Last night I had the chance to play again with RGNC associate members Joe Distefano and Greg Christakos up in Boston. It were rather enjoyable, but I have to admit to bending a few of the rules about RGNC performance criteria. First off, we were booked with a couple of other acts at a college in the area and we used their performance hall with maybe 300 seats. The place was a little large and there were more folks than might be optimal for a typical RGNC shindig, but it proved to turn out very well. The pre-show buffet was remarkable, the after show hanging out was relaxed, and all the folks truly listened. My main axe for the night was "Old $12.95", and it rang true and loud. We even did a high and lonesome grassed out cover of...Rocky Mountain High! Complete with extended space jam in F right in the middle of the tune, and a wonderful and indulgently long jam on the outro. Seems like it should be a mellow song, but we put a real scald on it and I plan to work it into the rotation soon. When we went to eat lunch after Church, a cook at the place said they were there last night and that they really enjoyed the show. Cain't do no better'n that.
Joe and Greg were very kind to take time out of incredibly busy schedules to help pull it off. Greg got a little ticked during one song when Joe gave him the "turn down your bass amp" nod; so Greg took his bass off and threw it across the stage (ala Bert Campaneris in the '73 AL playoffs vs. Detroit) and it nailed some kid who was doing the sound. After the paramedics left we were able to clean his bass off and convince each other that we had to go back out and finish the show "for the kids". Good thing we're so close and that we still put the music first, because stuff like that could cause some problems for less committed musicians... ;^)

Dave, was that nice shiraz as good as that can of merlot you gave me at your place at Christmas time? As I recall, you bragged that it was "one of North Dakota's finest wines".

be good.