Hey Phil,
Good to hear from you ,glad you are still at it. Always nice to see people lasting past the three year mark. Doak Turner Bonnie Lee Panda are all leaving town, Doak on Sunday, Bonnie Lee next week, Alice Bargeron, about a month ago. So it is hard to maintain enthusiasm and energy, no matter where you are.
Having multiple versions of songs is pretty normal. Scott Southworth and I have nearly totally different versions of our song. "the Hard Way." The reasons are easy to see. His Dad and Mother said things to him, and mine said things to me, their "advice for life," We started laundry listing that thing and if we put them all in, it would have rivaled American Pie.
And our different versions reflected the way we each speak. So both are good, and we both recorded our own version, his for his CD, mine for mine and we take turns playing them out when we play out. I did my version last Friday at the Bluebird, so it will be his turn next time.
Glad you are coming back in March, but I wonder why you wouldn't wait a couple weeks and come back during Tin Pan South. That would be the best time to see a lot of great people play. As far as performing, most of those same shows will be going. I don't know about the Tuesday thing, as Gary is no longer hosting that one at Kimbros. Don't know what happened but I know he said he no longer does it.
Like everything you have to check in with everyone close to it. We never know when the lease is going to end at Bobby's and considering all the things building up around there, I expect the axe to drop pretty much any time. The 16th Ave. area is totally being redone, some for the good, some for the not so good, but it is changing. I don't know how long Lizard will be hanging in. It is just a hobby place for him anyway.
But as long as he keeps going, I guess we will.
One of my things next year is to back off somewhat of my overall performing. I get kind of bored playing the same places. I've had to start turning down some things. I have also gone to a once every OTHER week thing with Sam on Wed. Might be going to less in the new year.
My big thing next year will be my 60th Birthday show on July 20th. It's going to be a celebration of my music, and will be done full band with horns and everything. I won't be doing the songwriter stuff this year. It will be all R&B and the full up versions I've always wanted. Have been reserving my band members and just have to find the right venue. A lot of stuff is already booked, so I may have to rent a place. An option is WORLD MUSIC, which is very close to me.
I want to video the entire show and put parts of it up on YOU TUBE and my web site.
Also, the beginning of the year will have me selling my Mother's house and being completely out of Birmingham, which I've really wanted for a long time. I'm not moving back and just don't need the house. The really cool part is finding my old IBANEZ LES PAUL, which was so great after missing it for forty years. I hope to have it put back together soon.
Has been a very busy Christmas season with a ton of parties and performances. My Son graduates college tomorrow and so the kids are all taken care of and grown. So we keep moving on.
Good to hear from you all and have a great holiday season.
MAB
Like
1 liked
Eddie Minyard likes this.