Tag Archives: concert

concerts, music community, music industry

A band with personality

092: Glenn Miller OrchestraLast Thursday, I was flipping through my parent’s copy of my hometown newspaper. My eyes landed on a headline that the Glenn Miller Orchestra would be coming to town in a week.

I. Had. To. Go.

For one thing, I do happen to have a love for “big band” music. I was in band in high school (I was pretty good, too!) so my appreciation for the music is more than just enjoying it, but for the dynamics of playing it. For another, I didn’t even know the Glenn Miller Orchestra existed still, much less that they toured!

I was geeking out in the best possible way. Ever. A fact that friends pointed out to me rather gleefully.

I couldn’t wait to tell my husband about it, to which he was instantly sad to not be here in Texas with me to go as well. (Even if he’d been here this last week, he wouldn’t have made it due to his having to be back in Nashville to catch the bus to a gig himself in a day!) Tickets were only $10… $10!! I figured I had better purchase in advance, surely they’d sell out. It’s GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA!

So, on Monday, I made sure to make it to the Chamber of Commerce office to purchase tickets for myself and my parents to attend. I told the woman at the desk that, “I am SO STINKIN’ EXCITED!”

I got in the truck after obtaining the tickets and immediately posted to Twitter: I can not wait!! http://picplz.com/n5WX

I suppose I’ve already conveyed my ridiculous amounts of excitement by now, but… this was special. I go to a lot of concerts. I see a lot of live music. This was DIFFERENT.

“A band ought to have a sound all of its own. It ought to have a personality.” – Glenn Miller

Thank you, Glenn. That’s exactly it. This was going to be a night with a band with a personality. A band that harkened back to days when things were both simpler and harder. It would be music that was pure. No auto tuning. No tracks. These would be musicians who knew their instrument. Who were showing a talent that comes from years of practice, diligence, love and respect for the music itself.

Yesterday came with a terrible cold front hitting the area. A layer of ice covered everything as the sun came up on the day that I’d been so excited for for a week. At noon, the temperature was 22° with a wind chill of 7º. I prayed that the show wouldn’t be canceled or rescheduled. It didn’t make sense for it to be, but you just never know sometimes…

Luckily, the sun came out mid-afternoon, and what ice remained melted under its rays. I found my ability to concentrate going South.

Finally, it came time to go to the show. It was at the Cameron ISD Performing Arts Center. (Everyone can thank me now for putting it in Foursquare as of last night.) I’d only been there once or twice before; it was built long after I graduated from C.H. Yoe High School. It’s a gorgeous facility, and it beats the heck out of shows in the old cold gymnasium!

My parents and I grabbed front row seats, because I absolutely had to take photos. (DUH!) We (okay, fine, I) waited impatiently for the music to start. The theater was no where near as full as I assumed it would be. Cold temperatures kept a lot of people home, I am sure. Being married to a musician, I understand how much the audience can affect a performance, and my heart sank a little to see such a small crowd. I hoped the musicians didn’t think they weren’t appreciated. I hoped they wouldn’t regret their coming to this small town.

Finally, it was time. The band took the stage, and I was instantly impressed. Musicians played multiple instruments. They all wore suits and ties. Every single one clean cut and total professionals.

REFRESHING change from what I usually encounter at live music shows.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

At one point, band leader, Gary Tole, commented how the cold weather does make it harder on the instruments, but being professionals they all know how to compensate for it.

Professionals. I found myself nodding along. That’s what made these 19 individuals on stage are the cream of the crop. I found myself wondering about auditions they went through to get their jobs. I found myself wondering about any spouses they have left behind at home, waiting to hear how the night went. I wondered what they would say about this night’s show… what could have been done to make it better for THEM.

Because for the audience? It was almost magical. I text messaged with my husband, sending him photos via cell phone through the evening. I was so blown away, and couldn’t wait to fill him in on it until after the show. (So I didn’t wait. Ha!)

I found myself being transported to a time that I never lived. “Moonlight Serenade,” “In the Mood,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Goody Goody,” “Elmer’s Tune,” and countless others. A medley of armed forces tunes, during which veterans were honored and invited to stand, brought tears to the eyes. For two hours (minus one short intermission), the band entertained our small crowd.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

I wondered if there would be vocalists, and there were. Brian Hemstock and Valerie Duke each took turns singing songs of yesteryear. I found myself appreciating every word and lyric more than usual. These fantastic singers who sing for the love of the music, not for the fame.

“Taylor Swift, eat your heart out,” I thought as Valerie nailed one particular note.  You don’t need costumes and video walls to put on a great performance. You just need confidence and talent and poise.

The night ended with a gorgeous rendition of “America the Beautiful.” The standing ovation, small as it was, was well deserved. I wanted to stand ON my chair to applaud. But I thought the powers that be at CISD might frown on it.

As we left, one woman commented that she almost didn’t come due to the cold. But she couldn’t have been happier than she braved the elements to come out.

I am SOOO hoping they come close to Nashville some day. My husband and I might have to drive to Chattanooga later this year otherwise! If you get a chance to see them? GO! Check out their tour schedule at http://www.glennmillerorchestra.com/itinerary.html and go like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/glennmillerorchestra.

OH? By the way. Those $10 tickets? A steal. The show was priceless.

Thanks for coming to little ol’ Cameron, Texas, Glenn Miller Orchestra! Come back some time. (Or… you know… Nashville would rock, too. teehee)

concerts, road-stories

Show Stories — The Tennessee River Run

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I’ve attended a lot of concerts, but there are just certain shows I still want to attend. Just a few examples: I’d like to go to Ziegfest in College Station, Texas, some day. I’d love to see The Wolf’s Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. And, believe it or not, it kills me to miss the many county fairs back home in Texas each year.

This last weekend, I got to scratch one concert event off my “concert bucket list.” The Tennessee River Run. I’ve always wanted to go, and on Sunday I got to be there to see my husband play it with his artist.

Our day started super-early. My husband was driving the bus to the show, so we left our house a little after 4:30 am. It is a little over half an hour drive to the bus lot, and after picking up the bus, I followed my husband down to where we would meet everyone else.

Once everyone was loaded up, we made the three-hour drive to Savannah, TN. (I followed the bus in my truck.) What a BEAUTIFUL drive!! I’d love to make that drive again just for fun. We’d dip down into hollows, then climb back up to where I’d feel my ears pop. All while keeping my eyes on the back of the bus trailer.

As we got close to the Pickwick State Park, hundreds of motorcycles started coming at us. I read around 1,000 bikes went on a Motorcycle Poker Run. It was incredible to see! If I’d not been driving, I’d have taken a video of it.

We pulled around to the stage, and immediately saw several friends already sound checking. Part of the fun for this show was that my husband and I have dear friends in other bands that performed that night. As soon as we got parked, it was hugs all around.

I joked with a couple of our friends, “What? We have to drive three hours to see you these days!?” I’ve even seen friends for the first time in ages at shows in Texas… when everyone is hitting the road hard, you literally do have to travel to a show to see your friends. Nashville can become a ghost town (in the musician’s world.)

My husband helped off load the trailer and then sound checked.  While he did this, I meandered around taking in the beauty of the park. It was sooo peaceful and once I got in one small area of trees, even the thump of music coming from sound check faded away.

Once he was all set up, my husband and I went over to catering for a bite to eat. After a quick lunch, we went and grabbed our bags. I’d packed a change of clothes, and my husband had his show clothes to change into. We went over to catch a ride to the hotel from the runner.

A “runner” is the person and vehicle used to carry band and crew members to the hotel from the venue. Sometimes that ride includes trips to a store or a restaurant. (I’ve even been along with my husband when the runner gave us a ride to a liquor store!)

This time, our runner was a PONTOON BOAT.

Best. Runner. Ever.

The hotel was just across a little cove from the backstage area. So, we hopped on a boat and cruised across the water to another dock where we got off and went to a hotel that did not have a room with a bad view. It was made to where every room over looked the river. I didn’t think my husband and I would get any sleep wanting to over look the water!

However, we were both exhausted, and it didn’t take us too long to both fall into a deep sleep. We slept a little over four hours before getting up to shower and get dressed for the show. The second act was already on stage, and my husband had about half an hour before his show by the time we caught the runner back.

A quick (delicious) dinner of barbecue, and off to the stage we went.

As the band took the stage, I slipped out into the crowd to take a few pictures. I walked all the way around the crowd to watch from the back, then pushed my way to front of the stage to snag a couple close-up shots. I made my way back to backstage, and I spent the rest of the show standing side stage.

Almost all of the band had family in attendance, and my husband’s artist made sure to give every single one of us a shout-out. I have to admit, it always makes me smile when that happens.

Their set and encore seemed to just fly by, and I was sad to see their time on stage end. I do love their show…

But, as the show ended and the band tore down their gear to make way for the headliner, my next priority took center stage. I bolted to my truck to tune in to my college football game — just in time to hear the winning touchdown.

If anyone was there, I was the crazy girl jumping up and down beside a pick-up backstage… doing my own version of a touchdown dance.

I had been told the band would be leaving immediately after their show, instead of staying until the end. So as soon as my husband had finished tearing down his gear and he got the bus moved to be ready to leave, we caught the runner back to the hotel to get our bags and so my husband could change into more comfortable clothes to drive through the night.

We got back just in time to find out we would NOT be leaving after all. So, my husband shut down the bus. I shut off my truck (that I had already pulled up behind the bus), and we went to watch the show from side stage.

It was fun to watch our friends at work, and the show was great! I, personally, was tickled pink to stay and see the rest of the concert. Like I said in the beginning, I’ve always wanted to attend the River Run.

As soon as the last song ended, and the backstage barricades came down, we were in our rides getting a police escort out of the park. The three-hour drive home began.

I talked to my Mom for much of the drive, as I stuck close behind that bus. However, in some of the areas, I lost all cell service and would have to call her back.

As we got closer to Nashville, I peeled off the interstate to head home. My husband was headed to another show the next day.

I talked to him off and on through the night as he drove to Bristol, TN. Another day and night, another few dollars. As everyone says, “Livin’ the dream.”

I had a wonderful time, though, and I am so happy to be able to say I’ve been to the Tennessee River Run. Next year is its 10th anniversary, and I wouldn’t mind going again! We will see, of course, but its fun to think about.