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ProfessorGAC

(71,301 posts)
7. My Best One
Tue Dec 31, 2024, 01:34 PM
Dec 31

We used to play the same place each NYE. For at least 12 years.
The room was smaller than most places we played, but it wasn't tiny either. Could fit maybe 180 people. However, it was so close to where we all lived that we could set up a few days early, play, then go back for gear a few more days later.
It was so close to our house, that tge band and closest fans would come over for an after party that STARTED at 2:15 in tge morning.
Anyway, one year a guy who was feeling a bit too good, came up to the front of the stage (beginning of our 2nd set, there was an opening act). He's talking to the guitarist and started whining about us not doing the kind of songs he likes. (Everybody knew what they were going to get if they came to hear us, but that didn't matter to him.)
He finally dropped the line "I paid to get in here, you know." The guitar player, without missing a beat says "How much did it cost to get in?" Guy says "Six bucks". Guitar player looks at me; I hand him a five & a one. He turns to the guy and says "Here. Now it's cost you nothing. Go home."
He stayed but left us alone.
The kicker: he wanted to hear some country music. So, we told the crowd "A guy said we needed to do more country music. So, we're going to do a country song. We decided on Ireland" and then did a U2 song.

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Twas a very long time ago, but... jmbar2 Dec 31 #1
I'm guessing you mean just you band members taking bets among yourselves, rather than letting the highplainsdem Dec 31 #3
Exactly right jmbar2 Dec 31 #17
We Had A Very Nice Atmosphere ProfessorGAC Dec 31 #15
DH and I played in a "big band" in the 80s and 90s Freddie Dec 31 #2
Good memories (well, except for the cigarette smoke). And very good music. highplainsdem Dec 31 #5
Two stories PJMcK Dec 31 #4
Wow. Two NYE gigs with alcohol causing serious problems. highplainsdem Dec 31 #8
It might not have been as dangerous as I told the story PJMcK Dec 31 #18
I have a New Years eve gig tonight! crud Dec 31 #6
For 2 Summers... ProfessorGAC Dec 31 #9
"Had 4 or 5 fake books"????? highplainsdem Dec 31 #12
Paid Like A Tipped Worker ProfessorGAC Dec 31 #14
Sounds like some great memories crud Jan 1 #23
Play, Yes ProfessorGAC Jan 1 #24
I went a long time without performing. crud Jan 1 #25
I Payed Over... ProfessorGAC Jan 1 #26
Cool! I hope the gig goes really well! highplainsdem Dec 31 #10
Play well! PJMcK Dec 31 #19
How did it go? Hope it was fun! highplainsdem Jan 1 #21
It turned out pretty good crud Jan 1 #22
My Best One ProfessorGAC Dec 31 #7
I love that - especially your doing a U2 song! And how perfect that you could have an after party at highplainsdem Dec 31 #11
Not Sure ProfessorGAC Dec 31 #13
Great song! highplainsdem Dec 31 #16
I love that story! PJMcK Dec 31 #20
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