LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - The Four Headlamps made its international debut March 1, playing at open microphone night at Palapa Joe's restaurant & bar in downtown La Manzanilla.
Because of some technical difficulties, only two actual headlamp accessories were available, so the group went without their signature lights but did give a credible performance of the Rodney Carrington country classic, "I Think I'm Dancin' With A Man."
That was the only song in the set - largely because it was the only song the group actually had time to practice.
And practice consisted of three quick run-throughs (a half-hour before the performance) with Michael on the ukulele and Sanders on the guitar. Sylvia played a fine violin backup and Pat provided the beat with a Modelo Espeical beer can filled with uncooked black beans.
Yes, uncooked black beans.
Jane Gorby - the famous Rentalor of Santana Real Estate - gave the band a great introduction while Michael and Sanders drank Cuba Libres to loose their vocal chords.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
At last, at last - a reunion set for Tuesday in Mexico
MANZANILLO, Colima, Mexico - The Four Headlamps will be back together Tuesday when Pat & Sanders arrive on the 3:46 p.m. Alaska Airlines express to be picked up by Michael in the blue Troupey.
It's hoped that the Headlamps reunion will coincide with open mic night at Palapa Joe's. If not, the reunion (ok, first ever) performance of the group will have to wait until fall and Lube Room in the mountains.
For the past few days, Michael has been plinking on the ukulele - even cranking up his amplifier loud last night to try out the Jay & the Americans' hit, Cara Mia.
With enough volume on the amp, it's no so obvious that Michael does not have the range to carry that song off.
On the other hand, the Bryan Hyland hit from the 1960s - Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - most certainly is within vocal range. And given that it only has three chords (C, Bb & F) it's likely The Four Headlamps will be able to make it work.
But the big question is who will wear the bikini, so the audience has a visual?
Not Michael. He looks terrible in yellow.
Yellow polka-dot bikini
It's hoped that the Headlamps reunion will coincide with open mic night at Palapa Joe's. If not, the reunion (ok, first ever) performance of the group will have to wait until fall and Lube Room in the mountains.
For the past few days, Michael has been plinking on the ukulele - even cranking up his amplifier loud last night to try out the Jay & the Americans' hit, Cara Mia.
With enough volume on the amp, it's no so obvious that Michael does not have the range to carry that song off.
On the other hand, the Bryan Hyland hit from the 1960s - Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - most certainly is within vocal range. And given that it only has three chords (C, Bb & F) it's likely The Four Headlamps will be able to make it work.
But the big question is who will wear the bikini, so the audience has a visual?
Not Michael. He looks terrible in yellow.
Yellow polka-dot bikini
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Practice, Practice, Practice
Camp Connell, CA-- Getting ready for the debut public appearance of the Four Headlamps requires endless practice.
No matter where you are at the time.
No matter how much the walkway needs shoveling.
Here's proof that Sanders was working hard on his little Hecho en Mexico guitar, a souvenir of Zihuatenejo, even though important work needed his attention.
Since we expect a grand reunion in La Manzanilla on the shore of Tenacatita Bay by the end of the month, we're working semi-hard to learn a tune or two. At this point I think our debut probably should be at midnight on the beachfront under a full moon.
One song I hope we can bring together is a great old California tune by Woody Guthrie called Do Re Mi. It goes something like this:
California's a garden of Eden,
It's a paradise to live in or see,
But believe it or not,
You won't think it's so hot,
If you aint got the Do Re Mi.
No matter where you are at the time.
No matter how much the walkway needs shoveling.
Here's proof that Sanders was working hard on his little Hecho en Mexico guitar, a souvenir of Zihuatenejo, even though important work needed his attention.
Since we expect a grand reunion in La Manzanilla on the shore of Tenacatita Bay by the end of the month, we're working semi-hard to learn a tune or two. At this point I think our debut probably should be at midnight on the beachfront under a full moon.
One song I hope we can bring together is a great old California tune by Woody Guthrie called Do Re Mi. It goes something like this:
California's a garden of Eden,
It's a paradise to live in or see,
But believe it or not,
You won't think it's so hot,
If you aint got the Do Re Mi.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Four Headlamps reunion tour set for Feb-March 2008
LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - The Four Headlamps reunion tour has been tentatively set for late February and early March.
The fact that The Four Head Lamps have never actually played together in public - or seen each other in a few months - makes this a true, reunion.
Songs they are likely to sing include:
• On the road again
• The Mermaid
• Itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini
• Good Night Irene
And, of course, many others...
The ukelele is all tuned, as is the violin by chief violinist Adm. Sylvia Fox (RET.).
The fact that The Four Head Lamps have never actually played together in public - or seen each other in a few months - makes this a true, reunion.
Songs they are likely to sing include:
• On the road again
• The Mermaid
• Itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini
• Good Night Irene
And, of course, many others...
The ukelele is all tuned, as is the violin by chief violinist Adm. Sylvia Fox (RET.).
Friday, December 7, 2007
Publicity shots arrive from our photographer
MURPHYS, Calif., USA - The first set of photos taken by The Four Headlamps official photographer - Ruth Gray - arrived at our studio this evening.
They were taken last week during our practice session at Ruth and Brian house on the edge of the wilderness in the mountains.
Mariposa Ole!
The Four Headlamps
While we don't have our musical instruments in our hands for this shot, you can get the full headlamp effect.
Bright, isn't it?
We are working up a song list, bolstered by several ukulele books I purchased at a music store in downtown Murphys. So far, I think we can safely add Folsom Prison Blues, Crazy, and King of the Road.
Safely might be a slight exaggeration.
Jammin' with the Headlamps
Pat & Sylvia on break
They were taken last week during our practice session at Ruth and Brian house on the edge of the wilderness in the mountains.
Mariposa Ole!
The Four Headlamps
While we don't have our musical instruments in our hands for this shot, you can get the full headlamp effect.
Bright, isn't it?
We are working up a song list, bolstered by several ukulele books I purchased at a music store in downtown Murphys. So far, I think we can safely add Folsom Prison Blues, Crazy, and King of the Road.
Safely might be a slight exaggeration.
Jammin' with the Headlamps
Pat & Sylvia on break
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Four Headlamps launch a web page
MURPHYS, Calif., USA - Six months after sitting in a palapa in La Manzanilla, Jalisco, Mexico, the four members of the band The Four Headlamps gathered in Camp Connell and Murphys to go over some music and lay some plans for upcoming gigs.
We don't actually have any gigs, but we are having fun with the music.
Mariposa, ole! Mariposa, ole!
After a first jam session Friday night, we had another bit of fun Saturday, enlisting the aid of 10-year-old Delaney Gray on vocals.
She might have to replace Michael as lead singer. He's insisting, in fact. In fact, he's trying to back out of singing all together, and would prefer to simply bang away on his amplified, 8-string uke.
The name, The Four Headlamps, came from Scott Noble, formerly Chief Engineer on the sailing vessel Sabbatical.
We were all sitting in a palapa playing some music at sundown and borrowed Scotty's headlamp so we could see our music.
And, voila, the name of the band came forward.
Here's a quick video of some practice with Sanders and Michael and Delaney, followed by Pat and Sylvia getting ready for the first of our publicity shots, taken by band photographer, Ruth Gray.
We don't actually have any gigs, but we are having fun with the music.
Mariposa, ole! Mariposa, ole!
After a first jam session Friday night, we had another bit of fun Saturday, enlisting the aid of 10-year-old Delaney Gray on vocals.
She might have to replace Michael as lead singer. He's insisting, in fact. In fact, he's trying to back out of singing all together, and would prefer to simply bang away on his amplified, 8-string uke.
The name, The Four Headlamps, came from Scott Noble, formerly Chief Engineer on the sailing vessel Sabbatical.
We were all sitting in a palapa playing some music at sundown and borrowed Scotty's headlamp so we could see our music.
And, voila, the name of the band came forward.
Here's a quick video of some practice with Sanders and Michael and Delaney, followed by Pat and Sylvia getting ready for the first of our publicity shots, taken by band photographer, Ruth Gray.
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