This Minnesota cover band has played the Everett-McClay Bloomington VFW before. They have been expanding their music program to an impressive degree, and had lots of well-known bands grace their stage in the front bar area. But after a couple near fire code breaking attendances, it was suggested we try “the event center” in the back. In this place, they set up a custom stage, allowed us to hire our own sound engineer (cheers to RANDY O) and give it a go.
We started early on a Friday. Would people show up? Would they pay the $10 cover? Would it be a good experience for our fans and bandmates? The answer: a resounding YES. Tables were full by the time we started the first song, and the dance floor was packed with dancers all night.
We tried a new to us song, Journey’s “Faithfully” and we wondered why we waited so long to place this one in the setlist. Dozens of couples were dancing and fans even asked “will you please post a video” of the song, to which we gleefully obliged.
All ages danced and sang along until the last chord “… I’m going down for the last time” at the end of our Head East cover and we deemed the night… and the experiment, a success.
Great sound, great staging and atmosphere – and the willingness to try something new with a trusted venue representative were the right ingredients. In a business where just about anything can go wrong, it’s gratifying when it goes right.