Steve's Sings an Original Song at the Coach House!

With fear and trepidation I decided, instead of singing a cover song (such as a barn-stormer/screamer like "Roxanne" to guaranteed applause), to sing one of my original songs.  And a ballad, at that.

I was asked by my good friend, Jay Nixon, to back him up on guitar and vocals for his set that opened up the Ambrosia show at the Coach House last Friday.  And because it was close to my birthday, he offered me a solo slot during HIS solo slot to sing whatever I chose.  I thought it was about time to do one of my own tunes!

I just never get around to doing one of them. I simply write the songs and move on to the next in my never-ending quest to write that great song that will get me through some music biz doors.  I'm usually busy playing with Hotel California - I don't do my own shows.  Takes a lot of work and time to put them together.  So I just write and record and forget. (Except for the future releases on iTunes)

Photo by Donald McMullen

Let me say for the record, I was very blessed by the response from some audience members about the original song I sang! Nothing like really connecting with the crowd with a song of your own that YOU connect with because you wrote it.  I had know idea - rehearsing it at home, no one's hearing it (except God of course, but He's biased! ;) ) - but sing and COMMUNICATE in front of an audience on a crystal-clear sound system?  It was a great feeling!

Of course I've heard said, you can take a so-so song, and if you've got a voice people like, you can make a good song be a GREAT song.  This song was written around 2006 or so; so, to me, there are "weaker spots" in it lyrically.

Made me want to do it again. :)

Oh! The song I sang?

"All It Takes"

Photo by Donald McMullen

Thanks Jay!

Steve's Sings an Original Song at the Coach House!

Hats Off To ...Me!

Sharing with you a gift I received from an enthusiastic audience member during the Thunder Valley Rally we performed at in Cottonwood Arizona.  During "Desperado", a standing, front-row, gray-bearded reveler with sleeveless denim vest and tattoos motioned for me to take his hat and put it on during "Desperado"

I proceeded to wear it for the remainder of the show.  And later I was informed that to refuse such a gesture was a form of disrespect in the biker world.  oh  (Thank you! Thank you very much!)
Actually, it was pretty cool!

Hats Off To ...Me!

Show Report: Sandestin, Florida

Every show has a characteristic all it's own.  Let me introduce you to Baytown Wharf of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

#1 Note: If there is dancing to be done at one of our shows, it's usually guaranteed to be commenced by a female unable to contain the "Wooo" as in the chorus of "All She Wants To Do Is Dance"  Not so, at this sunshine-induced (with a splash of wine or beer), euphoric rock show!  Bless his suntan, Florida soul - yes, a gentleman, hands raised in the air, started the whole dancing ball rolling. (Crowd shot and caption below by Rich Turner)

#2 No words needed really. See photo below.  I don't looked pleased, do I?  Yeah, it was a little unnerving seeing this gyrating girlie in green complete in her Brittany or...Lindsay.... shades dancing by my side. Okay, I played along. But she really wasn't interested in dancing with anyone but herself, I think. lol

Photo and charming caption by Rich Turner

#3 Let's cap this show report off with some potty humor.  Of a different kind, sure to get a laugh from you the reader.  It wasn't so funny for me though at the time I discovered it.

It was an outdoor show, sun was still out.  I decided for a jacket-less performance, so I laid my black jacket over on my side of the stage on some road cases.  When I returned to retrieve it, I discovered not one, but three little blessings from God's little creatures-that-sit-in-trees-over-stuff-you-put-under-them in the form of bird excrement!  Lovely.  I will be in search shortly of a dry cleaner somewhere in North Carolina.  Yes, Floridians, this happened in YOUR state!  Shame!

Had to get #3 off my chest, but I hope you enjoyed reading #'s 1 and 2 as well.

Unitl next time, I remain...

jacket-less  :-/

Show Report: Sandestin, Florida

Heck of a Homecoming, Dearborn!

What a great time at the 2011 Dearborn Homecoming (Michigan)!

The day started with a police escort into Ford Field Park.

Big stage! Big fun!

Wish I had a shot of the crowd looking out from the stage during the last tune.  It was a cool site, the sea of people and all those glow-in-the-dark, throw-away flexible light sticks twirling in the dark.

This gig has the distinction for me as being the closest I've ever been to a constant, explosive ear-drum-splitting impact of fireworks being set off!

Heck of a Homecoming, Dearborn!