Something tells me that turning 50 has been pretty good so far. I am proud to be advancing up in age, as it's better than the alternative.
Was invited to a jam night/pre-New Year's party last night but this was something special. A drummer that I was in a band with way back in 1987-88 set the night up and was hoping to get at least four out of the five of us to reunite. Well, the keyboardist lives in Vegas so that's out. The bassist couldn't make it down in time. So it was myself, drummer/singer John Oakes and guitarist Bob Albert, a.k.a. 3/5 of our old band Smooth Surface. We had two other musicians join in, guitarist Keith Kukla and bassist Joe (never got last name, sorry!)
And just like old times, we yelled out songs we knew decently. Some Chuck Berry, Beatles, Hendrix, and yours truly gave in and did "Mustang Sally" after years of swearing "I will never do that song!" But we made it funky, and even had a guy named Steve come up and play washboard...I am not kidding.
Watched other acts jam out too. Saw an (almost) all-female Police tribute band called Roxanne do a few tunes and they sounded great. A uke player went up too. Was basically a fun night filled with music, laughs, and lots of food!!
I have to admit that it was the first time in a long time where I truly felt relaxed performing. No pressure, no judging from the crowd, nothing but winding up the amp loud and letting go. John, Bob and I agreed to do it again soon, not wait another ten years. But don't worry, I still plan on recording a new album sometime in 2020. Right now, I think I like having fun with music. Last night put me back in touch with why I play guitar in the first place.
Surprised? I am too.
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