4/18/08 Midwest Tour Day 2

5:30 PM: After a mostly smooth ride and a wee bit of traffic through the downtown St. Louis area, we finally made it to the Upper School. Greeted by an enthusiastic James, Martha Stitzel and Keith Evans, we were promptly ushered into the theatre to rehearse a burning rendition of “All of Me.” First great quote of the day: After seeing the car filled to the absolute fullest with drums, bass, luggage, and trash, Keith Evans politely says “I only thought the brothers rolled like that!”

6:15 PM: The mess hall was waiting. Caffeine-free soda and a plethora of high school kids surrounded the tasty “frito pie” James wanted to concoct. While eating our final meal before “James Brown explosion time” we learned that James had explained the differences between New Orleans and New York City shortly before Dan and Jared had arrived. We also learned that explaining the difference in “beer pricing” was a no-no.

6:45 PM: The shortest “wee-hearsal” ever. Ready to drop.

7:00 PM: Jared wears a policeman hat to sound-check. James irons his clothes. I mean jeans. Dan practices. He almost has memorized the head to “Milton’s Blues.”

8:00 PM: The concert has started. Big band. James is featured on a number of big band compositions on piano, and did a superb job. Following student renditions of “All of Me” and “But Beautiful,” the Wee Trio gets on stage to start their 30-minute power set.

9:15 PM: Jared receives standing ovation for a crazy drum solo (and jingling his keys). The Wee Trio receives a group standing ovation and the stage is set for “Diggin on James Brown.” Dancing, singing, and an excellent “Allen Toussaint” impersonation from James ended this amazing concert. Probably one of the best audiences we ever had, the concert followed with an autograph session of CD’s lasting close to an hour.

10:30 PM: Pack up those vibes and drums now! Where we going next? Do I hear a Steak ‘n’ Shake???

11:00 PM: Walk to into Steak ‘n’ Shake. Receive standing ovation. Go high school kids. All right now. Eat some burgers. Drink some shakes. Night is complete.
<---James and Jared at Steak n Shake. Post shakes.