Funniest thing I've seen in a while!!!

While browsing the Harmony-Central Froums, I came across a link to this video that someone has made of John Petrucci, It's pretty funny! HE can really shred, I am not putting him down at all, I just thought it was sooo funny!!! 'This controls how many people die around the world...' That's too funny.

Half way through!!!

So the craziness continues!! Let me get you caught up on my crazy week(s)....

The ballon festival was a resounding success!! The new speakers by D.A.S. that the City of North Las Vegas got are awesome! With very little tweaking I had a great sounding system at my hands. The childrens stage was a blessing, the performers were all great! they kept the kids into the music, and of course, had great messages for the kids. I even got to meet and do sound for Debi Derryberry ( the voice of Jimmy Neutron) along with David Chicken (he did at least one show every day of the event, and was a pleasure to work with!), Amy Lowe, and Zak Morgan. They may have been easy as far as the channels settings go, but I'd really have to say that they were just an easy gig all around, not a complaints or grumblings at all, from any of them or me!! (musicians can be a huge pain in the you-know-what when it comes to a soundman they've never worked with before...). Besides the long hours and constant sun, I had a blast, and I really think that the Special Events department made a very good impression ( the event was a huge success....... if I hadn't mentioned it yet..)

Thursday night I played with Straightaway, we had a good gig, for a first gig. I'd have to say that they (the guys in the band) really worked hard and got a good show out of it ( it was after all their first gig as this band) I had fun and wasn't worried about my performance (I guess that sounds a little cockey, but I worked ont the tunes myself so I knew I had them down). We even et the drummer and bass player from Alice in Chains, which was really cool because we had played of their songs in our set!!

Indian Springs with Nasty Habits was cool, the first week in a long run of gigs (finally), My voice ws shot becase of the long days outside in the wind and dust.... We (read: Cory) got to fire up the new equipment and record the sets, I can't wait to hear the fifth or sixth weeks, as we are already pretty tight, just need to get a little more polished...... My lovely wife trecked up the road with me so she could drive me home and let me get a little sleep on the ride (which I needed, Did I mention they were long days).....

This week I'm working a convention, doing good honest work, stocking materials for the attendees, a lot of walking, lifting 20-60 pound boxes, and more walking. It's kind of funny to think that after three years working at the call center, I can do this kind of work for the same amount of money...... I'm really enjoying walking around with my MP3 player on, just doing my thing.... and I sure could use the exercise.... the balloon thing had me standing or walking within a very small area all week............ I'm doing this all week, so I'll be back to my sexy slim self in no time!!!!

Nasty habits is back at Spanky's Pub this weekend, our favorite little neighbourhood joint! I'm working another convention next week too. I'll keep you informed...

Slow week, next week will be a killer!

I've been working this week, doing some work at a conference with about 150 attendees, nothing difficult... I did see a woman from a nother convention fall (she tripped on and edge where the carpet ends and meets the tile floor) and the people from her convention made a big deal about it (and ultimately tried to blame the hotel, of course) when it couldn't have possibly been the flip-flops she was wearing, or the fact that she was talking to her freind and her head was turned and she wasn't looking where she was going, or that she was trying to reach into her bag with her good arm (that's right, her right arm was in a cast already)......... Drama, and so early in the morning.... One of the folks who was at the conference I was working said he is pretty sure he saw her at the Black Jack table that morning before the incident, chances are she was enjoying some of the fine comped drinks as well???!!!!

Did more training with the City of North Las Vegas, each of the crew members has set up and taken down the mobile stage by themselves now, so we should be able to get it up and down with no snags and in very little time!! We were training on driving the stage around, it's a 26' trailer/5th wheel, so it took a bit of getting used to backing it up, but after a few times through, I think I've got it!!! We have a big balloon festival called balloonapalooza that is next weekend, but we will be working from wednesday through sunday, it's going to be a lot of fun, and I'm going to get to work with the city's new D.A.S. speakers!!!

I've been practicing with straightaway, a local hard rock/metal band this week, I'm subbing in with them next thursday at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, that should be fun!! then Nasty habits is playing Friday and Saturday in Indian Springs. I'm going to be busier than a half-armed paper hanger, but It's what I've been needing, to get to work and keep myself busy!!

Standing in the Shadows... actually I'm sitting on the couch...

While K has been visiting family back on the east coast, I've been sitting at home, not really sure what I want to do. A friend called me up yesterday (probably because he knew I'd be bored and lonely) and asked if I wanted to hang out with him and his wife, I met them at Wal mart (they were doing some shopping there, otherwise I wouldn't have been there....) and started my day that way. One of the fellow posters on the music forums that I frequent had posted about a movie called Standing In the Shadows of Motown being in the $5.50 bin, so I grabbed it while I was there (I had seen parts of it on PBS a few years back and really wanted to get it for myself..)

I've been watching it and it's special features all afternoon! It's great to see the 'Funk Brothers' and hear their side of the story. I would highly recommend this DVD (2 actually) to anyone who is remotely into music and especially to those who love motown!

One could only hope that in their life they would be a part of something so huge... THese guys lived it, and now they tell their story...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a 2002 documentary film about the story of The Funk Brothers, Motown Records' primary studio band from 1959 to 1972. It is also the title of a 1989 book (from which the film derived) by Allan Slutsky focusing on bassist James Jamerson,.
The film covers the career of this band with interviews with band alumni and dramatic recreations of specific episodes. It also outlines the disheartening fact that the band was responsible for more #1 hits than any other, yet they were generally unknown - overlooked in favor of the vocalists who sang over their music. In addition, footage from a reunion concert in Detroit, Michigan with the surviving members of the band is included featuring several music performances of major Funk Brothers hits sung by major current R&B, pop, and soul musicians, including Gerald Levert, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, Ben Harper, Bootsy Collins, Chaka Khan, and Montell Jordan.