Funk Brothers Tour Diary 2005

9-23-05

Working on getting the site up and running lately. The band seems to think this is cool so we are off to the races. Our next dates are corporate functions in Atlanta October 1st and in Boston on November 5th. There is also a benefit happening in Dearborn Michigan on November 2nd that I'm pretty sure the public can attend. I'll try to post info as soon as it becomes available. Peace All, Mark

10-3-05

Back from the show in Atlanta, We had a great trip. One of these days I'll get to posting stuff while we are actually out, but for now post event posts will have to do.

Ok, here's the latest......... The band had a Photo Shoot with Rick Diamond on Friday Sept. 30th in Mableton,GA.. I hadn't heard of Rick, but when We arrived at his studio and I saw this guys work I couldn't believe it. Rick has a fantastic portfolio with Ex-Presidents, (Jimmy Carter) and just about every rock star known to Man and Woman! Anyone with Todd Rundgren Photos from the original utopia band is A-1 in my book anyway.

He really got some great shots of the Brothers and of the entire group. We saw some of them on his mac in the office during and after the shoot. Eddie insisted that Fred and I get into some shots too. Bless you Eddie, You're the best! When I get some of the shots they will be posted.

Onto the Show, We performed for the Ranstadt temporary service 45th anniversary party at the Georgia World Congress center. The show was an hour long and the band was tight. The event was filmed for posterity and if it comes out ok I might be able to post a short clip from it. I'll know in about a week.

NEWEST SHOW INFO...... The Funk Brothers will be performing in on November 4th in New London, Connecticut at the Garde Theatre on State Street. As I lived in New London for 20 years this will be a special show for me. I'm sure the band will catch that excitement as this will be our first theatre show in the states since we all started working together last May. More info as it becomes available.

10-25-05

Today is your hosts birthday! I am getting OLD. Here's the latest scoop on the upcoming shows. Dearborn Michigan is not open to the public. Sorry folks.

But, the other two shows are! November 4th is at the Garde Theatre in New London, CT.

The show in Boston is a Benefit for the Dimock Community Health Center. Their event is called steppin' out 2005 and it is a black tie gala with other greats such as Ramsey Lewis and T.S. Monk. Admission to this event isn't cheap but the cause is good.

11-1-05

Funk in Detroit, or at least in Dearborn! I arrived today and set up the PA system for our gig tomorow evening. The Flash Geezer band is opening the show, so this should be a lot of fun. I will try to let you all know how it was before I drive to New London. No promises though, it's a long drive.......................

11-3-05 10:57 pm New London, CT

I made it back from Detroit in record time. My PA company provided the sound system for the gig in Dearborn last night and although The Hyatt is a beatiful place the Hubbard Ballroom is one of the worst sounding places I've ever mixed a show. Despite the poor room acoustics the band put on a terrific show and they received a tremendous ovation at the end of the night. I almost thought they might play just one more song after Shotgun. The event was wonderful and I got to meet many of Treaty's co-workers. Treaty was on fire all night long! Just a great gig. I left at 3:30 am today and arrive here in New London about an hour ago. Tomorrow the FB's hit the stage at the Garde Theatre. I will see many old faces. Looking forward to it!

11-04-05 New London, CT 1:06 am

11-9-05

Back home from the last run. New London was such a gas! I saw many people that I hadn't seen in years. The band really dug the energy that the audience was putting out and put on what I feel was the strongest show that I have worked. Babbitt introduced me to the audience for the first time and since I lived in NL for 20 years it was a special moment! After a quick load out I drove to Boston for the Steppin' Out show. The guys from Scullers Jazz Club were involved in putting this show on and the production values were good. "The Chief" Robert Parish #0 of the Celtics dynasty years was in attendance during the first set!

The band was really strong on this run so if you are anywhere near a show make sure you attend, You'll be glad you did.

Next Shows on the calendar are in Orlando, Florida @ Universal City. The band is performing on New Years Eve and from what I am told this is going to be going out on Comcast Cable as a Pay Per View. Special Guests Gloria Gaynor and Styx. Don't ask me what Styx is doing on the bill but it should be interesting. After New Years the band at the University of Florida in Gainsville. January 21st, 2006. There could also be a few more shows around the New Years show......Details to follow..........

11-16-05 12:47 pm

I have been informed that the Show in Orlando is actually a STYX date with the Funk Brothers as their guests. Location is at the Universal city walk, Universal city. Orlando, Fl.

NEWEST DATE: December 28th BB Kings Times Square NYC -Two shows TIckets are on Sale Now.

The show the band played there in August was a real good one so make plans to attend this show.

12-22-05

Happy Holidays everyone!

We are gearing up for the New Years leg, The two shows mentioned above are the only ones we are playing. HOWEVER....... The New Yeas Eve show will be a comcast broadcast. There is a webcast and a tv broadcast. Visit this web page for further info. http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/news98.html

Here is an excerpt from the page:

The special will feature some of the most popular musical acts spanning the past five decades, including, multi-platinum artist STYX, the original Motown band The Funk Brothers and legendary diva Gloria Gaynor. STYX will electrify the stage performing international hit songs “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” and “Too Much Time On My Hands.” The Funk Brothers will make timeless classics center stage with their world-renowned performances of Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through The Grapevine” to The Supremes’ “Stop in the Name of Love.” Songstress Gloria Gaynor will get CN8 viewers dancing at home performing her #1 GRAMMY winning hit “I Will Survive,” that continues to pack dance floors.

The broadcast may also be viewed live, online at www.cn8.tv. “CN8 Presents: Celebrate ‘06” will then be available on Comcast Digital Cable’s “ON DEMAND” service in the Philadelphia and Boston DMAs for 14 days following the live broadcast. The program will be stored in the “Get Local” folder under “New Year’s Special.”

I hope you can make the shows in person and if you do, please say hello. I'd love to meet some of the fans reading this stuff.

I'll be the guy setting all the gear up and running sound!

12-29-05 2:15 AM

The band played BB Kings in Times Square tonight. What a great couple of sets. This is a top notch club and we had an even better time tonight than we did the first time we played the club back during the summer. The crowds were very respectful and the band really played off of that. We are all looking forward to the new years extravaganza down in Florida. Sun Here We Come!

12-31-05 1:05 AM

We flew down to Orlando on Thursday and on Friday we setup our gear and did a rehearsal for the Saturday night performance. The band is tight right now! This is going to be a hot show. If you've got the ability to watch this on cable or the internet by all means do so. The Funk Brothers are playing 3 segments, two of which will feature the band backing Gloria Gaynor. Today we heard Gloria sing with the band, she's still a strong performer! The funks are onstage at 8:15 eastern time, 10:20 and again after midnight @ 12:30 AM

Catch it if you can!!!

Happy New Year folks!