BLAST OF BRASS TIMELINE
Sooooooooo........you think this stuff is easy?
Ya think we just show up and really cool sights & sounds just kinda sorta happen automatically???
NOT!
Well, there's no amount of effort we wouldn't go through in our never-ending quest to entertain YOU, but what the hey?
We think the Blast of Brass Tour 2008 is pretty special, and worth some extra effort. Here's a timeline of what's happened, and what's happening (from the Second Wind perspective) to bring you a couple of great concerts!
September 10, 2007-Lee & Gary from BSI come out to Deerfield Towne Centre to check us out and set the stage for the summer, 2008 collaboration.
December 9-After a flurry of emails, Don & Steve attend a meeting with Gary, Lee, Jim, & Ted from BSI to exchange ideas and input.
January 14, 2008-Meeting with all 10 Second Winders at BW3's in Norwood. We talk about the tunes we want to do for the "B.o.B" and other issues related to the concerts. We also drink a few beers and do away with several dozen wings.....
February 24-Steve & Don once again meet with the BSI "higher-ups" to further discuss songs each band will play and other details regarding the dates.
April 27-All 17 playing members of both groups meet at the BSI enclave at the VFW hall in Sharonville. Details are discussed, practices are scheduled, and we all get pretty and pose for publicity photos. We also eat a bunch of pizza and drink some beer. This is getting fun.....
May 6-Tom meets with Jim from BSI to discuss horn parts, arrangements and solos..
May 13-All 8 horn players from Second Wind and Bluestone Ivory meet at Montgomery Presbyterian Church for a horn sectional. We play through new arrangements on old familiar tunes, insert some subtle and some not so subtle changes. This is going to be GOOD!!!
June 25-After an extended lull in the direct action, the two "rhythm sections" get together for a group practcice at BSI's home base, the Sharonville VFW Hall.
(Editor's Note: For those of you wondering what a "rhythm section" might be, just subtract the horns, and what you have left are the "rhythm sections"). Time was spent on coordinating a group with 2 drummers, 2 bass players, 2 guitarists, and 2 keyboard players-quite a challenge for 2 very independent and accomplished groups of musicians. Assignments were discussed, and the joint tunes were rehearsed. Time well spent!
June 29-One last(?) organizational meeting between BSI & Second Wind muckety mucks to talk over who will stand where, what they'll stand on, who'll bring this and who'll bring that. Final song selections were discussed and general last minute details were handled. AFter that we just flapped our gums for a while.........
July 1-Finally........we get a chance to see what life is like as a 17 piece rock band! All 17 playing members and the BSI tech crew (not to mention several curious onlookers that just couldn't wait another couple of days) all crammed into the Sharonville VFW hall . Everything clicked, and the sound was indescribable.........it's the first time in any of our memories that calls went up for an encore at a rehearsal! Suffice it to say that things went VERY well, and we can't wait for you to be a part of it. We'll see you soon.
July 3-BLAST OF BRASS I-Starting at about noon, various members started showing up at the Fairfield Village Green to begin the setup process. The BSI tech crew was all over the stage unloading, building,wiring, lugging and doing whatever needed to be done. Bit by bit, the band members started showing, and finally by late afternoon everything was in place and the two bands took the stage individually for their sound checks. After each band checked out, it was decided to try a tune together as the "Blast of Brass Orchestra". The two bands took the stage and ran through an unrehearsed version of "Midnight Hour". Not Bad! In spite of a couple of afternoon showers and the threat of rain during the evening, everything went off on time, and the two bands took the stage to play "Beginnings". From that point forward the evening went off as planned. Second Wind played a set, BSI played a set, then we ended with our grand finale with both bands onstage playing together once again. We'll spare you the specific details, because, ya know what?? We're doing it again........keep your evening open on August 8, and come on out to the Blue Ash Towne Square for yet another BLAST OF BRASS!
Stay Tuned for More..........
