2008

While 2006 was mostly about the Ray Charles tribute show, concluding with our year-end tour overseas, and last year (2007) was spent concentrating on taking our Chicago Transit show to bigger and better venues, this year (2008) would be known as the summer of the ‘rain out’.  Nearly every show we did outdoors during the busy warm-weather season was either rained out totally, or we dealt with rain at some point during the show.  I swear that I spent more time off-stage with my horn in hand, watching the crowds and the equipment get drenched, than I did playing the instrument.

The Ray Charles show, again, took the year off, but Dave Battah and his Rod Stewart tribute had us and our Chicago Transit show back in the casinos

and we did a couple of dates at an excellent local club called Johnny B’s in Whitby.  Mostly though, the year was about the Chicago Transit and Powerhouse shows, and of course, standing waiting for the rain to stop.

The band played the Fort Erie Slots, Windsor Casino, showed up at the Friday the 13th bash in Port Dover to see it rained out, was in Bracebridge for the Muskoka Summerfest before rain ended the show half-way through, did festivals in Jarvis, Ont., Stoney Creek, Hamilton mountain, and a number of club dates in the Hamilton, Burlington, Toronto area.  All in all, in spite of the weather problems during the summer, it was still a good and busy year for the band.  And, as an added bonus, both Steve Dormer and our friend Sue came by this year and took some excellent pictures of the band.

Early in the year, the band took their Chicago Transit Show into Whitby, Ontario for a redate at Johnny B's nightclub.  On hand that night was Steve Dormer who took a great collection of pictures of the band -- shown above and below.  My problem here was picking the best from a few hundred excellent shots.  Thanks Steve.  Great work.

Geez, Carlo ... That's gotta hurt.

Another excellent gig, early in the year, was when Powerhouse took their show to Casino Windsor for two nights.  Again, casino restrictions made taking pictures impossible, but with a bit of grovelling, management did allow me to take a couple of pictures of the stage area while we were setting up.  I must admit, this was one fine casino, and an great gig for us.

Below:  The view across the river to Detroit, from off the upper balcony during break.

As I mentioned, there wasn't much to take pictures of this summer except musicians trying to mop water off P.A. equipment and electronics.  For the Muskoka Summerfest in Bracebridge, we drove all the way for 6 songs, before the skies opened up.  It was a shame too, as the festival organizers were great people and the venue was excellent. 

Finally though, Labour Day weekend rolled around and Powerhouse found themselves at the same peach orchard that I had played at last year with the Steve French Band.  The colouring of the pictures here is a little off, as I had to do a lot of 'lightening' to make up for very bad lighting.  Once again, our friend Karen threw a great party at her farm, with everything you could think of made from peaches served with an already excellent feast.

Later in the year, Powerhouse played an outdoor gig on Concession Street on Hamilton Mountain at one of their local festivals.  Once again, our friend Sue stopped by the gig to try out her new camera.

There was a lot of the flu going around the band at this gig.  Pictures don't really do justice to how bad Tony (above) was feeling that day.

We don't get a lot of pictures of our sound tech -- a very laid-back, sorta guy.  Not a lot phases Russell, really -- an excellent quality to have when setting up the sound for an 8-piece band with four horns and 6 vocalists.  As a band, we can always trust that it will be taken care of with this man behind the board.

Yepp ... that look means a good gig -- which it was.

Hang in there, Tony

As word spread more people began to inquire about available space.The owner was approached with the proposal of a single fee for the premises.

In the spring of 1971, The 'Rodmasters Car Club' was born.

From: http://www.rodmasters.com/

One of the band's last gigs of the year was for a private Christmas party.  There was a lot of fine machinery owned by the people that attented this dinner and dance.

Rodmasters History

The Rodmasters Car Club has been in continuous operation since 1971.

Primary interest is in pre-1948 North American vehicles. The club has over 25 active members, maintaining a clubhouse and shop facility in Binbrook, Ontario. Many of the members have their own individual work areas, as well as other space for short term projects.

Founded in November of 1971, four friends, looking for a place to store their cars for the winter, became aware of an unused turkey barn near the town of Binbrook, Ontario. After negotiations a deal was struck, on condition hat they could come to terms with four other individuals that were also inquiring about the facility. An agreement was reached and these eight people decided to share the barn, each individual paying a rental fee to the owner.

POWERHOUSE