Sometimes, a Minnesota cover band gets that once in a lifetime chance – opening for a touring national act. HAIRBALL is a Minnesota-grown national cover band complete with costume changes, 3 rotating singers, a massive drum riser and pyrotechnics. When we had the opportunity to open for them (brokered through the venue by a friend) and of course we jumped at the chance. Canterbury Park is a horse racing track and event center, complete with a giant grandstand that seated about 2500. The show was sold out. The weather was perfect. We were ready. Probably TOO ready. We showed up very early just to make sure we didn’t miss an instruction. After setting up our equipment off to the side, we watched as the Hairball crew loaded and sound checked. Finally, it was our turn. We had to make everything FAST. We were only the opener, but wanted to impress. When the time came to perform, we were onstage ready at promptly 7:30.
So many people there – and surprisingly, so many familiar Sugar Buzz faces. The 45 minutes flew by. People cheered, sang along. “Hello up there!” Beth called out to those in the balconies. We didn’t want to leave a person unappreciated. Mark Walentiny shot photos up front . The crowd chanted during “heartbreaker” and for those 45 minutes, that Hairball concert felt like a SUGAR BUZZ show complete with a sea of red Sugar Buzz attire, even if only for a moment. We made new fans, new friends and heard “I’ve never heard of these guys before but they were awesome!” Thank you, thank you, thank you.
