Is Mark Joining the Mariachis?
It had to happen sooner or later. At a recent Los Gatos wedding, Silver member Mark Elson was asked to lead the 9-piece Mariachi band in a soulful rendition of “Sabor a Mi”. Word was apparently out that huerito Mariachi Marky could really belt it, although his belt was decidedly smaller than the rest of the band’s. For the record, Mark was asked to join them permanently but he had to politely decline: “Sorry boys, but I’m already in a great band.”
When Snappy Patter Doesn't Flatter - Chris Clifford
Ladies and Gentlemen, here's Sneak
Every once in a while, you get a gig that goes sideways...and sometimes it's your own damn fault!!
Back in the day, maybe the late '70's, I had a working cover group called SNEAK that would do just about any gig to stay working and playing. We did corporate events, bar and nightclub gigs, festivals, dances and...weddings.
One wedding we played was a big Mormon event. We played the obligatory dinner music...lounge, smooth jazz and ballads. Then it came time for the various "special" dances: the Father/Daughter dance, the Mother/Son dance, etc. The evening was steaming along just fine and all went well until it was time for the bouquet toss and the garter grab.
Yours truly made the announcements at the mic and I cued the drummer for a drumroll. As the dramatic moment approached, the bride and groom came to the center of the dance floor, and the bride sat in a chair. The drum roll commenced, and as the groom knelt down in front of the bride, I boldly blasted through the PA system: "And now, ladies and gentlemen, comes the time for the groom to look up the bride’s dress! Ta da!"
The drummer ended the roll and gave me a "ba dum bum, crash"...and you could have heard a pin drop.
The entire room turned to me in shocked horror and stunned silence at my comment. An old man from one of the families approached the stage and motioned me over to the edge to tell me, "Cut the patter and stick to the music, son".
It was then that I learned the kind of snappy patter that doesn't flatter.