4/06

Dear Surfer:

I'm in a terrible mood. I can't take people cancelling gigs at the last minute... I'm talking about bandmates, not venues. I'm just tired of it and don't want to do it any more. It's not worth it. It is extremely painful to be let down by people again and again and again. I won't be doing this for much longer, but the real question is - what next? I'm having a hard time. I don't know what to do to feel better. I've tried everything. Anyway... onto blue number nine:

The first gig of the month was a lot of fun. We played a private birthday party in Altoona, PA. I can't say much more about it, because it was private, but it was Dana Shellmire's first gig with us and she was fantastic. The next day, we did a radio interview in Altoona with Jim Price and performed in the studio, also. That was a lot of fun, too. He's a nice guy and didn't ask dumb questions.

Marco and I bought a 15 passenger van this month which I was calling "THE BEAST" but which we're now calling "SHREK" instead, not because it's green, but because it's big and ghastly, but nice. So now we can get to the rest of our gigs in comfort, and then we're going to sell it once the gigs have passed. Insurance and gas are way too much money.

On the 28th, we performed for the first time at the Watchung Arts Center. The space had great sound! We were happily suprised. The guys who run the place are avid music fans and treated us so kindly, it was fabulous. The day before the show, we had a cancellation... one of our singers. The news was confirmed at 9:30pm, while Marco and I were standing outside a BELT show about to go in. Marco was playing with them and I was going to videotape
them. I flipped out when she told me she couldn't do the show the next day. I called every singer who has ever sung with the band, but no one was available at such short notice. I got little sleep that night, and the next morning, SLAMMED awake at 7am on 6 hours sleep. I was so worried.

At the last minute, Victoria Warne came through for us. She headed from her afternoon gig straight to the house. Morgan showed up, and we did a lightning vocal rehearsal (Vicky's last performance with us was in 2004!) It all worked out fine, but I am still disappointed in the person who cancelled. Vicky is a total pro, and not only that, plays guitar! She is the guitarist for my solo act, so we changed our setlist a bit and our concert was the most diverse and different show we've ever played. I wish we had gotten it on video. Vicky and Luca at one point were trading solos on guitar. It was very cool and the people liked it. Someone inquired about a private party and someone else inquired about a festival. So some other performances may come of it.

On another note, the turnout was disappointing. I don't know what happened to all of our NJ fans, but thanks to Paul & Judy, Charlie, and the few other people who came to check us out. Thanks to the Center for providing cakes & tea & wine. Sorry to anyone who missed this one of a kind show. We seriously rocked, and the added guitar was cool!

That's about it. Keep checking our schedule. We just added a show on June 4th in Medford, NJ.

peace,

stefanie

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