It was yesterday, while standing on the stage at Rockford College, IL..that I decided it.. I had to share a little of what was going on with you!
Rockford College, Student enrollment 800- was one of the warmest places I've been...response wise. I found members of the football team willing to come on the road with me as body guards, fans who bought cds despite the questionable sound and a host who was willing to drive 5 hours roundtrip to pick me up and return me to the airport.
The moment of truth for me came when upon pulling up to the venue, a small coffeehouse in the quad called the Lion's Den..I read the sign, written on a sheet, which said in large day glow green...
"Randi Driscoll and Free Quizno's ...Today at noon!"
Well at least I got top billing!
A few weeks ago Noah and I started out on our college tour. It's been more fun and more enlightening than I could have ever dreamed.
Starting in Cleveland, Ohio in March, the weather when we landed, a whopping 2 degrees!!! Yuck. With 7 inches of snow on the ground, Noah and I ..with ALL of our gear packed into a Ford Taurus...started our tour..
Our first show at Mansfield College was in a computer lab...on a stage with Astro Turf..(seriously, you just can't make this stuff up) We met some of the nicest people..and our new fan Andy, who would follow us to another Ohio school!
The calendar for that day in the lab read...Randi Driscoll and Bake Sale!
These students were fantastic...and incredibly kind..And the turn out was pretty ok, considering it was the middle of the day.
That night- on to our second school...an evening performance in a recital hall of another school ...!!!Wonderful response..nice sound..we really had a great time.
The next day we drove a few hours to Marietta..a tiny school with some wonderful folks...another beautiful venue..another beautiful tuned Steinway..and all was right in OHIO!
Our show included songs from "The Play", a few covers, and a new song we like to call..."Don't you dare get up and go to the restroom, if you are sitting in the front row"!!!!!
Heather, an unknowing guinea pig and inspiration for my latest masterpiece which includes the poignant lyrics... "How's the bathroom Heather..?"- was greeted to a taste of our improvisational skills.....Being a great sport when we told her, we missed her..she replied.. " I miss Noah.."....as she hugged her boyfriend and batted her eyes!
We're still not really sure what that was about...but let's just say we've made some friends in Ohio.
That night after the show we stopped at a local pub to get the flavor of the town. A couple came up to us and bought us a round a drinks, only to tell us they were at our evening show...sitting in the back.. "You know the one's not singing when you asked us to!!" Anyway.....they loved our show! That was our first spotting in Springfield..hopefully not the last...! We're rock stars.....
"Question? Tell me what you think about that. "
( that was a mandatory dance break!)
Road Signs:
What we thought we saw- Quaker Steak and Lube
What we ACTUALLY saw- Quaker Steak and Lube.
What we thought we saw- Tim Horton's
What we ACTUALLY Saw- Bob Evans
After a brief stint at the Holiday Inn, where the lovely woman who brought me my breakfast actually uttered this phrase -"So, you from Californy?.. Ain't that where all them movie stars is at....?"..."Well yes", I replied.....( it is, I guess.....)
Our tour took us from Ohio..to Il...and left us wondering what's with that state that just got in the way. Meanwhile...Noah is convinced Idaho, is simply in the wrong place... He's quite sure it should be located further east..No worries, I'm sure half country already thinks it is....
Airports..we love AIRPORTS..! WE love security lines and airports!!!!! ( alright, just checking....)
I need to pause to remind you that we were greeted by some of the coolest people we've ever met at every school in every city.
Also, some of the strangest.....
Our next show was in the basement of a dorm. This show was a lesson in sound. I'd like to share my new motto. Any sound is good sound! ( we can't be too picky!) Even, when it's a portable four channel Fender system...that someone's borrowing from a college band that played the hall a week before...and accidentally stole the GOOD sound equip....heck!!!, that's still good sound!
The night included, Goldfish and M&M's in Dixie cups, folding chairs, Christmas lights...and probably one of the most enthusiastic crowds to date... ! Kind, accommodating..and fun.
DRIVING- we love driving, we love driving 7 hours in the mid west! ( ok, you're still with me...) Did I mention the Columbus Bypass-? It's actually a freeway that runs north, south, east and west...go ahead..just think about it.."Well son, you get on 270 going north, unless you're going west... "which will turn in to south??? whatever~
Friday - Elmhurst College. Another great show..thanks to the girls at the soundboard.. And the GOT SPIRIT girls!! We spent the weekend in Chicago. WE love that city. We love it even though a walk to the corner in the wind, cold and ice..left me feeling like Dorothy Hammil on a bad practice day. I have the wrong shoes... (No kidding, Right? I ALWAYS have the wrong shoes...I'm just not very sporty.)
Ok so with no gigs in Chicago..we crashed the Hotel Lounge at the House of Blues, drank some wine..and took over the piano.
No kidding. Noah sat on my piano bench and held my mic...( oh no you DI"NT!) yes he did. I played a few songs-- the crowd loved us..and the manager invited us back for a gig anytime we're in Chicago. A little liquid courage does me good.
We had another show at another college -Millikin. Also a nice crowd...and the University of Akron the next day..80 folks piled into a small meeting room with a stage...Great folks , great gig.. AND- Probably one of my favorite quotes to date. " You were really great! I'm not even pissed anymore you made me miss the Real World!"
Noah and I did a show at Wooster College on our second trip out to the mid-west.
Will Burton, a local singer/ songwriter opened..!
He was great..we had a blast _ We loved this school and we loved this crowd.
"Sorry about the date"..to Matt our driver..( was it Matt??) He was salty- and scorned by love..
Um, the next night we played the University of Quincy. Big crowd...nice folks.
Note: *All of our gigs seem to end with Noah and I begging the hotel bartender, in any given city, to keep the kitchen open long enough to make us Caesar Salad and Potato Skins...! Our post gig meal and wine has become a ritual*
This last leg...I was solo. Randi- her 50 lb piano, her 25 lb gear bag, her (2) 15 lb carry-on's and a Starbucks.. Yikes.
The first show was in Grand Rapids, MI. They lost my bag...They ripped my bag...The hotel courtesy shuttle left without me...
I called them...they came back.......
*When it rains it pours...,when it leaks the roof falls down upon my head....." They comped me two drink coupons,..( Sorry Noah, I drank yours too! )
The Show-They had a really nice venue and a wonderful planning board..who even took a cover that night to give as a donation to the Matthew Shepard Foundation! Nobody knew how to run the sound board..the very old sound board. But that is now just par for the course.~ ( I actually called Noah to ask for a little tech support....) I sold 9 cds. There were 13 people in the audience ...total. Seriously. But it was still a really good time...and next time we'll do a bit more press!
The next day I flew to Chicago. Mike from Rockford College picked me up. ( thanks MIKE!) ( I finally got my bag.) We drove a few hours to the school - We pulled up outside of the Venue, the Lion's Den..and I was greeted by the " Randi Driscoll and Free Quiznos,Today-! "sign I've made it!
Hmm, this show had the best and worst..best audience worst sound. Nobody's fault really, ...just some trouble with the gear...
Go figure? The speakers were blown..I spent 30 minutes talking to the audience while every single member of the student body came on stage to wiggle cables and turn knobs. People continued doing this throughout my set...After this went on with backround noise of terrible squealing and crackling -I noticed I was selling cds like crazy...HMM, It brings me back to New Orleans Pride..where I didn't utter a note and we sold a ton of cds..I guess they figured...if you can't get it live,...buy a cd. In any case..the crowd was fantastic..and they sang with me..and laughed..and I sold most of my cds. : ) ( Which is good, because my bag is busted!!!!)
How about a Quiznos endorsement.
Last night I landed in Springfield MO. (the "Show me State" )? I played a show this morning at Drury College... A great show! I was brought out as part of the Diversity Programming Semester...I met some great people..and sold out of the remainder of my cds. Happy Day!
I arrived at the airport. Checked in , went to my gate. Only to find out my flight was cancelled. ( must return to ticket counter...)
You see it's just that I'm so damn efficient at that Security Check Point...I wanted to do it twice and beat my time!
I was re routed to Dallas! ( ? )
So here I am on a plane from Dallas to LA, with the fleeting hopes that my gear is with me.
The shows have been incredible. I keep meeting these random people who know my music from their friends, or heard us on Dawson's Creek, or saw the Laramie Project performed at some theatre where they what matters........or got a copy of " what matters"from a friend...or, or ....or!!! It's all very strange..and very random. ...and all very good. So that's all for now!
I wanted to share it with you.
That's what's goin on in Randi-land..
Hey, it's not Noah's diary..but it's all true....
R
top