| Date: | 04.15.07 |
| Location: | In Georgia |
| Re: | Recap of the remainder of the trip. |
We’re three hours into our trip back from Columbia, GA to our home in Nashville. The past few days have really been a treat and a lot of hard work. Let’s start with the the second gig of this run which was on Thursday.
Thursday
Quote of the day: “Youz some ziesty mutha fuckas on some thick ass!”
We rolled into Jackson, MS around 4PM. I did not know this, but the venue had been changed on us. I sent all the people I had met the last few shows who wanted to come to George Street instead of Cadillacs. I’m so sorry, guys! I didn’t realize it until about 9PM.
The stage at Cadillacs was put in on Monday, and they hired a some people to install a good system on Wednesday. It was a good setup with an easy load in.
I got some good pictures of our light show. We were very lucky that they had installed a light truss, as well. We didn’t have to put up our own. Between me stomping on the can light remote and Midnight flicking the smart light remote, we put on our best looking show we’ve had without a light man. It’s nice to know that we can do fairly well without the guys at the Mercy Lounge.
The show in general was a good show, on our part. Cadillacs is backed up to a popular Jackson venue called Fire, which had booked a local cover band. Fire can hold up to 800, and there were probably 500 in there. In Cadillacs, however there were about 15 people. The club owner loved us and wants us back. The same goes for the cook, the bartenders, the sound tech, and everyone in the audience. Jackson just seems to be a very tough town to gain a following in, even though they are starving for entertainment.
While the audience may have been lacking, the service was not. The cook was an exceptional example of selfless service, in life as in his business. He’s a simple hillbilly who lives to (to put it in a very simple way) be a good person. He’s quite the example. His help, the bartenders, and the security (?) took personal interest in our well being.
When we finished up about 1:30AM, we took a few minutes, then we loaded out. Fire was letting out about the same time, and the cops were showing up. While we were loading out, a “sista” stumbled towards us after being released from her handcuffs. After mumbling that the cops wouldn’t let her use the bathroom, she asked us if she could use the bathroom. We quickly explained that we are just the band. She responded loudly and clearly, “Youz some ziesty mutha fuckas on some thick ass!” None of us are quite sure what “ziesty” means, but rest assured it will make it into the lyrics of a Midnight song very soon.
Friday
Quote of the day: “Hookers and hula hoops”
We left Jackson early so we could get could to the club in Hattiesburg then chill at the hotel for a few hours. Hattiesburg is only about an hour and half away from Jackson, so the drive was quick and painless. When we got to Benny’s Boom Boom Room, we met the owner and got loaded in. Benny is a can-do guy with a side of crazy insomnia. He works all the time and parties hard. When we got our gear out of the way, he showed us to where we would be staying. It wasn’t a hotel. It was a Free Victorian style bed and breakfast. We each had our own rooms, and we had the house to ourselves! It was absolutely gorgeous.
Hattiesburg is a beautiful town of about 80,000 people, but these quiet Victorian homes can be found within three blocks of downtown. The neighborhood was something that would be found in fiction – Victorians and plantation homes, weeping willows, creeks, and deep south hospitality. For a band, this is uncharted territory especially when you consider that we had never played Hattiesburg before, and Benny had only heard stories about us! I want to play this town again.
Cowboy Mouth had a show in Hattiesburg that night, too. We were scared that they would draw the crowd away from us. They didn’t. For some reason, no one was out on Friday. We had maybe 70 or 80 people in a club that normally has 400. No matter, though. The people who were there were dancing like mad drunks and requested two – count’em, two – encores!
After the gig, we had a little party at the BnB – you know we had to! We all got a little swim on, and everyone had a good chill time to the sounds of distant trains, dogs, and crickets.
Saturday
Quote of the day: “That might be your thing, but it ain’t my thing.”
I woke up to threatening clouds and extreme humidity. About 8AM I walked a few of our guests home (only about 5 blocks). It was pleasant, but I feel like I could have swam home the air was so thick. The weather people the world over where telling of Noah’s return. By the time the house servant had served us a breakfast (banging by the way) and we packed our luggage, a torrential downpour had begun. Lightening lit up the blackened sky, and it was close. The railroad that runs through Hattiesburg was only about 100 yards away, and it was attracting lightening with Spanish Fly.
We headed back to the Boom Boom Room because Benny had been so kind as to let us leave our stuff to pick up the next morning. Luckily, his loading “dock” is covered, but that didn’t stop us from getting wet. I’ll do what I can to post some video.
Our five hour drive was not any better. There were tornado watches and warnings. Toofpick was not in the best of minds as we were blown about in our broad-sided vehicle. We drove the entire way along the edge of the storm system, so not one moment was there any relief from pounding rain and impending cyclones.
Exhausted and malnourished, we reached our destination: The Loft in Columbus, GA. Save for being on the second floor, The Loft is the best venue in terms of space and equipment we have played outside of Nashville. The stage has baffles and dividers, and it’s filled with sand. The room is large and comfortable.
After we loaded in, which seemed to have taken forever, we hit up the Quality Inn. I got my own room, but the other guys shared. It was quite nice because I was in need of some serious alone time. I don’t understand how some people can live their entire lives on the road, but I get tired and over stimulated. Zero time alone is not healthy for me.
We were co-billed with a singer/songwriter duo from NYC/LA. They were good, and they kept the crowd there. Once we started, it was clear everyone would stay. A wedding party was there, and even they were dancing! Sadly, I forgot my camera back at the hotel, and everyone else’s was either in their luggage or in the green room (which was an awesome green room).
All said, after 1250 miles in five days, we put on some good shows, and made some new fans. Our old fans brought some new ones in, and the cult continues to grow. As a band, we really stretched our relationship and we gelled just a bit more. As we travel more together, our look and sound will definitely develop, and I look forward to working with these guys more.
Thank god, a Racetrack. I’m so dehydrated, so I’ll stock up on Powerades. We’re only about an hour and a half away from home, and I’m ready to be there.
