Okay man, so here's the story...
Last week, I got a call from my friend asking me a favor. He was in the Jazz band (playing covers), and has signed contract to do small tour on some company events. They scheduled play in 4 cities, in private company parties. They have prepared for moth or so for this. Unfortunately, the keyboard player canceled his appearance due to his health condition in the last minutes. The band needed some help immediately. Their manager seems haven't got many experience dealing with this situation before. He is newbie. He didn't have much chance to take. Thank God, the drums player took initiative contacting me, and asks me to help their band thru the tour. Gee… I didn’t play Jazz that much. And the band consists of only four members (Drums, Bass, Guitar and keyboard) besides three singers. But there’s not much time left to think about it. I had only two hours to answer, yes or not that’s it. Well, I was in my two weeks holiday after exam in my campus, and I took off work for few weeks. I had arranged my working time to match my campus schedule, so I can have my holiday out of campus & office at the same time. And my boss seemed to understand this. He allowed me to pick my days off once in every six moths for two weeks. Here we go… Deal… I’m on the road again

I talked to my wife, and she’s okay with it. Within two hours, I called my other friend -(we were in the same band last year for some event playing Country)- in the last destination town, that I’ll be scheduled to be there in few days. He said hey, what a good news, he was scheduled to perform in TVRI (National Television) by the time I reach his town. And he asked me to join the party there. What a good news

That’s it ? No… My other friend who had not seen me for long time, knows about my trip. He called me to visit his home, help him build his DAW & home studio, and welcoming me to jam with his bluesy rock band. I don’t really understand how God work on this, but looks like I’m having really good holiday on several stages with different bands playing different music. I played keyboard in the first band playing jazz, sing and playing guitar in the second & third band. The only thing kills me is I have to pick many of my stuff on the road. I brought my –rather smaller- Korg X5D keyboard, O5R/W sound module, Prince HM-12 electric guitar, numbers of pedals, CD player, and small Phonic 1202 mixer. Bags heavily packed, and they let this skinny young man to carry them alone

. But that’s all okay

I had a good time anyway. The bus we have here is very nice, so I wouldn’t worry about “tour ache” during trip. The first band would have to let me go in the last destination city, to join my Country boy friend. Then I’ll leave them for the third band…

Each show has different story. I the first city, we have so many guest coming on stage and sing along with us. While the second show in other city was not that much fun. Too many formality. But they service us well. Third show is the worst. They didn’t even pay any attention to the band. The soundman came way too late, and we didn’t have time to do sound check. Looks like they don’t really understand what to go for a good show. No fancy banner & decoration, no fancy lighting. Not to mention the sound… it was bad. But in positive view, the audience really like our show. They wanted more and more as the night turning to dawn. We didn’t play jazz anymore, but some numbers from Rolling Stones & CCR

The singer may get rest, and some of our guests took the stage. We stay on stage to back ‘em up singing. The last show (That was today) is totally different. We’re really welcomed and they really pay attention to us. Some of them are very kind & friendly to take us city tour for an hour just before the show. It was pretty large hall, 1500 capacity. Although the acoustic of the room ain’t really good, but their soundmen seem can handle it well.
I was afraid to get bored during tour cause I won’t have any internet access. But then again my worry is gone as I heard they can arrange it for me if I like. So, I can be online in my spare time. Yippee… I’ll report more when I have time (yes. Probably with pics

)

Jaymz <-- reporting from the road
