Well after all this time, re-organizing the band, trying to get together and practice during the holidays, working out some of the kinks in my learning curve for the new system, we finally had our first outside the studio gig.

It was a small venture that had it's own problems getting organized and started. It was going to be a benefit for a area organization. I had agreed to rent the hall (being a local resident getting a cheaper rate). I did so and the date was set. Then along with our other getting started problems, the organization decided on rather short notice that they were not going to become involved, because of lack
of help on their part. Two of us spent 2 hours during the day to set up chairs, tables, make coffee, buy some cookies etc. , then play the 4 hour gig, tear everything down afterwards and clean up so we could at least get the cleaning deposit back.

During the time span from renting the hall to actually playing, we learn that on that same night at MSU Breslin Center, Toby Kieth is coming to town and his opening act is Ted Nuggent. Instead of our expected 80 to 90 people we only had 45.

Now for the good part.
1. We all had fun

2. The people that were there enjoyed the music
with comments like "it was so clear" and "we
could understand every word"----"you could
carry on conversations without shouting and
enjoy the music"

3. We had members from two other bands stop to
listen and look at the PAS system and they
all thought that it was amazing. All said
said they were going to look into it further

4. And best of all I at least got my expenses
back and didn't lose, plus a little gas
money.

Attaching some pictures showing the single PAS unit with rhythm guitar through POD2 into channel 3. Lead guitar through a Carvin Amp direct into channel 4. Vocals into NADY MD-812
mini mixer direct into channel 1 using preset 18

ST:::::if you read this have a question for you or anyone else for that matter.

Have a gig coming up for an American Legion Post in 3 weeks. Will be for a select group of individuals in the bar area. Not a dance. The bar is comprised of 2 rectangular rooms approximately 18' X 24 with tables (the one we set up in) and another about 18' X 30'. The opening between these rooms is a 4' door. The PAS unit can be set up on the end wall of the smaller room, facing the open doorway. I'm wondering if the sound will project through that opening enough to take care of the other room, or will we have to have some kind of an extension speaker system?

Dewey

Hi Dewey!

Too bad that the organization let you down, but it sounds like you had a good time all the same.

We've played a benefit/fund-raiser recently where there were more performers than people in the audience. Somehow the promoters managed to set up venue, food, and entertainment, and forgot to do the promotion.

It happens. At least you got your first live show behind you. And we both know... it could have been a lot worse.

About your 4 foot opening bisecting two rooms situation: Dewey, I could speculate, but:

Your system is so quick to setup...
Grab a portable CD player, iPod or MiniDisc player and your Bose rig.

Head to the Legion Post.

Take a few minutes to setup and listen.

How's that sound?

PS - Great (big) Picture!

edit - spelling

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

Dewey -

Wonderful!

As a fellow "old guy", it just seems GREAT that you guys are rocking! Me & my fellow 50-something pals started (RE-started) a couple of years ago, first as a guitar & bass trio with one system, then added a 2nd system followed by adding a drummer. We are having the BEST time, as I'm sure you are too. You will be amazed when you add the 2nd Bose system - try the vocals stereo from your mixer, and spread the instruments out mono - it's a great sound.

What kind of music do you guys play, and what are some songs?

Keep it going and have fun! MIKE

Hi Mike::
We play mostly classic country starting from the 30's through the 70's. Ray Price, Hank Williams, Ernie Tubbs, Lefty Frizzel, Buck Owens, Hank Thompson, Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson to name a few. Also a few old blues numbers, some golden oldies like "Sentimental Journey" "You'll Never Know" "As Time Goes By".
(used to have a 21 piece band when I was a lot younger). I have cheat sheets on about 1100 songs I can do but need the sheets for the words. Memory isn't what it used to be.

Most of the time the two younger guys ask me what the song is and by who. Now they just say "Here goes another of those songs by the dead guys". Ha

We also do some Alan Jackson and George Strait because they still sound and play more like the old country. The new country is ok but it's not real country it's country rock.

In the pictures I'm the old fat guy doing the rhythm and vocals. I'm 77. The lead is 63 and the two kids (drums and bass) are 51 and 52.

That's another benefit of the PAS. My fun was leaving because of toting the 3 tier systems around. Getting so I couldn't hack it. Now I've gone from carrying about 435 pounds of gear to about 90 pounds and it's in carrying cases I can handle.

One of the bands that stopped to check us out Saturday night called and wanted me to set in this Saturday and bring the PAS so they can try it out as a group. Be interesting to try setting up for them and seeing what happens.

Dewey

Man - I LIKE talking to you! I haven't been "the kid" in a LONG time (52)...

Those artists you mention are the best, simple as that.

You inspire me. My friends and I have said, as recent as this morning, that we hope we're still playing when we're "older", whenever that is, and you show us that we CAN do just that!

THANKS, compadre - keep on having fun - I'm sure your audiences are enjoying it too.

All the best, Mike

dewey,

i'm right there with you on the "cheat sheet" usage. i'm "only" 39 and have some tunes that i still can't remember the words to!

glad to see you're enjoying your PAS. i just got one two weeks ago and haven't looked back.

it's nice to have a bass rig and vocal rig combined into one.

the line6 stuff sounds awesome through it, too. my variax 500 and podxt-live through the PAS is amazing!

good luck with that weired room. there seems to be no shortage of them, you know what i mean?

Man, I love those artists too.

A few summers ago I took my family (three little ones, wife and mother in law) to Spain to visit family. We were surprised to find that the rental van had a CD player but we didn't bring any CDs except the CD we had brought as a present for a relative.

When he unpacked it, we realized that the factory had shipped two identical discs in what was supposed to be a two-CD set of Hank Williams greatest hits. So we took one of the discs and for the next three weeks, this is all we listened to.

My kids (now 13, 10, and 6) can sing all 21 songs on that CD from start to finish. Now THAT'S an introduction to an American treasure.

You got a lot of fans here. And it's not your memory that's goin, it's the number of songs you have learned that keeps climbing.

Phenomenal!