Day 7: Nissan headquarters – Dallas, TX
So, Genji’s cousin Dave works at the Nissan headquarters in Dallas. The last time we were through here he hooked us up with a lunch time show on one of Nissan’s patios to play for their employees at lunchtime. We ended up selling quite a bit of merch the last time, and since Dallas was right on our way to Lafayette we decided to give it another shot on this trip too.
By the time we all got up Dave had long since been gone to work. We were supposed to play starting at 11:30 for about 90 minutes, and we had to make the 30 minute drive to the Nissan plant from Dave’s place, so we left at around 10:00am. We pulled into Nissan at about 10:30, and went into the lobby where we were greeted by three large security guard types. They issued us security badges and we went around back to unload the gear. The last time we played in this spot we had to hump our hear through a bunch of mud. Fortunately, this time the ground was dry and we were able to get our stuff unloaded with little trouble.
We then had to determine where to set up. The last time we were here we set up in the corner of this courtyard facing a bunch of tables. We started to set up the same way. Then Boody decided we should wait to set up until Genj got back from the van in case he wanted something changed. When Genj arrived we pretty much decided to set up like last time. Then, about 20 minutes before we were supposed to start, after everything was set up and soundchecked, Boody gets the idea that if we move our entire set up about 30 feet to the left, we would actually be under a cover, and the people could all sit in the shade to watch us. It was starting to get a little warm out there since the morning cloud cover was burning off, so it seemed like a good idea. So with 20 minutes till showtime, we moved everything. And I mean everything. We still started on time, but I don’t Cuz’n Steve was very happy. But, that’s how we roll when we’re on the road sometimes. You’ve got to be able to adapt to new situations very quickly.
We were happy to get to see our booking agent Deb in person for only about the 5th time since she started working for us in 2006. She is based just outside of Dallas. We started on time and played for about 90 minutes. There really wasn’t anything that different in the setlist other than the fact that we started with a lot mellower stuff than usual. We actually opened with Shot In The Dark, which was very cool.
Our turnout at Nissan was about the same as last time, which was a little disappointing because we were expecting it to be better this time. Once we had broken down our stuff and packed the trailer, Dave took us up to his office. He told us that one of the VPs didn’t want us to leave without getting something to take with us. So as Dave was walking us to another office, I naturally figured that this was the part where they would give us each the keys to our brand new cars. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. But we did get our pick of any number of Nissan t-shirts, polos, and other shirts and paraphenelia. Basically there was this room filled with the stuff and Dave told us we could take as much as we wanted.
After Nissan, we realized that none of us had really eaten anything yet that day. So we plugged a couple of requests into the Tom Tom and ended up at the holiest of eating establishments that there is for the road weary band or crew. A place where the gravy flows like a river of goodness, and the chicken fried steaks pave the road of righteousness – yes, we were going to Cracker Barrel. We had been on the road for 7 days and this was the first time we were to partake of this culinary bliss. And who would have thought but we actually had a Cracker Barrel virgin in our midst – Cuz’n Steve. So he asks, “uh, what’s good here guys?” I was taken aback by the question. What’s good? What’s good!?! What language was this guy speaking? Don’t you mean what’s not good here Steve? I mean we don’t have all day to explain this, you know? I’ll make this simple. What’s good? Everything. What’s not good? Nothing. You get to ask that question once Steve, that’s it. It’s like asking a Corleone about the family business, you just don’t do it. Next time, you get cast off the island.
We got seated at the round table that is always just past the hostess stand. And by always, I mean in every Cracker Barrel, everywhere. We get our menus. I tell Genj to put his down, because everybody in the room knows he’s ordering the chicken fried steak and he’s not fooling anybody looking at the menu. This is not to belittle the crucial nature of the ordering at Cracker Barrel. It’s not like you are going to get anything bad, but it does feel a little like studying for a test when you are perusing the menu, and your tastebuds will let you know if you passed the test. I actually ordered the chicken fried chicken. Unfortunately once our orders came they crossed them up and I ended up with Genj’s chicken fried steak, he got my chicken and neither of us noticed until after a couple of bits. But, we both decided to not to change plates. We shared a moment what can I say.
I think Steve ordered a vegetable plate or something like that. Rookie maneuver in my mind. I mean, that’s like paying a hooker for the conversation. Whatever, maybe he’ll do better next time. For the rest of us, it was a nice reminder of one of the good things about being on tour.
After lunch we headed back to Dave’s to settle in for a nice food coma nap. Actually, I think everybody mounted their laptops and did a little work for while or returned emails or whatever they all do. Then at about 6pm we settled in for a continuation of a poker game that we had started a couple days earlier. It was down to the usual suspects, me, Genj and Boody. To this point we had been battling pretty evenly. I forget most of the interesting hands on this one, except for one had where it took me about 10 minutes to make the decision of whether to call Boody’s all in bet. I made the right non-call thankfully. Ultimately, I think it came down to me and Genj and we cut a deal to split everyone elses money. Oh yeah, by the time we reached that point it was 11:00pm. It was quite the marathon game.
The next day we were headed to the turnaround city on our tour. We were playing two shows that weekend in Lafayette Louisiana.