Private Party and Classic Cars!

Saturday we were booked for a private party...a really fun BBQ.  Our Host was Craig (below).  And, they are also members in a car club....MUSTANGS!!  

We played for this party last year when Steve and I were really new to playing music.  John had already booked the show and he added us in.  This year we came as our "band", now that Jerry has joined us we have made the decision to always play with the five of us as much as possible.  

The problem was the WEATHER!!  Last year we played the same day and it was so hot, we needed a fan.  This year the weather forecast was RAIN!!  What?  Ugh.  All kinds of fun events were canceling left and right, but NOT this party!  Craig had a plan "B".

They set up tents all around and they had a fire pit going the whole time.  Doesn't that look like fun?  It was!!

There were heaters, but it wasn't really that cold.  He had the band set up in his HUGE garage/shop.  It's a very cool place with cool signs and lots of car memorabilia and parts.  And, the sound was just great.  And later in the day the sun actually made an appearance!

This is a very laid back group of fun people.  It's just the kind of party I LOVE to attend.  People wandered around visiting with each other, there was tons of yummy food and we just played and played. 

I had a dilemma.  To put out a tip jar or not.  We all decided that we would NOT put it out at a private party.  Craig came over and asked us where our tip jar was, and we told him.  He told us to go get it and then he announced to everyone to show appreciation and they filled up our tip jar.  How NICE was THAT?  They were so very generous!

There was even a little dancing!  Of course!!  And, then there were the CARS!   

This picture was fun.  When I posted it on Facebook, John and Jerry had some funny comments to add.  Jerry said "OK...who took the motor?", John said "I didn't do it".  Ha Ha!

We simply couldn't resist a band picture in front of the classic beauty!

Craig and Amy had their family there among the friends.  We knew that the party was also around the same time as Craig's Birthday, but Craig told John that he didn't want that mentioned.  So, we didn't.  Until the end, when Craig's daughter came up and requested it.  Most of the people were gone by then, so we did the Beatles Birthday song for him. 

John and Michael have played for this party for the past four years, and Steve and I joined them for the last two.  These people sure do know how to put on a fun party!!

We love private parties!!  If you want to have some live music at your next party...give me a call!  (209)293-4254

Stockton Singles Love & Hugs!

The Stockton Singles Club....why "Love & Hugs"?  All of us in the band look forward to playing there each month.  We LOVE it!  And, when we get there and get all set up, we feel the "love" coming back to us.  We get more HUGS at the Stockton Singles than anywhere else.  After playing there regularly we recognize everyone and it's like we are playing for a room full of friends.  How great is that?  When we were getting ready to start, I said "Good Evening" and they applauded. How's that for a welcome?   

It really doesn't get any better than this!!

Deiter and Karen were there.  It's always a great night when we see them!  Thanks for coming...and Deiter...thanks for requesting your special songs, we love that!

Steve went around the room and took pictures of the friendly faces that we so enjoy playing for, I wish I could put names with everyone...

 These people all  dress so nice and they love to dance.  Line dancing, cha cha, rhumba, swing, waltz, it's wonderful to get to watch them dance all evening.  

Our friends from last week!!  Thanks for coming!!

On this particular night, Steve and I came early to run some errands in Stockton.  When we had time to spare, it was off to the mall of course.  I bought a pretty new ring to wear in the show (red sparkly butterfly). 

While I was playing bass to Folsom Prison, I started to feel something stinging on my finger.  Turns out my ring was banging against another finger and by the end of the song I looked down and it was bleeding (ew).  At that very moment I could hear the beginning to "Sweet Dreams" a very tender song.  So, I just ignored my hand and started singing, that was crazy.  I'm sure I didn't do the song justice, but I was distracted after all.  

When I was telling my story to the band later on, they thought it was even funnier when I swallowed the wrong way just as I was taking a breath to sing Tennessee Waltz and when I tried to sing, it came out like a frog croaking.  I was convinced that I could just force my way back to normal, and by the end it was fine.  I'm sure everyone was wondering about that!   

Michael showed me his new gadget....I LOVE gadgets and technology (bet you couldn't have guessed that, right?).

Michael doesn't usually get much in to techno stuff, like email, internet, facebook.  He only uses his cell phone for urgent things and most times it's not even on.  So, I was very surprised to see his wonderful new "tablet".   It does everything!  Goes on the internet, gps...tons of stuff.  Of course when something is new...there is a learning curve.  I really couldn't show him all that much, because I don't have one of these.  But, I imagine he will be an expert before too long!  Then he will be able to read my band blog on it!!  Go Michael!

These folks showed up and gave us hugs:

I knew right away that we knew them, but it took me a little bit of searching my brain to remember where we met.  Turns out that they saw us LAST YEAR at the Lodi Wine Cellars.  It was so nice to see them again.  They even requested "Mean Woman Blues", one of John's original songs.  That was great.

We had a really nice gal tending the bar, Jessica.  I wish I had her picture, she was so nice.  And she is going to recommend us to the Stockton Moose.  We haven't played there in over a year and would love to come back.

We all truly appreciate the Stockton Singles and we are already looking forward to coming back on July 1st. 

Hotel Leger

The Hotel Leger http://hotelleger.com/ is one of our favorite places to play.  It's the closest to home for Steve and me, so it's like a homecoming each time we get to play there!  We had heard from tons of people that they were coming and then....a storm.  Enough already!  This weather is CRAZY!   With that, we didn't know what to expect!

There have been some changes at the Hotel Leger.  Introducing the NEW owners,  Daryl and Tracy Zellers.  We know Daryl's brother and we all live in the same small town.  But, we had to wonder if we would still be playing there.  And, YES!  It turns out that they had been there before when we were playing and they wanted us to keep our scheduled gig.  Yay!  They are the nicest people and we are so happy for them and their new adventure!  

I talked to Tracy and she told me that the Hotel was sold out that night and the night before.  Wow!  Did you know that people come to this hotel from all over the world?  It's a really neat old place and rumor has it that it is HAUNTED!  There are 3 ghosts one of them is a child and they are one of the reasons that people like to come here.  I think that the ghost teased us last month when John's keyboard played something wacky right in the middle of a sweet song...he didn't touch a thing to make it happen.  Was it a ghost?  

We were so happy to see some friends show up to see us.  Lisa on the right works at our Dentist office and Ginger and her husband organize the "Camp Out for Cancer" http://www.amadorstars.org/ , which our band will participate in on September 10th.  It's a small world here in the country.  Ginger's daughter and my daughter were on the same gymnastics team for several years waaaaay back!  

 This lady was up from Southern California, I'm pretty sure she told me she came in hopes of seeing the ghost.

There were also some folks from France.  There is always a dispute as to the pronunciation of the Hotel Leger.  We have always said "Lee Jay".  But, lots of people say "led ger".  When we took a vote, can you guess what the French people voted for?  

We had a great time.  Suzette came and danced with me, there she is on the left!

And, Susan showed up later on.  It's always great to see you!!

We played and danced the night away and before we knew it, it was time to stop!  We did an encore and called it a night.  And, we are already looking forward to coming back June 18th.  Come join us for the fun!

Elizabeth Spencer Winery

Now this is an amazing story...meet Charles.

Charles found our band on the internet and we connected about playing for the Elizabeth Spencer Winery http://www.elizabethspencerwines.com/ .  We talked about possible dates etc.  

The winery called me and asked if we could play Thursday because their band canceled at the last minute.  We don't usually play on Thursdays so we were available and YES we would love to play this gig.  I was pretty sure that they didn't know how they found us...but I knew...Charles.  I called Charles to let him know that we would be there and he was so happy about that.  But, he let his wife be suprised!

Charles and his wife are so supportive and wanted to help find live music for this venue.  It's because of them that we were there and we are sooooo grateful!  

This Winery Tasting Room is so elegant and lovely.  They have pretty gardens, a patio area, lots of great seating and my oh my the wine....devine!

We had fun taking pictures...there were so many great backdrops.

And everything was blooming.  Funny thing...the weather before this day wasn't great and it wasn't great right after...but for THIS day it was perfect!

 

We started out with soft music so people could talk and visit.

As the evening continued, we picked up the pace and before long we were ROCKIN. 

The winery "mascot" wanted to get in on the act.

These fun people asked for some "Lady Gaga",  I don't think the guys would go for that...but I would love it!  We did some Bruce Springsteen for them instead.

And we had a Birthday Girl in the house!  Yes....you know it!!  We did the Birthday song for her.

Here is our Birthday Girl again.

This is the band with Elizabeth and Spencer, our hosts.  We thank you so much for having us.  It was a wonderful wonderful night!

And....we will be back on July 14 to do it all over again.  Come on out and join us!