All the old 'juices' seem to be flowing again as I sit here going over the events of tonight in my mind. Am I solid on the songs? Do I have all my clothes laid out? I make a mental note to call my drummer to find out when we should meet at his house to load up our vehicles and move the equipment to the gig.
It's been 7 years since I've played music on New Years Eve...it's been even longer since I've had a real New Years Eve kiss. Will I break the 'drout' tonight? I am dressing up tonight in my Texas Tuxedo (black of course), White Tux shirt, Cowboy boots, belt and my old black stetson all of which is coming out of retirement for the first time in 7 years as well.
I look back to 2001 when after being seriously burnt out my band Showdown broke up and I decided to take a break from music and (to ensure that I'd get away from it) I sold every stitch of music gear that I had down to the last cord. I think what it would be like if I had never quit playing back then. Would I even still be with RiverGard? Actually the truth is I probably wouldn't be with them as after I sold my stuff I got several very good offers to play in touring acts. So I guess I wouldn't change it now.
I sit here going over all the tiny details in my mind and trying to plan the set list which I will have to make up and print off today and take with me to the gig. Tonight is different than any other night of the year. People who NEVER drink will put back a few tonight. People who never come out to a bar will make the trek tonight and people who have never seen RiverGard will see us for the first time tonight.
It's a HUGE night and I'm SO thankful to be playing again and (more-over) to be playing with the great bunch in RiverGard that I'm proud to call 'my band', and my friends. Our faithful followers will be there tonight, all of them are truly a blessing for all of us in the band. These people are the heart and soul of what playing music in a band is all about.
So I'm off to go do that stuff I've got to do to get me a little bit closer to tonight's festivities. Thanks for reading and to everyone (from my house to yours)
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR!
WHOOHOO...2008 here we come!
