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Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Hey, If you start a second stage it could be the begining of a music festival!
Maybe, in the closet. For Tupperware.....and Cliff. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | They were in the closet last year...
then they came out. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | "Friday Night Post-Tour Jam"
Then what is needed is a couple of buses and a gear truck for The Post-Jam Tour! |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I figured I’d WAIT a week before “commenting” on this.
First of all, a really big “Thank You!!” to ALL of those who were “patient” and eventually got up to do a tune or two.
Secondly, I would like to extend a Sincere Apology to those who couldn’t get up there because we ran outta’ time.
The FIRST two years we did this, HerrKeller graciously provided his own P.A. system which he loaded in/out with the help of a rental van.
The subsequent two years, Ovation contracted a local Sound Guy to provide/run the P.A., the first time being a free-for-all, and last year, Matt helped in organizing things in an orderly fashion. Being that Matt was unavailable for this year, I volunteered my services to Al to be a de facto “emcee” in the hopes that things “move along” in a fair and orderly manner. Al accepted, but said he’d have to run it by Rick. Rick got back by saying that he’d contracted a local acoustic duo for the night, but if I wanted to do the emcee-thing, it was okay with him.
The two guys, (Chris and Mike, I believe it was) was the local band “Shots” (kinda’ like the NewHartford/Bloomfield version of TwoManGroup), were VERY nice chaps, and I’d like to THANK them for their efforts and their patience (and also Thanks to Rick & Ovation for contracting them).
It’s HERE that things seem to get a bit “sketchy”.
In the past, we’d converge on the venue, get the P.A. up & running and then “Have at It”, and everyone would have a GREAT time.
At the Factory last week, we were told that a local band was coming to entertain us, and that they were “open” to have anybody come and jam “WITH them”.
We had a 5:00 Start Time. We got there a little early, they got there a little late. I (and others) offered to help load-in/set-up, which they graciously declined (which I COMPLETELY understand, as I am extremely “anal” about my OWN gear, and decline such “help” on a weekly basis). After they gotten set-up, eaten, they proceeded with a lengthy sound check. After this was complete, they started their set with a rather lengthy intro at a somewhat uncomfortable volume level (especially for that particular room). They adeptly played all of the usual ClassicRock opuses (yes! Dear Kiddies, even SweetHome AlaF@ckinBAMA!!) at quite few dB too loud.
After about 5 or 6 songs, people started coming up to me and asking me “when” WE all were gonna start playing, and I told them that I honestly didn’t “know” because I was completely in the dark about what had been discussed/arranged on how the evening was going to go. In essence, it wasn’t “my gig”, and I just didn’t “know”. I had brought a clipboard with a printed sign-in sheet, and had those who were enquiring signed-in at a “slot” where they felt comfortable with, timewise (a lot of people wanted t’be third, forth, or fifth in line . . thankfully, someone came up and wanted t’be “first”)
I felt kinda’ bad for the band, because when it was announced that it was “Trebuchet Time!” there was a MassExodus from the room, and they were basically playing to themselves.
They eventually stopped.
It was my hopes that they might see this as a “cue”, and turn it over to US, but such was not the case, as when I came back in from the parking lot, they were starting yet another lengthy intro.
Finally, I think someone might’ve mentioned something to Rick, who talked to the band, who turned it over to us around 7pm (we had the place until 9).
I did one quick tune and then introduced the first act.
It may SEEM like two hours would be plenty of time, but you have to take into consideration that in between acts they had to bring the system “down”, unplug/replug guitars, add/re-route cables when needed, and then bring the system back “up” again, lather/rinse/repeat. In conjunction with this, a lot of people told some little intros/stories before/between songs, and there were a couple “presentations” made, so the time WENT fairly quick.
I tried my best to keep things “moving” by letting those on the list KNOW when they were due “up” while the person prior to them was already performing, and did the transitional intro’s without the aid of a mic while they had the system “down” during the plugging/unplugging. Unfortunately, we still ran short of time. The next thing I knew it was ten minutes to 9, I wanted to get “Al & Co.” up for the closer, and there were still a couple names left on the list. Jerome & Tom unselfishly relinquished their slot. My Thanks and Aplogies. You are both True Gentlemen. I’d also like to extend a very sincere Public Apology to “Faces for Radio” (Waskel, Schroeder, JeffW, Weaser, & Co). It was my intention to AT LEAST have you guys come up and join in on the “closer”. In the last minute “scramble”, you guys kinda’ got Lost in the Sauce. Again, I Apologize. Let it be known that Jerome & Tom and RadioFaces did absolutely BRILLIANT renditions of their tunes later that night at the hotel when things had “settled” a bit and the situation was conducive for listening. Well Done, Gentlemen!!
Please don’t misconstrue this as a “complaint”.
I’m MORE than grateful for EVERYTHING that Ovation has done for us over these past five years of get-togethers!! They’ve been MORE than generous with us, and it’s always been top notch!
I just feel that there was a breakdown in communication somewhere in regards to the band.
Yeah, it’s a real nice place, and the food & refreshments were (as always) very good. It’s just that the vast majority of the people who come, come to PLAY. It’s been previously stated in another thread (by Brad) that they use these events as a sort of “Musical Benchmark” and exert a lot of time and effort to prepare for it. How shitty would it have been for them if THEY had gotten “bumped”??
As I stated at the beginning of this thread, we had more people this year than we’ve EVER had, and we had the same amount of limited time to let them play. Time was pretty much at a premium.
When I’m booked for a gig, I arrive there t’set up an HOUR ahead of time (minimum). Not twenty minutes after (and then take a Dinner Break first thing).
If it was just a matter of having access to a P.A. system, I would have GLADLY brought up my new Yamaha system (devoid of compensation and/or liability) and Temp and I would’ve had it up & running by the time everyone got there.
I do this stuff practically EVERY weekend (often TWICE a weekend), and at times, it can become “trying”. But, I TRULY look forward to getting t’gether with you guys once a year and PLAYING (and there are a lot of people who’ve traveled MUCH further distances than I who feel the same way). The Hotel-thingies are “okay” . . . but most times they’re a big room of 20-something guitars all playing different things simultaneously (maybe we should just look to “organize” those a little better). It’s just that it’s REALLY cool t’have a big, decent-sounding venue with an adequate sound system where people can take turns coming up and “Having AT It”.
As I said previously, PLEASE don’t take this as a “Complaint”.
It’s just that this has been on my mind for a week now, and from the comments that I got from numerous people last Friday Night, it was on others’ as well.
And, . . again, . . a THANK YOU to ALL of those who helped make it “work”,
and an Apology for wherever it “didn’t”. I “tried”. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Nice. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Well, you gotta wonder, you got a house full of guitar players who all want to play. WHY the F@CK would anyone hire a band to play for that group?? OK, maybe if this was the first year but it's the fifth.
This is about the fan club and it's members and their guitars, not about hiring entertainment for them. If you really want to hire entertainment make sure they are thin and can dance. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | topless. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks for your efforts, even though I wasn't there. Next year, please allow about 15 minutes for me and Gil to do a Jim Croce medley. That would mean 5 minutes for Gil to play and 10 minutes of trying to drag me up in front of the group. I'll actually be quite content to listen to anyone else. Except rap. I'll walk out if anyone starts rapping. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | That's kinda what I had in mind Cliff. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Cliff, I thought you did a great job given the circumstances. Lucky none of the evil plans we hatched came to fruition.
Except shouting "Trebuchet!!!" and emptying the room. :cool:
Bill, it's probably a good thing you weren't there.
You might have said something very embarrassing, causing us to roll the room around laughing the rest of the night. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Re: Cliff - topless
So......Brad, Tuppy, and who else?
Oh! Can they do that thing where they get the pasties swirling in opposite directions? I'm SO there for that! |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Except shouting "Trebuchet!!!" and emptying the room. I'd like to point-out that we politely refrained from using the band's guitars as Treb Ammo |
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October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Cliff, thank you for being a truly flawless emcee in the midst of what HAD to be a night full of pot holes. You did a great job and I know that those I spoke to about not being able to "perform" were very gracious and understanding. I don't think anyone misunderstood the given time constraints. And, while I too was initally in the "Whaa?!? There's a BAND HERE?!?!" corner, I will never accuse Ovation or any one of their folks of being anything less than great people who can throw one hell of a party weekend for a bunch of wacky guitar players. My hat's off to both Cliff and the Ovation crew. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | It's getting t'where a Topless Brad is becoming an Annual Event!!
(it happened again this year)
I'm starting t'worry . . . |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
I like to point-out that we politely refrained from using the band's guitars as Treb Ammo ...as well as the band themselves. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Maybe we should start bringing a wad of "singles" |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . ...as well as the band themselves. . ."
Here, do me a favor . . . HOLD this . . .
Seriously, they WERE real nice guys
(but I think by the time they saw Johnny, Temp, and Amy play t'gether, they were ready t'Hang It Up . . .). |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Yeah... we cudda used an XLR cable as the sling. Very good idea, Cliff |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by cliff:
It's getting t'where a Topless Brad is becoming an Annual Event!!
(it happened again this year)
I'm starting t'worry . . . It's gotten to where I just can't seem to resist. Help me someone... help me please!!
Hopefully this was a one time clitch.
I agree about the lobby also. In the past two years we seemed to all "come togther" for a least part of the night for a round robin, play or pass type of jam. This year... didn't happen.
Thanks for all your efforts on this Cliff. If it comes to it I'd be glad to help emcee a two hour lobby jam. Go around the circle... play or pass. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Bongs and hookers?????
Um
thats in Hartford not New Hartford. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Edit: nevermind; note to self: read entire thread before posting smarmy comments that have likely already been addressed by others.
Cliff, Al, and the cats from Ovation: Thanks for making it a memorable weekend. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | If "smarmy" had consistency, what would it feel like? |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Warm Cheese-Whiz. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I agree with cliff.
I have no control over the overall stuff I can just make suggestions.
all in on on sat morning I thought wow we pulled it off again and it was a great time although there were some trying moments during the day on friday. |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Warm Cheese-Whiz. and slightly passed it's expiration date, mmmyeeeehssss.
(does it expire?) |
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Friday Night Post-Tour Jam
