"The Band"

So I thought I'd throw out another positive post...
A band called Drops of Jordan have been playing with us for a while.
Great people.
They have asked me to part of the fun. I readily agreed.

Dave Rice - Keys/Vox
Donna Rice - Lead Vox
Al Novak - Electric Guitar
Jerome Walker - Bass
John Scarzone - Lead Vox
Jessie Scarzone - Lead Vox
David Powell - Drums
Doug White - Acoustic Guitar

Everyone sings lead vox?....Yup, they switch off and cover harmonies when not singing lead, very cool indeed.
We've been practicing every Monday night and I have to say it's been a blast.
Here's an original

Speak to Me

Facial Hair...

I have some things I want to write about but I'm not sure how to put my feelings in print without me sounding like angry old man so I'm putting it together in my mind.

UNTIL THEN!!!

My facial hair Yoda (i.e. Mark Aubry) was able to grow a full beard by third grade. It's always been a toy for him. I have not been able to join in the fun until recently. I decided to see how long I could grow my Goat...
This was about as long as I could take it.



Soon after this picture I was eating cereal in the family room holding the bowl beneath me. After I was finished I realized my beard was wet and had been hanging in my milk for most of my breakfast. I trimmed it 2 minutes later.
I have no idea how the men of the Civil War era were even able to eat at all...

I'll save Donna Mo a trip to the comment page.
From Donna: "It was about time! Gross"

More to come.

Orlando Show...

My old friend Jim from Tri-Marq took me on another Red Prairie show.
One thing I know is Tri-Marq produces one heck of a show. They are meticulous on how the show looks and sounds, how the client is treated and how the crew is treated. One thing that makes this show look good is the use of white sheer panels that with the use of back and front lighting, the Lighting Director can change the vibe of the show simply with light.





Larry Miller (actor/comedian) was brought in to entertain the crowd one night. Funny guy but pretty nice to boot. I had to watch the show from my camera position.





Another thing that sets Tri-Marq apart is the quality of the crew.
I am in awe watching the lead techs work their craft. Colin (lead audio), Glen (lead video) and Ian ( Lighting Director) know their craft.
Jim and Chris treat us very well with comfortable rooms, great food and plentiful drink.



A good show...
A dedicated crew...
Amazing gear...
That all makes for a great experience.

What, no yellow sprinkles?

Okay, so she really didn't notice...

Tonight we celebrated Amelia's fourth birthday. The festivities started off around mid afternoon with Mealz getting her first ride in the two seater while Meema baked the requested birthday cake. A round, tall chocolate cake with white frosting, pink, purple, blue and yellow sprinkles. Topped off with four pink and white twisted candles.
the only thing we didn't have? Yup, the yellow sprinkles. Jim grilled some burgers to perfection then it was cake time. We sang to Amelia and she blew out the candles. We then hear Olive, "what about me?" so we lit the candles again and let her blow them out. Since it was Amelia's birthday we lit the candle one more time for her to blow out again. She stood there just waiting, we were all confused until Kim figured out we had to sing again, so we did.
I sure love my family...

Well????

My how a few events can change just about everything...

The Wentz contract was quite a bit higher than was originally quoted. It's still going to happen but the decision was made close down the campus for 3 months to re group and do an official re-launch rather than just a move.
Then I find out that my boss is moving to a different area of CCC and a new guy is coming in. It's his choice on who to hire for the different positions.
So now I am back to job limbo....we having fun yet?
I officially have a gig until the end of May.
Guess I can't quit the bar yet...

Music, Admin & Wentz Hall...

We got the date...
It's too soon... HA!

As of May 2nd The Down Town campus of Community Christian Church will be holding our services in the performing arts center at North Central College known as Wentz Hall.
I'm still the acting arts director there and have not been asked to leave so since a full time job has not come through yet....here I am.
I've got a good set of musicians to work with and things have greatly improved since some of my previous posts.
Wentz Hall is going to expose all shortcomings of anyone who isn't up to the task of raising the bar of their musicianship. With that some tough decisions are going to be made. I'm not thrilled with the position I am in but I can do it.
New auditions will be held in the next few months.
I had a 15 piece Orchestra this past Sunday playing with one our better rhythm sections.
It was a great morning.
Our church move qualifies us for some new gear so new inner ears are coming along with a wide screen format projection system is going to make for an amazing experience for the future attenders.

The Bar is still, well the bar...
Pianos are slowly increasing...
The next few months will be an interesting but fun ride!

The rut...?

Well how interesting is this...
I'm in a rut.
There's hasn't been anything really new going on in my life for a month or so now. How weird is that?
Tend bar...
Work at the Church...
Babysit...
Kim left for Israel last night while I was tending so I came home to an empty bed. Babysat today, came home and took a mess load of garbage to the curb. uhhhhh yeah, I seem to have become quite boring. I have to say that makes me a bit angry. I work hard enough that when I get home I don't feel like doing anything else, throw in I make 1/4 of the money I used to and you have all the makings of an unhappy Doug. On a plus side, I am fitting into a groove at the Church. The musicians and such are accepting me a wee bit more. Friendships are growing. That's good.
Olive turns two this week and Elle has cut two teeth so she's happier.
Hard to believe that Mealz is going to be four in May, she still seems to be my buddy, not sure how long that will last but so far so good.
On the amusing side of things, Kim's rooster (Kiev) absolutely hates me and wants me dead. I can't go around him without his neck feathers flaring out like the spitting dinosaur from Jurassic Park and charging after me with talons, spurs and beak doing everything in his power to draw blood which he has done several times usually ending up with me holding it by the neck and handing it back to Kim. He's just fine with her...me? not so much. With her gone. I have to take care of them, dang talk about biting the hand that feeds you, it's gonna be a long ten days...