Steve Probst

Thursday, March 25, 2010

And Now a Song from Jim Messina

To go along with my Kenny Loggins post below, it just so happens on the same day (today), Jim Messina posted a working copy of a new song on his Facebook page. I am impressed with his interaction with the fans there and really enjoyed listening to something fresh out of his studio! He's another huge musical influence for me (Loggins and Messina, as well as solo).

Blacktop Cowgirl by Jim Messina

Warm-up with Kenny

Just found this cool, short behind-the-scenes clip from Kenny Loggins, one of my musical inspirations (unbeknownst to him). Some of you singers out there can maybe relate - when you're younger and you try to sound like your favs and then you realize it would behoove you to get past that stage (not that it's a bad thing!) to find your own "voice". Yeah, Kenny was one of those guys for me.

PS. (about a week later as to "finding your own voice") Of course, if you get PAID to sound like some of your musical heroes, like I do in Hotel California (Henley, Frey, etc.), that's a different story!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Pick One!

I was reflecting after that last show we did at the Desert Diamond Casino in Sahuarita how I didn't have to use any extra picks that I always have placed in waiting on a guitar stand specifically for "emergency-drop" situations. I played the whole show with one pick! (with the exception of course of my customary pick throw during a rousing rendition of Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way" in which said flying plectrum is quickly and ever-so-slight-of-handidly replaced by it's waiting replacement just underneath the guitar pickguard).

Not one pick fumble during the show! Wow, I was ON! << (not verbose bragging, but a hint of the quasi-humor you could only expect to read more of on this site).

Now on other shows, man, my butterfinger-edness in is full effect! The plastic is FLYING!

Hmmm, interesting. One show I'm batting (or "picking") a perfect game and others, a fumbling fool! Whatever the case with a smile, ALWAYS with a smile. That's show biz!

Photo Note: I found this photo of myself with an actual, heavy gauge pick in my mouth in Albany, NY, 2009. A big yearly show ("Alive At 5" I think they call it) they do there was moved under a huge highway underpass due to weather, hence the strange location.

If there are guitar player/performers out there please feel free to share your pick fumbling stories!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Tucson To Home

Just got home this morning from about a two week stretch on the road. Last night's rockin' performance in Tucson (Sahuarita, technically) was a great send-off. I was hearing that it was a sell-out crowd at the Desert Diamond Casino. Thanks for the smiles dear audience members!

The professor hard at work somewhere in Tucson in the sanctity of his lonely room.

Posted via email from Steve's Probstposterous

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Birthday on Facebook

This just in from this morning because at the time I wrote this, I had no internet connection whereas I continue to hang my head in feigned, non-3G-capability shame.

Well, the internet dust has settled. Today is March 11, one day after my [gulp] birthday. It was quite a peculiar one. Oh, not because I was on the road away from home and the hugs, kisses, and dinners with my family. I've done this before it seems for most of the last five years I've been traversing the country with this band. This year I had what I call a Facebook party.

When I'm away from home, I like to set my phone to be connected by text with what's happening on my Facebook page. Sort of a fun thing to do, what with being on the road - kind of keeps me connected in an unconventional, anti-seclusional sort of way. Well, I was slightly overwhelmed. I heard from so many "friends" far and wide all throughout the day! "Friends" meaning: actual friends (new and old), family, and acquaitances (in different levels of "acquaintance-ness") But most of you know this already because you're probably on Facebook yourselves. Some people just don't get Facebook and all the other social media perturbations (disractions, lol) and I'm cool with that. But I'll tell you what. It was kind of heart-warning to receive all the birthday wishes.

Special recognition goes to my son, Jonathan, who sent me around 100(?) phone-overloading text messages! It was quite humorous trying to go about the day - soundcheck, shower, etc. - with my phone constantly buzzing away.

Recognition #2 - A first. The apparently entertained crowd at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando last night sang Happy Birthday to me before I could get exit the stage. (I have a feeling it was instigated by some Disney friends in the audience)

It's quiet now. The outpouring of birthday wishes has passed on by. And here I sit, sipping Starbucks, soaking it all in while a morning tornado watch tries it's best to scare us all out of our wits. And so another year begins for this very blessed traveling musician guy.

Cake courtesy of Ellen.

Posted via email from Steve's Probstposterous

Friday, March 5, 2010

It's A Great-Big-Beautiful-Tomorrow-Small-World! * Disneyland to Honor Songwriters

via disneyparks.disney.go.com

Play the video and you'll be singing the song all day! ~ Steve

Posted on March 4th, 2010 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations:

We’ve all heard it and we’ve all sung it and that’s what makes “it’s a small world” one of the most translated and performed songs on earth. Richard and Robert Sherman are the talented brothers who wrote the famous tune that you can’t get out of your head. You’ve probably also heard their other wonderful pieces of work throughout Disneyland park – past and present: Enchanted Tiki Room, Carousel of Progress, Adventures Through Space, as well as a long list of Disney motion-picture musical scores that includes “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” “The Aristocats” and “Winnie the Pooh.”

Next week the Sherman Brothers will be given one of the most prestigious honors that a Disney cast member can receive, a window on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland park.

In the attached video, enjoy a look back at these talented brothers singing with Walt Disney himself.

Posted via web from Steve's Probstposterous

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series | I'm Going To Disney World!

SEE YOU JUNE 20TH! ~ Steve (Photo by Ron Riccio)

via disneyworld.disney.go.com

Sounds Like Summer is an annual live concert series at Epcot theme park that brings together a talented collection of tribute bands to authentically recreate the classic hits of legendary musical icons.

Follow the blissful sounds of long, carefree sunny days to the lagoonside America Gardens Theatre—adjacent to the American Adventure Pavilion. Listen to the tunes that inspired everyone's favorite youthful memories as you celebrate the spirit of summer vacation, day trips to the beach, backyard cookouts and relaxing in a snug hammock under a shady tree!

2010 Performers

June 12 - June 19: Stayin' Alive - A Tribute to The Bee Gees
June 20 - June 26: Hotel California - A Salute to the Eagles
June 27 - July 3: TBD
July 4 - July 10: Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones Tribute Band
July 11 - July 17: Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
July 18 - July 24: 2U - A Tribute to U2
July 25 - July 31: Beginnings - CHICAGO TRIBUTE BAND

Showtimes
Showtimes are schedule for 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.—except on July 4. On July 4, showtimes are scheduled for 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

For the latest information and updated showtimes, please check the Entertainment Guide you receive when you enter Epcot theme park.