Travelin' Bands

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A day job with a/c and no heavy liftin’ can work in mysterious ways. Following a trend at the time in other professional organizations, I was invited to put together a band of colleagues who gig on the side to play at conferences the association would conduct. My friends Jay Uomoto (then in Atlanta), Tom Kerkhoff (Florida) and David Patterson (Seattle) were game. David could not make the first gig, however.  The four of us formed the core of the bands we assembled over the next few years.  There are quite a few pics and some video evidence of it all. 

Jay and Tom came to B’ham and we rented a minivan, packed up some Spurz gear, and drove over. We flew Mike Dye out to play drums, and we rehearsed at the hotel. After a slow start at the gig, dancing eventually ensued. We were a hit. 

Success of the first gig led to a larger ensemble, and Dave took the drum kit. Used rental gear from a local vendor. Added a keyboard player and a sax. Played a hotel downtown within walking distance of Pike's Place. 

Tom and I drove up in a rented minivan, but there was no place to store the gear at the hotel. Constant setting up and tearing down wore me out. Christie Graham joined us on vocals, and Dan Marson joined on harp.  And yeah, we started a runnin' gag wearin' beards when we covered some ZZ Top. 

  Dave had us out to play his birthday party on Lake Washington. Was a beautiful setting, and a lot of fun. 

Great gig with Dan and Christie and more percussion. Probably our 2nd best gig, overall. Played a stage in the Gold Dust Casino and Hotel (well, Jay's pretty sure that's where we were. I swear I can't remember).  Reno was muy cool.