality Telecaster pickup in the bridge, an equally well-balanced Ibanez pickup in the middle, and a brighter stock Strat pickup replacing the muddier stock Tele pickup in the neck.

I got rid of the now useless chrome cover that was on the former neck pickup, and after jamming the slightly larger Strat pickup in its place, I then switched the color of the middle pickup from white to black - making all three match (even though they are even more different than before!) The previous tones were a little to bright and harsh for my taste and the modifications now balance the tones and soften things up to give the guitar a fuller sound.

Let the games begin!

 

 

 

Here We Grow Again

 

After a slow March and April, things are picking up, and I'm back to my usual schedule. Lots of shows in Connecticut, and lots of activity closer to home.

Dropped in to sing a song with one of my best friends at the songwriters swap during my down time.

Amy and I ran the open Mic and I did sound while Amy introduced the artists (and sang with a few as well)

Meanwhile, I was starting to get busy with the Brothers, who are now entering their 42nd year as a band. It will be 9 for me this summer!

In between various Spring projects (fixing the kids broken swingset, among other tasks) I still go for my peace of mind/workout walking a mile or so each day. Allergies are kicking my butt, but I learn to power through.

Returning to the places that bring happy memories of first getting together as friends, and then going to see the friends we've made since.

A very small microbrewery in Shelburne Falls had entertainment on a rainy, lazy Sunday afternoon, led by three of our friends from opn mic.

Follow You, Follow Me

 

Back in March, I returned to Holyoke to participate as part of the Saint Patricks Day Road Race entertainment. People gather at the far end of the street downtown where the traffic is blocked off, and one of my favorite local bands play every year.

(2024)

(2026)

One of my favorite spots to take a picture of the massive crowd, as I prepared to start off my cameo singing "I Will Follow" by U2

I mean, we ARE talking about Saint Patrick's Day!

Purple Raindrops

Another Saturday Night. It just so happened I was free to play another one of those surprise events that have happened in the past few months, I was asked by a friend if I could join their band for a song at the Luthier's Co-op, and play the solo to "Purple Rain" by Prince.

I reached for my Squier Sonic Esquire and started breaking down the solo. I had a blast ripping it up for the crowd. 

 few weeks later at a nearby club on the same street was hosting a band some more friends are in, and they managed to play three sets until 1:00AM

Amy and I both took turns singing with the band, and then proceeded to boogie with crowd as they closed the night furiously!

All Together Now

 On a cold Saturday Night, Amy and I played a show in Turners Falls and we had a blast. Out friends Anne and Mike have a duo of their own called ZYN and they play synthesizer-driven '80s classics. We decided to play a set of our own '80s covers, and by the end of the night we were all singing and playing together.

Things went by quickly, and the whole event was like a blur.

A large group of friends showed up and filled the small bar/restaurant and cheered us on with every song. We managed to fit nearly 20 of them in a 60 minute set (you do the math)