A ticket to WONDERFUL!

The Steeple

Mobile is a city of great music and it is saturated with very talented musicians. We have local musical talent far beyond that in other places. It is time for the spotlight to shine on us.

We now have that SPOTLIGHT that we have deserved for so long. Our place in the sun is the new music venue, “The Steeple”. It was an old Methodist church, built in the 1800’s and recently purchased and renovated to become the most beautiful music venue in the south, if not the entire U.S.

I believe it is time for our musicians to receive the attention. The Steeple will draw the people to us like moths to the flame. With the combination of this fabulous new venue and helpful, music-supporting people like Lynn Oldshue, Jeff and Suzanne Zimmer, Ginna and Cliff Inge, Catt Sirten, Rick Hirsch and many more, we are going to see growth by leaps and bounds in our music world. I can see this city lifting up and the vision is exciting!

You can travel all across America and see musicians in every city. When you return to Mobile, your jaw will drop as you realize how talented our musicians are here. This is a treasure that we often take for granted. In our city we have tremendous diversity in music. There are rock bands, blues bands, country musicians, big bands, marching bands, singer-songwriters, celtic bands, pop bands, Americana and virtually every genre you might imagine. We have Mardi Gras here, baseball, college football, golf tournaments, a new Martime Museum, etc. and this year the cruise ship will return. Mobile is bubbling over with action and Mobile music is going to be lifted up where it belongs. 

It takes a village I hear. When it comes to the music industry, the road to success or even to recognition can be tough. More than just talent is needed. Our musicians do not want a hand-out, they need a hand up. They have what it takes to hit that ball and make a home-run. What they need is the opportunity to stand at the plate. 

I am so inspired after the show on Saturday night. It was the very first show at The Steeple on St Francis Street in Mobile, Alabama. The warmth and excitement of being there still clings to me like a warm sweater on a cool night. I can’t let go of the elation I felt just being inside those walls. The performances by Eric Erdman, The Mulligan Brothers and Shawn Mullins were more than great. Their voices and instruments permeated my heart and have held on to me since I heard them on Saturday. 

Magic will happen there again. Magic lives inside those walls. Perhaps it is the spirit of the slaves who first built the structure. Maybe it is the souls that were saved inside those walls all those years it was a Methodist Church. Perhaps it is the thankful spirits of those who were fed there and sheltered their after it was no longer a church. This is more than just a building. This structure holds love and kindness inside and it contains strength that will guarantee success.

Knowing the history of The Steeple helps me to understand that many many hearts were effected by this auditorium. Many lost and hungry people were given relief and comfort here. This new venue is now and will be lifted to a place of greatness for all to see. There has been so much tranquility bestowed on others here and so much love handed out inside these doors; it can’t help but be a place that will draw crowds. People will flock to The Steeple with anticipation and they will receive a spiritual uplifting there. Even if there was no sound, the vision of this place is unlike any music venue. In every direction there is enormous beauty. 

When you walk into The Steeple, your spirits will rise up before the first note of music is played. You will be so proud to be standing or sitting on this hallowed ground.

The Steeple will be known far and wide. It is the only music venue that holds the souls of so many people and so much love and kindness. If you see an event advertised for The Steeple, RUN to the nearest ticket office or pull it up online and grab yourself a ticket to wonderful!

Mobile Big Band Society- A MUST see!

I smiled as I turned the key and began backing out of my driveway towards what would be lots of fun. I was heading to Bernheim Hall (located in the downtown library on Government Street is this magnificent theater I only discovered this year!). If you are not familiar with it and you live in Mobile or near Mobile or are traveling to Mobile, make a point to check it out.

Catt Sirten, Rick Hirsch,and others, are creating something very special for Mobile. They are turning the spotlight on our musical talent for the world to see or at least for the rest of the state and the region to see. With hard work and lots of planning they were able to get a commitment from APT (Alabama Public TV) to air 13 episodes of “Live from Avalon”. This program showcases a different band or musician in each episode. The filming is almost half way through as they film live at  Bernheim Hall Theater the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. The shows will begin airing late this year (October or November). It’s not too late to come and be in the audience, at least two months of live shows are yet to be performed, so mark your calendars. The second and fourth Thursdays.

Now that I have explained it, let me tell you about my evening. I arrived and my son, Eric Erdman (who was already there helping get things set up) met me outside and made sure I got inside safely. We visited and talked to several people and I took my seat down front in the center row of seats. It was very cold in the theater that evening. As I wrapped my arms around myself to warm up, Eric came by and squatted down to talk. He said he would be sitting up in the balcony this time and asked if I would like to join him. My thought was, “heat rises” and of course I wanted to enjoy the show next to him; so up I jumped and off we went towards the winding  stairway to the balcony.

This night the show was Mobile Big Band Society. This is a group of about 17 men who are all proficient on their instruments and proud to be given the opportunity to share this talent. Led by Chip Herrington, they played one of the best live shows I have ever heard. Dressed in their white sport coats and black bow ties, they were there to impress; and impress they did.

After the preliminaries were out of the way, the music began. It was magical without a doubt. It was uplifting, spirit infusing music that made you want to move a little or sometimes move a lot depending on the song. I caught a glimpse of movement below and as I focused to see what it was I realized there were several couples who could not sit still and had taken places in the aisles to express themselves in dance. It was the old-time swing type dancing and it created happiness just watching them move.

Added to the beautiful music was two vocalist, one male and one female who graced the stage and sang a couple of songs each. This added fullness and feeling to their songs and took things to an even higher level.

You needed to be there to fully understand the magic of the sounds these guys made for our pleasure. One member was exceptional on the clarinet, one saxophone player from Pensacola performed a couple of solos and one in the back who played the bent trumpet of Dizzy Gillespie style blew us away. All were great, these were some of the highlighted moments. The keyboardist was from Chicago and there is none better and the upright bass and drummer knew exactly what to do and how to do it to make the overall sound perfect. And perfect, it was!

Chip Herrington was very impressive to me. I have known him for years as, in addition to being a huge part of The Mobile Big Band Society, he hops in and plays often at local shows. I have seen him at Chick Fest at Veet’s downtown and at Callaghan’s as well as other places where music was taking place.  This night was special to me as far as Chip Herrington is concerned. He impressed me with his trumpet, his guidance of the band and his overall showmanship that evening. It was clear that he was in his element. His love of music was oozing from every pore and he wore a grin the entire night. 

I was entertained, I was impressed, I was happy to be alive! What more could you ask of a band than to leave that kind of feeling to their audience? I say BRAVO to the Mobile Big Band Society and BRAVO to “Live From Avalon” and all those responsible for the show! 

What a wonderful way to clear our heads of the nonsense on the news….we need more of this!

It was great to see!

Today we will be at place called Anchor Bar & Grill. It is a wonderful place that is shaped like part of a boat that is partially over sand and partially over water. The most beautiful views surround this place in every direction as customers enjoy a meal on the huge covered deck.

We headed down the Baldwin Express Way to Orange Beach, Alabama, where this fundraiser was scheduled at Anchor Bar & Grill, from 2-6 pm. My son, Eric Erdman, was playing music for this event and the proceeds were earmarked to help the people in Arcadia, Louisiana. 

Louisiana has been ravished by flood waters. Many parishes in Louisiana have suffered tremendously due to the flooding. The waters have invaded their homes and destroyed everything. They are faced with starting over with nothing. Sleeping on cots in shelters, with no certainty of what to expect next is not the way these hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people expected to spend their days. They need a helping hand and that is not easy for them to say.

People from our area and the beach area arrived by cars, trucks, boats, floats, motorcycles, bicycles, walking and any other way they could find to get there. All of them wanted to lend a hand in any way they could.

We arrived an hour early and Eric set up his PA system, sound checked and visited with those who had volunteered and some guests who had arrived early. There was a silent auction inside and a couple of live auction items out on the deck. One of the live auction items was a large painting, created and donated by a wonderful local artist named Nick Cantrell. It was very large, very beautiful and colorful. This piece of art brought $800 in the auctioning process. But the most fascinating auction was a nice cooler (Yeungling). It brought $280 at auction. However, the person who was highest bidder, immediately offered it to be auctioned again (yet he would still pay the $280). Then it happened again and again. The cooler was bought 4 times before a person actually kept it. It was a NICE cooler, everyone wanted it but they wanted to give the money more than to purchase the cooler. When all was said and done the cooler brought about $1,000!

People were there to give not to receive. They wanted to make a difference and help someone else who was hurting…they did it with pride. It was the wonderful side of humanity that makes me proud to witness and makes me happy.

I sat in one of the chairs lined up next to the outer railing for half of the show. To me it would keep me out of the way and allow me to people-watch. There was quite a crowd and all were pleasant, excited and smiling. A long line formed for beer and other drinks and it took place right in front of where I was sitting. I did not want to stare at each person as they waited in line, so I kept my eyes downward. Oddly enough I had a great time as I checked out everyone’s feet. Almost everyone wore sandals (we were at the beach). I noticed some who had perfectly groomed feet and most ladies had polished toenails. One set of feet caught my attention at first. She had aqua green polish on 9 of her toes but the one next to her big toe on the right had no polish at all! I thought of a dozen scenarios that may have caused this. I thought of some reasonable explanations then I had some off the wall thoughts. Also, I saw several french pedicures with the white tips, they looked very nice. Then I saw some nappy looking, all jacked up feet and was surprised to see they were attached to a female. She was pretty; dressed in a beautiful shrimp colored top and white shorts but her feet were gnarly. It was a surprise, however, I was not judging at all. She might have the weight of the world on her shoulders and feet were the least of her concern. Yet she took time to come and help a worthy cause. One of my favorite displays of toes and toenails was one with every toenail a different color. I thought it was cool! I loved the shape of her feet and her toes too! Also she wore a toe ring on the left foot; toe next to the big toe. She had the feet I would love to have been born with; but SHE gets to walk around on them. I did observe that overall, men really don't care how pretty their feet look. I must have viewed 100 pair of feet in a matter of an hour or less and I found it fascinating! Feet can tell a story if you let them.

The five hours we spent there went by pretty fast and we were packing things up to go before I knew it. I was so proud of the hearts of people who wanted to help others. I was so proud to see their excitement in having this opportunity to help their fellow man. And I was so proud to have my, sometimes weary view of the world, elevated to a point where I could witness the desire of people to stand together and to cheerfully lift others in need. 

It was great to see!

It was in His Eyes!

It had been a whirlwind sort of week with my everyday responsibilities, my day out with mom, my projects I am working on personally and gigs with Eric. At this point I was ready for a change of pace. I looked forward to this show with great anticipation.

We arrived early enough we were able to take a few minutes to view the art displays after Eric set up his PA system. 

One room was filled with art created by those who are members of the Mobile ARC. The theme of this year’s program was “A Starry Night”. The first picture that caught our eyes was of a beautiful starry night. The variety of paintings was huge, consisting of everything from abstract to intricate detailed roses in a beautiful shade of blushing pink. Eric pointed to one that stood out for him; it was a musician with his instrument (I believe this picture was titled The Cello). Once we had examined these pictures we strolled into the next room that had a very long table (actually several tables end-to-end, making them appear as one). This table was covered with pieces of pottery and other works in tin. Each was unique. I loved a large piece that had a single bird painted in the center. By the time I got settled and remembered it, I learned it had already been sold. Most of the art was solely done by members of Mobile ARC, some were jointly done by members and a local artist.

Eric began the music at 6:00pm at Azalea Manor on Dauphin Street. People of all ages and all abilities danced to his music. One man in a wheelchair without the ability to move his arms or legs, was wheeled in circles and close up to the music in a rhythmic manner so that he could have the feel that he was dancing. I could not take my eyes off his eyes. It seemed his eyes were the only thing over which he maintained control. Those eyes danced with great joy and appreciation. In that moment a life that is immobile and deeply silenced by illness was lifted and his soul was soaring in the rafters. I nearly cried as I felt his happiness in my soul.

Many chose not to dance but to visit with one another, while listening and clapping. The food was delicious and the music was uplifting to those who were there. I watched as some would stand at their table or near the doors and begin to bounce to the music with huge smiles on their faces.

By the end of the night most of the art work was gone. It was purchased and taken to new homes to be enjoyed for years to come.

An observation I made as I visited with many there (some I have known for years, others I had never seen before)... I realized once again we are all ONE. We think different, we look different but our hearts are joined. 

Years ago I noticed the people I have been privileged to meet who have compromised physical and mental abilities are the ones who are consistently happy. They smile most of the time. Their faces light up the moment they catch your eye and they greet you with a hug or a handshake instantly. These hearts are pure. They have no hidden agenda. They want nothing from you but peaceful co-existence. If we could bottle that and have everyone drink it, oh what a wonderful world this could be! 

Thank you Mobile ARC and all those who worked hard last night to keep things going smoothly and for sharing the joy!

We hold the keys...

Hot is not a strong enough word to describe this day. Eric had two gigs scheduled on the Causeway, both on outside decks. We made our way through the Blue Gill and out to the outside deck at 11:15am, his show was noon until 4pm…it was the hottest part of the day! Soon I was feeling much like a melting candle and wondering if I would melt down to nothingness before it was over.

Though he was even more in the heat, dressed in all black, a shirt and a vest; surely hotter than any of us, he kept a close watch on me. His concern the whole time was making sure I was not overheating. Several times he looked my way and mouthed the words, “are you okay?” 

The unique experience we had here was when Eric said, “Uh Oh!” He had our full attention when he explained he had dropped his keys and they fell through the stage deck. They rested on the main decking underneath the stage; precariously perched next to a good sized gap on that deck. The slightest touch could potentially cause them to drop on into the water below. Some suggested get a broom to sweep them to a place within reach but that would have increased the chance of them landing in the murky water below. Eric was able to get a wire hanger from the manager, Jan. After some maneuvering, steady hands and lots of patience, he successfully pulled his keys back up through the crack. The day was saved..….actually it was the keys that were saved, but happiness was restored to us all.

Blue Gill has been good to us over the years. It is a mainstay in the schedule of lots of local solo musicians and bands as well. 

At 4 we hopped in the car and headed the short distance to the second and final gig of the day at Ed’s Seafood Shed on the other side of the Causeway. Initially I was filled with dread at the idea of 4 more hours outside on a deck. Yet I held out hope for a breeze that is often present on Ed’s deck. Even in the summer I carry a jacket to Ed’s because it gets cool after the sun goes down over the bay.

There was a perfect breeze gently blowing for the entire show at Ed’s. The sunset views were beautiful as well that evening.

At restaurant gigs the crowds come and go with some staying for the entire show but not all. Some have children with them, or other compelling goings on in their lives that require they leave early. At one point the whole deck was full and many were on the upper deck nearby. A big percentage of the audience that night were friends and fans. We had a combination of family, friends, friends of friends and strangers all joining in on the fun as we enjoyed seafood, good music and fellowship together.

Soon the show came to an end and we were headed west. Our bellies were full, our souls were satisfied and it was now time to rest. 

We left Eric’s house at 11:00am that morning and now it was close to 11:00pm as we pulled out of Ed’s parking lot. Another FULL day of adventure which included good food, great music and great people. How could a person ask for more?

I offer these lyrics from an Eagles song, "We live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key".

We  hold the keys... to our own happiness.