In My Mind’s Zen Garden

I apologize for the lack of updates regarding my musical activities and gigs.

Basically, I’ve been pretty busy, which is fortunate, plus… I’m playing in some better paying gigs recently, so it’s been easier on the financial situation.

At one point in time, maybe a couple of years ago, I was mostly performing at Bistro 221, which I considered a safe haven for me. A place where I could play when I wasn’t performing a wedding reception or corporate function. The owners there have always been kind and supportive. And it’s always a pleasure performing with Donnie.

Donnie called me the other day and was wondering why I haven’t called him in a while. And it’s just that June was such a busy month with gigs and graduations and parties, etc. That month went by rather quickly and here we are in July!

So, between doing gigs with Grapevine, Big Daddy Orchestra and Flamenco Nova, things are looking good. And, the amount of money earned per gig has dramatically increased. Which is also good.

I still remember when the tragic events of 9/11 took place. All gigs were cancelled immediately after and I couldn’t find work for the several months that followed. Anyway, we got through it and life goes on.

Flamenco Nova is a very fun Flamenco/Spanish-fusion band that seems to be gaining a bit of popularity (and gigs). And it’s interesting that I get lots of drum solo opportunities here, which I couldn’t get with gigs at The Bistro, for example, because of the style of music. And it more than makes up for the gigs with BDO in which I rarely get to do a solo, if any nowadays. But, with Grapevine I also get many drum solo opportunities, so that is a blessing because I really need to keep doing drum solos in order to stay creative and focused on doing them. The philosophy of “use it or lose it” truly applies in the art of the drum solo.

Grapevine just did a gig at Harrah’s Rincon Casino up north in Valley Center. It was a truly great and fun show. We had Calvin Boyd, old friend and bandmember from my Pleazure days in high school. Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d actually performed with Calvin professionally since our high school days. And I was truly impressed with his bass playing. He just walked in and did the gig as if he’d played with us for years. No rehearsals.

So, this week I’m doing gigs again with Flamenco Nova and Big Daddy Orchestra (a wedding reception).

The calendar for July is looking very good. I’m busy and doing some decent gigs. And the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club gig is pretty posh. Outside, facing the golf course amongst market umbrellas and patio dining area. It’s nice… especially watching the hot air balloons floating above while we play our music. The setting is paradismo. Every Friday, late afternoons so far.

And tomorrow is the Turquoise Cafe Europa Bar in Pacific Beach with Flamenco Nova. Lots of fun…..