Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saxophone Section
I must say that the GMO saxophone section is really beginning to gel. The balance and blend is getting pretty good. My vibrato is beginning to blend with Kevin and I am just finally beginning to get the sound I want and need for this section. The section has a ways to go but it sounds pretty good now. Almost up to Kevins expectations. ALMOST! We should be smoking by the time we get to Japan.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Nampa Idaho
Great concert tonight for a crowd of about 1500 people. The lights were so bright that I could not see the people on the first row. WOW bright bright bright. Dan Gable had family here tonight. Dan is from Mass. It was amazing to find his Uncle was from Texarkana Texas. What a small world.
The bad cold going through the band seems to be getting better. Only about half the band has been sick.
It is hard to believe this years tour will be over in about 3 short months.
The bad cold going through the band seems to be getting better. Only about half the band has been sick.
It is hard to believe this years tour will be over in about 3 short months.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
DAY OFF
Today was great. Good exercise and swim, did laundry, practiced a couple of hours and RESTED!!!!!!!!! A perfect Sunday.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Three Nights
It is so nice that we will be in the Holiday in for the next three nights. I love that. We are off tomorrow so will do laundry, practice, find some good food and REST!!!!!!!!! Most of us try to exercise at least 4 or 5 days a week also. Its really nice when we have a exercise center and an indoor pool like here.
Dan Gable (trombone player) and I are doing to the local music store tomorrow. I need a sax strap. Mine is about gone. Dan is one of the youngest guys in the band. However, he can turn out a very fine big band arrangement quickly. When we played with the Dorsey Band Dan wrote a great arrangement for the us to do together with the Dorsey band in one, (yes i said one) night. It went over great.
We still have the flu bug going through the band. My roomy Scott has been sick for several days. Sure hasn't effected his playing. Oh yes, if your sick you still play. No sick days out here.
If you have any qustions about the band or any musical questions for any of the guys just let me know and Ill pass them on. WE have great lead players in every section, great jazzers in every section and a fine rhythm section. Our piano player Ron Mills is a true monster on the keys and one of the best arrangers in the country.
Flat Stanley is still doing well. He is looking forward to betting back to his class mates in the spring.
Dan Gable (trombone player) and I are doing to the local music store tomorrow. I need a sax strap. Mine is about gone. Dan is one of the youngest guys in the band. However, he can turn out a very fine big band arrangement quickly. When we played with the Dorsey Band Dan wrote a great arrangement for the us to do together with the Dorsey band in one, (yes i said one) night. It went over great.
We still have the flu bug going through the band. My roomy Scott has been sick for several days. Sure hasn't effected his playing. Oh yes, if your sick you still play. No sick days out here.
If you have any qustions about the band or any musical questions for any of the guys just let me know and Ill pass them on. WE have great lead players in every section, great jazzers in every section and a fine rhythm section. Our piano player Ron Mills is a true monster on the keys and one of the best arrangers in the country.
Flat Stanley is still doing well. He is looking forward to betting back to his class mates in the spring.
FINALLY
I thought I might never get on line again.LOL The mountains of Oregon are beautiful but most of our motels have had weak signals.
What a great time we had playing through California and Oregon. I met some of my wife's family in Oregon. Bonnie and Greg Leon. Bonnie is a very famous Christian fiction novel author. She has had a number 1 seller the New York National top 20 listings. Her and Greg took me out to a very nice restaurant and we had a great time. They really enjoyed the GMO concert too.
We traveled up the scenic highway on the Oregon coast. It is just unbelieveable. I dont guess I know any place could be that awesome.
The band is doing well. We are preparing for our Japan tour in Nov. and Dec. I am having a great time but I will be ready to go home for Christmas.
On my birthday Larry, our leader really made he night special. He set me up to to do a very nice feature on The Stars Fell on Alabama. Its a vocal and sax feature. Julia Rich, our singer sang and I played the sax feature. Our lead trombone George played happy birthday in the middle of one of his trombone features. Everyone in the band just made my day very bright. Jason (JB) took me out for a great mexican lunch. It was a very good day.
On the sad side of things you see lots of your band family go through rough times. Our lead alto Kevin lost a cousin and his grandmother all in about a month. Julia our songer lost her mother just a few days ago. The road band really becomes a close nit family and support system for each other.
We are off to Idaho in the morning. The bus leaves at 9 am and we arrive at 8pm. NOT GOOD!!! To0 long on the bus.
I will try to post more often in the future. Flat Stanley is still doing well. He is a little nervous about his flight to Ja[an.
What a great time we had playing through California and Oregon. I met some of my wife's family in Oregon. Bonnie and Greg Leon. Bonnie is a very famous Christian fiction novel author. She has had a number 1 seller the New York National top 20 listings. Her and Greg took me out to a very nice restaurant and we had a great time. They really enjoyed the GMO concert too.
We traveled up the scenic highway on the Oregon coast. It is just unbelieveable. I dont guess I know any place could be that awesome.
The band is doing well. We are preparing for our Japan tour in Nov. and Dec. I am having a great time but I will be ready to go home for Christmas.
On my birthday Larry, our leader really made he night special. He set me up to to do a very nice feature on The Stars Fell on Alabama. Its a vocal and sax feature. Julia Rich, our singer sang and I played the sax feature. Our lead trombone George played happy birthday in the middle of one of his trombone features. Everyone in the band just made my day very bright. Jason (JB) took me out for a great mexican lunch. It was a very good day.
On the sad side of things you see lots of your band family go through rough times. Our lead alto Kevin lost a cousin and his grandmother all in about a month. Julia our songer lost her mother just a few days ago. The road band really becomes a close nit family and support system for each other.
We are off to Idaho in the morning. The bus leaves at 9 am and we arrive at 8pm. NOT GOOD!!! To0 long on the bus.
I will try to post more often in the future. Flat Stanley is still doing well. He is a little nervous about his flight to Ja[an.
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