"Can...can...can....you...you...you....hear...hear...hear....me...me...me...me?????

 I went to a stand up comedy event held at the SAP Center in San Jose, California recently.  There was an immediate problem with the show that persisted for over an hour.  The various performers using a handheld microphone were unintelligible to the audience due to an uncommon amount of slapback echo.  Now, I know there should be rehearsal time and the setting of audio levels and testing that take place well before the public fills their seats.  Maybe this happened.  Maybe it didn't.  Another possible reason for the bad audio was that the SAP Center audio crew was filling in for the usual stand up tour's audio team.  I think I heard that excuse but I am not sure because the audio was all a difficult to understand wash of noise.

This is a VideoGPT video loosely based on that event.  lol.

CHEAP TRICK LIVE IN CALIFORNIA 2015

I have beat this drum before.  Cheap Trick is fantastic power pop band who have created many great songs over the years and were just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (finally!).  Still, after 40 years of existence, a ferocious live act.  Their connection to experimental musical instruments include, of course, bassist Tom Peterson's on stage preference for the 12 string bass guitar.  A guitar design he created.  No denying the power and volume of that bass!  And then there is Rick Nielsen and his five neck guitar.  Pretty unique axe.  How much does that thing actually weigh?  Here they are performing in San Jose, California in 2015.  Cheap Trick, keep bringing the noise!

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM IN CONCERT 2014

Lindsey Buckingham in action during Fleetwood Mac's recent tour stop in San Jose, California in 2014.  Interesting selection of guitars!

Fleetwood Mac at the SAP Center in San Jose, California November 25, 2014

Fleetwood Mac performed in concert at the SAP Center in San Jose, California during their 2014 tour.  Here is drummer Mick Fleetwood giving his thanks to the crowd at the end of the show.  Mick has been with Mac for the duration of their existence as a band and shows no signs of slowing down.  He is a rock solid, amazingly fluid, drummer.  The band put on a very electric, entertaining show.

San Jose Chamber Orchestra, "A Night In Venice" Fundraiser, January 19, 2014

The San Jose Chamber Orchestra held a fundraiser on January 19, 2014.  The event was themed "A Night In Venice".  Merriment ensued with accordions and a string quartet serenading the attendees.  Dinner and auction followed.

Wireless Mic Mania At CMT!

This is the wireless microphone table at the Montgomery Theater in San Jose.  The Children's Musical Theater (CMT) was taking the stage with performances of "The Music Man" in July 2013.  Performers with lines would come to this table to be outfitted with a wireless microphone.  That's a lot of mics!