Life is like one of those animal shows on discovery channel. Sometimes you ride the rhino, and sometimes you get your jeep knocked around. Sunday the jeep took a beating.
I'm not sure what the deal was, but it all started to go sour with a broken string on my lap steel on the first song. From there, the rest of the first set was dogged by PA problems, and even after completely rewiring the cables it was still dodgy. So, I dod the only thing I could think of, and that was point the monitor out at the folks in the bar (it was the one working speaker) and carry on.
For some reason it all cleared up for the second set. And I touched nothing to make that hapen, just switched everything on again, and off we went.
Oh well. I got a chance to try out some new songs, a couple of odd guitars. All fine. So, thanks t those of you that stuck with us through all this! Great weekend all in all, and the fish-n-chips in Arbroath is worth the drive alone.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Bellrok Blues Festival, Day 1
Well, we're one day into the Bellrock Blues festival. Thought I'd write a bit before heading back to Arbroath for my last solo slot.
It's been an interesting festival. It's a different feel from the former Smokie Blues, and I can't quite put my finger on it. But that said, it was an odd experience being on my way to a gig for an 11 am downbeat. I think we playwed well,. Mike Oxley, covering for Dino, in particular, did a stellar job, and it was a great chance to try some new stoff on the fly.
From there we packed up, finishing at 1 and me scrambling over to the Newgate bar to get set up for a 2 pm gig. Talk about a panic- lots of traffic, impossible parkin situation and one-way streets. Wasn't sure that I'd make it. But Mike, sensing the stress level, volunteered to help me get there and settled before heading for home. Talk about a friend, someone that will sacrifice a sunny day to help you move gear. What can I say but thanks Mike!
Newgate was a great time, once the football match was over. Nice to get a chance to play a solo show that's more than one set long! It was also the first time I've been able to play lots of the new solo stuff for y'all in a sitation where the acoustics and the PA were up to the task. I ended up in the sidewalk for about a half-hour playing and warming up, talking to the smokers, while we all wated for the football to end.
And then off to the Station Bar for a second 2-hour show. I like that little pub, it's hard to set up there, but you jam 100 blues lovers in there and it's a rockin good time. That show was over before I knew it.
So, 3 down and one to go. As promised I'll play some different stuff at the Newgate this afternoon, more of the new solo stuff. Grab a bottle of sun tan lotion and head on over! I'm starting at 1 pm, and there will be pleanty of time to enjoy a cold beer and some warm sunshine.
OK, gotta run!
It's been an interesting festival. It's a different feel from the former Smokie Blues, and I can't quite put my finger on it. But that said, it was an odd experience being on my way to a gig for an 11 am downbeat. I think we playwed well,. Mike Oxley, covering for Dino, in particular, did a stellar job, and it was a great chance to try some new stoff on the fly.
From there we packed up, finishing at 1 and me scrambling over to the Newgate bar to get set up for a 2 pm gig. Talk about a panic- lots of traffic, impossible parkin situation and one-way streets. Wasn't sure that I'd make it. But Mike, sensing the stress level, volunteered to help me get there and settled before heading for home. Talk about a friend, someone that will sacrifice a sunny day to help you move gear. What can I say but thanks Mike!
Newgate was a great time, once the football match was over. Nice to get a chance to play a solo show that's more than one set long! It was also the first time I've been able to play lots of the new solo stuff for y'all in a sitation where the acoustics and the PA were up to the task. I ended up in the sidewalk for about a half-hour playing and warming up, talking to the smokers, while we all wated for the football to end.
And then off to the Station Bar for a second 2-hour show. I like that little pub, it's hard to set up there, but you jam 100 blues lovers in there and it's a rockin good time. That show was over before I knew it.
So, 3 down and one to go. As promised I'll play some different stuff at the Newgate this afternoon, more of the new solo stuff. Grab a bottle of sun tan lotion and head on over! I'm starting at 1 pm, and there will be pleanty of time to enjoy a cold beer and some warm sunshine.
OK, gotta run!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Blues Hall of Fame
Well, this is cool. Got this in the mail today, here's the key details, but the rub is that I'm now a blues hall of fame'r. Today is one of those days where it's good to be me!
Thanks for the honor guys...
-------------------------
Hello Son Henry,
This is Johnny Mannion Blues Hall Of Fame® Ambassador at Large.
It is with great pleasure that I inform you that you have been inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame® as Ambassador to Alaska.
We welcome you to the BHF family and invite you to become involved in the BHF. You were nominated for Ambassador and your nomination went before the BHF Ambassador Board of Directors. You received the unanimous yes vote required for ambassadorship. Congratulations.
Congrats,
Johnny Mannion
Thanks for the honor guys...
-------------------------
Hello Son Henry,
This is Johnny Mannion Blues Hall Of Fame® Ambassador at Large.
It is with great pleasure that I inform you that you have been inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame® as Ambassador to Alaska.
We welcome you to the BHF family and invite you to become involved in the BHF. You were nominated for Ambassador and your nomination went before the BHF Ambassador Board of Directors. You received the unanimous yes vote required for ambassadorship. Congratulations.
Congrats,
Johnny Mannion
Monday, August 20, 2007
Big time in Larne
First Chaine Folk and Blues Festival is now just an aftershock after the big rumble. What a great shakin time it was, and never mind the weather.......
So, we left town Friday night and drove to a hotel close to the ferry terminal to be ready to catch an early ferry the next morning to Ireland. Picture a van with an Alaskan, and Englishman and a Scotsman all unsure of the need for a passport when getting off the ferry. Talk about an interesting conversation, it was like that millionaire game show where your last lifeline is phoning a friend. We did finally get the answer, it's a little embarassing how many people we needed to call to get a definitive one!
But, be that as it may, we made it. Plenty of time, ferry crossing was a snap and it was a short hop to the venue and the hotel.
Thanks to all of you that came to my workshop on slide guitar. I hope that you goet something of value from it. I know I enjoyed hanging out with you all and talking guitars and slide technique.
The gig? Great fun, and we did over-run the curfew by a *bit* I supose. But hey, what were they going to do, arrest all of us that were making too much noise?
See y'all next year. In the meantime, keep in touch!
So, we left town Friday night and drove to a hotel close to the ferry terminal to be ready to catch an early ferry the next morning to Ireland. Picture a van with an Alaskan, and Englishman and a Scotsman all unsure of the need for a passport when getting off the ferry. Talk about an interesting conversation, it was like that millionaire game show where your last lifeline is phoning a friend. We did finally get the answer, it's a little embarassing how many people we needed to call to get a definitive one!
But, be that as it may, we made it. Plenty of time, ferry crossing was a snap and it was a short hop to the venue and the hotel.
Thanks to all of you that came to my workshop on slide guitar. I hope that you goet something of value from it. I know I enjoyed hanging out with you all and talking guitars and slide technique.
The gig? Great fun, and we did over-run the curfew by a *bit* I supose. But hey, what were they going to do, arrest all of us that were making too much noise?
See y'all next year. In the meantime, keep in touch!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Goin Back to Alaska!
Yeah, it's true, but only for a visit!
Plans are coming together for this years Blues for my Brother benefit for the Brother Francis Shelter. The show will be November 10, starting around 7. I'm not giving anything away at this point, but it sure is going to be a good show. Spread the word!
Plans are coming together for this years Blues for my Brother benefit for the Brother Francis Shelter. The show will be November 10, starting around 7. I'm not giving anything away at this point, but it sure is going to be a good show. Spread the word!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Ireland, here we come!
Off to the Chaine Folk and Blues festival in Larne real soon. It's our first trip to Ireland, and I've always wanted to go there. Am I excited about this? Yeah!
The Festival Web Site is here: http://www.chainemusic.com/index.cfm
As part of the festival I'll be doing a lap steel and slide guitar workshop at 2:30 on Saturday the 18th. Check the festival web site for the location. For all you guitar players it'll be a change to pull apart some of the the basics of electric slide guitar, in the styles of Elmore James right through to Duane Allman.
See ya'll there, be sure and say hi!
The Festival Web Site is here: http://www.chainemusic.com/index.cfm
As part of the festival I'll be doing a lap steel and slide guitar workshop at 2:30 on Saturday the 18th. Check the festival web site for the location. For all you guitar players it'll be a change to pull apart some of the the basics of electric slide guitar, in the styles of Elmore James right through to Duane Allman.
See ya'll there, be sure and say hi!
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