player. As goes Tony, so go his bongos. That's another reason the stage looked different. They started the show by taking a poll to see how many people had seen the band before. 80% had, 20% hadn't. There were a lot of questioning faces, but nobody really said anything. Not even the band. After about 2 songs, they introduced all of the band members. I've never heard of their new keyboard player, but he did sing a very good Stevie Wonder song. Ribbon in the Sky if my memory serves me. I'm still questionning why they would replace a bass player with yet another keyboard player. They currently have one of the best keyboard players in the world with Carnell Upchurch (even though he doesn't sing much, as misterkeno has pointed out. ) Anyway, this means Larry White is now playing bass guitar, and that means there goes his great guitar solos. No more Star Spangled Banner I guess. At least for awhile. I must say though, I've seen bands lose members before, and nobody has handled it as quickly and smoothly as these guys did. They still gave a fantastic performance, even though their playlist seemed extremely limited. They were dragging songs out, where they used to play 3 songs within a minute of each other. Sometimes even at the same time. That just shows how talented these guys really are. I'm sure they didn't miss one performance, and they won't, since they are pretty much booked solid through the new year.
The tense grimness of change started to wear off after a few drinks, and it was time to celebrate the birthdays. Since mine was only minutes away, I went to the dance floor when they called for all the birthday girls. They sat 5 of us in a row of chairs on the dance floor, gave us all a teddy bear, and I got to touch the Tresure chest. Well, actually, I got to touch Tresure's chest. The entertainer of the year proceeded to sing to us. "All this love's waiting for you." As he sang, he landed on each of our laps! I took the opportunity to check out his 6 pack abs and arms and shoulders. Ladies-----he still has what he had in the picture on
www.myspace.com/inafectband (look at the friends list, click on "T" and you can't miss Tresure.) I thought that picture was from several years ago, but even if it was, he's still got it. (or them) ROCK SOLID! I knew he was a Scorpio, but I didn't realize his birthday was 3 days earlier than mine. When he announced he just turned 51--I almost fell off the chair. Folks this guy dances as well as Michael Jackson, and he can still do half splits! WOW!! Eventually, it all had to end. We had our lap dances and teddy bears, and it was back to our seats. AAAAHHHHH!!!!!!
4.5 claps on the Westie scale
I stayed for part of the 4th set, and at 1:30 I decided it was time to leave. I had to work the next afternoon. So, I left between songs, as to not seem rude, and when I got to the parking lot, my next surprise was waiting. 2 motorcycle cops had a lady in a mini van stopped behind me. They asked if I needed to get out, and I responded, "no I can go back in and listen to the band a while longer." Luckily I could still speak after my 4 long islands. I once had a friend tell me, don't try to hide from a situation like that. Face it head on, and don't bring any undo attention to yourself. Well, the 4 long islands had been spaced out over 4 hours, and they did make the lady move her van, so.....
I slowly backed up, turned the wheel to get the car at the right angle, then said, "oh sh___, now I have to get between this row of parked cars, and 2 police cycles, in a chrysler! YIKES!" Well, I slowly squeezed my way through, breathed a sigh of relief, then headed home. What an interesting evening.
I forgot to mention, since I had an open invitation out for ELV members to join me, I had put a 3 sided sign on the table. One couple did come and sit and talk to me for awhile, and they said they were interested in learning more about the website. They were from FLA, and they may be members by now. They had seen the band many times before, and they needed that last fixx before leaving in the morning.
Now for saturday, it was not as exciting as I planned. Most of the partiers had never been to One Six before, so the view alone was exciting for them. I was not "kissed" by 1 of the 4 Kiss girls who did the pre judging for costumes, so I was a little bummed about that. I thought I looked pretty wild in my Jane of the Jungle dress. Popeye won. I had my 2 Strange Brew drinks, hung around for the judging, then off to bed, as I had to work in the morning. 3 claps
That took care of that! birthday and party over! Back to work!
photos are posted at:
http://photobucket.com/vegasbabebirthday
I'll have to add my teddy bear/table sign pic later. for some reason, I couldn't get it to print. I'll try again tomorrow.
there are also a few other pics from previous events. LVFan, her friend Cheryl, Larry G Jones, and Harry S. the Elvis impersonator
also, Stange Brew a few weeks ago when Scott McCartney played with them.
also, the patriotic wave at ESC
FYI, Halloween was Strange Brew's last night at One Six. I don't know who, if anyone will be performing there next. Strange Brew will be moving to Marilyn's on mondays, if I heard them correctly.