mofrofans1
Admin
3108 posts
Jan 19, 2010
8:40 AM
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I heard from JJ this morning and he firmed up the band line-up for the May tour. For those of y'all that aren't aware, JJ is opening for George Thorogood during his Canadian tour from May 12 thru May 30.
On the mofro.net tour map the header still says "JJ Grey" for these dates but JJ said here's the official lineup:
AC on drums
Andrew on bass
Anthony on keys
JJ on harp, guitar and maybe keys
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Sunshine
1848 posts
Jan 19, 2010
8:50 AM
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would be nice to see JJ play the keys again. I wonder if there will be any tapers way up thar...
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"If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
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mofrofans1
Admin
3109 posts
Jan 19, 2010
8:58 AM
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Ahhhhhhhh I can hear them wheels to turning. Keys? KEYS?? Is JJ going to start playing keys again???
Well. At a moment on Jamcruise where I had just enuf liquid courage built up and where I spected he was "in a happy place" I asked him.
I should preface his answer with this: JJ doesn't like to commit to such things in the long run. He doesn't say he's gonna do something by such and such date or a schedule or anything. But he's very clear as to why--and I know I can't write this with the tone or conviction, much less the exact verbiage that he used but I'll do my best: he has to feel it. When it feels right then he'll do it.
"Feels right" is the sum of many parts for JJ. It has to do with all of us out here and all of us at shows, the guys in band at the time, how he (and the other guys) are positioned on stage, and a number of short term and long terms goals. I ain't got a clue about those but I imagine they're thrown into the mix. Most of all I think "feels right" is a feeling known to JJ that those of us who love his music are lucky he has.
Last Edited by on Jan 19, 2010 9:00 AM
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mofrofans1
Admin
3110 posts
Jan 19, 2010
9:08 AM
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Some of my memory continues to return in small doses.
I realized I didn't really reveal his answer above. His answer was that he might return to playing keys a little this year. I asked him how he was gonna do that, considering that Anthony is using his keyboards and he said that he (JJ) is building a new one. (Kick me in my ass y'all but I didn't ask him for any details on that.)
I did ask him if he missed the Hammond B3 sound and the Leslie speaker and he said he did. I asked him for further comment on the rotating speaker and he pointed out that they do have a rotating speaker it's just not a traditional type like the old Leslie. I think he said something about also building a new speaker but FireFly was shouting in alien to the left of me and antsyashley shouting in southern drawl to the right of me and my trophy wife shouting in gibberish in front of me I couldn't clearly make out what he said.
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Sunshine
1850 posts
Jan 19, 2010
9:51 AM
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....clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right - here I am stuck in the middle again.....sorry I could not help myself, lol!
Yes, from what I have read, witnessed, and heard, JJ lets things happen - not forcing them - allowing them to fall into place, and I think it definately works for him.
I understand that way of thinking and I love my "go with the flow" attitude even if it drives my kin crazy, lol!!.
:o)
keep those memeories coming Mr. D!!!
:o)
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"If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
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mofrofans1
Admin
3111 posts
Jan 19, 2010
10:10 AM
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Huh? What memories??
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Sunshine
1851 posts
Jan 19, 2010
10:17 AM
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damn it man! your sliping again, come back to us Clay, focus FOCUS!!
:o)
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"If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
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skotdee
463 posts
Jan 19, 2010
10:59 AM
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I spoke with him briefly at the Freebird about the keys as well... He said something along the lines of having the keyboard on stage gets in the way and switching between guitar and keys interrupts the flow of the show. He also mentioned the advantage of focusing on one instrument and really letting his guitar playing shine through. All that said he did clarify he hadn't so much "quit" playing keys, that he loves playing them, and would like to find a way to work them back in...
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kcarmony
59 posts
Jan 19, 2010
2:09 PM
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Jokers, aliens and keyboards aside... is Daryl not in the lineup for Canada?
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Richard
203 posts
Jan 19, 2010
4:16 PM
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Man, I'm gonna miss Art,Dennis and Daryl, can't we take a collection, have a bake sale, garage sale(that would make my wife happy...getting rid of my valuables...shit), hell I'll even give blood, plasma, or whatever else .....start working the strip up on Aurora Ave..(old hiway 99) if need be. How many pounds would I have to sell by May, or should I dig up some old family recipes for moonshine, get a paper route, canvas bag, and metal cart to pull behind my Schwinn StingRay...I better get buisy. I hate to think that the other guys are being left behind, and certainly hope that there is no bad blood over this stuff. The horns are a big part of what I enjoy, and their mix and style together is nothing short of COOL !
Hey, as far as any tapers...., I've never done anything like that before, but if I could, and not get in a heat of trouble, would someone out there want to tell me what I might be looking at as far as getting it done or atleast looking into it for the show in May at the Snoqualmie Casino? Let me know. Hell again, and if any of you are making your way out west, and might need a place to stay, let me know about that too, cause we might be able to set you up.
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mofrofans1
Admin
3116 posts
Jan 19, 2010
5:28 PM
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Richard...I imagine you'll hear back from skotdee or estanley or antsyashley or fnovoa or johndude or any number of tapers on the board. They can tell you what you need to get started. I'd also suggest that you open a new thread on the Tapers forum with some sort of title like "How do I get started taping?"
kcarmony, no Daryl's not in the Canada lineup, sorry.
I feel your pain Richard. The addition of the horns really solidified the sound and indeed was a great change to the lineup. But you could look at it this way: you're going to see the original musical lineup of Mofro. The horns came in early 2007. The original band pre-Adam had a bassist, a guitarist, a drummer, and JJ doing harp, keys and guitar (acoustic and electric.) So you're getting to see something none of us will get to see!
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Sunshine
1855 posts
Jan 19, 2010
5:35 PM
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I would take seeing Our Boy(s) any way I could get em. I think with out the horns (yes they would be sorely missed) but you would get a more simplified version and different versions of the songs we love to hear. I think it will be a show to remember, just because not many show are with out the horns and Daryl, proving them to be a more unique experience for you to share!!!
:o)
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"If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
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mofrofans1
Admin
3117 posts
Jan 19, 2010
5:48 PM
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I talked to JJ on the cruise about this subject and Richard I'm sure he will appreciate the offer. I can't speak for him but I'm guessing that he'd want you to keep your blood, drink the moonshine and keep off the Stingray at your age. As for working on the strip, again I can't speak for him, but if it were me I'd say you better ask your wife first. She may want a cut.
He said that at first they (he and his booking people) turned the gig down. He told me that it killed him to do that. But the booking people for George Thorogood said they only had a set amount of money they could pay and JJ told me that they would actually lose money if they took it.
As a general rule, side members of a band get paid a set amount per gig (plus a per diem). Now JJ didn't tell me this next part but I know it to be true: there have times when a gig pays only enuf to pay the other guys and he gets nothing OR not even enuf to pay them all and he has to dig in his pocket. I also know that not all band leaders do that (sorry guys, we'll just have to all divvy up what's there.)
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mofrofans1
Admin
3118 posts
Jan 19, 2010
6:09 PM
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I second that Sunny. (Although, as usual, your optimism is blinding. Someone please get me my sunglasses.)
(My memory started to fade and I had to stop my post above because I forgot where I was and why I was here. Damn brain cells lost somewhere in the Carribean Sea.)
JJ told me that he re-approached Thorogood's peoples and asked them about a smaller version of the band. They liked the idea, worked out the details and BOOM, Bob's your uncle.
He said that things are REALLY tough out there right now. Gigs are fewer and far between and in a lot of cases not paying what they were in the past. He can't afford to come outta pocket, as much as he would like to so the whole group could go.
He told me that actually by taking 4 guys he still won't make any money but from a business standpoint that it's a good trade-off cause they've just started to build a little audience in Canada and want to keep the momentum going. And they're going to get some great exposure from Thorogood's audience. And by having a full 4-member band the Mofro sound will be there for all the newbies hearing them for the first time.
Last Edited by on Jan 19, 2010 6:10 PM
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FireFly
1041 posts
Jan 19, 2010
6:35 PM
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see now clay, you should had us ask him your questions, cause a woman never forgets what a man says, especially if its jj talking to ya..
I would have remembered every word
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"Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
-Nietzsche
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Sunshine
1858 posts
Jan 19, 2010
7:14 PM
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Firefly - my gawd, I LOVE your outlook!!!!
Mr. D - hell, I love you any whoo......
Iff'n the boys need a hot meal, a shower, or a place to crash if and when they do the Peel..........
:o)
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"If you've never seen us before, don't be bashful - sing along from start to finish........and dance & feel good.....there's enough shit in the world, let it all out...........Brighter Daaaaays...."
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mofrofans1
Admin
3122 posts
Jan 19, 2010
7:41 PM
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Hell FF you had had more to drink at that point than me!
To complete the answer to Richard's question, nah there ain't no bad blood. They've all been doing this a long time and understand the business side of it all. JJ said they all understand that it's nothing personal.
Daryl's got his side band underway and may even put out a CD this year. (When AC's on the road with someone else then Daryl has another great drummer.)
Art can pick up a gigs sitting in somewhere in Memphis. He is very well known there in band circles; or he could pick up a short touring gig. If you google him, he shows up on a LOT of people's records. He's got a great reputation as a studio musician.
Dennis has connections up the Eastern Seaboard from Jax Beach where he lives to Charlotte where he has family, to Baltimore where he's from originally. Same as Art, he's got the chops and reputation to pick up gigs.
I talked to a couple of the guys about it and they said there's a good brethren amongst them all. Ain't none of them want to go nowhere. I imagine if somebody came along and offered a lot more money to go out on tour they'd have to give a hard look at it. But I think it's safe to say they'll all be back when the fest season kicks off this summer.
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FireFly
1048 posts
Jan 19, 2010
7:56 PM
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...I still remember what he said..., well is more kinda 'showermaterial" anyways, yours is more like "business stuff"
what were those drinks called again ? caipirinias? some delicious shit
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"Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
-Nietzsche
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David
25 posts
Jan 24, 2010
7:12 PM
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Hey guys,
I'll be at 2 of those dates, I'll see if I can get some taping going. Anyone else here going? Don't tell me I'll there all by myself (might make a cool show though).
David
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lilbowwow
37 posts
Feb 01, 2010
6:27 AM
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Just noticed the Canada run w/ George Thurgood & The Destroyers doesn't show up on tour map anymore..... not sure what up wit dat.
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Delerious Tyme
644 posts
Feb 01, 2010
6:36 AM
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Yeah, I noticed that too, but it still has the Snoqualmie one up there? Not a good sign and if anyone would have some insight, I would hope you would bowwow? Guess we will have to wait and see. Clay, you have any info on this???
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Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona
The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here.
"Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
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mofrofans1
Admin
3198 posts
Feb 01, 2010
8:10 AM
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It was news to me until Antsy sent me an email early this morning. I'm trying to find out what's up. Hang loose...
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lilbowwow
38 posts
Feb 01, 2010
9:30 AM
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I emailed management, i'll let you know soon as I hear too.
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mofrofans1
Admin
3200 posts
Feb 01, 2010
9:48 AM
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I just heard back bowwow. Just a web server problem...should be fixed in a few. No worries y'all!
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swkelley
634 posts
Feb 01, 2010
10:15 AM
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I would love to see a slimmed down version of the band (like back in the day). I miss the RAW sound that hooked me on this band!
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any groove is reason to move
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lilbowwow
39 posts
Feb 01, 2010
12:06 PM
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just got the word back too. that's good news.
swkelley, does that mean you want the whole band on the P90X Insanity Plan, to be prepared for a topless team photo in april?? ;)
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swkelley
635 posts
Feb 01, 2010
12:26 PM
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lilbowwow....I'll leave the topless band photos for the gals on this site, thank you! I just miss that old sound.
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any groove is reason to move
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lilbowwow
40 posts
Feb 02, 2010
7:16 AM
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of course! i know what ya meant. sorry about that swkelley, didn't mean no disrespect. probably a bad timed attempt at a joke, my bad.
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