Band Dynamics - NEVAH Sticking to the plan - is it working?

Hey there friends and fans of NEVAH, Maine's Bluegrass, Newgrass, Country - ish, PROGRASSABILLY Band … we're getting very close to show time for the "CABIN FEVAH RELIEVAH #2" AT THE NEXT GENERATION THEATRE in Brewer Maine on January 26th, a little more than two weeks away … and, so far everything we've been planning appears to be working.

NEVAH Maine Bluegrass Band
L to R: Dick, Hal, Phil, Larry, Richard, Ed

So far we picked the songs we're doing (it's a secret, I'll NEVAH tell), we recorded the NEW Tunes we are adding so we can practice them on our own. At last practice we were all asked, if we wanted, to try and arrange the 20 + songs on our list into two sets.

NEVAH Maine Bluegrass - Secret Songs and Set
(note words are blurred out on purpose - sorry)

Three of the NEVAH gang took the challenge, others either forgot, didn't have the time or the dog chewed up their list (how convenient). What was so surprising was that when we compared the three set lists they were almost identical, off only a couple of songs for each set. We chose the same openers and closers for the first and second sets and the middles were very similar.

NEVAH Maine's Bluegrass Band
Dick on Drums, Hal playin the Banjo (with Kavanjo Head), Phil on the Fender Bass

When we discussed this we realized it's difficult to create a show order, however, it appears the songs chosen (their titles) almost tell a linear story. Ooooooooooh!

Anyway, we went through the sets and I was shocked as to how smooth and fast the rehearsal went (not that we are rushing through the songs - we ain't). We have some more song "polishing" to do on a couple of numbers, for a wicked smooth show, but we are confident all will be ready.

NEVAH's Richard Silver on Mandolin

NEVAH's Larry LeBlanc on Guitar

NEVAH's Ed Russell on Sax

Next week we'll add final touches to each song, tightening, adjusting where needed and then we'll run everything from start to finish at least once during each rehearsal.

NEVAH Maine's Bluegrass Band Practicing for the
CABIN FEVAH RELIEVAH CONCERT
at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer, ME - January 26th

Next Blog - Final touches for the NEVAH Concert