Last Call at Coldbrews: A Benefit for Nikki

This was a club performance for Julie's good friend Nikki Green Phillips, recently diagnosed with cancer.  We all felt for her and wanted to help this beautiful young woman who has been through more than anybody should have to endure.  As it turned out, we were a quartet for the evening, with David, Ira, Karl and myself culling many of our older tunes and some newer ones to flesh out the sets.  We met at David's to ride in the deluxe van.  Always great to get there early and have some time with the logistics.  It's quite a bit of stuff, as we used Ira's sharply constructed stage extensions, along with David's deluxe speaker arrangement.  We even arranged for a triple stack of the cabinets on either side of the stage.  With the sub, it is a massive sound indeed.  There's actually rumor of another sub, but that would be mighty grand.  Is Roswell ready for dual subwoofers?  All was well and ahead of schedule until we realized the mixer was still at David's house!  Ooops.  Ira made the return trek and knocked out a conference call in a fine multi-tasking moment.

The sets were expertly arranged and executed, with many highlights.  No Matter What was fine, with my "guitar" solo (on the NS/Stick of course) getting a glorious moment.  I now recall it went well in Athens as well, so I guess it's old news.  We had a guest vocalist Eric sing The One I Love, and that was in the spirit of Mr. Stipe for sure.  Perhaps the big surprise was an impromptu run-through of Helter Skelter, a generously grungy take on the White Album proto-metal anthem.  We love our Beatles, so we can't help ourselves some times.  Other big news was the triumvirant trilogy of The Who: Pictures of Lily --> Substitute --> The Kids Are Alright.  Makes me wanna swing my microphone around like Roger!  POL is tough, with a lot of chords and vocals, not to mention that french horn solo!  We raised close to $2000, thanks to a silent auction and some very generous friends.  We are sending prayers and wishing Nikki a miracle or two.  Must put it out in the universe that miracles do take place, and this lively lady deserves the gift of an angel to grant her more time to fight this.

Man, we had a lot of fun breaking down the gear... enough said there.  Next show for this band is Friday May 23 at The Southern Club, formerly The Peachtree Tavern, formerly The Chameleon Club (going way back).  We are headlining, so wake the kids and call your neighbors, it will be a party!