Follow up on the gig from Saturday night.

Background: Using the Duo for the first time in this club I've used the band at for over ten years. Looking forward to the liberated music possibilities but leery of the push back for not having all the guys with me. How would this turn out?

Arrived at the club at 7:00pm for an 8:00pm start. Weather conditions were something like 8 degrees, which is NOT conducive to seeing a large turnout. At 7:45, one couple came up and asked where the other guys were. I explained and they seemed fine, said they were looking forward to how it sounded.

By 8:00pm, the Club was filling up and we started. Filled up the first set with several of the stock requests we have and as expected, dance floor filled up rather quickly. Played several "non band" tunes throughout the set, all of which they dance to. About 40 minutes into the set, a long time couple approached the band stand and commented, "You sound amazing tonight...whatever you've done-its fabulous!"

On the break, talked to the door staff and bartenders-all were hearing good comments. By the start of the 2nd set, place was at a normal crowd level.

Did several newer tunes through the rest of the night, plus many of their favorites...I saw several people more physically responding to the music. One guy, in his 90's was playing piano on his table, lol. More dancers came up during the set and said, in effect..."We love your band, Bill-but this is really, really good."

Made one screw up during the last set. I have 2 versions of Sway I perform. One slow Bossa and an upbeat, balls out mambo. I thought let's try the fast one for a change and while we got a big round of applause after we finished it, no one danced to it. Lesson learned, lol...This is not a hot, latin crowd, lol...

We were done at 11:00pm. Typically, the crowds head for the doors en masse at 10:30pm and we wrap things to about 25 people. Tonight, no one seemed to leave. I can't remember the last time there were so many people staying to the end. One of the Women's Auxiliary ladies came up and said she'd never seen this many people here, this late on any Saturday night. The circle for God Bless America at 11:00pm was so large it barely fit on this very large dance floor.

Afterwards, several couples stopped by and were very generous with their praise. When checking out at the bar after everyone left, the feedback was it sounded fantastic, the crowd loved the different tunes, etc. Repeated that everyone loves your band, but wow...people really had a great time tonight.

In all, I was asked a total of two times where the other guys were. (I did make a quick announcement early in the night.) AS luck would have it, one of the other bands that plays here regularly decided to leave Dayton and head for the South. If I'm reading the lay of the land right, My Duo is a strong candidate to take some of those dates. So, in effect, I'll get to have my cake and eat it too.

To be as frank as possible, I can't remember feeling that great driving home from this account...ever. I wasn't restricted by a lack of rehearsal and could play anything I wanted to. It felt fantastic...

Was I more or less "musical" that night. More because I wasn't restricted by the band or less because I utilized the arranger mode so much more? (No midi files at all-worked with styles all night.) I'm not sure and I'm not sure its important, either. I lost a little here/gained a little-maybe a lot-there. Dancers danced just as much, if not more, I felt great, client was very happy, etc. The only possible downer was my sideman, who is a traditionalist who would always chose a full quartet over what I do. On the other hand, I thought he played better than usual, so...

One night doesn't change much. I'd be a jerk to throw the guys off the account at this point for the rest of the year. We'll see what the future holds...

------------------
Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 01-11-2010).]