MIDWEEEK WRAP UP
Hey folks. Well, the sun is out, the beach is beautiful, and it is about 70 degrees. People are out on the beach and we are beginning to stir around here. A pretty amazing experience. It is Veterans day so I am in my usual routine, writing Internet stuff, watching SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, and trying to send notes to veterans I know thanking them for their service. Always an interesting thing, because my family came to American in 1724. We have fought in every war this country has had. I am one of the few who didn't serve. Between wars, and just managed to miss the call. But I have incredible feelings toward those guys and so I try to observe them as much as I can. On days like today I like to pick up someone's meal without them knowing or get some gas, or whatever just to do something they didn't see coming.
My way of observing and thanking.
The shows here have all been amazing. Jimbeau and I have gotten the best slots, all very packed very classy places. Main room at the Florabama, Sunset Cork Room, with it's black glass and very upscale fare, a very nice RV park with huge Prevosts buses, a 23rd floor ultra modern five million dollar condo with incredible views, and last night's ultra posh PERDIDO BEACH RESORT, one of our best venues for 10 years, till they dropped out seven years ago. They have started back this year and I think we proved they made the right decision.
An interesting aspect of this year is that all of our shows are two hours. Most of the writers shows here are one hour. And that usually has three people. At first we thought RUSTY GOLDEN, was going to be with us. Rusty is the son of William Lee Golden, the big beard guy from the Oak Ridge Boys, and a very good writer and keyboard player. Rusty has gone through five years of sobriety, and gotten big time into Christian, music. Has had five number one songs. He was supposed to be with us, but at the last minute got a HUGE MONEY booking in Dubai, in the Middle East.
So that has left me and the Beau man on our own. Which we do pretty easily.
But when you are both a little older, have a LOT of uptempo and humorous material, in addition to the heartstrings stuff, you have to pace it out. I have to watch our voices, and have even tuned down a full step, and am doing many songs in totally different keys. I have to think on my feet and transpose as we go. Jimbeau and I know each other instinctively and are not only big in your face singers, but we are also a running comedian show. Then Jimbeau, having hundreds of cuts, two number ones, and a Grammy Nomination, provides our "credibility" while I tend to keep up with my own songs that SHOULD HAVE BEEN HITS.
The last two shows have featured more of our ballads and more somber songs and we tell a little more stories. The reason for that is a lot of these people know us and have heard the songs, but like to know the details BEHIND the songs. So many of them have planned their vacations around us and with twenty-twenty five other shows going on a night at the same time, they come to see us. Some will see us three or four times before it is over. It's very much like a high school reunion here.
An interesting thing happened last night. One of the songs I am well known for is called OLD MEMORIES. It is a song that was on hold 19 times, cut three times, once by Patty Loveless, but never released on an album. It is a pretty well known song among songwriters and producers and a couple of huge artists and producers have vowed to cut it but it just never happens. But last night, I had the GIRL I WROTE IT ABOUT, in the house, and was able to get one of my oldest and best friends who organized the FOOD NETWORK stuff, to get up and sing it with us. So that was a thrill.
And being able to do 24 NOTES, the song Big Ed and I wrote about Veterans is very special to be able to do on this day. Stuns the crowd and gets a standing ovation every time. I wish I had made up a bunch more of those CD's and given them to every Veteran. Really moving. Makes all this worth it because THEY made it work for us.
This thing is full of those kinds of moments.
Today there is a "kids" event, with a workshop and some performances, and I'll go to that one. Probably meet some potential tour clients there. Then I'll swing by the Bama and see the new people coming into town. Tonight we play the Bama Dome, which is the second bigger stage at the Florabama. Again, another powerhouse night. This one will only be an hour show. Thank God. Be careful what you ask for. You may get it.
We have five more shows to go on through the weekend and then will head back after the last one Saturday afternoon.
It is all an amazing time, with hit songwriters everywhere, amazing shows and all with the most affordable prices you can ever imagine. If there was ever a place for a RAMPBASH, this is it. But I can lead you to water...
Have a good day.
MAB
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