Big Weekends, Past and Future

One of the perks in being in this band is that when one of our children get married, you have a built-in band for the reception. Ten years ago, JF played Mary and John's wedding, and they're still married so we must have been good. Last Saturday Just Friends' founder and leader, Vince Patti, was the father of the groom. Nino is a hairstylist whose celebrity clients include the female vocalist of Just Friends, Joreen Kelly. Autumn Patti (nee Miles) is a chef and caterer who teaches in the culinary department at HACC, which was the location of the wedding reception. You can guess where this is going, can't you?

If I told you in detail what made that meal one of the best I've ever had, this post would be too long. The staff at HACC really stepped up and created a dining experience to rival any country club or banquet facility we've played, and we've played a lot.

John Wilson is still recovering from knee surgery, so Craig Rankin stepped up again and held down the beat. The "first dances" or what we call the obligatos were a trio of sweet ballads: Unforgettable, with Joreen and I doing the Natalie/Nat Cole thing and Vince playing a nice third part on the sax; Just The Way You Look Tonight, a nice song with a nasty bridge that we finally got right; and Blessed, a minor hit for Elton John with a pretty melody and some unique changes. Learning and performing songs like that is what sets our band apart from the rest. Every challenge just sharpens our skills and broadens our repertoire. Sorry to brag a little, but when a musician of the caliber of Dave Kelly tells us he could have sat and listened to us for hours just doing cocktail music, we must have something here.

There's more to talk about, but I have to get to work. I'll tell you about the crazy weekend coming up after I get back from the hearings today.