So, the Mega Millions numbers were pulled, and I only had two of the six...the bad news is that the $333 million is not mine...which means no new kitchen for Lovey, and no new music studio for J. Peter...but the good news is that the Flood Road boys are still playing real, original music...

Last night we played at a small Art Gallery called "Artcentric" on 4th Street, Troy, NY for the monthly "Troy Night Out" event. (See pics). As always, we had a great time jammin'.
 
The weather was so-so, and only cooperated halfway. There was a touch of drizzle that began around 4PM, and continued through the early evening, and a gusty wind that managed to kick up intermittently.  We had planned on playing streetside, under a canopy tent, with full PA system, but the wind seemed too much for the tent, and the rain imperiled the electronics.

As a compromise, we played streetside, but planted ourselves under a modest sized tree, that somehow was able to keep the dribblin' rain off all four of us.  We jammed totally acoustic (which we're accustomed to) for two hours, with a little break in between.

Playing without PA in a city environment presents its own challenges.  With so many non-stop sounds, noises and activities, it can be distracting, and cause musical SNAFU's if you aren't careful...thing is, the guys in the band know the songs and timing really well...so even when two CDTA buses are hammering their way down the One Way street, only feet away from the band, effectively drowning out all four instruments and vocals, when the buses pass, and the diesel-laden air clears a little, we are all pickin' away on the same measure of the song, and still enjoying the world! I don't think I've ever enjoyed playin' music so much as I do with Tom, Pete and Chris. It's plenty special to have great friends who also just happen to be great musicians as well.

Chris was wailin' on his banjo, as usual, and did a few impromptu song solos that we tried to learn on the fast track.  Pete threw in a couple of wicked bass solos on top of his jazzy bass runs, and later, turned his thumper in for a 6-string to work some lead magic on our version of Cash's "Folsom Prison".  Tom always pulls double duty on mando and harmonica, and has great chops on both accounts.  Last night, however, the King was in rare form, and somehow managed to play AND direct visitors into the Gallery to sample its wares...Tommy Boy is a musical salesman for sure.

At one point, a listener mentioned to Tom, while we were playing "'Til The Cows Come Home", that he played the mando a little.  So what does the King do? He takes off the mando, and gives it to the guy to check out...we just kept playing as Tom continues a conversation with the fellow...fortunately, Tom got the mando back in time to do his solo and the tune finished out fine.

Throughout the evening, we had cars and trucks stopping on the street to listen, with well-mannered horns honking and favorable yells tossed out in our direction, and a plethora (that means 'a heap' for those of you who ain't city-slickers) of street walkers (including the occasional Heroin or Crack addicts - they like FRB music too!), and window shoppers of all ages coming by.  We sold a couple CD's along the way...it's a plus to put FRB music into the hands of new friends and fans...

So, to recap, the Mega Millions Lottery numbers were pulled...I didn't get the $333 million...no new kitchen...no new music studio...but, the Flood Road boys are still playing real, original music...which makes everyone who listens to us REAL WINNERS...best of all, FRB will be back again, just as sure as the CDTA will make another run through the Home of Uncle Sam, as sure as rain will fall on a planned outside gig, and as sure as the New York State Lottery will conduct its next big money drawing!