Thame

Greetings Pop Pickers

Well, just to report on our gig last night - and what an odd one it turned out to be. We played the 'Mayor Of Thame's Silver and Black Annual Charity Ball' Bit of a mouthfull, I know. It was held in a marquee attached to the main building at Thame Football Club in Oxfordshire. Strange arrangement - the tables for the meal were set up in the marquee, and we were in the bar in the main building - the two places joined by a glass door. The first thing I thought was that we would be playing to ourselves as everyone else would be comfortable in the other room - turned out to be quite different  actually. We all got there pretty prompt at 5 and we were sound checked by 6.30 - That left us with a bit of a wait until we went on stage at 10ish. So the guys walked down town to the pub - some of us were staying in the local travel lodge - so we repaired to there for a natter and a little drinkie poo. I think we were all prepared - plenty of cold beer, champagne and nibbles. Anyhoo - cut a long story short, we headed back too the venue and got ready by 10. To say that the proceedings were running a little late was an understatement. I think the mayors speech lasted 3 times as long and this was followed by an auction and a raffle. Eventually, everyone moved in to our bit and then we had to wait for a video to be shown saying how good it was to live in Thame! We went on stage at 11.30! Now - we were contracted to play until 12! And all  music had to finish by 1am - and they had hired a DJ as well! Speaking to some of the audience they said that the official stuff just went on too long and all they wanted to do by then was to get up and dance. Well - the place just exploded when we started playing! I think because they had been captive before - they just went mad - dance floor packed- cheering after each song. It was well worth the wait. The only problem was that we had to squeeze 2 hours of hot soul into 30 minutes. We actually played for about an hour and 15mins - and Steve navigated us through very efficiently. No slow songs, little chat - just boom bash wallop! Playing for this band is just like a bobsleigh ride - once we start, we aint gonna stop and we just keep getting faster! So we did all the better songs - and they just kept dancing. For only the second time since Ive been in the band, we did Treat Her Right - I love that song - and we just went for it. We even got the Mayor up for Higher and higher  - He must be up for re-election or something!
Gave out loads of biz cards - hopefully we'll get a couple of parties or weddings out of this!
Anyhoo - packed up and back to the hotel - quiet night cap in Jenny's room - drinking red wine straight from the bottle - The good people at Travelodge only give you two measly plastic cups per room. I think it was gone 3am when we finally collapsed. I'm glad we stayed over - some of the chaps drove home - at last they had an empty motorway. I'm fair jiggered today - but its almost beer o'clock. Livin the dream. Mike x