John Lennon Tribute Night (guest blog by Chris Hillman!)
Hi everyone, this is NOT Eric but Chris, the new(est) Morningbell drummer. I asked the band if I could write a blog about the John Lennon Tribute show we played at the 2nd St. Bakery last Saturday.
The reason I wanted to write it (other than the fact that Eric hadn't already written one within five minutes of getting home) is because this show was pretty damn special to me. Like many of you, I grew up listening (somewhat anachronistically) to the Beatles and I have always, ALWAYS wanted to play some live Beatles songs, but somehow none of the musicians I've worked with in the past were not too keen on the idea. So I put it on the back burner for a while.
Then I went to every Shitty Beatles show when Jake was on drums and it was a hell of an experience, to say the least. I used to bug Eric about joining the Shitty Beatles way before me joining Morningbell was a thought in anyone's head. I was sad when they retired the project, and obviously when I heard about the John Lennon tribute show, I was really excited. Rehearsing the songs with Travis and Collin and Eric was like finally being deemed responsible enough to take your dad's pride and joy '55 Chevy for a spin after years of listening to it rumbling in the garage.
On Saturday, the conditions were perfect: beautiful weather, a palpable electricity in the audience, and a sense of community that is often lacking in "scene" shows. The audience was there for the love of the music, and so was I.
I never get nervous before playing, but I did a little at this show. I don't think it was stage fright though, I believe it was unchanneled excitement, and by the time we had started, I was entirely caught up in the moment, which doesn't always happen.
So I achieved a long-time musical goal of mine this weekend. As you can tell, that show meant a lot to me, as I'm sure it meant a lot to others there too. I want to thank Morningbell and Collin and everyone else who played and especially everyone who came to listen. It was an unforgettable experience for me, and I hope everyone there walked away with a reminder of so much great music from long ago.
The reason I wanted to write it (other than the fact that Eric hadn't already written one within five minutes of getting home) is because this show was pretty damn special to me. Like many of you, I grew up listening (somewhat anachronistically) to the Beatles and I have always, ALWAYS wanted to play some live Beatles songs, but somehow none of the musicians I've worked with in the past were not too keen on the idea. So I put it on the back burner for a while.
Then I went to every Shitty Beatles show when Jake was on drums and it was a hell of an experience, to say the least. I used to bug Eric about joining the Shitty Beatles way before me joining Morningbell was a thought in anyone's head. I was sad when they retired the project, and obviously when I heard about the John Lennon tribute show, I was really excited. Rehearsing the songs with Travis and Collin and Eric was like finally being deemed responsible enough to take your dad's pride and joy '55 Chevy for a spin after years of listening to it rumbling in the garage.
On Saturday, the conditions were perfect: beautiful weather, a palpable electricity in the audience, and a sense of community that is often lacking in "scene" shows. The audience was there for the love of the music, and so was I.
I never get nervous before playing, but I did a little at this show. I don't think it was stage fright though, I believe it was unchanneled excitement, and by the time we had started, I was entirely caught up in the moment, which doesn't always happen.
So I achieved a long-time musical goal of mine this weekend. As you can tell, that show meant a lot to me, as I'm sure it meant a lot to others there too. I want to thank Morningbell and Collin and everyone else who played and especially everyone who came to listen. It was an unforgettable experience for me, and I hope everyone there walked away with a reminder of so much great music from long ago.
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Currently
listening
:
Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon By John Lennon Release date: 24 February, 1998 
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