When Is a Gig Not a Gig?
I just want to let you guys know that I’m having some kind of problem with logging on to the internet the last several days. It may be something simple like the computer that sends my wireless signal is shut off but, I don’t know for sure yet. I stopped by the office this morning while on my walk and there was nobody around.
I got to tell you what happened at the gig last night, the big Cider Days/Autumn Moon/Hoedown/Hootenanny/Festivoolay. Thirst N’ Howl was the second band, scheduled to start at 8:00. We got there around 7:15 and Steve Smith and the Sneakers were playing; tearing it up pretty good. Bluesy, kind of stuff with some New Orleans stroll grooves; do you know what a stroll is? Some folks call it a rub shuffle. Dave Painter was playing guitar, by the way. He’s real good, solid and tasteful solos, good tone. Dave plays with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils too.
Anyway, there were several hundred people out on the lawn, kids dancing on the grass; a picturesque night in the Ozarks. A good, outdoor concert sound system, and my buddies Danno and Eric were running the desks and it sounded really cool.
So, we’re standing there, beside the stage area, nervous energy running rampant because, we are only going to have “10 minutes” (written in stone but, I know better, I’ve been to town before you know?) to set the stage when those guys are done. NO SMOKING too, by the way, as the otherwise helpful golf cart guys let me know right off the bat upon seeing a fresh Pall Mall Light dangling from my lips after the no smoking ride up to Springfield with Allen.
So, I’m standing there talking to Danno, whose running the stage sound, and he says; “It’s gonna rain”. Just real deadpan like. Five minutes later this little yellow-grayish cloud comes and hovers right over Jordan Valley Park. Last song of Steve Smith’s set, it starts raining; sprinkling. Those guys are striking their gear and I’m looking around, the sound and light guys all look irritated/edgy/unsettled and, pretty soon, they start dragging out the tarps, and ladders, and plastic bags. It starts raining harder and those guys are like sharks at a feeding frenzy covering stuff up.
People are sticking around out on the lawn, and I keep hearing staff guys say stuff like; “It’s going to blow over, it’s not even raining a drop two blocks away”. It keeps coming though and, after about 40 minutes the last holdouts have evacuated the lawn and then, a few minutes more and it starts to ease off. I’m hearing scuttlebutt about the Park Board is discussing the possibility of postponing for 24 hours and as the rain eases the crowd returns. But, the word came down and this is what it was; “The only way we can make it work is to skip Thirst N’ Howl’s set and let M-Dock play theirs”. Boom; just like that.
We hauled the stuff back on the golf carts and headed for the house.
What a drag.
So, that was the big gig for the weekend. I’m going over to my pal P.T.’s place and watch a little NFL football for the first time this season.
Thirst N’ Howl/Autumn Moon Concert
Here is a press release for the Autumn Moon event that Thirst N’ Howl will be playing this Saturday night.
Autumn Moon a Harvest of Free Music
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board and City of Springfield will host a free Autumn Moon Concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at Jordan Valley Park, 735 E. Trafficway, as part of the Cider Days weekend of events in downtown Springfield.
The free concert will feature local bands M-DOCK, Thirst N’ Howl, and Steve Smith and the Sneakers, playing a variety of Blues, Rock, R&B, and cover songs. The schedule for the evening is: 7 – 7:50 p.m., Steve Smith and the Sneakers; 8 – 9:15 p.m., Thirst N’ Howl; 9:30 – 11 p.m., M-DOCK.
M-DOCK is one of the most requested bands in the Midwest. The band consists of 11 members, performing an acoustic/electric blend and multi-part harmonies in a classic format, with a play list spanning four decades. The band features a three-piece horn section and has performed in Japan, Mexico, and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
Thirst N’ Howl is one of Springfield’s popular party bands. The band specializes in a very wide range of music, including tunes from the 1960s through today, playing blues, jazz, top 40, rock and some country. Band members are Brandi Shortt, Tom Hobson, Allen Edwards, Jack Pribek, and Boyd Manning.
Steve Smith and the Sneakers plays a mix of originals, blues, and blues-rock songs, which have been entertaining audiences for years. Smith is joined by Dave Painter, Doug Ritter, and Rick Salvador.
For more information on the free Autumn Moon Concert, visit
or call (417) 864-1049.
I didn’t know it was part of Cider Days. Hmmmmmmm…..cider.
All Press Is Good Press
That’s what they say. This photo, taken at the recent Thirst N’ Howl gig at Ahoy’s appeared in the Branson Daily Independent.
Looks like we’re all about ready for a good nap.
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Pribek At Zazzle
The post to blame: Most Peculiar Mama (Don't Eat Your Cat)
