Rockin' New Years Party

[tulk1]

Last Thursday we had a New Years party to celebrate the new Fiscal Year. The Monday before I was told (er ... asked!) by my boss if I couldn't put a band together for the event. He wanted something "rockin'" since he had to emcee the event. After a few futile efforts to get some other division musicians involved I decided to go it alone. I took the Mille SAE, my own mics, a Bad Monkey direct into the PA and a ParaDI for the acoustic side of the guitar.

 

The morning of the show I get a call from the Division Director to come up to his office and bring my guitar. Not as ominous as it sounds, as he and I used to play in a band together. He was the drummer. I get up to his office and he has his Taylor guitar. He wants to join me for the act. Cool!, as he's not a bad guitar player, just a bit unseasoned on stage (read --- friggin' nervous!!!!). So we run over a few songs he and I used to play and we decide on Little Sister, and Summertime Blues if we get asked for an encore.

 

I took the stage acting like I was being inducted into the RnR Hall of Fame, then remembered I was playing at our party instead. Worked wonderfully as an ice breaker. I played a few riffs from All Right Now. When I asked for more drums and bass in the mix, the MC comes over and tells me I don't have a band, that its just me. After acting frustrated I see I have an acoustic guitar on stage and ask if anyone in the audience can play it and would be willing to help me out. So the big Division Director comes up (to thunderous applause, of course), I make a joke about him being a drummer and deciding to finally become a musician (which went over big). And then we're off and running.

 

I have a vid of the bit, but no way to edit to pull just my act out of the 48mins recorded. So, it's pics only ... for now.

 

Realizing I have no band.

 

The BIG BOSS on Stage

 

 

Little Sister.

 

Still playing Little Sister

 

Telling the audience it was Bob's guitar playing debut.

 

Showing the Director where a G Chord is on the fretboard so we can play Summertime Blues.

 

We're done. Even got a standing ovation from the crowd!

[FredZepp]

Great Post !! It started the day on the right note.... To read of such a positive experience, well , just makes me smile...... which is the right way to start the day ( and end it also ).

The photos just take you right there , in the moment...

[fxdx99]

Excellent story - thanks, Kenny! Love the pics, too. Too bad we can't hear that Millie cranking 'em out...

[tulk1]

Well, been working nearly all day on figuring out how to edit that video. I think I have it. Even created a youtube site to post them on. Keep in mind the Millie is in SAE mode. And even with the ParaDI it's just passable as an acoustic.

 

<---- should view this one first.

 

<--- and this one second if you just want to torture yourself a bit more.

[fxdx99]

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about! Too cool. Looks like you guys had a blast. Excellent emceeing there, Mr. Kenny - you look totally at home and relaxed. Your boss/friend looked like he was getting into it and having fun. Awesome display of your rockin' chops.

 

SAE (ignorant question) must be an acronym for 'using the piezo bridge pu'... something like simulated acoustic elec... I had a parker that had the piezo bridge pu for faux-acoustic sounds.

 

So lemme axe you a bad monkey question. As overdrives go, how do you compare that to others you may have used? I bought it cause it was cheap and a friend of mine has one so I knew what it was. And it has both bass and treble adjust so can keep the bottom end up some w/the gain. Mostly it stays in my bag in case an amp fails and I need to run direct to board, but I haven't used the 'out to pa' send - is that what you used?

[tulk1]

Hey Randy,

 

Yeah, we had a blast. Bob the drummer and I go way back. We just feed off each other.

 

The Bad Monkey - straight into the PA is at best, pretty f'd up. To me it only really sounds good that way when totally cranked. Not it's best feature. But, as an analog OD, it's not bad! Has a good amount of gain on tap, and good tone controls. As you may well know! Didn't you use the BM at your company picnic? It's still not my fav OD, tho'. The OCD is pretty dandy for getting some guts a rollin' and staying true tonal-wise. I've also got a CMATMODS Buttah that is almost always turned on. Gives the amp that "near to break up" feel.

 

SAE= Stereo Acoustic Electric. So, yeah, you were close. Just an FYI, thru my PA rig where I get total control, it sounds pretty darned good as an acoustic. Especially in the mix. Planning on getting a Ghost system when I order the Prospect. Should be killer cool!!

[fxdx99]

Ah, thanks. And yup, did use the naughty simian at my company's thingy, too. Don't often use it, but there were some rock covers that I thought I should have it on... and had fun with it so used it at a jam that same weekend, too. Kinda fun. I haven't used it direct to pa, but have intended to if need be - and sounds like it works kinda like I thought it might.

 

Hey, thought you sold your OCD to Rob? And what the heck is a CMATMODSWXYZ?

[ronalr]

Most excellent!!!! that was great stuff Kenny..I really enjoyed both clips....Now you have to take that show on the road ....let me know when you come to Baltimore!!!

[tulk1]

Sold the FD2 to the 'slate-man. Got the OCD from a guy here in KC when I started missing my pedal.

 

CMATMODs is Chad Mathews. He got his start doing Monte Alums (sp?) mods to standard pedals, ala Boss SD and DS, comps, chorus, etc., mostly on the 'bay. Then started his own pedal line. I have the Butah (ugh!! on the name) and a CMATMODs modded BOSS SD. Had his mod on a TS808 but sold it. Was never fond of that pedal unless it was cranked. Chad has good pedals at decent prices. He's just never gotten the fame and notoriety of Fulltone and Keeley.

 

My rowdy anthropoid is not on my pedal board, anymore. It's a free wheeler that I drag along to jams when I don't know what the amp will be. Or ... as tonite ... I DO know what the amp will be and want something better. :-) (Marshal MFG or whatever it's called. Horrid little amp).

[JeffB]

Cool vids and pics. Sounds great. Fun to watch.