Off to a rousing start! We found the beginning of highway 1 and went to the Dana Point Harbor to get our feet wet playing in the Pacific Ocean, sure glad we were unplugged. Hey, we've only started and it seems like 'On the Edge' has become 'over the edge'!



Then, of course we had the ceremonial surrendering of personal cash, one more explanation of the rules: we live on the first hundred and what we earn by impromptu gigs, any pre-set gigs funds go to the program, no exceptions! If we got to starve, sleep in the truck, or walk, that's the blues! After all the protestations and denying strange--but creative--loopholes that were argued at length (had me thinking it was LawyerMasters), I pulled out the road stake, this time supplied by our great friends and supporters Bob & Lisa. Some of us are a little more comfortable with the whole idea, the new recruits are gonna have to work into it. Five mouths to feed and gas prices going through the roof ought to make it a whole lot more challenging, so it means a lot more playing, I'm way down for that!



Headed north to Laguna, had a date with about a hundred little kids, a JazzMasters Workshop site at the Boys & Girls Club in Laguna Beach. It's been going for about three years, headed by Luther Hughes. We showed up and it turns out it was 'cowboy' day, what are the chances of that happenin? So, we set up in the gym and played for all the kids, not only the ones who play in the workshop. Of course, after a good set with plenty of encouragment and some tunes I explained what we were doing and why. They were just like all the adults we meet: 'you guys are crazy'

 

Naturally, in the spririt of JazzMasters we got some up to play, Denise rode the drums with a little help from Mikey:


and Ebag gave a bass clinic:


 

all in all, you can't ask for a better audience, the future of our music!!



We played an evening concert at Aliso Creek Resort, what a beautiful place, our stage was the first tee, perched high above the golf course, the backdrop a lushly palm and scrub populated desert beach cliffside, the creek meandering slowly back into the canyon as deer munched quietly on the dewy grass, not at all bothered by Cow Bop's syncopated gait.


Monique worked the crowd and let us concentrate on playing, telling our story and hangin with the great people who came out to hear us. The resort is putting us up, man, I hope the new guys don't get too used to this we are gonna be roughing it before they know it. Oh well, enjoy it while it lasts, eh? Ended the evening with a jam in the bar until they closed it down. Can't wait to hear what tomorrow brings. See you down the trail. Got a big day ahead, chow...

Quote of the Day: "Cow Bop, where great old tunes go to die" (you had to have been there I guess)