Fife's Top Quality Singer

Friday 16th March 2012 - Laurel Bank Hotel, Markinch

A not bad night in the Laurel Bank, but again I was set up on the floor to the side of the raised area.  I had a few ripples of applause from the table on the raised bit, but otherwise not a lot of response.  I wonder if some people thought it was the jukebox?

Anyway, it's good honest work and we get a "no bad" wage for it, so I shouldn't grumble...lol

Friday 9th December 2011 - The Laurel Bank Hotel, Markinch

This hotel is lovely, and the staff couldn't be friendlier.  I was surprised and pleased to see Debbie, previously from the Crusoe in Lower Largo, who is now the Assistant Manager here.  Sean, the manager, is really nice too, and the team all work really hard to make sure the place runs smoothly and everyone has a good time.

Unfortunately tonight I had no choice but to set up to the side of the usual stage area - the hotel has a good reputation for its meals, and the tables up top were all full up.  So Al set us up to the best of his ability, and we left the bass bin in the car.  We brought the equipment in around 9.50, and left it to warm up a bit before powering everything up - at this time of year that's quite important, as condensation and/or ice are not good for your speakers.

My three sets flew in, and I had a really good time in my last set doing some classic rock - my favourite!

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Friday 30th September 2011 - The Laurel Bank Hotel, Markinch

This was my first time at the Laurel Bank, and I had no idea what to expect, other than a few singer friends letting me know about the set up area.  Thanks guys.

We arrived stupidly early, as is always the case for a new venue (this allows time to scope the set up area and decide on PA equipment, lights etc). It was a bit difficult to have a good look as there was still a table of people having a meal, so we sat up at the bar and spoke to the very nice bar staff.  It was a 9.30 start time, so I was understandably growing a little restless by the time 9.10pm came along and I was still sitting on my butt waiting for the set up area to be clear.  I was assured that it wouldn't be long until a decision would be made on whether I was to set up there or in an alternative position.

So I decided to go for the hint method of getting the table to drink their coffees, and started to prepare my laptop for the night.  In my haste I broke a pepperpot, for which I must apologise.

We finally got a clear window of opportunity at around 9.35, and Al got to work.  I was set up and ready to go by 10pm, which meant I'd still be giving them my usual 3 x 40 min sets, but with shorter breaks. 

And what a night! The wee dance floor area around me was rarely empty, and I had a ball. I dusted off my Lady Gaga and the new Maroon 5 hit "Moves like Jagger", which went down well.

The usual wee niggle though - two guys came up at the end and asked to sing.  Erm no. I was finished, and it is NOT A KARAOKE!  And of course I had the usual insistence that I should go on the X factor.  No ta.  I don't fancy newspaper reporters rifling through my wheelybins thank you very much...

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