January Rehearsal Blues

January is usually the deadest month in the band business, and this January was/is no exception. But I was hoping we could use the time constructively to work in a couple rehearsals. Unfortunately this was not to be. Too many work-related conflicts. Oddly there was a gig on Saturday night and everyone (the rhythm section only in this case) made it.

No matter. We will be needing it for the February gigs we have coming up, including a road gig to Dallas on the 19th, where a surprise birthday party has requested 2 James Taylor tunes (I wrote charts on Steamroller and You've Got a Friend) and Just the Way You Are (which I think of not as a Billy Joel tune but as a Phil Woods tune). I've been writing a lot and there's a lot that's useful in the pile: Back Stabbers, Save Your Love For Me, Beyond the Sea, Tell It Like It Is, Tarrentella Napolitano, Elvira, Everyday People, The Curly Shuffle, and--just finishing--Macarthur Park! (Now consider the wide range that that list covers. Man oh man.) Now--if we only could get together and LEARN them!

So far Gigmasters has booked us best. We like the clean way they handle things. No fees for us, just the people hiring us. How much longer can this good thing continue?

I took the night of the 29th off. The rhythm section made it up to Cabo Loco and played with the singers, and we were auditioned by a wedding couple for a June event at the outdoor venue at the Salt Lick. They got the gig. The reason for my absence was that it was my birthday and I treated myself and Jan to a concert by Poncho Sanchez at the Hogg Auditorium at UT. Great band, fantastic charts, one mo-fo of a trumpet player.

As we were leaving UT I called Steve Johnson in LA on my cell and it turns out he's played with most of the band. Steve and I have been playing together since we were in Junior High, and when I realize that I'm really out in the sticks I call him to get my LA head back on. Steve is also the reason I write such high trombone parts. He doesn't complain, he just plays them. And because he has one of the most gorgeous trombone tones he always makes it sound like music. I write, Steve plays, he makes me look good. Unfortunately he lives 1300 miles away!

I'm going to sign off now and get MacArthur Park finished.