OKC 5/8 (Page 1 of 2)

Yesterday mornings torrential rains subsided by noon. Just in time for load in and sound check. Oklahoma City came out for a chance to see Joe up close and personal. We sold the appearance out four weeks ago and had to turn many away.

The Road House has only been operated as a live music venue since last September but has had many high profile acts such as Tommy Castro, Johnny A, Robben Ford, Bx3, Indigenous, and Walter Trout. But none with Joe's power and intensity.

What started out as a jam with Joe for the many musicians that admire Joe and might just get a chance to step on stage evolved into an opportunity for Joe to get a little stage time for the new line up. As the promoter of the May 12th date I only wanted to give the audience a tease of the full Joe B onslaught. With a jam to follow.

To start the evening we had the three local house bands do a short set to entertain Joe a bit with Steve Coleman doing a bluesy Happy Birthday song. The Road House bands showcased their talents and were received  very well.

Well the Road House helped decide the set for Joe last night. At the end of Burning Hell with the new line up smoking towards the finale the fuse box decided to explode. I don't mean a breaker tripping. I mean one phase of the disconet box fried. Part of the room still had power. After an attempt was made to bridge the fuse Joe came up with the idea to go acoustic for the last three songs of the set. Power cords were run to the front of house system, candles were placed on the tables and after a 30 minute break Joe was up and running.

He started the acoustic with High Water which was pretty much what was experianced across the state that mornign and finished up with woke up dreaming. Which was pretty much what I wished I had just done.

The set started with
Bridge, then Blue Deluxe, Mountain Time, Burnin Hell. Intermission... High Water, You Upset Me, Woke Up.

The crowd was enthusiastic and understanding feeling like they had witnessed something truly special. The only dissapointment I know of is with the many local musicians that were there to participate in the jam that was to follow.

You only turn 30 once and it is a milestone I have always felt. It was a pleasure to share that moment with Joe.

I am looking forward for the full meal deal come Saturday. Just like Mickey Mantles Steakhouse in OKC the appetizer is so good you don't see how the entree' could be any better. But it was, and so will the main course at Stage Center on the 12th.

The event last night was amazing.  I was able to get some great photos and will upload them later today.

Jim don't forget they played Walk in my Shadows before Blues Deluxe...

As far as the power going out, you can probably guess that many people felt like the night was over.  Some left, but most stayed beacuse the "electricity" inside (or the overall feeling of the crowd) was intense.  We had just seen Joe, Bogy, Carmine, and Rick shred 4 straight songs like they had been playing together for 15 years!  I have seen Joe live 6 times and he was at the top of his game last night.

The impromptue acoustic set was vintage Joe.  He treated it somewhat like an MTV Unplugged and we got a few stories about BB King and how he influnced Joe.  Very cool...

At the end of the evening, most of the band hung out after the show and were very approachable and willing to talk to the fans.

Thanks to Joe and the band as well as Jim Moody for a night to remember.

-Brad "ulitmate" Jackson

Nice update Jim.  Sounds like a great time by all, even with the electrical problem.  Hope the show on the 12th goes well.....

Thanks for sharing, Jim and Joe.  I just stopped in to see what the scoop was on last night.  Crappy things like storms and floods and power outages, and then things turning out to be cool anyway, always makes the night even more special.  Glad to hear the show went on.   Hope it was a 30th to remember.  You may feel old, but as many have said, life is only beginning. (Or is that just how we make ourselves feel better)  If we could only have the wisdom of 40 in our 20 yr. old bodies! 

Finally got some of that rain our way, and everything is lovely shades of green.  Take care and rock on!

Thanks Jim M!  You are the best!  Wish I'd made it there.  Deezer, I'll correct you (kindly though)...Joe is stellar and if his buddy Jim M gets involved, it's doubly stellar!!
What a pity to miss OK City! Hakuna Matada on the snafu.... you know que sara, sara...sorry I wasn't there to assist in getting power back,  I'da done anything I could to keep the electricity flowing, including being the electrical conductor myself!

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”

It was good to see Joe, but I was rather disappointed with the venue. I have been to some small clubs in my day, but this was the smallest and the hottest. The A/C was almost non-existant and we were sweating within minutes of sitting down. Okay, maybe it's my age (late 40's) but my husband was hot too. The place was full of power-drinking obnoxious drunks which really ruins a good show. The guy behind us was so loud we could not enjoy Joe. Thankfully, he was escorted out during the electrical problem, only to be replaced by 2 drunk girls behind us during the acoustic set. And of course the drunk in front of us that would not sit down. His chair was wet from sitting his bucket of beers in it, so my husband switched it with a dry one and he still refused to sit, too drunk to realize he was blocking us from seeing the show. What an a**! I have a hard time putting up with loud drunk people, my problem I suppose, but they can really ruin a good time. But I have been to J&J's in Ft Worth, Deep Ellum Blues and some other clubs around here and cannot remember having to deal with loud obnoxious drunks. Only in Oklahoma.
Jim, we love ya, but Route 66 was not for us.....sorry. I know you promote several shows there, but I would not attend anything else there. I think I'll just stick with going to shows closer to home.
Cion

I'm sorry for all of you. It's tough because you wait sooo looong to have "your" turn to see Joe. As for obnoxious drunks, it's a shame the security guerillas weren't busy removing them. I guess we can only hope it's a live and learn kind of thing and management will cross that venue off their list. HOB is holding a series of Britney Spears concerts, YIKES, so where is the blues in that???!!!

Jim and Joe's posts reflect my Amarillo professional guitarist friend's and my great experience.  Just like the February Robben Ford show, people were friendly and accommodating.  I heard when Joe saw our early line outside, he asked them to open the door.  The service was excellent.  Security was cool.  Life is how people handle the unexpected.  I have been seated next to obnoxious drunks at the Cotton Bowl Crossroads Guitar Festival, and at Joe's New Year's Lubbock show.  Looking back, what I enjoyed the most was the relaxed and personal celebration of and by a great gentleman artist, even in candlelight.  The birthday party continues at the world-class Amarillo Globe-News Center tomorrow May 11 at 8 p.m., also including an appearance at Hastings on Georgia at 1 p.m.