 Well, I have to say that the gig this past Saturday evening at Pinckney Hall in Bluffton, South Carolina turned out a lot different than we thought it was going to. The event was for a Del Webb retirement community and it was their first Parrot Head Function. Being a 55 and older retirement community I don’t think we were expecting the kind of party and reception that we received. Much to our surprise, the entire event was sold out and the hall and attendants were decorated to the hilt. With party attitudes to match! They stayed all night, danced pretty much nonstop and had one of the best conga lines I have ever seen. It was a fantastic evening and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. The band looked and sounded wonderful and we were all very happy with the gig. I want to send out special thanks to Vance Kelly and Kathy Mullen for help with the BEAUTIFUL new backdrops that came in just in time for the gig this weekend. Absolutely stunning! You two really made it shine. Also thanks to Vance for getting us a trailer, and for Wayne and Eric in helping with rehearsals and sets while I have been absent for the past few weeks. The extra effort everyone has put forth is paying off and it is greatly appreciated, by me and the audience. Nothing can be finer than to be in Carolina…..with cheeseburgers.
Let’s get tropical! Jeff Hello Friends and Phans, Well, we played our first show of the season on March 21 and I want to share my enthusiasm with you. The event took place at Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia where we were part of the Founders Day Celebration and annual fundraiser for their scholarship fund. Their goal for the evening was $25,000.00. We are pleased to say that they reached it before our performance was even over. Everyone at the College enjoyed the concert so much that they had one of the longest conga lines in A1A history! This first show of the year was very important to the band for many reasons, and I would like to share them with you.  First, it marked the first show with our new guitarist Chris Blackwell. Chris is one of Atlanta’s finest guitar players and we all knew what a blessing it was for us when he joined the band. He blew everyone away on this first gig and brought a different feel to our show that we have never had. In one word – Wow! I am also extremely pleased to have Vance Kelly back with the band. Vance has worn many hats in A1A over the years and it is just not the same when he is on hiatus. Looking back onstage to see him behind the keyboards and blowing the saxophone again had me smiling all night. Having two keyboard players in the band has always been something I knew would add something very special to our sound. Guess what? I was right. It was also long awaited treat to welcome back Chad Stewart and Stewart Productions into the A1A Family. The quality, work ethic, professionalism and state of the art audio and lighting production that Chad and Stewart Productions bring to A1A is unprecedented. What he brings to A1A is of the highest quality. Quite frankly, he is the best of the best and the sky is the limit when he is involved. Working alongside Chad Stewart this year is Mark Joseph. Mark runs his audio and light production company, MJ Sound Solutions. We were unsure at first how two companies would work together but it is turning out to be perfect. Mark brings a friendly and professional attitude to the band that makes us all feel like family. It is going to be a joy to have him on board.  Last but not least I want to thank our new business manager, Kathy Mullen. Kathy came on board this year to help run the band and move us upward and onward to the next level. Her willingness, strength and passion to continuously go the extra mile has been a key factor in us being able to turn a lot of things around so quickly in 2015. Starting our year out with a great success.
I am humble and thankful for all of the multi-talented people that I am blessed to share the stage with. I am very proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to having you hear this amazing band, once again giving you the best Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show that money can buy. Let’s Get Tropical! Jeff Pike |
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