Route One Music Conference

Dates: May 31--June 2, 1996

Ok--I've had a lot of people ask me about our trip to the Route One Music Conference in Richmond, VA. So I've decided to write up a quick description, in hopes of avoiding having to tell the same stories 30 times. (Cuz, believe me, I will!)

In fact, I've decided to start keeping an on-line tour journal to describe our important gigs--for those of you who are too distant, too old, or too married 2 go out forsome late nite music action.

The music conference gathered bands, record industry types, and radio people from the mid-Atlantic and Eastern states in hopes of building a more focused music community. Bands showcased Friday and Saturday nites; the conference lasted all day Saturday.

Driving up was an experience--I was tugging a huge U-Haul trailer at 70 mph up I-95. My poor car was drinking gas. Meanwhile, Brian Mohrman (the drummer to end all drummers) was cruising up in style in his new Cougar. How fair is that? We arrived in time 2 check in by 6:00 pm. After a quick sprawl on the floor of the Marriott 2 fix our guitars (of course we were asked 2 move downstairs since we were too freaky lookin' to join the wedding reception going on upstairs), we headed out to check out the Carey Street Cafe.

All of the bands were arriving about the same time. To everyone's disbelief, the club had no stage and not enough room for a three-piece band--much less our 4 piece. (We, of course, had 2 4X12 cabinets, a 4X10 bass rig, a 7 piece drum kit and a floor-full of effects.)

After debating 4 about and hour about how we were gonna get all of our stuff in the club, Jermaine, Rob, and I decided just 2 wait and see what the other bands were gonna do. "Yeah--let's let them figure it out!" (That's one of the definite advantages of headlining!)

Since Richmond's Modern Rock station, the BUZZ, was sponsoring the performances at the club that nite, the place stayed PACKED.

We went on about 1:30 am and played a 30 minute set. We played until the cops came 2 shut us down. Despite the crowded conditions and the late nite, we put on a really good show. Rob played bass all nite on top of some kind of speaker or bench; Brian was locked into his drum set. He sat down, and the sound guys just set it up around him. (Good thing he didn't have 2 pee!) Jermaine and I did our best not to behead each other with our guitars. The crowd seemed 2 get into our stuff--especially our funkier tunes like All Over U. I had several people buy cds and/or speak to me afterwards.

In fact, I met some friends (Hey Betsy, Cory, and Ken) I hadn't seen in about 6 years. Saturday nite, we all took advantage of our ALL ACCESS passes and did the club-hopping thing. Richmond has a really cool music scene. We definitely want to play there again.

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This show's motto:

Are they REAL???