Jammin' in Cleveland

My good friend and bass player Dave Warner, asked if I was available to do a fill-in gig with a band that he actually fill in for.  The band is Jukebox Heroes, and yes they play 80's music.  It turns out that their usual singer, Jason Kelty, and their usual guitar and bass player had accidentally double booked a gig.  Jason, whom I've known for 20 years, plays in a Journey tribute band called Escape.  So, the only original member of the band playing that night would be the drummer, Rich Strah, whom I have never met.  With me so far?  On guitar, would be the incomparable Tony Martin.  I've only done a few gigs with Tony, and in the 13 years that I have known Dave, we have never actually played a gig together.

I had about 30 songs to learn that week.  I asked Dave if we were getting together at least once to run through a few songs.  Nope.  We don't need no stinking practice!  Ok fair enough.  I've known these guys long enough to know that they are professionals and I wasn't too worried about the show.

Me & my buddy Dave setting up for the show.

Here is an old scan of Dave & I jamming way back in 2003.

Here's the band with Tony Martin on the right.

Here, Tony & I are playing in a band called Streetlife in 2000.

My favorite shot of the night!

Tony is one of these guys that can play anything on guitar.  Oh, there is a sax solo in the song but no sax?  No problem, Tony can play it on guitar.  Piano?  No problem, Tony can play it on guitar.  He's pretty amazing.

Brother's Lounge is a nice place to play in.  We had a great crowd that was there for their 30th class reunion party: Westlake High School Class of '82.

It was all great fun.  We are planning on doing another show when I come home to visit next summer!  See ya!