I headed for another really local gig – on the SouthSide of Bethlehem, in fact – to my semi-regular duo at the St. James Gate Pub in the middle of the Sands Casino. Culture shock after my afternoon gig, but another opportunity to play live music with a friend, and we both make money. Nice combination, actually.
Donnie Mayer filled in tonight for Ansel, who is out on the road supporting Kwesi. Good for him, and Ansel and I get to play tomorrow at Mayfair. Don and I play all the time, but in RockRoots, which is a tightly scripted show. He has a great ear, and is open to ‘playing’ with people. So, I enjoyed saying, ‘take it’ and he did. Nice explorations with a jazz dude and a folk dude. Lots of listening.
It was in a bar. The place was packed with people when we got there due to an Irish punk band, Flogging Mollies, in concert at the new Sands Casino concert venue. We turned a few ears, and as the concert time approached, the audience withered back to the usual few strays. It remains a valuable gig, as are some bar gigs, in that you learn to stretch and experiment and play (that word again) in that environment. Don and I had some nice things going.
I am still baffled that I can make a living playing music like this.