First Concert of the Year is Over

Music Shack, concert, house concert, all our exes, gluten free
@JudyEv (342173)
Rockingham, Australia
January 17, 2016 4:32am CST
We had a great concert last night on our 'lawn'. It was very hot all day and the warmth continued on into the evening. People began arriving around 6.30pm with many having a picnic before the concert started at 7.30pm. There is always a few little hiccups. We had asked for the girls to arrive for a sound check at 4.30pm but it was nearly 6pm before they appeared. The group, All Our Exes Live in Texas, consists of four girls. One is vegetarian and one can't have gluten. Dietary restraints can sometimes put a bit of pressure on us but we had planned ahead and Had plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. Then, an hour before they arrived, we had an email from the agent to say the 'gluten' girl wouldn't be coming. It turned out later that we could have been notified off this fact a week before the concert. So we had gone to trouble and expense that wasn't necessary. And we now have lots of leftovers. We also didn't need to use our motor-home for accommodation which meant it could have gone in for repairs instead of us holding it back till after the concert. So this was a bit annoying but it didn't spoil the concert. We had many appreciative comments and thanks from those that attended. Our next concert will be a Dixieland jazz band in a month's time. We have sold over 80 tickets so are looking forward to a full house again. They have a person allergic to gluten (but he'll bring his own food) and vegetarian too so we'll be repeating some of the dishes we made for 'the girls'. They were lovely young ladies and we enjoyed having them stay overnight.
17 people like this
17 responses
@LadyDuck (472078)
• Switzerland
17 Jan 16
It's very annoying that you were not notified before about the gluten girl, lack of communication is never pleasant. I am glad that, put aside this little problem, everything was fine.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
We like to supply nice meals but felt a bit miffed that we weren't told about the fourth lass.
2 people like this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
17 Jan 16
@JudyEv , how very lackadaisical of the agent! I am glad that the concert was a success though.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
Thanks. We've only really started dealing with agents. They mostly find out about us somehow and tell us about bands that we might like. But she really needs to lift her game.
3 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
18 Jan 16
i was curious about where they would stay in your previous post, so i think staying in your motor home is cool. i'm glad the audience had a great experience. word of mouth helps a lot. why were they late for the sound check?
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Jan 16
@JudyEv can you do the sound check yourself, or does it have to be with the actual performers?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
Because there was only three we were able to fit them all in the house this time. As regards the sound check, I think sometimes the musos don't think it is as important as we think it is, although they'd be the first to complain if the sounds wasn't good. So basically they just didn't bother to arrive at the time we asked.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
@hereandthere Each singer needs to sing into the microphone then the knobs are adjusted to balance the voices to each other so that the strong voice doesn't drown out the others, etc. Vince hasn't had a lot of experience at this side so is possibly a bit slower than some but he (and they) like to have it correct. We're learning with each concert :)
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
17 Jan 16
Nothing ever seems to go as planned. At least the concert was nice.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
17 Jan 16
@JudyEv It's the effort that bothers me, and not calling. My daughter in law ate gluten free products, so I loaded up on them for her weekend visit. She didn't touch any of it, so guess who tried to eat it? Tasted like wallpaper glue, so into the trash it went. What a huge waste of money!!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
@DianneN This would be so annoying. I think if someone has gone to that trouble, at least you make the effort and eat some of it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
It wasn't that big a deal really but we did go to a lot of effort - and the gluten-free pastry and pasta isn't ever as nice as 'real' food and we'll be eating the leftovers. Maybe it's karma of some sort.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317238)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Jan 16
I'm glad it turned out great. Hiccups are expected, at least they weren't bad. I'm glad the day was good for it.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317238)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 Jan 16
@JudyEv What would you do if everything turned out perfect and went off without a hitch?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 16
@just4him I think I'd breathe a great big sigh of relief!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Jan 16
There will always be a few small things that could go better I guess.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
17 Jan 16
Sounds like it was a successful evening. If someone has specific dietary requirements, you would think they would either bring their own or keep you in the loop.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
We always ask if there is special dietary requirements and try to ensure we have suitable, tasty meals but you feel like you've wasted all that effort when they don't turn up and couldn't be bothered letting you know.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
17 Jan 16
That sounds like a nice evening was had by all. You should have been notified in advance that the girl wasn't going to be able to make the engagement.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
18 Jan 16
@JudyEv It was very inconsiderate.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
They knew about it long before they told us so it was a bit inconsiderate.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
@Marcyaz We thought so.
1 person likes this
@tammys85 (30132)
• Baltimore, Maryland
17 Jan 16
I'm sorry you weren't notified about the meals and motor home in advance, but I am glad people enjoyed the concert. It was the first concert of the year; there should hopefully be more communication next time around. :)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
I shouldn't complain really but it was very inconsiderate. Of course the agent apologised profusely but she is pretty slack.
@sofssu (23662)
18 Jan 16
Sounds like you did organize a great event.congrats. Yes prior notification could have helped avoid all the trouble. Hope the next one goes of well too.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
18 Jan 16
@JudyEv One less responsibility gives you more time to focus on the rest of the arrangements I guess.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
@sofssu That's true. One is gluten intolerant too but he brings his own food. We'll still have some things that are gluten free but the catering should be easier this time.
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
The next group are a dixieland jazz group and are bringing their own sound system so the sound will be their problem not ours.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Jan 16
All my Exes Live in Texas is one of my favorite George Strait songs, is that how they got their name?
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50524)
• United States
17 Jan 16
It sounds like fun.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
It was a great night thanks. Often the weather turns cold but it stayed lovely and warm.
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
17 Jan 16
It would have been nice, had they told you earlier that the "glutengirl" wasn't coming. Oh well at least you had a great turnout and are looking forward to next time.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
I shouldn't be complaining really but bad manners and inconsideration grate with me.
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
18 Jan 16
My goodness - how long where you guys traveling it seems a years worth of beautiful sights and photographs we have been viewing lately. ??
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
18 Jan 16
@JudyEv that is so awesome - with reference to your concert on the Lawn - I am trying so hard to get something similar organised in one of our parks - or even movie night in the park - work in progress
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
@Inlemay I hope you are able to do this. I'm sure it would be appreciated. Our council has three or four free movie nights over the summer too and there is always a good turnout for these.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 16
We were away five months. Left at the end of May and I'm up to early August with my 'discussions'. :)
1 person likes this
@tuttiharris (1338)
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
21 Jan 16
Sounds like an exciting life you are having. A concert on your own lawn, how neat is that. I would love to have been there. Seems you really know how to plan a good kind of entertainment. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 16
It's nice to see all the people relaxing and enjoying the music. We have some who rarely miss a concert whoever we have performing.
@glenniah (1197)
• Mandurah, Australia
17 Jan 16
Glad the concert went well and you had positive comments, despite some of the hiccups
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
Thanks. There were many other things that could have gone badly wrong so all is good. :)
@Juliaacv (51392)
• Canada
17 Jan 16
Its too bad that you were not notified that one of the band members wouldn't be coming, it would have saved you from preparing so much food. I hope that the clean up is easy and quick for you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
We have to take the sound system back to the shop tomorrow and that is about it. We were pleased it went so well.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
17 Jan 16
That was very inconsiderate of that agent not to inform you, but I'm glad that it all went well.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342173)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 16
This agent has been a bit slack once or twice before. It's not a big issue but it was annoying.
1 person likes this