March 22, 2005 - Baltimore, MD

Man,…it was great to wake in my own bed while we’re on the road. I didn’t hafata’ be in B’more `til noon but I made a habit since high school to always be early to my gigs. My high school music teacher taught me that ‘on time’ is late. I never forgot that. So,…I got to B’more at about 11am. I just hung around the venue,…that is,…after I convinced the door man that I was with the band.

I don’t know if any you guys have ever been to the Funk Box,….

It’s one of the coolest venues on the east coast. But it also has one of the smallest stages I’ve ever seen a full band on. Last year we did the gig with 2 drummers. This time we only have 1 drummer but it’s still kinda’ tight,...especially since we decided to use Victors whole rig.

The owner, Tim Walther, is a friend of mine. I don’t get to see him and his wife, Juniper, a lot but it’s cool when I do get to see them. Tim books a lot of our ‘local’ shows.

Anyways,…the tour bus showed about noon.

We loaded in kinda’ fast. We had plenty of help. My childhood friend, Rayfield Lewis, came by. He hadn’t seen me play with this band before. He actually was the one who took me to see the Flecktones the 1st time I ever saw them play. They were performing in Frederick, MD at a craft show. I got to hang out with Victor a lot those 2 days. We became instant friends. We exchanged numbers and stayed in touch. I woulda’ never guessed that I would be in his band some years later. It’s funny how things work out. Rayfield and I talked about that.

Sound check went smooth. We’re really on auto pilot now. We’re pretty just checking to make sure everything is working instead of tryna’ remember the songs.

My wife and stepdaughter showed up during soundcheck.

After sound check some of the band members went to a restaurant called ‘Mothers’ for dinner. Theyprovide dinner for the bands that are playing at the Funk Box. The food was good too. After dinner I went to a video across the street to buy a couple of copies of a movie called “What The ‘Bleep’ Do We Know”. Yes,…the word ‘Bleep’ is actually in the title. It’s a great movie dealing with ‘spirituality’ and ‘metaphysics’. It didn’t play in a lot of theaters but I knew that I would buy it when it came out. I also picked up a copy for Victor. I went back to the restaurant to give Victor his copy. Victor and I left the restaurant to go to a magic shop around the corner from the venue. We hung out in there for a while. The owner’s son is a very, very good magician. His name is Spencer Horsemen. He’s only 19 but he’s been doing magic since he was 4. He’s been on the David Letterman show and he’s in a DVD with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. (I’m scared to ask what kind of video it is). He did some tricks for Victor and I. We were very impressed. Victor was impressed enough to leave him tickets for the following day’s show. I left Victor at the magic shop so I could get back and retune the basses for the show. I usually do that a half hour before show time. It’s part of my ‘pre’ show ritual. I’ll usually change into my ‘gig’ clothes. Then I’ll put fresh batteries in all of the wireless units for the basses, guitars and vocal mics. I check all of Victor’s effects pedals to make sure that they are in the right position for the start of the show. Everything gets kind of left in different positions after sound check. I’ll also take the ‘tenor’ bass to the dressing room so Victor can make his appearance with the bass if he wants too.

Man,…I looked out in the crowd and I see a buncha’ familiar faces. A lot of students and friends came out. Of course, Chuck Scyphers and Rob Haynes will always be there (Bass Geeks in da’ HOUSE!). Jack Bannister was there with his wife, Joy and son, Ben. Nash Woods and his mom, Cindy was there too. I saw Big Wille Lane. Teresa Jones (who may be the best female bass player I’ve ever heard.) was there. My former student Dave Berkowitz from the great local band The Bridge was in the house. His band usually plays at the Funk Box on Wednesdays. Lorn Phillips was in the house too. Aaron Suplizio came out too. Dave Allen and Chuck Farmer brought a crew out to check out the show.  Chuck is one crazy dude. Josh Urban and Eric Scott from Hot Licks was there too. I saw Fuad in the house too.  I also saw Lorenzo Moore. Man,…if I keep naming names I’ll be doing that all night.

The show was great! This band is smoking! This show is Hot! Victor gave me a big introduction and invited me out to start his solo with him. We just started trading licks. It was very impromptu but it felt really good.

After the show we signed a buncha’ autographs. We didn’t hafta’ pack up any gear since we were playing here again tomorrow.

I hung around with my car to see if any of the band members needed a ride back to the hotel. Most of them had ridden back in cabs provided by the venue. The bus was gonna’ stay at the venue tonight. Victor ended hanging around to sign more autographs and take more pictures. I sent my wife and stepdaughter on home. I told them I’d catch up with them later. They kinda’ took the long way home so even though I left 20 minutes after them I got home about 20 minutes before them.

I got home and checked a buncha’ email and waited for the family to get home. After they got home I crashed. I was burnt out. The days are usually a lot longer that most people would imagine when you’re on the road. I slept like a baby.

Peace&blessings,
Anthony

“Smells Like Home Again”