Friday, January 21, 2022

 

                                                    Lil Rev @ Sam Ash in Clearwater, FL 

                                                       I'll See You In Citrus Blossom Time

                                                                  {Florida Blog Post #1}

For as many years as i can remember, i've been making a sojourn to Florida in the winter.

In the early days, there weren't many ukulele clubs to stop and teach at and there certainly

wasn't any covid to worry about. Tampa Bay Ukulele Society was the first club i visited way

back when, thanks in part to Steve Boisen and Jay Nunes warm welcome. I played shows

at the Tarpoon Springs Cultural Arts Center, Temples, Coffee Shops, Ty Olapai's Fort Lauderdale group

and a few retirement homes. The goal then as now, has been to escape from WI during the coldest,

darkest months and amp up our vitamin D levels, returning in the spring, as the robins 

began to sing. Over the years, we've made alot of close friends and even

have family living there now. 


Planning a tour in normal times is hard work. There's gigs to book, p.r. to stay on top of,

logistics and lodging, healthy food procurement {i'm dairy free and gluten free...can you say

pull over!}, plotting gas and mileage, route, hotels, lodging with friends, start times, arrival

times, merchandise packing, unpacking, selling, teaching material to send off, instruments

to manage, keeping track of everything you bring to a show. Protecting the family from the

vagaries and hazards of the road and weather....etc...etc. Anotherwards, its a lot of work!


Since we are in the midst of a pandemic, its a whole nother ballgame. Many of my peers

and some noteable pros are cancelling their tours, Adele just cancelled her Vegas residency!

We have been home for 2 years now. With every precaution in mind and each venue well

thought out we decided it was time to go. Nobody knows what the awaits us, but we feel

that we don't have the luxury of sitting our den any longer and must go out and be a part of

the world. For better or for worse! Do you know that line? We have great faith and we're

hoping for the best! Now excuse me while i go pack my luggage, stage all my gear by

front door and oh yeah! go vaccum and clean the mini-van out!


See You Soon

Lil Rev
www.lilrev.com

                                                                   Lil Rev @ Sam Ash in Clearwater, FL                                      ...