Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns, and friends

November 28th gig at The Palms

2011-11-29T10:22:00.001-08:00

It was our anniversary (#31), and Cheryl has to go back to California tonight, so we went to the gig. I'm burnin' 4 hours of DayGigIstan VAC this morning so I could stay out late.

Great to see Dr. Lenny back on the stage. Blog update tonight after work. Below, Keith Nelson subbing for Roch on bass.

More to come...
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TUESDAY P.M. UPDATE

Random photo essay from a great hang.

Lotta great tunes last night. This was one of them. Our fine bro' from Norway Ole Borud. They've really gotten this one nailed. Tyriq on lead vocal.

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Champlin night tonight at The Palms

2011-11-21T17:17:00.000-08:00

Bill, Tamara, and their son Will. Add Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns. It doesn't get any better than this. A Critical Mass of Kick Yo' Ass.

Be there. I will.

Another Live HDTV shoot tonight, btw. Below, "Tuggin' On Your Sleeve." Bill, Will, and Tam. An egregiously undervalued national asset, this family.

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POST GIG REPORT

CHAMPLIN, AN EXQUISITE AMERICAN BRAND

I have a stash of 250+ shots to review and tweak. A great show, ran way long. I am so glad I went. I Got some good pics, will try to get them up after work.

TUESDAY 8:20 P.M., I'M BACK

OK, 55 minutes, later, after some minimal post and re-sizing on 35 pics: Photo essay...

Commentary to come. All I could do to work these shots tonight for y'all (I'm tired). I worked for these pics. The lighting is maybe half what it use to be at the Palms. Spent a lot of time in post tonight. Unusual.

But, it ain't about me. In the end, I'm just a fan like all others, and gratified to have come to know all these peeps. What musical magnificence.
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Audrey Holmes, 1915 - 2011

2011-10-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Your Mom was the best.

Tonight, Ole Børud sittin' in with Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns

2011-10-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

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POST GIG REPORT

Yikes. What a blow-out. Ole was off the hook. I shot close to 300 pics (some of which will be crap, to be sure, but I got some good ones). I'll post a few for now to get started.

It was a full audio / 3-camera HD shoot tonight, The DVD and streaming video that come of this will be awesome.

Much, much more to come after some Zzzz's and a doctor's appointment (not goin' to DayGigIstan in the morning). Thank you, Ole. Everyone loved you.
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TUESDAY P.M. UPDATE

Mo' shots.

Above and below: newest Santa Fe member on the front line, Lannie Counts on vocals.

Below, OK, The Don (Goodman) and the Diva (Serena Henry). Among the happiest cats in the room... BTW, the linked shot of Serena -- one of the nicest people I've ever met -- is from my "My Women" stash I posted on Crackbook.

Below, my dear friends the JoeyT's from Seattle and, course, the Corvini's.

Above, Mikael Engström et al. Below., Ole, Mikael, Jerry, and Scott Gross.

Below. BobbyG heads home down the 15 off Flamingo, Healed...

More to come...

WED OCT 5TH NOTE:

A sad one.

I have more stuff from Monday night, but I had to make note of this sad event.
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It's BobbyG, remember me?

2011-09-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

More than 200 shots to triage. I'm outa practice. Indulge me. And, I know this isn't exactly "Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns," but, hell, half the band was in the orchestra, so it qualifies.

An amazing show.

More to come.

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I really miss doin' this, covering all my stunningly talented friends.

Here, too (and, there's more as well).
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May 30th gig at The Palms

2011-05-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

I will be there tonight. Burnin' a VAC day tomorrow. Need some Healing.
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POST-SHOW REPORT

Been missin' everyone. Thanks to all of you for being so nice to me tonight. Very nice set list, mostly classic material from the band's first two CDs (including the awesome Canta con Amigo, which Jerry started off with his incredible Flamenco chops). Tyriq was killer on I Feel Good, Tony slammed Tower's Get Your Feet Back on the Ground and Greazy Thing from the latest CD, and Mike took on the lead vocal on Dave's Salvation.

Three subs tonight: Mike Gonzales on keys filling in for Jamie Hosmer, Tom DeLibero on trumpet for Gil, and Chris Logan subbing for Dr. Lenny on vocals.

Some shots from a thumpin' hang...

Really great to hear the band after my latest too-long hiatus (not goin' to DayGigistan in the morning). Astute, veteran blog observers will likely note that I didn't do all that many shots this time, and they're pretty much from a single POV. Place was packed, no room to move around, so I pretty much stuck to my seat. I'm still healing up from my recent jaw surgery, so I didn't have a lot of energy to be crawlin' all around this time, and I just wanted to dig the music anyway. Hope you like these shots.

CODA: FRIENDS OF SANTA FE
SUNDAY NIGHT HANG AT RED ROCK

The Steven Lee Group was back at Red Rock Sunday night (8 pm - 10:30 pm), so I went. You gotta hear these cats. Tony Davich and Rochon were on the gig (w/ Joey Finger on tubs, Billy T on Keys, and Rocco Barbato on reeds).

Killer band. Great peeps.

Below, OK, I did not know this -- Steven plays trumpet, too. He did a tune on trumpet, with Rocco on bari. Very cool.

CODA: OLE BORUD

Awesome. Jerry's workin' on gettin' him here for a sit-in this fall.

Feb 21st gig at The Palms

2011-02-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

I been away from the band for four months, but we had the day off, and I'm burnin' some VAC time tomorrow, so it's time to come hang. Been difficult to not see y'all for all this time, band and fans alike.

What were we doin' a year ago Monday night?
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POST-GIG REPORT

One thumpin' fine time. Lotta new originals. The next CD is gonna be killer.

They also did Old Borud's "Backyard Party." Totally badass. You gotta buy his CD ("Shakin' the Ground").

I went to the Outlet Mall this afternoon and bought some purple low-cut Chuck Taylors and a purple tie, just to bust Tyriq's chops. When I got there tonight...

LOL. Great minds think alike. Below, Fat City Horns lineup tonight: Dave Phillipus, Tom DeLibero, Gil Kaupp, Dave Stambaugh, Rob Mader, and Jerry Merra.

Monster sit-in this evening: Amanda Corvini on bari, Brandon Fields on Alto, Michito Sanchez on percussion, Mike Lent on guitar, Ron Walters on keys. Below, some random pics.

Wow. I am not used to stayin' up this late (it's 2:10 a.m. as I pop the clutch and post this). Runnin' outa steam. More this evening (I shot more than 160 pics). Goin' in to DayGigIstan late, but I still gotta go in for a while. Great to see all of you tonight.

BTW, Cheryl sends her love.
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TUESDAY NIGHT: MO' SHOTS

Yeah, man. Great fun...
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CODA

Our brother Drew Zingg's new website is now up (click the image below).

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On the subject of Steely Dan, Drew's not in this video below, but I never tire of this clip.

That's Tom Barney on bass.
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Happy New Year to all of you

2011-01-01T16:36:00.001-08:00

I miss hangin' with everyone at the Santa Fe gigs at the Palms every Monday night. I hope you all have a great 2011. I know that Jerry and the cats are closin' in on enough new tunes for a 4th CD. I can't wait for that to happen.

- BobbyG

NATE KIMBALL UPDATE

Cheryl and I call Nate "Numbah Two Son," as he is our son's best friend since they were in grade school together. He's just posted a recording of his original composition "Namaste," recorded with the UNLV jazz band. Nate is a Nathan Tanouye protege, and it shows (Nate is now with the Cirque Zumanity show orchestra, while working on his jazz Master's at UNLV).

Namaste by Nate Kimball

Awesome.

Jeneane Marie benefit show Sunday Dec 5th

2010-12-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna cut to the chase and swipe some copy written by my friend Johnny Kats at the Las Vegas Sun:

Entertainers in Las Vegas are doing what entertainers in Las Vegas often do by their very nature: helping one of their own through health problems. Set for Dec. 5 is a fundraiser for longtime Vegas performer Jeneane Marie, who is suffering from avascular necrosis, which is a lack of blood flow to her hip that has caused constant pain and as a result requires hip replacement surgery. Marie has no medical insurance (sound familiar?), so to help pay for her surgery and care, Grant Griffin and The Showbiz Society are putting on a show at Las Vegas Rocks Cafe at Neonopolis.

Marie has opened for some of the biggest stars ever to take the Las Vegas stage, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Don Rickles. She has toured with Wayne Newton, too. Celebs announced as those taking part in the show, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m., include Steve Rossi, Newton, Rich Little, Clint Holmes, Babe Pier, Denise Clemente, Laurie Caceres and Griffin. The Jerry Lopez Band will provide the musical healing. Tickets are $22 at the door.

Lopez and Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns also are donating their take from their shows at The Lounge at the Palms to help fight Marie’s plight... 10:30 ... next Monday [Dec 6th]. Tickets are $7 and $15.

I'm gonna go, and exhort everyone else to do likewise. I hate to see anyone going through the misery this woman is dealing with. Below, a clip of her work during happier times.

Wow. Let's see if we can get this lady her hip job.
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POST-SHOW PHOTO REPORT

I am so glad I went to this. Pretty nice turnout. Major props to the folks who put it on, and to those who performed in the show. A random photo essay follows. I don't know who most of these performers are (and I may have missed one or two, it was all movin' pretty fast). I wasn't carryin' a pen or notepad.

Suffice it to say that it was top-shelf without exception. Old school Vegas was present in spades.

Below, the inimitable Vegas showman Tony Sacca.

Above, Steve Rossi. Cat is funny, man! Below, my diva friend Paris Red. Paris, you ragged me about how I owed you a shot after that candid I took of you at the Santa Fe Labor Day gig. Debt paid, m'dear... :)

Below, Lani Misalucha. Yikes!

Above, our bro' the elegant Bill Fayne.

Above, Sonny Turner singin' and huggin' Jeneane.

Jeneane came up to sing the last song of the show. Hobbling painfully on crutches, she mowed the house down.

It was all pretty inspiring.

OK, Jerry and the cats are again giving their entire Palms gig gate tomorrow night to Jeneane's cause. Please go hang so you can both get blown away and contribute to a good thing.
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Dave Richardson's "New Things" concert

2010-11-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Wow. Top-shelf artistry and elegance. What a great afternoon.

Dave's conversations with the audience were as revealing as his great music. Below, Larry Esparza on Flamenco guitar.

Above, Tyler Williams on double bass. Excellent. Below, our homie Phil Wigfall lit it up!

Below, Jerry Lopez and Lion King star Kissy Simmons doing Dave's Si Te Vas in duet. OMG! You gotta be kidding me...

Below, Lion King vocalist Vusi Sondiyasi sang a new Dave Richardson original.

Dave did a segment of the show comprising several tunes totally improvised. He said it was based on his admiration of the works of legendary pianist Keith Jarrett, who he said would sometime just show up in concert with no advance composition list and simply play.

Dave, you really pulled that off. Below, again, Vusi Sondiyasi, Tyler Williams, and Larry Esparza.

I felt constrained so as to not make myself a distraction, so these are mostly from close to my seat next to my bro' Jerry Jones, who was diggin' it all as much as I was.

Thank you Dave Richardson, you are a credit to the profession, and a good friend. I am blessed.
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Great concerts by our bro's this Sunday, but a with a schedule conflict

2010-11-18T19:28:00.001-08:00

OK, I need to be cloned. Dang!

(Click the images to enlarge to better view the details) On balance (and this is very tough to decide), I've covered Nathan's Las Vegas Jazz Connection concerts multiple times already (including also here and here), so I guess I gotta opt for Dave Richardson's show this time. I have to support everyone's work the best I can. Lenny's goin' with me.
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CODA

Some of you may have noticed that I took down last Friday's blog post reporting on the show at The Cannery. The acrimony that ensued, originating with the promoter of the event (who, it must be noted, has yet to contact me directly), has become bizarrely pointless, and is contrary to the core purpose of this blog, which is solely to support all musical artists with whom I come into contact, out of simple respect for their artistry and their struggles.

- BobbyG

Some recent shots of some of my friends

2010-11-17T20:05:00.001-08:00

I am blessed to have many good friends. These are but a small handful, shot recently...

Not pictured (just yet), my friend Ric Ulsky.
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Hot Club of Las Vegas update

2010-10-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

Mundo asked me to give some "blog love" to his Hot Club of Las Vegas. OK.

Tomorrow: Gonzalo Bergara Guitar Clinic, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm (Oct 27th) at The Beat Coffeehouse and Record Shop, 520 Fremont Street. a Hot Club event. I've heard this cat play, OMG. Don't miss him.

BTW, Mundo, the new HCLV website looks awesome, but there are a bunch of broken links (including your calendar page).

Peeps can check out HCLV also on Facebook, btw.

Blog hiatus

2010-10-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

After nearly 5 years, 743 posts to date (exclusive of this one), and probably 13-15,000 photos uploaded (I've lost track), a sad email I had to send to the guys this week:

My friends,

I have had to come to a very difficult decision, given my love for y'all, utter respect for what you do, and ongoing acute desire to help advance your cause however possible. My blog is going into hiatus for the indeterminate future. I hope it's not the end of it, because it has been a total labor of love, and I like to think I've added a little value in this town (and beyond), both for the band, and for your (our) many compadres. But, the simple truth is that I have to get a grip on my deteriorating health, and that precludes -- on the emphatic advice of my physician -- being out late on Monday nights any more, at least for now. So, I will not be coming to the Palms gigs for a while. And, when I can, it'll likely be back where I started, as one of the ever-thunderstruck fans. Sit in the back, catch an hour, and then go home.

As a practical matter, my day job is moving more and more into the outright in-the-trenches operational phase, which is going to require that I be both in northern Nevada and southern Utah a lot dealing with our client medical clinics. This will also make blogging the gigs problematic. Wish none of this were so. But it is.

Carry on, bros', keep slammin' 'em.

Bobby

Been a crazy, up & down blogging year (below, QTRs 1-3, 2010, click the image to enlarge).

SPEAKING OF "MOUNT GRIMM"

On a happier note, in the wake of his America's Got Talent win, my li'l bro' Michael Grimm asked if he could use some of my shots for a fundraising calendar for southern Mississippi post-Katrina relief.

Of course.

Buy one.

Lucie sent me a couple of copies. Cheryl took one back to Walnut Creek today (she's been home for the weekend).

October 11th gig at The Palms

2010-10-12T00:44:00.000-07:00

Back after two weeks away. Full report after work. Gotta be at a state medical conference at 8 a.m. over on the NW side of town. Christian Brady sitting in on guitar tonight. The whole thing was thumpin' big-time. Gotta love them throwing down "Soul Trilogy" right at the outset.

New lens. Whaddaya think?
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TUESDAY PM UPDATE

Random scenes from the hang...

Yeah, man...slammin' yet again.
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Oct 4th gig at The Palms

2010-10-04T18:27:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately (for me), I have to be in Salt Lake City most of the week for DayGigIstan, so, again, I have no post-show report, sorry (I was in the hospital last Monday night). What we were doin' a year ago? Click the pic below.

I'll be back next week, I promise. Bought a new lens I'm just itchin' to try out, a Sony SAL 18-250.

Sept 27th gig at The Palms?

2010-09-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry to be MIA, my friends. No gig report this time. I spent all day and night in the hospital. I'm back home, got here late this afternoon. Scary false alarm regarding something I'd just as soon not go into.

I'm OK.

A look-back. What were we doing a year ago? Click the pic.

Saturday, Sept 25th, Brad Cordle's final gig in Vegas (for now)

2010-09-24T19:20:00.001-07:00

I forget where I shot that pic. Mighta been at The Orleans in Brendan's Pub. I forget.

Sept 25th, 10 p.m. at King Tut's, Charleston and Jones. I will be there to bid farewell to my dear friend Brad Cordle, our "Pavarotti of Blues." Please join me/us. And, Michael Grimm, l'il bro', you may already be gone back to start your AGT tour rehearsals, but if you're still in town, you and Lucie come hang if y'all can -- and maybe sit in -- so we can do this properly.

A great lineup of A-List players will be on hand. I hear John Wedemeyer is comin', too. Majorly scary guitarist. He and the equally frightening Dean Reichert will constitute Critical Mass on guitar. Those two! Make me wanna burn my axe.

Yeah, I shot both of those photos too, LOL.

Below, the first pic I ever shot of Brad. We were at The Sand Dollar one night for his gig. Place was a blues dive just off Spring Mountain Rd and I-15, joint with shitty backwoods roadhouse lighting (how many of us been there, LOL?)-- low ceiling, walls and ceiling all painted black (and enough P.A. to do Sam Boyd Stadium). I jerked him up -- "yo, Brad, bro', come stand over here by the cigarette machine..."

Cha-ching! Done.

See y'all tomorrow night. Let's party.
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POST GIG UPDATE

Amazing turnout. Wow. Both in the audience and on stage. More after some Zzzz's. They played 'til 3 a.m. My eyes are burnin'. I feel like I inhaled enough cigarette smoke to cough up a lesion. It was a true blues gig and jam.

Sunday, mo' pics...

Cris Claremont was among the critical mass of A-List guitar cats, which included -- in addition to the searingly fine Dean Reichert -- Drew Zingg, Jeff Ray, John Wedemeyer, and a couple other cats whose names I didn't get.

Above, Screamin' Joe Escriba was all over it, as was Serena Henry (below).

While the house gets an "E" for effort for at least putting up a rack of 8 small par-cans, there were no white spots, and the lights were all aimed at the front bottom of the stage and the dance floor. Consequently, I couldn't get viable shots of a lot of peeps, including Ric Ulsky, Ronnie Foster, Ronnie Rose, and a number of other players.

Bradley, we gonna miss you, bro'.
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Sept 20th gig at The Palms: li'l bro' Michael Grimm, America's Got Talent winner sitting in

2010-09-21T00:46:00.000-07:00

OK, well that was totally fine. I shot more than 300 pics. Got a lot to review and triage. Gonna post some before I crash. Some of you know the drill by now. Because of DayGigIstan, I can no longer stay up way late doing my blog updates after the shows. So, the bulk of this will have to wait 'til after I get off work and then go hang with my Ma for a while at the nursing home.

"America's Got Talent" 2010 winner, our friend and Santa Fe alum Michael Grimm.

Michael, we all love you and are all so thrilled for your success. Keep your True North, l'il bro'. And, remember, we are always here for you.

Of course, there's always something else goin' down. Below, Brian Monroney (Tom Jones show) sat in and ripped up a ride on "System of Survival." Wow, man...

In a word: slammin'...

Stay tuned for more. All I got time for at the moment.
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TUESDAY EVENING UPDATE

I have so many shots, my head is spinning. Let the random photo essay begin...

Above, the "Hat City Horns," LOL. Backstory: Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns have a long-time hardcore fan, Fred, whom I first met 5 years ago at the Palace Station gigs. Great cat. We used to share a table (he once, as he was leaving early, said "I have a rule. I have to be in bed by 11 -- or I have to go home.")

He moved to central America several years ago. So, last night he shows up with a huge stash of Panama hats and hands them out to everyone in the band.

Yeah, man, ya just had to be there...

Also, backstage prior to the show, the baddest sound cat in the world (former keyboardist and Santa Fe alum), Sonny Maupin. He gets it right EVERY night.

Props also once again to Greg Sinclair for his tireless pro bono light board work. I coudn't get any shots worth a flip without you, Greg.
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Sometimes nice guys DO finish first. Congratulations, li'l bro' Michael Grimm!

2010-09-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

Michael Grimm has just won the NBC "America's Got Talent" competition (and the one million dollar prize that goes to the winner). There is justice in the world every now and then.

Michael, we all love you, and wish you continuing happiness along with the career success you richly deserve. Keep your True North, my friend...

WHEN THEY CALL MY NAME

Let me be grateful
That I can sing this song for you,
That I can bring your heart
A smile or two
In the evening,
To brighten up your day gone by,
Let me hold on to the meaning,
Help me stand up to the high,
When they call my name.

May I not become hateful
When bright lights sometimes
Wear me down,
And all around I find
These “friends” I never knew of,
Grasping pieces of the pie,
Let me know just where my feet are
When my head is in the sky,
When they call my name.

Let me stay faithful
To holding strong this love of mine,
And when I get my chance
To shine for you,
Let me always
Give you just my very best,
And never close my eyes
To the ways that I’ve been blessed,
When they call my name.

Words and music Copyright © 1977, 2010
Robert E. Gladd, All Rights Reserved

I wrote that three years before Michael was born, when I too was chasing the dream.
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MORE CONGRATULATIONS

Yes!
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SATURDAY UPDATE

I've been looking back through my 738 blog posts for ones with our li'l bro' Michael Grimm in them. Here are some:

There are probably more. I will add them for you as I find them. The Blogger.com editor "search" function is acting buggy right now. Keeps giving me a "taking too long" timeout message, such is the heft of my blog, I guess.
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Found the clip of Michael singing "You Don't Know Me" on the Ellen show. Wow. You can hear the tiredness, but he blasts right through it.

Gotta love the 6-3-2-5 turnaround Power Finish.

Sept 13th gig at The Palms

2010-09-14T00:31:00.000-07:00

The band was on fire tonight, wow. Great set list, a nice mix of tunes from the Let The Healing Begin CD and the new When The Curtain Goes Up CD, along with a couple of legacy tunes from the first CD. I usually now bail at midnight, but I stayed 'til the end this time, it was just too good.

Dave Stambaugh subbing for Phil on alto tonight, and did he ever light it up, yikes.

Full blog report after DayGigIstan. Gotta cop some Zzzz's. Stay Tuned...
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TUESDAY P.M. PHOTO UPDATE

Mo' scenes from one badass hang...

Diff'rent night, same top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art musical excellence. Every tune seemed to have some extra snap. Lenny's Oh, Nena just thumped the funky salsa. Tyriq brought the house down with I Feed Good. Jerry's original Ev'rybody Wants To Love You and Dave's Salvation were especially fine, as was Nathan's Come With Me. They also stomped the fool out of Tower's Get Your Feet Back On The Ground, Tony Davich blistering the lead vocal.

Great crowd. And, again, we have to thank you all for coming out. Without YOU, we are nothing.
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CODA: Don't forget tomorrow's "Negrita Night" at The Bootlegger, 7700 S. LV Blvd at Robindale. 10 p.m., free show. Another great hang.

Labor Day 2010 gig at The Palms

2010-09-07T01:13:00.000-07:00

OK, I hopped off the plane from San Francisco tonight at about 8:30 after spending the extended weekend with Cheryl (sigh), zipped to the house, dumped my weekend camera shots, fed the cat and the dogs, changed my shirt, and jumped right back out to The Palms. Takin' the morning off from DayGigIstan so I could stay up and do this for y'all. My photo essay...

Above, major league Bad Boy Abe LaMarca subbing for Tyriq.

Above: someone got healed, big-time, LOL...

Thanks to everyone who came out tonight after the long Labor Day weekend.
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Negrita Night Sept 1st; Vaya con Dios to our beloved bro' Tim Scott

2010-09-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

Timmy's last night with the band. He's returning to the Seattle area next week. Thanks to everyone for coming out to make it a great hang. I don't have time to get out during weeknights any more, but I simply had to make this. It was slammin'.

Props gotta ago out to, among others, Steven Lee, Rob Mader, Serena Henry, Jerry Jones, Rocco Prestia, and Frank Klepacki for sittin' in.

Tim and our equally beloved bro' Brad Cordle (far right above) will be gigging in Vegas this weekend before heading out to the Pac NW (check Tim's link on the right in the "Around Town" links). Get out and see 'em if you can.
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OMG! What a night.

2010-08-31T01:23:00.001-07:00

Freddie Ravel, Karl Perazzo, Scott Sheriff, Chris Rodriguez, Kenny Loggins in the house and on the stage. Unreal...

Stay tuned, I have about 260 shots to review..
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As some of you may have guessed, I'm not goin' to DayGigIstan later this morning. Taking at least a half-day of VAC.

What a night! I wish Cheryl could have been here. She's up in Alaska this week.

Mo' pics...

Posting incrementally here as I weed through my shots...

Above, Steve Dawson strolled in at the last minute to sub for Eric Tewalt on bari, and read the book cold. No problem.

Above, Chris Logan stepped up to sub for Tony Davich. No problem.

OK, that's all I can do for now. 3 a.m. BobbyG be tired. More after some Zzzzs...
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TUESDAY P.M. UPDATE

Wow, man...what a show.

Jimmy Kimmel Show MD Cleto Escobedo (a Santa Fe alum, below) was in the house. Jerry tried to get him to come up onstage, but he just wanted to hang.

After the show, it was a crazy crush of peeps mobbing the stage and the performers. Lenny tried to get everybody together for a stage shot. I couldn't get everyone to look up with good expressions all at the same time, notwithstanding a number of shot attempts.

Karl Perazzo, Freddie Ravel, Chris Rodriguez, Scott Sheriff, you cats are the best! Thank you for sharing yourselves and your incredible talents and energy with our tribe.

Mr. Loggins, my personal musical hero...

Marco Mendoza, Renato Neto, and Joey Heredia at The Black Door

2010-08-28T01:54:00.000-07:00

OK, they're gonna do this again tonight (Saturday, Aug 28th). A trio that sounds like Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns and then some in places. I am not kidding. Three of the finest musicians on the planet, lettin' it all hang out. Stunning.

It's a nice venue, very comfortable, pleasant place. They just need to fix the stage lighting and the PA (and parking is a hassle, be forewarned. Allow lead time). I had to put the camera in full-bore night vision mode, shooting at ISO 12800. Light grid consisted of 4 par cans, 2 red gels, 2 blue. Toxic to the camera. I tried. I was not gonna bail to flash, unlike this reporter chick who came with a camera and notepad.

I have a cheap tip for them. If you're not gonna install white spots, at least take, say, a beer can and X-Acto knife, and, using the can as a guide in the middle of the gels, cut out round holes, 2" or so in the center of the gels (I've done this with my own par cans' gels). This way you still get the color wash effects, but also get white light faux "pin spots" (aim them at the head areas of the respective performers) -- a two-fer. Take you all of 5-10 minutes to do it.

Marco and the cats are off the hook fine. Please come hang for the second night. They will blow you away.

The Black Door, 4640 Paradise, just south of Harmon, about a block away from the Hard Rock.

August 23rd gig at The Palms

2010-08-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

What were we doin' one year ago tonight? Why, jammin' with our guest the Eminent Hall of Famer Steve Cropper.

Above, that's one of my most prized shots ever. Below, our homie Dave Hart gets a thrill of a lifetime.

"Bobby, he played my fuckin' guitar man...!"
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My customary post-show blog update is gonna lag a while. I have to be up and at The Orleans early for a DayGigIstan team presentation to a large medical group. Patience, my friends...
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STILL DELAYED

Mo' shots and commentary tonight. I been waylaid by just too much else much goin' on...

NOTE: Mark your calendars and save the date, Next Monday night our very special guests will be the returning musical eminences Kenny Loggins and Freddie Ravel. It will be off the Richter Scale without a doubt.
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More to come...

Wednesday p.m. update:

Below, sittin' in, on guitar and keys respectively: Mike Varney on guitar and Joey Melotti on keys...

Yet another great hang. Thank you all for coming out. Without you, we are nothing.
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MARCO MENDOZA AND THE TRIO
THIS WEEKEND AT THE BLACK DOOR

Friday and Saturday nights, late shows (I think it starts around 11 pm, 4640 Paradise Road). If you've not heard these cats, you need to. They will blow your minds.
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Hot Club of Las Vegas update

2010-08-18T22:23:00.000-07:00

It's official, Noybel Gorgoy is the new singer for the Hot Club of Las Vegas! Catch the "Hot Club of Las Vegas featuring Noybel Gorgoy" at the Bootlegger Bistro, August 19th, "Third Thursday" 10 pm.

August 16th gig at The Palms

2010-08-15T19:15:00.001-07:00

Gonna be yet another great night, without a doubt. But, BobbyG gotta be in Salt Lake City for three days of DayGigIstan stuff (16th - 18th), including a Regional Conference comprised of my many REC colleagues and yours truly. Y'all enjoy the show. I will be there in spirit.

LOL. Anyone wanna be a stringer for me? Send me some shots and a gig summary, and I'll post them from my hotel room in SLC. Give ya a byline.
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CHECK THIS OUT

Dixie Dregs. Yikes. I saw these cats live in a small club in Birmingham AL back about 1975.

August 9th gig at The Palms

2010-08-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

Yikes, a 16-pack case of thundering off-the-Richter-Scale whoop-ass tonight (15 Santa Fe cats plus the mind-numbing musical eminence Ricky Peterson). Mr. otherwise loquacious is at a fumbling loss for words to aptly describe it. A stomp-fest of funk, along with an unrivaled jazzy fluidity.

Much more to come after some Zzzz's and DayGigIstan (and a supper hang with my Ma at the nursing home).

Thank you all for coming out tonight. BTW, check this cat out, Ole Børud. OMG! What kind of Greazy Nast is in the water over in Norway? Jerry hipped to this sick White Boy. I bought his new CD on iTunes immediately. It is badass.
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TUESDAY PM UPDATE

Mo' pics...

First, props to Wes Marshall for subbing so ably for Danny Falcone on trumpet.

Notable tunes in the set list: South American Sojourn, Greazy Thing, Indian Summer Day, When The Curtain Goes Up, Into The Light, Take My Heart Away (Ricky Peterson singing), Love Is Gonna Find You, Higher Ground, Come Together, Soul Trilogy... (and then I had to split).

Thanks yet again to Greg Sinclair, Lemonade Master of the Palms light board. I couldn't get these shots without you, bro'.

Thanks also to all the fans, for puttin' up with my incessant climbing all around tryin' to get good shots. I'm always uncomfortable that I'm being distracting, and, truth be told, I'd also just rather sit there diggin' on the awesome music.
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AGAIN: Don't forget, Negrita Night tomorrow (Wed ,10 pm) at The Bootlegger (7700 S. LV Blvd, at Robindale).

August 2nd gig at The Palms

2010-08-03T00:27:00.000-07:00

They took down the catwalk that was a vestige of the Matt Goss show. No more high vantage point rear POV shots, but the band has a lot more room on stage now. All good.

Full blog update report after DayGigIstan. It was a good night. Great crowd. Gabe took up the kit tonight in Pepe's absence, and stomped the groove all night. Michito came in to do percussion

The Flamenco Gods smiled, resulting in Jerry throwing down on Canta con Amigo.

This cat James Burton sat in on trombone. Bad Boy, jeez...

Thank you all from comin' out. It was slammin'... More later.
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TUESDAY P.M. UPDATE

Mo' pics from a Hang...

Yet another fine evening. Some tunes we've not heard for a while, including (in addition to Canto con Amigo) Oh, Nena, Turn Your Love Around, Come Back Home. Thanks to Dan Phillipus for again filling in on baritone for Eric Tewalt. Cat was all over the book.

We really appreciate all the support. If you're new to the blog, please pay it forward.

Greg, again, man, thanks for the fine light board work.

Don't forget, peeps, Negrita Night tomorrow (Wed ,10 pm) at The Bootlegger (7700 S. LV Blvd, at Robindale).
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July 26th show at The Palms

2010-07-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

A few pics for now. Full show blog post update after the day gig. Great show again tonight. Band was on fire. Nice crowd eventually filled in the room. Thought it was gonna be slow at first.

Nope.

Above, my California peeps gettin' ready for a fun evening...

Above: Abe LaMarca fillin' in for Tyriq. The cat is fabulous.

All I got time for right now. 1 a.m., gotta crash...
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TUESDAY PM UPDATE

OK, I'm back from work and a trip to the nursing home to see me Ma. More scenes from a great hang...

Below, Abe LaMarca did a rendition of "Lucille" that brought the house down. What a voice: clear, crisp, cutting, soaring.

Above: OK, Caption Contest!!!

Above, Eric Tewalt came to play, broken ankle and all...

Above and below: OK, Caption Contest!!! LOL...

Yeah, man... I hate that I now have to leave at midnight, don't get to witness the end of the show, and then hang for a while any more. Sux. And, Tuesdays are a bear at work.

Thank you all for coming out. Without you, we are nothing.

Thanks to Greg Sinclair for the light board work.
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CODA

Don't forget, Michael Grimm (see prior blog post) will be appearing tomorrow night at The Bootlegger, along with Bruce Wallace, Lenny Lopez, Gabriel Falcon, and Tim Scott. 10 p.m., free show. 7700 S. LV Blvd at Robindale.

Michael Grimm CD release party tonight

2010-07-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

Tonight, in the Ovation Showroom at Green Vally Ranch, 8 p.m., our awesome little bro' Michael Grimm takes the stage in celebration of his new CD release, "Leave Your Hat On." Last time I covered one of his shows was last Halloween, which was great fun. I'll be there tonight. Join me. Free show. Bring money, though. Buy his new CD.

Michael is having great success nationally of late, as many of you may already know. We're not supposed to tout it (contract restrictions, though I think they properly only apply to Michael and his mgmt), but you can Google it and find out for yourselves in about 3 seconds. Go, Michael Grimm!

ALSO...

Michael will be appearing with the Negrita Night cats at The Bootlegger this coming Wednesday, 10 p.m. (7700 S. LV Blvd, at Robindale). That will be great fun as well. Guess I'll have to come out for that too, DayGigIstan notwithstanding.
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GVR POST-SHOW REPORT

Very nice. Full house of enthusiastic Michael Grimm fans, clapping and howling at the opening strains of every song. They have it all down.

Small band lineup tonight (sigh; would have dug hearing and shooting the Big Easy Horns): Michael fronting, Eddie DiMarino on bass and vocals, Bruce Wallace on B3, sub cat by the name of "Pacho" (sp?) on drums, Dave Garland on keyboard, Nikki Logan on vocals.

Shot solely with the 300 mm lense tonight, at 6400 ISO. Yeah, no pics of Nikki Logan. By her request.

I bought the new CD. Could'a asked for a comp, but I didn't. Opened it up and there was my name with a photo credit I'd not even asked for or known of.

Thanks. Very thoughtful.

Michael, GO, little bro', on the TV show we can't allude to. Kick some major media ass. You deserve to win. We all just wanna honestly and lovingly say "we knew him when..."
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CODA

OK, I've listened closely a couple of times now to Michael's new CD. Love it. Michael trips me out. I cut my teeth playing music during the mid-1960's listening to and playing nearly all of the genre of music that Michael channels so well. How this young cat can have such an old soul. Just amazing. Nice job here, little Bro'.

Speaking of legacy soul music, if you've not seen the movie "The Commitments," get a copy. It is hilarious, and full of soulful sounds.

UPDATE: Below, this is funny as shit too, LOL. Props to Diane Ellis for the link...