Sugar Caddie Picnic

Check out the video here! (…webmaster)

The Benedict Castle summer concert series on the lawn was the coolest gig I’ve done in a year! First time ever to do a picnic on the lawn type of setting. “The crowd was double what we’ve ever had here” said Walter Kelly, the spokesman for Teen Challenge who sponsors the event.

It’s blankets and camping chairs all over the lawn. Bring yer own crackers and cheese. The stage seemed to slope a little  down hill to my left or maybe that was just me tryin to kick back. It was a long way from the blistering vocal delivery I’ve made a career out of . Mostly it was laid back tunes and easy vocals. And I absolutely loved it. No feeling of having to really grab the audience or impress them. No need to be the best band you’ve ever heard. No competition at all.

It was my first performance with the SUGAR CADDIES.

The first song “Into Wishin’” was absolutely nerve racking though. One moitor mix for all. My keyboard was way out from of a drum kit that wasn’t mic’d so Icould hear my own mistakes in stereo. We settled down after that though and there was something relaxing about just playin with the band.

The highlights were “Used Again” and “Lovin You”. just really fun tunes with a solid groove. My Black Sheep friends from the Riverside Chapter turned out in force to line the side of the stage with motorcycles. My old friends from another life turned up in astonishing numbers too. Then there were the people who spoke to me about seeing the first Sweet Comfort band concert some 40 years ago.

It was a lot like a reunion of survivors I think. Nice setting for that. Out back of an old Castle. sponsored by a recovery organization. Teen Challenge staff and “inmates” have an easy going way about em. “we would like to have you back next year” another director said. “I’d like to make this a regular thing” I replied. I love the summer picnic on the lawn atmosphere. We’ll have some video clips on my website as Steve Webb followed me around with a camera most of the night.

The Caddies had a reasonable start showing some real potential. The signature identity is the three part harmonies in a rock and soul groove. It’s the real “SUGAR”. We just need more opportunity to rehearse and play together and we have the makings of a solid band with a local following. Best of all the gig was done by 8 p.m. and I was home by 9!

k so … ther’s that….