Wow, was this ever a fun event. The event at Karma Vineyards was a corking party to introduce the new champagne (very tasty) and to thank their clients for their enduring support. The winery is on the Western Shore of Lake Chelan, about 2 miles North of town. Memorial Day Weekend in Chelan… haven’t done that since I was about 19 and the scene at the hotel pool brought back a lot of memories – with the exception that the young-uns look a whole lot different these days than they did when I was that age. Bikini trouble…. I digress…
Anyway, we played outdoors under a lilac tree in a really beautiful spot. We were mainly out of the direct sunlight, but any time you have to perform in a tuxedo in 80 degree sun it’s going to be toasty in our out of the shade. The band was on FIRE! And I mean that both musically and literally. Chuck Kistler put a patio umbrella onstage to give a little shelter to he and Steve Rice wouldn’t melt in the sun. Julie Pittsinger, the owner of Karma, kept the Cabernet flowing our way. Travis Ranney was in the zone. I’ve worked with him on a ton of gigs and have heard mind-blowing after mind-blowing performance out of him, but on Saturday he went to a new level. Absolutely awesome. As usual, Kevin Seeley, section leader and lead trumpet was stupendous, reminiscent of Doc Severinson of the Tonight Show Orchestra…
Nathan Vetter was also out of his musical mind, doing things with a trombone that just aren’t done. Troy and I both had good voice and we delivered very well ourselves.
After the gig Steve, Devan Stovall, Travis and myself headed into town for a little elixer. Senior Frog’s was jumping when we arrived – of course the entire town was packed with 20-somethings, so it wasn’treally our crowd but the scenery was sure nice. I ordered a round of drinks for us and the bartender said “if you can remember my name this round’s free…” I looked at him and immediately recognized him as a guy who used to tend bar in Kirkland at the Kirkland Ave Pub… but I could NOT remember his name. Sorry Max! We didn’t get them for free but the pours were astronomical.
We soon tired of the Frog and headed across the street to Campbells (an institution in Chelan) and had some ribs and beer. We called it a short night and headed back to the hotel early because we had yet another gig to do Sunday back in Issaquah. Up bright and early, we were on the road at 8:15am.
see QUAFF THE QUAH for Sunday’s gig
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