I suppose some people might think that I'm a bit opportunistic. That I'm trying to use the storm to get publicity for my band, but I guess I'd prefer to think of it as being hopeful, making the best of the situation, and hoping that something good might come from all of the tragedy and heartbreak that has come our way lately.
When putting together promotional materials, musicians are always asked "What's your story? Why am I interested in your band?". Of course, I'd like to think that the obvious answer would be because of the music, but sometimes, that doesn't seem to be enough. Newspapers and magazines generally want to have some kind of angle , something different to write their stories about.
When Heather and I lost our house and all of our belongings, not to mention our gigs in New Orleans, I thought, after being upset for a while, "At Last!!! Now THIS is a STORY!!!" I mean, loss, tragedy, the storm of the century, and our music. Now this would be an angle.
So, in the days after the storm, I started sending out promotional packages. For one thing, I was trying to get us more gigs... for another thing, I was trying to give myself something to do, and keep my mind off of the storm.
However, I found that we were in an unusual situation. Since we've rarely played in Waveland and Bay St. Louis, people around here don't consider us a "local" band, and since we don't live in the city limits of New Orleans, we're not considered a "New Orleans" band. It doesn't seem to make a difference that we've been playing in New Orleans every week for the past three years. We're sort of a band between two cities.
We have had several new opportunities arise since the storm, such as being invited up to Atlanta to play with our friends, Atlanta band 700 SOUTH, for a Red Cross benefit where we helped raise $10,000 for the recovery effort. We've also been invited by a friend of ours to perform at his new venue in Natchez MS. (He was a New Orleans club owner who isn't returning, but instead decided to "bloom where planted.")
True, I'm still waiting for Garrison Keillor to call, and it would be nice to get a spot on "Oprah", but in the meantime, I'm proud to be appearing at the New Orleans venues that have had us back, to be helping folks by performing at their weddings, and trying to get people to give our music a listen however I can.
A timeline for reconnecting
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I know you guys ROCK, everyone else deserves the opportunity to hear how good you guys are too.
Book 'em you won't be diappointed.
Brooke Thorington, Montgomery, AL (Sent Dec 21, 2005 5:00:27 PM)
Found a muddy Fez CD in the front yard of Mark and DeNeice's house today as we were showing Allison's sister and boyfriend around town. Cleaned it up and gave it to them. They'll take it back to Los Angeles with them, play it for all their friends, and make you famous. Too bad that band is broken up.
Miss the old neighborhood, especially the old neighbors. Have a good holiday.
John Anderson (Sent Dec 24, 2005 6:15:30 PM)
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