The power went out last night! I was lying in bed with all these dreamy things I wanted to say about yesterday, and then, darkness; then, slowly, cold. We realized that the whole area had gone dark, and it was –4 outside with biting winds. Frank was warm, and we had covers and coats. If worse came to worse, we figured we could have slept in our car to keep warm.
I was writing about love last night when this happened. People comment about how Frank and I look at each other when we play. It’s the real deal. The two of us also travel well. Some people commented about our tour, “Two months on the road. Boy, that’s a lot of togetherness!” If anything, it’s made us appreciate each other even more. Frank told me last night how happy he is for me. I told him how amazed I am at his stamina, taking care of major business so that I don’t have to. Frank just read this, and although he more than agrees, he thinks this part is too sappy and too self-congratulatory, but I’m keeping it in anyway!
Yesterday morning we were the recipients of a gourmet breakfast at a beautiful home in Fairmont, Minn. Nancy and John Richardson, who lived in our neighborhood in Lake Oswego, Oregon, moved to the Midwest just this year. They bought their new place for a fraction of the price of their old home. Their house is on the edge of a beautiful lake in a gorgeous neighborhood. We were the worst possible guests, but they so understood. There were severe winter storm warnings in effect, right where we were traveling. We had a concert that night 228 miles away. We were nervous. We arrived early, rushed through the homemade frittata, the fresh-squeezed orange juice, and the raspberry coffee cake fresh out of the oven. The table was set with such style, with flowers and cozy candles everywhere. We got print outs from their computer, postage stamps from their desk, and frantically waved goodbye hopping back in our car which sheltered us from the 40 mile per hour winds at –4 degrees.
The drive to Yankton, S.D. was definitely a white knuckle one. Frank had to grip the steering wheel with two hands for all 228 miles. Trucks were weaving from the wind, and parts of the drive had no other cars on the road at all. It was spooky. We made sure we had plenty of gas, because one wrong move on our part, and we would have a serious situation.
So we’re at the gas station, and unlike in Oregon, you have to pump your own. Frank opened the door by the nozzle and could barely close it for the winds. He had to take off his gloves to find his credit card, and instead of his Visa, he kept trying his hotel key from the Super 8! I could hear some juicy four-letter words out there!
We found out from people after last nights concert that the stretch we drove is notorious for cars being blown off the road. I guess the angels were with us.
Four hours later and safely at our next venue, we checked into a college recital hall with fabulous acoustics and very professional and fun people. A Steinway piano sat on a beautiful stage, and the tuner was right there. Yes!
After setting up, we thawed out at our hotel in the hottest spa ever! Maybe that’s why the power went out last night.
This morning I talked Frank into going 23 miles in the opposite direction to Vermillion, South Dakota to see The National Music Museum, the largest of its kind in the western hemisphere. The piano tuner told us about it, and his wife is the curator. Well, we couldn’t miss that!
Although Frank was interested in the museum too, he pointed out that the weather was iffy at best, and that we were taking chances by going. My pleading won out, so we drove there in a mild snowstorm and navigated snowy and slick streets in Vermillion. The museum was fascinating. They had 900 historic instruments on display out of their collection of over 13,000! I saw some amazing keyboard instruments that I had only seen in books. We left prematurely so we could still get out of town without using chains. I felt a little guilty because Frank was sweatin’ it leaving town. To make it up to him, this will mean we’ll have to stop in at least three pawn shops (to find that rare old Fender Bass), two music stores, and any restaurant that serves breaded tenderloins.
It turned out to be a rather long day, even though we didn’t have a concert. We missed a turn-off and ended up going way out of our way before discovering it. We had to take some back roads and got stuck behind some big, slow trucks. When we finally gained speed, it was too much speed! Out there in the middle of nowhere, we were pulled over by a state trooper. We gave him our story, and he was really nice and only gave us a warning. Phew!
Holdrege is a town of about 5000. For dinner, we discovered RUNZA! It’s a decent regional fast food chain with good salads and excellent pulled pork barbeque.
Tomorrow we play at The Tassel concert hall. I’d better come up with some of my more bawdy material! It’s bedtime at the Super 8. Goodnight, Moon.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
DAY TEN: JAN. 29, 2008 Yankton, South Dakota
Love. That’s what today was all about. The concert tonight went beyond playing well, or worrying whether or not the audience is with you. All that was in place. The feeling of giving and receiving, that euphoric sense that you’re communicating the very joy of being alive with each note, and the audience is not only confirming but amplifying the experience. I even felt love from the piano itself; a dreamy, old nine-foot Steinway that stays locked most of the time (maybe that was why it was in such good condition.) It was desperately in need of being played, I could feel it.
Monday, January 28, 2008
DAY NINE: Jan 28, 2008 BLUE EARTH, MINN.
Small town, five star venue! The piano was a Yamaha in good condition, the tuner really nice, the hall and stage new and clean with great acoustics, and our own dressing room!
In the dressing room was everything we needed, including my favorite—Wint-o-green lifesavers! There was also a sign on the mirror saying, “WELCOME SALLY HARMON POP PIANIST.” Our contact person was also our lighting and sound man. He took care of some major business and made good suggestions. Ahhhhh.
Blue Earth, has less than 4000 people. It’s got a small water tower, but is big enough to have a Wall Mart. At a major crossroad here, there’s an icon signifying the uniqueness of this town: a bright green 50 ft. statue of the Jolly Green Giant!
In Paris one pays extra for a view of the Eiffel Tower, in Blue Earth we got the V.I.P. room at the Super 8 facing the “HO, HO, HO” guy. Blue Earth got its name for it’s unique bluish clay soil. I also got a great cut and color today in a local salon. So we’ve got Blue Earth, red hair, and a green giant to remember this town.
The concert tonight felt really musical. We’re really settling into the pieces and bringing out nice little nuances now. In the car today, I told Frank he could move more, and have a stronger presence on stage. To my surprise, at the end of only the first piece we played together, he took this GIANT LEAP across the stage on the last note! The audience didn’t quite know what to think, but I laughed so hard after that I could hardly play!
We had lots of fun on this concert, and once again the electric shocks were in the seats so we got another standing “O” and encore.
Tomorrow we drive, I think in hazardous conditions, 200 miles to Yankton, South Dakota. Then we check into our hotel, do a sound and light check, and play another concert that night. It’s getting harder now. We must conserve time and energy whenever we can. Most of the tour will go like this. Wednesday we have off for a major travel day. We’ll probably do little else on that day, except laundry. I’d better turn in now. ZZZzzzzzzzz
In the dressing room was everything we needed, including my favorite—Wint-o-green lifesavers! There was also a sign on the mirror saying, “WELCOME SALLY HARMON POP PIANIST.” Our contact person was also our lighting and sound man. He took care of some major business and made good suggestions. Ahhhhh.
Blue Earth, has less than 4000 people. It’s got a small water tower, but is big enough to have a Wall Mart. At a major crossroad here, there’s an icon signifying the uniqueness of this town: a bright green 50 ft. statue of the Jolly Green Giant!
In Paris one pays extra for a view of the Eiffel Tower, in Blue Earth we got the V.I.P. room at the Super 8 facing the “HO, HO, HO” guy. Blue Earth got its name for it’s unique bluish clay soil. I also got a great cut and color today in a local salon. So we’ve got Blue Earth, red hair, and a green giant to remember this town.
The concert tonight felt really musical. We’re really settling into the pieces and bringing out nice little nuances now. In the car today, I told Frank he could move more, and have a stronger presence on stage. To my surprise, at the end of only the first piece we played together, he took this GIANT LEAP across the stage on the last note! The audience didn’t quite know what to think, but I laughed so hard after that I could hardly play!
We had lots of fun on this concert, and once again the electric shocks were in the seats so we got another standing “O” and encore.
Tomorrow we drive, I think in hazardous conditions, 200 miles to Yankton, South Dakota. Then we check into our hotel, do a sound and light check, and play another concert that night. It’s getting harder now. We must conserve time and energy whenever we can. Most of the tour will go like this. Wednesday we have off for a major travel day. We’ll probably do little else on that day, except laundry. I’d better turn in now. ZZZzzzzzzzz
Sunday, January 27, 2008
DAT EIGHT: Jan.27. 2008 Waterloo, IA
Concert three and a day of many emotions. It started rather blissful and relaxed. Frank delivered me coffee while I lounged in bed with the sun streaming in on me. It was time to check back in at home. Our daughter Allie is house sitting and dog sitting for us while we’re away. She’s got three friends staying with her to keep her company. This past year she graduated from the Univ. of Oregon Honors College and is applying to medical schools. She has so far scored two interviews, which are coming up soon. We feel her anxiety and nerves regarding these important events, and she still confides in her Mom about her dating life. Although she’s a full-grown 22, she’s still our baby. We had a long talk up until we had to leave to play our Matinee.
I had to switch gears, fast. As a Mom, it’s so easy to get pulled into the world of your kids. Sally. Focus!
During our Matinee today, as I was introducing the song I wrote for Allie I said that if she got into Medical school, we’d be playing lots more of these concerts! (That got a nice laugh.)
It was another high school today, and the dressing room was the band room! I jostled around music stands to create a make-up table, and changed my clothes when the coast was clear!
The piano was small, but a nice grand in good condition. The hall had nice lively acoustics and our sound check went well. I had to pull it together on the first half. The crowd was the biggest so far, maybe 700+. The second half the audience went wild with all the zany stuff we did, and we got another standing “O” and encore. I’ll bet you’re starting to think we have some sort of electric shock system in the seats, or something!
The biggest shock was a surprise meeting with David Folin from Allied Concert Tours in the lobby after the show.
He was making an eight hour round trip from Minneapolis, Minn. to see us perform. Frank had known about it since intermission, but didn’t tell me. Dressed impeccably, and very professional, he critiqued our performance. He must have heard feedback from our two other concerts, because he said, “You’re on-a-roll!” It was wonderful to finally meet in person the man we can thank for all this, and the man we’ve trusted to map out our tour.
After that, I was ready for a good stiff beer. So stiff, you need a fork and knife! I was drained.
After driving around for a while, we found a nice pub, which filled the bill. I had a pint, and Frank found his breaded tenderloin, a dream come true. (no side of oatmeal, either!)
Goodnight, all…tomorrow we drive 200 miles, and play a concert in Blue Earth, MN. ZZZzzzzz
I had to switch gears, fast. As a Mom, it’s so easy to get pulled into the world of your kids. Sally. Focus!
During our Matinee today, as I was introducing the song I wrote for Allie I said that if she got into Medical school, we’d be playing lots more of these concerts! (That got a nice laugh.)
It was another high school today, and the dressing room was the band room! I jostled around music stands to create a make-up table, and changed my clothes when the coast was clear!
The piano was small, but a nice grand in good condition. The hall had nice lively acoustics and our sound check went well. I had to pull it together on the first half. The crowd was the biggest so far, maybe 700+. The second half the audience went wild with all the zany stuff we did, and we got another standing “O” and encore. I’ll bet you’re starting to think we have some sort of electric shock system in the seats, or something!
The biggest shock was a surprise meeting with David Folin from Allied Concert Tours in the lobby after the show.
He was making an eight hour round trip from Minneapolis, Minn. to see us perform. Frank had known about it since intermission, but didn’t tell me. Dressed impeccably, and very professional, he critiqued our performance. He must have heard feedback from our two other concerts, because he said, “You’re on-a-roll!” It was wonderful to finally meet in person the man we can thank for all this, and the man we’ve trusted to map out our tour.
After that, I was ready for a good stiff beer. So stiff, you need a fork and knife! I was drained.
After driving around for a while, we found a nice pub, which filled the bill. I had a pint, and Frank found his breaded tenderloin, a dream come true. (no side of oatmeal, either!)
Goodnight, all…tomorrow we drive 200 miles, and play a concert in Blue Earth, MN. ZZZzzzzz
Saturday, January 26, 2008
DAY SEVEN: Jan. 26, 2008 TRAVEL DAY
Today was a 400 mile drive, partly in a snow storm, to Waterloo, Iowa. Eight plus hours in the car! Tonight, though, we get to rest. We’re going to the fanciest place in town for dinner. Today when we arrived it had warmed up to 24 degrees and the sun came out! We had an enormous craving to take a walk in the outside air. This would be the first time in a week that we could even breathe it! We ended up walking around mountains of snow in shopping center parking lots. It was hilarious! Everywhere was a dead end of snow, and NOBODY walks around here.
Frank has been going from one minute, trying to eat healthy, in deep-fry country, to the next minute dreaming of double whoppers and breaded tenderloins. I told him, “ Go ahead and get that big greasy monstrosity, just order your daily oatmeal on the side!”
It’s interesting. Usually I’m the one bothering Frank, interrupting him from reading the paper, etc., to chat. Now that I’m doing this BLOG thing, Frank’s requesting my attention. Now we know how each other feels!
Well, we’re off to dinner now in Waterloo, IA… to the Napoleon Bar and Grill! (No, it’s really called the CU (symbol for copper) restaurant.)
Matinee tomorrow.
Frank has been going from one minute, trying to eat healthy, in deep-fry country, to the next minute dreaming of double whoppers and breaded tenderloins. I told him, “ Go ahead and get that big greasy monstrosity, just order your daily oatmeal on the side!”
It’s interesting. Usually I’m the one bothering Frank, interrupting him from reading the paper, etc., to chat. Now that I’m doing this BLOG thing, Frank’s requesting my attention. Now we know how each other feels!
Well, we’re off to dinner now in Waterloo, IA… to the Napoleon Bar and Grill! (No, it’s really called the CU (symbol for copper) restaurant.)
Matinee tomorrow.
DAY SIX: Jan 25, 2008
When you’ve got lemons, make lemonade! That’s what day six was like. First off, the piano tuner was the sweetest guy and really had a monster of a Steinway on his hands. It dates back to the 1950’s and I don’t think it has ever been regulated. Having been stored back stage all these years at a high school, it’s been used as a worktable for set builders, probably a dance floor for kids skipping class, and God knows what else. Someone had even drilled a hole right through the lid! The tuner looked and sounded just like Ed Winn. (You know, the laughing guy in Mary Poppins).
People at these venues wonder why I wanted it in my contract to see the tuner if possible before each concert. That’s because if I try out the piano before he/she gets there, I know what they’re dealing with, and I can appreciate them more when they’re done. This poor guy, Herman, had a broken key and numerous sticking dampers to fix. After giving it his best shot, he fixed all but the broken bottom key. I told him I’d hum on that one instead.
A can of spray paint and a gallon of cleaner were in order for the poor old Steinway finish. We ended up using magic markers, Windex, and furniture polish.
Next, we had the stage to deal with. It was quite dusty, with various pieces of old furniture and debris scattered here and there. I asked Herman were my “star” dressing room was, and he let out a belly laugh. I was taken down under the stage to a room full of old props, power tools, and more dust. Hidden behind all that was an actual lighted make up mirror and a counter. I unplugged all the drills, cleared the counter, and set up camp.
Stephanie, our contact person, was great. She saw what I was dealing with, having long gowns with trains, so she rallied the troops and about five of us snapped into action. Stephanie grabbed a big industrial mop and worked on the stage. I teased her that she was the new Carol Burnett, and that she should come out on stage that way to introduce me! She also cleaned me a path from the “dressing room” to the stage. Tom, the band teacher, grabbed furniture polish and detailed the Steinway. Two high school students started setting up lights, and even brought up an old chandelier for the stage. Stephanie cleaned that. Then we looked around for some things to warm up the look of our show. I brought along some gold netting fabric for times like these. Stephanie was right on it, and suggested that we put it across the front of the stage, all fluffed up, adding little white lights. That, together with the beautiful lighting and chandelier, created sheer magic!
All this was done in the nick of time before the doors opened at 7:00.
We had another warm, responsive 500+ audience. My little struggles with the piano action were completely overshadowed by the sheer excitement of performing. I had to nurse and love that instrument. There was an incredible feeling about three pieces into the first half: ” We’re really doing this! “ I thought. The joy was indescribable. We got another standing ovation and an encore. People were lined up at our CD table in the lobby where I always sign them after the show. This 16 year-old high school student edged his way to me and asked me if I would go back into the auditorium to hear him play the piano. I told him,” sure, you can serenade us while we were packing up.” Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, he waited until I had finished chatting with audience members. As we walked back to the stage, he proudly told me “I’ve never had a lesson in my life.” He was not lacking in self- esteem. He attacked the piano, playing bits and pieces of classical music by ear. Everyone helping pack up the stage knew him, curious to see what I’d say. I told him it was amazing that he could play that well looking at his fingering, and that he needed to work on his timing, phrasing, fingering, and dynamics. I told him that he had that fire and love of music, and if he played that well with NO lessons, just think how good he would be WITH lessons! Everyone glanced up from what they were doing and smiled. Poor kid didn’t realize what he was getting into.
We packed up the van in –4 temp. and collapsed in our hotel room tired but happy.
People at these venues wonder why I wanted it in my contract to see the tuner if possible before each concert. That’s because if I try out the piano before he/she gets there, I know what they’re dealing with, and I can appreciate them more when they’re done. This poor guy, Herman, had a broken key and numerous sticking dampers to fix. After giving it his best shot, he fixed all but the broken bottom key. I told him I’d hum on that one instead.
A can of spray paint and a gallon of cleaner were in order for the poor old Steinway finish. We ended up using magic markers, Windex, and furniture polish.
Next, we had the stage to deal with. It was quite dusty, with various pieces of old furniture and debris scattered here and there. I asked Herman were my “star” dressing room was, and he let out a belly laugh. I was taken down under the stage to a room full of old props, power tools, and more dust. Hidden behind all that was an actual lighted make up mirror and a counter. I unplugged all the drills, cleared the counter, and set up camp.
Stephanie, our contact person, was great. She saw what I was dealing with, having long gowns with trains, so she rallied the troops and about five of us snapped into action. Stephanie grabbed a big industrial mop and worked on the stage. I teased her that she was the new Carol Burnett, and that she should come out on stage that way to introduce me! She also cleaned me a path from the “dressing room” to the stage. Tom, the band teacher, grabbed furniture polish and detailed the Steinway. Two high school students started setting up lights, and even brought up an old chandelier for the stage. Stephanie cleaned that. Then we looked around for some things to warm up the look of our show. I brought along some gold netting fabric for times like these. Stephanie was right on it, and suggested that we put it across the front of the stage, all fluffed up, adding little white lights. That, together with the beautiful lighting and chandelier, created sheer magic!
All this was done in the nick of time before the doors opened at 7:00.
We had another warm, responsive 500+ audience. My little struggles with the piano action were completely overshadowed by the sheer excitement of performing. I had to nurse and love that instrument. There was an incredible feeling about three pieces into the first half: ” We’re really doing this! “ I thought. The joy was indescribable. We got another standing ovation and an encore. People were lined up at our CD table in the lobby where I always sign them after the show. This 16 year-old high school student edged his way to me and asked me if I would go back into the auditorium to hear him play the piano. I told him,” sure, you can serenade us while we were packing up.” Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, he waited until I had finished chatting with audience members. As we walked back to the stage, he proudly told me “I’ve never had a lesson in my life.” He was not lacking in self- esteem. He attacked the piano, playing bits and pieces of classical music by ear. Everyone helping pack up the stage knew him, curious to see what I’d say. I told him it was amazing that he could play that well looking at his fingering, and that he needed to work on his timing, phrasing, fingering, and dynamics. I told him that he had that fire and love of music, and if he played that well with NO lessons, just think how good he would be WITH lessons! Everyone glanced up from what they were doing and smiled. Poor kid didn’t realize what he was getting into.
We packed up the van in –4 temp. and collapsed in our hotel room tired but happy.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
DAY FIVE: January 24, 2008
Today we travel about 200 miles north to Rhinelander, Wisconsin for our second concert. It is currently –28 degrees according to the weather channel. Phew! That’s what happens when you go north like that. It’s a beautiful brisk sunny day and great for travel. Any wrong moves and we’re dead, though.
A note about yesterday: there was some anxiety about how people we didn’t know would receive us. Usually we’ve been flown across the country to do a show by some enthusiastic fan. There is a little “crust” one must break through on each stop. Frank calmed my nerves by liking it to a blind date. It’s an arranged encounter built on trust.
Everyone we talk to about Allied Concert Tours seems to think very highly of them. They are the people who arranged this whole thing. We are impressed, as well. I’m sure they are watching us to see how we do- not just on the stage, but logistically. I’d better get off this computer so we can get going. More later.
We’re in Rhinelander and it’s not that cold. Only 2 degrees but going into the minuses tonight. Allied made some beautiful highlighted map routes for us, which we followed
upon realizing that our navigation system was taking us hundreds of miles out of our way! Frank thought that maybe it was taking us to Rhinelander, Germany!
So I am the official navigator with a good old-fashioned fold out map all marked by hand by Willow from Allied Concert tours.
Frank is on the phone with one of our contact people here about tomorrow night’s concert. Being on a Friday night, we’re competing with sports events, but we’re expecting a good crowd.
Good. The piano is a Steinway. Frank’s next call will be shouting to the tuner. Should be interesting.
You know, it’s funny. We heard a few more stories last night about guys being dragged to our shows by their wives, missing the sports game, just to see some lady piano player.
They end up being the first to rise to their feet for that standing”O.” Then I’m signing all the CD’s they’ve purchased. Maybe they weren’t expecting just what we do.
Frank just got off the phone with the tuner and it was a normal conversation. Good. It’s another high school tomorrow. These kids walk around outside in tee shirts, some of them!
Since this is a non- concert day, I’ll go into how this whole thing came about. Musician colleagues who want to know how we did it, pay attention.
We got a call maybe three years ago from a guy who bought one of my old cassettes, “Private Concert” at a garage sale in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since cassettes were only 50 cents, he bought a few artists. Mine looked interesting. He soon ignored the others and became a big fan. He happened to be on the board for choosing artists for their community arts series. After waiting probably a year before contacting me, we arranged a concert with their series. It was a big success. Then he told us about Allied Concert tours, which books many artists in a ten to twelve state region in the upper Midwest. He also gave them a glowing recommendation for us. Wouldn’t it be funny if he was one of those guys whose wife dragged him to see us?
After some courting on our part, Allied agreed to put us on their artist list (like a catalogue) and made no promises. We would have been happy with a handful of dates, for sure. They ended up calling to ask if it was OK to add on just a few more concerts, not wanting to work us to death. We agreed to 36! This has been more than a year and a half in the making. In 2006 it was weird to be thinking of 2008!
Right now I’m going in the pool, and after that, some good German food and beer. Gotta do this relaxing stuff when you can. Tomorrow’s another big day…
Chow!
A note about yesterday: there was some anxiety about how people we didn’t know would receive us. Usually we’ve been flown across the country to do a show by some enthusiastic fan. There is a little “crust” one must break through on each stop. Frank calmed my nerves by liking it to a blind date. It’s an arranged encounter built on trust.
Everyone we talk to about Allied Concert Tours seems to think very highly of them. They are the people who arranged this whole thing. We are impressed, as well. I’m sure they are watching us to see how we do- not just on the stage, but logistically. I’d better get off this computer so we can get going. More later.
We’re in Rhinelander and it’s not that cold. Only 2 degrees but going into the minuses tonight. Allied made some beautiful highlighted map routes for us, which we followed
upon realizing that our navigation system was taking us hundreds of miles out of our way! Frank thought that maybe it was taking us to Rhinelander, Germany!
So I am the official navigator with a good old-fashioned fold out map all marked by hand by Willow from Allied Concert tours.
Frank is on the phone with one of our contact people here about tomorrow night’s concert. Being on a Friday night, we’re competing with sports events, but we’re expecting a good crowd.
Good. The piano is a Steinway. Frank’s next call will be shouting to the tuner. Should be interesting.
You know, it’s funny. We heard a few more stories last night about guys being dragged to our shows by their wives, missing the sports game, just to see some lady piano player.
They end up being the first to rise to their feet for that standing”O.” Then I’m signing all the CD’s they’ve purchased. Maybe they weren’t expecting just what we do.
Frank just got off the phone with the tuner and it was a normal conversation. Good. It’s another high school tomorrow. These kids walk around outside in tee shirts, some of them!
Since this is a non- concert day, I’ll go into how this whole thing came about. Musician colleagues who want to know how we did it, pay attention.
We got a call maybe three years ago from a guy who bought one of my old cassettes, “Private Concert” at a garage sale in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since cassettes were only 50 cents, he bought a few artists. Mine looked interesting. He soon ignored the others and became a big fan. He happened to be on the board for choosing artists for their community arts series. After waiting probably a year before contacting me, we arranged a concert with their series. It was a big success. Then he told us about Allied Concert tours, which books many artists in a ten to twelve state region in the upper Midwest. He also gave them a glowing recommendation for us. Wouldn’t it be funny if he was one of those guys whose wife dragged him to see us?
After some courting on our part, Allied agreed to put us on their artist list (like a catalogue) and made no promises. We would have been happy with a handful of dates, for sure. They ended up calling to ask if it was OK to add on just a few more concerts, not wanting to work us to death. We agreed to 36! This has been more than a year and a half in the making. In 2006 it was weird to be thinking of 2008!
Right now I’m going in the pool, and after that, some good German food and beer. Gotta do this relaxing stuff when you can. Tomorrow’s another big day…
Chow!
DAY FOUR: January 23, 2008
DAY FOUR: January 23, 2008
Dessert first. We got a standing ovation, then an encore. The audience put me at ease, and it was really fun! Comic improv became natural, and something about being in a brand new gown from Saks made my fingers fly. The head of the concert association came up to us at the end and said we could have charged double for what we did. I don’t quite know how to feel about that. This is the first out of 36 concerts and we’re just happy to be doing it at all! We’re just happy they were happy. This 85 year-old woman, our contact person, told us “ you know a lot of our artists are a pain in the ass but you guys wern’t.”
Contact people. Now that’s a subject in itself. As an artist on their series you want to make a good first impression. Their job is to insure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. They are often performers in some respect themselves, and they usually volunteer their time and are on the “board” for the community arts series. Their reward is to make their town happy with their entertainment choices, and they get to hang out with the artists and have a little vicarious experience. They have a lot to do with whether or not you ever come back. Many times they are aware of their power. They love to chat, and have stories of their own. ( during your precious 15 minutes of sound check.) The woman last night actually was quite nice, and we joked around a lot. She told a funny story about performing on her harpsichord and her “G string” breaking. She was shocked at me running around an hour before the performance with bare feet. I told her my toenails were still wet. (red polish.) She thought maybe I was having a “hot flash!” It’s an art to get everything organized before a concert, staying extremely focused, and not be “a pain in the ass!”
Concerts in high school auditoriums are interesting. During the day, when it is necessary to get backstage and meet with the piano tuner, the sound and lighting person, etc., there’s tons of kids walking around and classes in session, some right on the stage. Everything is locked, everywhere. It’s tricky. But I already miss my high school piano students so these kids are a welcome sight.
The performing part of all this I can see will be really thrilling. It’s just all the other stuff where we must practice getting our moves down. I wish I was like Samantha on “Bewitched” and just with a twitch my nose, we’d be safely at the next venue, performing; the sound, the lights, the piano, the audience, everything perfect. Aw, come on, Sally. It’s all about the adventure!
This morning I went down to meet Frank for breakfast, and he sat there hysterically laughing at something. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at him. His cell phone just cut off with the contact person for Friday’s venue. She was explaining that it might be difficult to reach the piano tuner by phone, because he is hard of hearing! What? A piano tuner that is hard of hearing? Frank called back to apologize for his reaction, and she by then had realized the folly and told her entire office staff.
Tomorrow we travel to Rheinlander, Wisconsin for our concert on Friday. A day off tomorrow so early in the tour is going easy on us. It’s good so we can make little adjustments in our logistical strategies. I’m looking forward to the drive.
Goodnight, all.
Dessert first. We got a standing ovation, then an encore. The audience put me at ease, and it was really fun! Comic improv became natural, and something about being in a brand new gown from Saks made my fingers fly. The head of the concert association came up to us at the end and said we could have charged double for what we did. I don’t quite know how to feel about that. This is the first out of 36 concerts and we’re just happy to be doing it at all! We’re just happy they were happy. This 85 year-old woman, our contact person, told us “ you know a lot of our artists are a pain in the ass but you guys wern’t.”
Contact people. Now that’s a subject in itself. As an artist on their series you want to make a good first impression. Their job is to insure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. They are often performers in some respect themselves, and they usually volunteer their time and are on the “board” for the community arts series. Their reward is to make their town happy with their entertainment choices, and they get to hang out with the artists and have a little vicarious experience. They have a lot to do with whether or not you ever come back. Many times they are aware of their power. They love to chat, and have stories of their own. ( during your precious 15 minutes of sound check.) The woman last night actually was quite nice, and we joked around a lot. She told a funny story about performing on her harpsichord and her “G string” breaking. She was shocked at me running around an hour before the performance with bare feet. I told her my toenails were still wet. (red polish.) She thought maybe I was having a “hot flash!” It’s an art to get everything organized before a concert, staying extremely focused, and not be “a pain in the ass!”
Concerts in high school auditoriums are interesting. During the day, when it is necessary to get backstage and meet with the piano tuner, the sound and lighting person, etc., there’s tons of kids walking around and classes in session, some right on the stage. Everything is locked, everywhere. It’s tricky. But I already miss my high school piano students so these kids are a welcome sight.
The performing part of all this I can see will be really thrilling. It’s just all the other stuff where we must practice getting our moves down. I wish I was like Samantha on “Bewitched” and just with a twitch my nose, we’d be safely at the next venue, performing; the sound, the lights, the piano, the audience, everything perfect. Aw, come on, Sally. It’s all about the adventure!
This morning I went down to meet Frank for breakfast, and he sat there hysterically laughing at something. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at him. His cell phone just cut off with the contact person for Friday’s venue. She was explaining that it might be difficult to reach the piano tuner by phone, because he is hard of hearing! What? A piano tuner that is hard of hearing? Frank called back to apologize for his reaction, and she by then had realized the folly and told her entire office staff.
Tomorrow we travel to Rheinlander, Wisconsin for our concert on Friday. A day off tomorrow so early in the tour is going easy on us. It’s good so we can make little adjustments in our logistical strategies. I’m looking forward to the drive.
Goodnight, all.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
DAY THREE: JAN.22, 2008
Odometer: 157 miles
I like contrasts. Warm, comphy car, deluxe hotel with hot tub and pool, -8 degrees outside and breezy. We’re in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, an old historic town, and the drive here was stunning. The countryside looked like an old-fashioned Christmas card with snow-laden fields, beautiful barns, silos and farmhouses. The warm sun beamed in the windshield as our car thermometer read 8 degrees and falling. Life goes on as normal around here no matter what. People pride themselves in that. There are no school closures for snow days, either. One thing is for sure- the weather is a real conversation “ice breaker!” (Please pardon my pun.) It’s the main topic on people’s minds. Frank tried to clean the windshield while getting gas. He said it was like putting the squeegee in a new flavor of “Mister Misty.”
Maybe when we play our first concert tomorrow night, the big snow storm they’re predicting here won’t be so bad. I saw the Green Bay Packers play football in sub-zero temperatures last night. Wow, that’s tough. I at least we get a heated auditorium!
Thank you, everybody, for your emails and well-wishes. It’s overwhelming, really, and means so much to us.
I like contrasts. Warm, comphy car, deluxe hotel with hot tub and pool, -8 degrees outside and breezy. We’re in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, an old historic town, and the drive here was stunning. The countryside looked like an old-fashioned Christmas card with snow-laden fields, beautiful barns, silos and farmhouses. The warm sun beamed in the windshield as our car thermometer read 8 degrees and falling. Life goes on as normal around here no matter what. People pride themselves in that. There are no school closures for snow days, either. One thing is for sure- the weather is a real conversation “ice breaker!” (Please pardon my pun.) It’s the main topic on people’s minds. Frank tried to clean the windshield while getting gas. He said it was like putting the squeegee in a new flavor of “Mister Misty.”
Maybe when we play our first concert tomorrow night, the big snow storm they’re predicting here won’t be so bad. I saw the Green Bay Packers play football in sub-zero temperatures last night. Wow, that’s tough. I at least we get a heated auditorium!
Thank you, everybody, for your emails and well-wishes. It’s overwhelming, really, and means so much to us.
Monday, January 21, 2008
DAY TWO: Jan.21, 2008
We’re starting out rather cushy. We’re staying at my brother Randy’s house in Wilmette (an up-scale suburb of Chicago.) He, his wife Julie, and their son, Ross are treating us royally. I am writing this by the fire in an oversized leather chair in a room big enough to be a museum atrium. Frank and I used their steam bath, and realized that may be the warmest we’ll be for the next two months!
Their son Ross, a junior in high school, is showing me the ways of the computer. He just laughed at how slowly I type. It’s true. My fingers fly over the piano keys, but typing is new to me.
I’m going to close out for now, because Ross just challenged me to a re-match in ping-pong.
Ping-Pong. The musician’s sport. Unlike doctors, lawyers, and upwardly mobile business people who join country clubs and play golf, musicians score some big deals around the ping-pong table. Ping- pong is cheap. All you need is a table, some old paddles and balls, and some wacky, willing people. I made probably the most important music alliance in my life (which in a way is what got me on this tour- a long story, to be saved for later) battling it out across the net. My brother Randy and I played a lot as kids, and I noticed that the same quick reflexes, wrist motions and aiming skills required to play the piano were used in ping-pong. It’s a passion for me, and Frank and I have had a weekly Ping –pong group for 15 years now. I’m the only female. And yes, if you play me, be afraid. Be very afraid!
Ross won. Two out of three. I’ve been rightly put in my place. He’s really, really good, though.
Frank just rolled up with our rental car for the tour. Wow! A beautiful black 2008 Saturn all-wheel drive macho vehicle, loaded! And the heating works!
Tomorrow we head up to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. So much for this balmy southern Chicago climate. That’s all for today, more tomorrow.
Their son Ross, a junior in high school, is showing me the ways of the computer. He just laughed at how slowly I type. It’s true. My fingers fly over the piano keys, but typing is new to me.
I’m going to close out for now, because Ross just challenged me to a re-match in ping-pong.
Ping-Pong. The musician’s sport. Unlike doctors, lawyers, and upwardly mobile business people who join country clubs and play golf, musicians score some big deals around the ping-pong table. Ping- pong is cheap. All you need is a table, some old paddles and balls, and some wacky, willing people. I made probably the most important music alliance in my life (which in a way is what got me on this tour- a long story, to be saved for later) battling it out across the net. My brother Randy and I played a lot as kids, and I noticed that the same quick reflexes, wrist motions and aiming skills required to play the piano were used in ping-pong. It’s a passion for me, and Frank and I have had a weekly Ping –pong group for 15 years now. I’m the only female. And yes, if you play me, be afraid. Be very afraid!
Ross won. Two out of three. I’ve been rightly put in my place. He’s really, really good, though.
Frank just rolled up with our rental car for the tour. Wow! A beautiful black 2008 Saturn all-wheel drive macho vehicle, loaded! And the heating works!
Tomorrow we head up to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. So much for this balmy southern Chicago climate. That’s all for today, more tomorrow.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Day #1
Ok, I've got 15 minutes to boarding here at PDX to start this blog. We are laden with stuff! Wearing several layers of clothes each. Security took 8 bins plus Frank's bass! There's a piano here in the airport lobby. I remember playing that as a vollunteer at Xmas while people walked by a couple years ago.
It will be a lot more fun to play in the packed auditoriums we're going to, even if we freeze our butts off! They tell me that buildings are heated in northern Wisconson in the winter.
It was tough leaving, I have to admit. Saying goodbye to our family, friends and students for two months, not to mention our dogs.Parting in such sweet melancholy. That just means we have so much to come home to!
OK, so we’re now at the gate and Frank already had the triumph of running into another musician and casually told him we’re leaving for this 36 city concert tour.
Guy musicians get a kick out of being competitive with one another. A “rich” guy musician is only determined by one thing: how many gigs he gets. That’s because they have so much darn fun. They could be driving old beater cars, and working for “gas” money, it doesn’t matter. Many musicians I know are guys who have “real” jobs, (i.e. day jobs that pay well, comforts, house, mortgage, family, etc.), but accept every possible gig they can get. The full-time musicians are often envied, even though many work like crazy, carting their equipment everywhere, sometimes with two or three gigs in a day. It’s a culture.
For example, we had to be at the airport at 6.30 A.M. this morning ready and eager to launch our two month adventure, and Frank accepted a gig last night that went until 1:00 this morning! I asked him if that was such a good idea, and he said, “and miss a gig?”
So we all went last night to hear Frank play with Joseph Konty (a fabulous R&B and rock musician and band) and we had a blast dancing. I write to you this DAY ONE of our tour now at 30,000 ft. after just three hours of sleep.
The pilot just came on to tell us that it’s –2 degrees with 15mph winds in Chicago. The fun soon begins!
DAY TWO: Jan.21,2008
It will be a lot more fun to play in the packed auditoriums we're going to, even if we freeze our butts off! They tell me that buildings are heated in northern Wisconson in the winter.
It was tough leaving, I have to admit. Saying goodbye to our family, friends and students for two months, not to mention our dogs.Parting in such sweet melancholy. That just means we have so much to come home to!
OK, so we’re now at the gate and Frank already had the triumph of running into another musician and casually told him we’re leaving for this 36 city concert tour.
Guy musicians get a kick out of being competitive with one another. A “rich” guy musician is only determined by one thing: how many gigs he gets. That’s because they have so much darn fun. They could be driving old beater cars, and working for “gas” money, it doesn’t matter. Many musicians I know are guys who have “real” jobs, (i.e. day jobs that pay well, comforts, house, mortgage, family, etc.), but accept every possible gig they can get. The full-time musicians are often envied, even though many work like crazy, carting their equipment everywhere, sometimes with two or three gigs in a day. It’s a culture.
For example, we had to be at the airport at 6.30 A.M. this morning ready and eager to launch our two month adventure, and Frank accepted a gig last night that went until 1:00 this morning! I asked him if that was such a good idea, and he said, “and miss a gig?”
So we all went last night to hear Frank play with Joseph Konty (a fabulous R&B and rock musician and band) and we had a blast dancing. I write to you this DAY ONE of our tour now at 30,000 ft. after just three hours of sleep.
The pilot just came on to tell us that it’s –2 degrees with 15mph winds in Chicago. The fun soon begins!
DAY TWO: Jan.21,2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Before We Head Out
We've talked about this tour for well over a year and now it's 6 days until we leave our warm and comfy home base and head to the upper mid-west for our 10 state, 36 concert tour. Yikes!!! A hundred lists and several heavy boxes and suitcases later, I think we're prepared for the experience of a lifetime. We're flying into Chicago Sunday, Jan. 20th to get our vehicle in order (this is a road trip) and visit with Sally's Bros. and family for a day. Jan 23rd is our first concert in Beaver Dam WI.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)