Well, to make a long story short, the coordinator running the event was a "total dick". He kept telling the band to turn down! I mean, we were already told in the beginning that we were to play light dinner music. No problem! We are professional musicians and we know how to control our volume. Anyway, this coordinator guy was really a first-class JERK, and he kept coming back to the band, repeatedly telling us to bring our volume down! After about the sixth or seventh time, we turned off all our amps, played a casssette tape of light music through our PA system, and then we actually "pretended" to be playing our instruments! The guy came over and told us that was "much better"!!!

We had the last laugh. Of course, I was doing my now famous "air drum" routine.
11:47 AM ~


Sometimes High Paying Gigs Don't Pay
The other day I received an offer to do a gig with a big band at La Costa Resort and Spa near Carlsbad. I turned it down in favor of a little quartet gig in Rancho Bernardo. Although the La Costa gig would pay a lot more, I chose this low-key gig because it was two consecutive nights and I wouldn't have to breakdown my drums twice. Now, for a drummer, any opportunity in which you can be at a place two nights in a row is a real blessing. Musicians don't get that many opportunities to play a club or restaurant for two or more evenings in a row. And if you can, then it's awesome!

Well, I'm also committed to playing those Friday and Saturday nights with Donnie Finnell, and aside from that, I really love playing the lighter standards fare than doing a big band thing that would require 2-3 rehearsals before playing the gig. With Donnie, I just walk in and do the gig, and the style of music is much more free and improvised. In other words, more fun!
11:30 AM ~


We're On HBO!!!
I actually received an email the other day from Chris Gattanella with HBO. He said that our featurette has been airing everyday on HBO for the movie, Last of the Blonde Bombshells.

The band was filmed "LIVE" at The Derby back in May. We weren't supposed to be in the movie itself, but instead we were used in the filming of a featurette that promotes the movie. It's supposed to be about an all-girl band back in the swing era, and The Derby, L.A.'s premiere swing club was included in the featurette.
1:46 AM ~


While we're on the subject of photos, here's another one of my all-time favorite photos taken at Torrey Pines Beach near Del Mar, California.
12:23 AM ~


Featured On Cyn's Ramblings!
I received a very nice email from fellow writer, Cyn.

I recently sent her a note voicing my lamentations and concerns about my "writer's block". And she replied with some words of wisdom and reassurance that I am certainly not alone in my dilemma.

I voiced my concerns:
Have you ever gone thru a creative block before? It's making me re-assess what the whole purpose of having a journal or blog on the web is for...

But I was pleasantly surprised that she had mentioned a certain photo being included in her latest entry, and even more surprised to find that it was this photo of my wife (then fiancˇ) and I that had popped up on her site.

Cyn, I'm very flattered... thanks! And she adds, "hang on to that wife of yours, Carlos". Yes, of course, Cyn! I can't thank you enough for your sage advice! I need to be made aware that I'm thankful to have her as a friend and soulmate. *all smiles*
12:17 AM ~

monday, july 24