ccbenefit_1_27_08

"By the Musicians - For the Musicians"
Clubhouse Concerts Sound System, etc. Benefit
January 27, 2008

As everyone knows by now, the Clubhouse Concerts Series lost our sponsor in November of last year. We've been getting by, but we're running out of funds so we decided to have a benefit for ourselves to purchase a sound system for the shows, plus make a little extra money to help pay for hotel rooms, sound engineer etc.
As soon as the word got out to the Texas Music community, musicians started volunteering to play at the benefit. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love shown for us by both the musicians and the fans that come out to the shows.

On the evening before the show, Emily, Rachel & Joni - with the help of volunteers, Len, Suzy & Trent, set up tables, chairs &, everything necessary for the silent auction, etc.
We were up bright and early the next morning getting ready for the crowd.
Thanks to David Glass for putting his life in danger by changing the light bulbs in the hallway for us!

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Question: How many volunteers does it take to change a light bulb???

Fans started arriving around 1pm. The music started right on time (2pm) and amazingly - we stayed on schedule the entire day!!

Mike Mancy was "Master of Ceremonies". He did a great job!!
He kept the show moving during the set changes by calling out raffle ticket numbers and keeping the crowd in line :)

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He brought several homemade signs, which he held up whenever necessary!

Up first were
Brison Bursey from Hunstville
&
Greg Reichel from
Dallas (via Oklahoma)

Next up were Ben Danaher from Austin & Bobby Duncan from Arlington:

During Ben & Bobby's set, the folks from "Jimmy John's Sandwich Shop" delivered the first two trays of delicious sub sandwiches. They donated the sandwiches for the benefit - a total of SIX trays in all!
Be sure to go by and tell them how delicious they were!

(They are located on the corner of University/7th Street/Bailey in the Cultural District of Ft. Worth - AND they deliver!).

Steve Borchert, from hi-iq video, video taped the entire benefit.
CLICK HERE to check out the videos.

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Here is a shot of the show from behind the video lens.

Originally, the next set included Matt Martindale from Amarillo,
Houston Marchman from Austin & Rodney Hayden.
Houston's mother is in the hospital, so Houston elected to stay close to home over the weekend and Rodney had something come up at the last minute, so Weatherford's Kenny Uptain stepped in and played an amazing set with Matt.

Susan Gibson & Matt recently went on the Larry Joe Taylor's Texas Music Cruise together.
Susan got up and sang a song with Matt that they wrote together while cruisin'.
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Charlie Shafter also got up and did a song with Matt.

Next up were Josh Grider (affectionately called "No Show Grider" at the Clubhouse)
and Jason Eady - both from Austin.

During their set, Jason told the audience that he had all of the equipment and merchandise stolen from his trailer earlier in the week.
We passed a collection jar around for Jason and both fans and musicians dug deep into their pockets to help him out.
Thanks to everyone!

photo by Dave Hensley

Brad Hines does a Sunday set outside in The Love Shack, but as soon as his set was over, he high-tailed it upstairs and played a set for us.
Thanks Brad - we know that made for a long day of playing - but it was truly appreciated.

Brad was instrumental in the early decision making process of holding a benefit for "ourselves". Thanks for suggesting it!!

photo by Dave Hensley

While we were waiting for blacktop GYPSY's guitar player (who was stuck in Stockyards traffic!)
Mike Mancy got up and did a song. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture in time.

The folks from blacktop GYPSY put on a fantastic set.

After BTG's set, Mike Mancy made an announcement that the silent auction would close immediately after the next set. Fans hurried to make last minute bids. They also filled their plates with pizza from Giovanni's Pizza. There was definitely not a lack of food all day!

Next up were Susan Gibson, Sam Baker & Walt Wilkins - all from Austin.
Surprise musician, Deryl Dodd joined them for an amazing set.

We were so excited when Phil Pritchett and Matt Powell walked into the room! It means alot to us to have these musicians show up "unannounced" to support what we do.
Due to the tight time schedule, they could only do one song apiece.
Thanks Phil & Matt for being there for us!

During Phil & Matt's short set, everyone that "won" on the silent auction bids went to claim their prizes!
Thanks to everyone that donated items! It was a big success!

The final set of the night was the PERFECT two guys!
On January 18, 2002, Max Stalling was the musician at our VERY FIRST Clubhouse show at the apartment complex. Owen Temple followed Max, by being the second musician a few weeks later.
As we celebrate six wonderful years of Clubhouse shows, we knew we wanted to finish out this special night with both Max & Owen.

photo by Dave Hensley

A candid shot "backstage".
Since the show, I have heard from several of the musicians that played and they all mentioned how much they enjoyed getting to listen to and visit with their fellow singer-songwriters.

Many thanks to the fans who know how to
SIT DOWN, SHUT UP & LISTEN!!!

Thanks to Jeff Coker for taking so many great pictures!!

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I have so many people I would like to thank...
Thanks to the talented musicians that have graced our stage - not just tonight - but for the past 6 years.
The Texas Music community is a big family and we (the Clubhouse Girls) are honored to be a part of it.

Thanks to Jason Tighe and the staff at The White Elephant. You have given us the perfect home for our shows and we are grateful. Thanks to Traci Tighe for her many hours of support.

Thanks to David Glass ( and his wife Jenny) for providing first class sound. We (and the musicians) thank you!

Thanks to Steve Borchert for showcasing our Clubhouse Series on your video website for the entire world to enjoy.

Thank you to the volunteers that spent MANY hours on their feet, hauling tables, chairs, merchandise, food - anything that was asked of them - it couldn't have been done without their help!
( Len Monger, Suzy Blakewell, Paula Cawthon, Jennifer Lopez, Trent & Robin)

And lastly, thank you to Emily Robinson & Rachel Allene Smith
(THE Clubhouse Girls).
You are the glue that holds the Clubhouse shows together.
I am indebted to you guys forever and I love you!

Enjoy your one Sunday off next week and I'll see you on Feb. 10th!!
~joni~

The sixth set of the afternoon was the Shake Russell Trio.
It was actually their second set of the day, as they also did a set downstairs in the saloon before coming up to play at the benefit.