The band has been practicing for almost a year, but I think I'll start this "journey" blog at this point in time:
A year has gone by and Next Phase is about to perform our very 1st concert on the outside stage at "Off the Rails" pub in Havana, Florida. Am I super excited or super nervous? Yes! After almost 40 years, I am about to fulfill a life-long dream of playing the drums in front of an audience. And, oh my gosh, do we have an audience! The place is absolutely packed. Well, we tried to warn them. Just the band members had 70-80 guests coming - add that to the 60-70 that are already here and we have a CROWD. Oh well, nothing we can do about restaurant preparations or service, our job is to play music - not wait on tables. Right before we start the set and after our final sound checks, I sit at my drum set land look out over the audience. After all the setbacks we have had over the last two years, I sincerely can't believe that I am here. But I am. I close my eyes, thank the Lord and I call the "Moment". If you know me, you'll know what I mean by this. Some moments in life you just can't forget to call.
After addressing some sound problems (sound is difficult), we start the concert. Personally, I think we sound pretty darn good. Sure, we make some mistakes but after an hour or so, we make it through our Set List - all 11 songs! The crowd starts screaming "encore", but we respond with, "That's all the songs we know, people!" They don't care, they just want us to keep playing - so we replay some of the songs we have already played. By the time we finish (again) with Sweet Home Alabama, I am exhausted. As far as I can tell, the crowd loved it. We had some sound problems and we definitely made some mistakes, but all in all, I would say that out 1st concert was an overwhelming success. We have a short backstage, celebratory get-together for the band members with champagne and food. Then, we all call it a night. I can't believe that we actually did it and that it is over! I have to admit, it was awesome.
Thank you to everyone who attended.
Thank you to my friends and family who all supported me / us.
Marc
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