Getting ready for the craziness which is Memorial Day weekend. Luckily, all my shows are no more than 2 miles from home this year. I don't remember if we played last year or not. Previous years I would have been playing a lot more shows per day but I'm only doing a double on Saturday this year (see previous post for location and time). All I can hope for is a kind crowd. Friday nights are always tricky in resort towns. People generally show up frazzled from getting their shit together for the trip, fighting lines at the airports, setting in bumper to bumper traffic often for hours and all the other headaches that come with modern life. Trying to soothe a grumpy, weary crowd is a delicate task. After a few cocktails most people start to losin' up but they're not quite ready to dance yet. I usually pick this time to play the mid-tempo material and songs with stops and time shifts. Southern Rock songs are a good example. Molly Hatchet's version of Dreams (I'll Never See), ZZ Top's Waitin' for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago, Tom Petty's You Don't Know How It Feels- that's first set, before sunset kind of songs. Doesn't hurt to throw in a hard core classic country song to see how the crowd reacts which if it's positive I will throw in a few more. Any Merle Haggard or Waylon Jennings songs will test the reaction just fine.
Once you get a take on the crowd' vibe, calling songs is easier. I'm fortunate enough to have access to pro level players that are versatile and have a good memory for arrangements which helps keep the show flowing. I'm guilty of "dead air syndrome" in which I either can't think of a song, get distracted talking amongst ourselves, sometimes I'm just not "feeling it" yet, other times it just clicks and everyone gets into the groove and that's what an entertainer lives for but often enough that sensation is interrupted by equipment failures, the weather, etc...so here's hoping for smooth sailing in the music world this weekend. Peace and Love, Luke
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