MERCANTILE POST-MORTEM (&C.)...

I like the job. Of course, I haven’t exactly done it yet—I’ve just shadowed people who are doing it and when they tell me to do things, like the song says, I go where they send me. The people who work there—including the owner—have a lot of fun doing what they do, and I expect I will, too. One of the inevitable casualties of the Schedule Triage will be the frequency of the blog. Instead of three or four times a week, I’ll probably be back to once weekly, like the last time I was employed. I expect there will still be lots to say—I just won’t have as much time to say it in. Show at The Mercantile in Beaver came off good. Jane, Clint and I (Ken is still recovering from the flu); we were introduced as “Coaster” so I think that’s going to be the band name. We did “Pole Dancing for Jesus,” Odd Vindstad’s “Simple Questions,” a medley of two Irish fiddle tunes, “Arran Boat Song” and “Swallowtail Jig,” and “Spend the End of the World with Me.” (Last was a last-minute addition—they wanted us to do four songs instead of three.) I think “Pole Dancing” and “Swallowtail” came off best—they’re consistent crowd-pleasers. Headliner Slater Smith (the reason for the show—we and a couple of others were his opening act) was awesome—good guitarist and writer. And young. I’d like to see more of him. Next Saturday night, May 5, is the big Performer Showcase at the Bay City Arts Center, and the band is also on the agenda. Ken should be back in order by then, so we’ll do “Pole Dancing,” “Simple Questions,” “Rusty Old American Dream” (which Ken sings), and the Irish thing. ”Rusty” is faster than “Simple Questions” and not as fast as “Swallowtail,” so it should fit in fine. And all of those have been practiced enough so they should be set pieces for the band. The marimba band has a gig next week, too, Wednesday May 2 at the Nehalem Methodist Church. We’ll do three songs (which is all we’ve practiced): “On Top of Old Smokey” (on which I play a fairly simple soprano part), “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (where I play bass, which is tons of fun), and an original by Larry Goss, “Marimba Romance,” where I’ve a tenor part I’ve just learned. Only one more chance to practice before the gig. And Friday, May 11, is the big show at the 2nd Street Market. Two hours worth of Jane, Ken, Clint and me. A few things yet to do before I consider us ready for this one: need more practice of some of the Celtic tunes (though I am getting better at them), need to make sure of the order on the setlist, write the Rap (I assume I’ll be having to do the Rap), and get a good photo of the band. And get the posters out. We now have just 13 days before Big Gig Day. May 2 with the marimba band and May 11 at 2nd Street are the last two non-Saturday commitments that’d get in the way of the job. After that, I can turn into a working person without any problems. I’ll adjust as necessary my caller practice with the guinea pigs and belay as necessary my Portland caller classes to fit the work schedule. There’s a couple of shows at The Mercantile I’d like to participate in; they’re having one May 12 for Mother’s Day (and I could play ‘em “I’m Giving Mom a Dead Dog for Christmas”) and one around the end of May for Dylan’s birthday (and I do know a couple of Dylan songs). Depends on the work schedule. Recorded vocal and guitar for “The Resurrection Blues” at Jim’s music store; we’ll see what he’s able to do with it. It could use “full band treatment” and he does know a bunch of musicians. Told him it was his call whom and what to add. Talked to Wayne Moore, too, about doing a video of one of my songs, and I think he might be interested. (He videoed our performance at The Mercantile.) Have to be up for work in seven hours. To bed. Joe