Dancing machines

Time Out Pub, Rockland Maine...

This place is the rockiness bar I have ever seen on a Monday night. The place was packed even though it was a rainy night. The patrons hit the dance floor and did not leave until we finished both sets. It is very energizing to play music under these conditions. Most of these people where my age or older (that's old). Many drove over 100 miles to come there. I told one guy I traveled 3,300 miles to get there. He said he had a friend in San Diego. Turns out I know his friend very well from AA meetings. Small world huh. These people flat out loved our show. We continue to perform the new songs on the second set. They are really getting tight. We are making minor changes to them as we go. This is Joe's road test method. It is great to see what they respond to. Because of the energy in the room I played really hard. So hard in fact that I smacked my finger to the point of bleeding. The finger hurt and blood was flying. My pants got bloody as did my snare drum. The attached photo shows my bloody snare after the show with my SJK laminate.

We where able to walk to the event from our hotel. We had loaded in and set up earlier in the day. This is my preferred method but not always what we do. More often we show up "gig ready". This means we show up 1 hour before downbeat, set up, and play. I like to relax a little before I play and I don't really like the audience watching me set up. I am learning on the road that I don't get to get my way all the time. The greater good is what takes precedence. There is so much crap to set up being the drummer. This is my chosen instrument but that part is a hassle. The other guys are set up in 15 minutes and it takes me 30 minutes or more. We normally get fed by the venue and we eat after the audience leaves and we break down the gear. After we eat we load the trailer and hed back to the hotel. I find i can not go directly to bed. It takes me a while to wind down.

I have a photo of my wife ruby that I had laminated. I keep it in my back pack. I tape it to my drum set when I play and post it in the van in my "Area". I put it out in the hotel room also. Ruby is my soul mate and best friend. I MISS HER! She has always been supportive of my music. Even in the height of my addiction she was OK with having my drums set up in the house. She very graciously facilitated me taking this job drumming for Smokin Joe. We talk daily and i miss her dearly. I will be home in 1 week and be in her arms..Cant' wait.

I am in Westbrook Maine where we play tomorrow at Chicky's Fine Diner. We went by tonight to check it out and see the band. The guitar player is a friend of Joe's from the Dallas area. He is staying at the same hotel and recognized Joe's van outside. The club was packed and we are hoping it will be the same tomorrow night. Every club has a completely different vibe. I hope this club can handle the Smokin Joe Road Show.

This evening I got to go to small AA meeting nearby. The folks where nice and it was great to plug in. I have not been to a meeting in 2 weeks. This is a long time for me. I normally go twice a week. I have 20 years of sobriety and will do what ever I need to maintain it. Being in bars every night can be slippery but it does not occur to me to drink.

I am enjoying getting to know these people I travel with better.......

Hey, check out my auction on e-bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150106800413&rd=1&rd=1

More will be revealed!