A WEEKEND IN THE LIFE
Published in Jazz and Blue Notes
A Publication of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation
By Stringbean Wheeler
I'll skip the hassel of booking gigs and just assume that tonight Stringbean and the Stalkers will be playing at the New Deal Roadhouse. I've already got us listed in the Asbury Park Press Weekend Section and the local paper, The Coaster, has printed yet another picture of me.
Before the gig I'll make a few phone calls to friends reminding them that we are playing tonight. Then I'll call the Bass player to tell him we start at 9:00.
We really are scheduled to start at 10:00, so at about 8:30 I load the P.A. and instruments into the back of my old Plymouth Valiant and head to the bar.
The New Deal Roadhouse is a dark, warm placewith neon beer signs and a pool table. It smells like stale beer and cigarette smoke. It;s everything a bar should be. When I walk in carrying a speaker, there is a Gratefull Dead tape playing on the stereo. Joe, my favorite bartender, is working tonightand he gives me a bottle of spring water. I set up the P.A. and picture where thE band members will sit.I try to give everybody enough room and make the "stage" as aesthetically pleasing as I can. One by one they all show up. Sonnyt Kenn cones bringing a small Magnatone amp and his guitar, Eric Clark with his simple snare drum and Cymbal, then Dave Meyers, I've already set up an acoustic bass for him to play.
The New Deal Roadhouse has what I call a "buit-in" crowd. People hang out there regardless of who is playing. It's close to Monmouth College so they're not dependent on summertime tourists. The owner, Jim, is a real music lover. He is fair and considerate to bands and he's relaxed and casual unlike the previous owner, a high-strung guy prone to last minute cancellations.
We start on time, the band is relaxed and sounds good. We don't have a set list. I'll play whatever I think is right early in the night. I'll do some slow songs and maybe try something new. We rarely play things the same way twice, preferring to keep arrangements loose.
As long as there are some people that I know are listening and enjoying the music I am happy. It's great to see familiar faces and fans. We'll play a couple more and take a break.
The place is filling up now. People are drinking fancy microbrewery beers with cool names, smoking, talking loud, playing pool and having a good time. I walk around, say hi to everybody, hit the men's room and walk outside for some fresh air.
The second set is louder and faster as the crowd slips into their party mode. I don't waste time in between songs and play all the feel to an old song. This is what I live for, the magical, inspired, creative expression of the extremely talented guys I play with. I also know that sometimes we're just the soundtrack to a night of socializing, but that's alright too.
We're done. I introduce the band, play one more song and say goodnight. Joe turns on the bright lights, rings the bell and shuffles everyone out the door . I thank everyone for coming, espacially the ones who go to the trouble of getting baby sitters for their kids. We pack up, get paid, talk to Jim and book another gig for the next month. Then I go home and walk the dog at 10 A.M. I just leave the equipment in the car because tomorrow we play at the Ragin' Cajun.
The Ragin' Cajun is my favorite place to play. It's a restaurant in an old house by the marina in Belmar where the party boats tie up. It's very relaxed and comfortable and the food is great. We play there every Sunday night from 7:00 - 10:00. I go and set up in the afternoon as so not to disturb the diners later.
Diane, the excellent cook, is in the kitchen getting things ready, but she takes time to make me a double espresso. When I'm done I go home and learn a new song. Having a weekly gig forces me to learn new songs to keep things interesting for regulars who come in every Sunday. We start by playing quiet, slow blues. It's a different vibe from playing at a bar and we really enjoy it. We can hear every note each other plays and it's very satisfying and musical.
People clap after every song. They start to realize that this is special and table by table we win them over. By the end of the night there are people dancing around the restaurant and out on the porch. What a great site. It's a good place to have friends sit in. Christine, the waitress with the beautiful voice, sings a few songs. Sometimes Big Danny will come, or Marc Muller. Maybe John Luracci, will play bass. It's a good scene. When're done we are treated to a big dinner. Tracy, the owner, is very supportive and a good friend. She took a chance having live music in a restuarant, but I think it's paying off.
This is a place we like to hang out after playing. We ususally sit around eating, listening to C.D.'s, telling jokes and stories untill well after midnight. I love playing the Blues at the Jersey Shore. I could complain about some things, but I don't. With contemporaries like Billy Hector, Sonny Kenn and Castle Brown, I figure I'm in good company. I have no ambition other than to improve musically and to attain the status of a local hero, so I'm not cynical or disillusioned. It is just what I like to do.
