Playing In The Band

Two years ago today, I made my debut with Route 66 playing at the Piel Castle in Ulverston on August Bank Holiday Sunday. Well, two years further on, I’m still playing bass with Route 66, and tonight we’re back at the Piel Castle playing the same slot.
That first gig was really just intended to be a rare public appearance for the band, which had stopped playing when lockdown happened. But things sort of snowballed from there and we found ourselves with increasing numbers of bookings as everything opened up again after Covid. The fact that tonight is our fifth gig this month alone, tells you how things have changed in the last two years.
Back then, I’d had only a couple of rehearsals to get my head around twenty odd songs, and I spent most of my time on that first gig peering at my scribbled notes trying to work out what chord was being played. I’m pleased to say that is no longer the case, though I will admit to the odd glance if we’re doing a new number for the first (or second!) time. I’m not even the newest member in the band any more!
Obviously, the picture is from last night’s gig but I don’t think things will look any different tonight.