Santiago, Chile

We were all concerned about the boss as we left the hotel for the venue last night, he was in his room resting and drinking liquids, the plan being that he would join us later. 

Sheryl and Kyler were there to look after him.

At the venue the normal wheels went into motion, the hustle and bustle, the guest list, the VIP packages and the soundcheck which is when the band gear up for a show mentally.
It was a big surprise when we got news that he would not make it, we knew our friend had to be really poorly, canceling a show is unheard of for the Lord of Nightmares!


The ride back to the hotel was pretty subdued, not normal for our band of jolly fellows ): 
We were passing fans as we left the area and felt bad for them as well. The fact is that there are times when illness takes over and that was one of them.


The man and I had had a pretty good few days prior that, the hotel was fab! We did walk around the city centre a bit, the weather was bright but a little chilly in Chile...... sorry about that.
We went up to the rooftop pool a couple of times and I took a few pics.


The first time we went up there it was early evening, the pool was under the dark sky and bathed in very dim lights and although that is always tricky for Steve we negotiated our way to the poolside.
There was no one there apart from one lady quietly doing some serious breaststroke in the fairly shallow pool. She offered up a small smile but ignored us mostly, that wouldn't last. 


My man does not swim so on the odd occasion when we do find ourselves in a swimming pool it is always pretty funny. First of all it has to be warm for him to dip even a toe in! Then, it has to only be up to his chest or he will scramble out again. 
So I start swimming about and look behind me to find him walking with a particularly odd stance and a very silly face, I start to laugh, he loves that and acts up even more to the point where the lady trying to get some serious exercise must have thought we were both on drugs!


In England we used to have a TV comedy duo called Morecombe and Wise, long gone now but Eric Morecombe is who springs to mind when my lovely husband decides to be daft. I keep swimming back to him as he strides about the pool (as though that is the only way it should be done).
I say, ok! race you to the other end and swim off, the next minute I realize he is gaining on me and then he overtakes me! He had changed up to fast walking pace, puffed out his chest, elbows out at right angles and looked hilarious! As he passes me he shouts, "I have a new name!" 'Olympic Pool Walker', this was to add to his other 'self appointed' nick names which by the way are 'Blind Lemon Pledge' and 'Scoop Doggie Do'.


So, that was Santiago, on to Argentina.

The Band

I want to tell you a little bit about the guys in the AC band; 

Chuck the bass player is a longstanding member of the touring band; he has a lightening fast wit that has me in stitches most of the time. He looks a tad mean with his tattoo's and rough diamond image onstage but don't let that fool you, he is a great guy and a fantastic bass player and singer. Driving the bottom end of this 'top drawer' band could be a daunting feat for some but Chuck eats it up!

http://www.chuckgarric.com/

Damon is a tall 'dashing' guitarist who has been touring with Alice for a number of years, he not only plays awesome guitar but he is a great singer and is a gentle, generous and funny man. He loves that Steve is in the band and bounds over to his side of the stage a number of times during the show. He and the man spend time talking about gear and tales of the road, I love that.

http://www.damonjohnson.com/

Tommy is Tommy, you know where you stand from the word go, he does not mince his New York words. He is generous, outspoken, funny and astute. To say he is multi talented is an understatement. Firstly, he is a great songwriter; he is a producer, a singer and an arranger plus on top of that he plays the most solid rhythm guitar I have ever heard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Henriksen

Glen is like a drum powerhouse; he is so darned skillful and adds that element of showmanship that is so great to watch. Spinning his drum sticks in the middle of the most complicated of passages, waving his arms about like windmills yet still playing stuff that most drummers can only dream of playing. He procrastinates a bit, particularly on deciding what to order for the after show meal (: he is a quiet and thoughtful bloke offstage and I like him loads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-8fMtC7SKs

The man: You know a bit about him already of course but I just want to say how proud I am of him. His life is music and I am blessed to be part of that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r48B3cfdPKk

The Boss: Is the reason we are doing this tour, he is hugely talented, hardworking, energetic, kind and funny.

The trailer tale

I have another post waiting in the wings but something happened the other night that I have to tell you about.


We left the Casino Rama after the gig and all fell into our bunks on the bus, we knew it might be a short lived sleep because we had a border crossing to do to get back into the US.
As I snuggled up and snoozed I was aware of a bit of unfamiliar movement by the bus but thought nothing of it and drifted off to sleep again. Then I was aware that we had stopped (the bus not moving tends to wake me up) and I sleepily thought, oh must be at a pit stop or maybe the border already. 


I lay there drifting and all seemed very quiet, just a couple of voices talking quietly at the front. After a while I thought I should get up to see what was going on, particularly as I had needed to show my Residents card going into Canada so they might be about to ask for it as I go back into the US. (I am a Brit)


Out I go and there was Toby out tour manager, Bo our driver was outside and I realize that I can see the tour car parked in front of the bus???? It should be on a trailer on the back!
Turns out a trailer wheel had literally busted apart, the bearing shattered, Bo had seen sparks flying behind us and would have had to have taken steps to stop the bus going awal as well.


As Toby filled me in, the boss appeared after also being aware of no motion. We had been on the side of the road not that far from the Casino for 3 hours! 
The boss decided he had had enough sleep to drive and would follow the bus to the place that was replacing the trailer. Bo had joined us by now and we all agreed that I should go in the car to keep the boss company.


So, we drove for about 2 hours chatting about life and although I am not sure we solved all the worlds problems, we gave it a good shot! 
Apparently my gorgeous husband amazed Toby when he got up, there in the dark and despite being nearly blind he knew instantly that I was not in my bunk and the bus was moving!!! Where is Karen!


We got a new trailer and on we went to Sylvania, Toledo, getting in 4 hours later than expected but still with enough time to poke our heads into a hotel room, get some things done in the US before leaving for South America and before leaving for the soundcheck. 
Despite the light rain, the open air show and the audience that night was brilliant, the band were tight and powerful and the boss was as ever fantastic.


A journey I will never forget.


  

The Canadian Shows

The tour bus and I have come to an understanding, the bus whispered "the bunk is your friend" "the bunk is your friend" and low, on the seventh day I SLEPT!!!!!! The Melatonin helped (:


It has been rainy and cold in Canada for most of the time but the shows have had a very warm reception. I am starting to prefer the theaters rather than the sports stadiums, the sound bounces about a bit in those huge concrete boxes.


That may have been partly why Hamilton, Ontario, was such a great show. It was a lovely theatre with good acoustics.  In my opinion that was one of the bands best shows. They are working so well together, listening, watching and responding. Keeping in mind that they have only just begun to settle in with each other as players. Mr Nice Guy is consistently awesome on every show and I look forward to his antics with Ethyl, the band members and the audience every single show night.


Chuck had a birthday and a cake which I forgot to get a piece of, we sang happy birthday to him, everybody joined in, including the crew. It will be Steve's birthday in Bucharest, I had bought him a surprise which is no longer that. It is a really cool leather phone pouch which he is now using to hold his slide on the show, I am well happy that it found it's place though, as he also bought a Blackberry which will not fit in it. 

There have been some experiments with Steve's back line and Hamilton was definitely a good combination, the SG in particular sounded rich but vibrant just as he likes it and when he hears that great sound bouncing back at him from the front of house he lights up like an excited torch.


The guys in the band are adjusting well to having a partially sighted player with them. Damon, Tommy and Chuck plus the boss all join the man on his side of the stage at various times during the show. This is a group of dedicated musicians who are not only at the top of their game they are top men to boot!


I have watched five shows now, I'm enjoying this opportunity as I will be on video screen duty in Europe and will be in a van watching from remote cameras.
Alas, I have not seen much of Canada, that's just the way it is on a tour. We often leave the venue after the show, bus to the next city, getting into a hotel room at 4am, grabbing a few more hours sleep in a bed then off to soundcheck at around 3pm ish.


I want to talk to you about the band next time.

First show of tour

Oh blimy did I have a busy day!
I prepared the baggage tags and passes for the band, the crew, me and the man. Sorted out the laminate masters for all the different guests and VIP's.
I got the VIP gift bags together and made sure their names and tickets were at the box office.


When the show started I sat on the lighting riser taking notes as I will be directing the video shots when there are screens for the audience. My job is to try to capture the good shots for those people who are a long way back, making sure they see the boss and the band really well at pertinent moments.


The first show was fantastic! The whole band really pulled out all the stops like the great players they are, the boss was fabtastic.
My fav bits were; 
The opening song 'Black Widow' so powerful it gave me goose bumps. The monster is amazing and so effective. The new song 'I'll Bite Your Face Off' was awesome and had the crowd with it from the first chorus, Steve's slide solo in that song was brill and just like the album. 
All eight minutes of 'Halo Of Flies' is fantastic.
The lights in 'Another Brick In The Wall are gorgeous,  but my favorite bit was when Damon and Steve did their blues licks in 'I Love The Dead'. 
What a genius idea to put this line up of great players on one stage, everybody is HOT!!!!!!


Ok, it is not easy sleeping on the tour bus although some people apparently find the motion sends them to sleep, not me!
I don't feel sick but I just cant drift off and get a good nights zzzzzz's.
I had better get used to it, this is only the start.
Our bus driver is so darned good, easy on the brakes, smooth, reliable and a really nice bloke.


On to Canada............ Tonight's gig Quebec City

Horseshoe Casino Indiana

Well, here we are in the middle of nowhere for rehearsals!


The casino complex is huge and right next to the Ohio river which flooded a few days ago so they are still cleaning up the lobby etc.
It is a bit like an airport with moving sidewalks to get to the different parts of the building.
The first thing that hit us here was the smell of cigarette smoke in the air, smoking is allowed pretty much everywhere and it's pretty grim.


The staff are lovely and all very helpful, making sure we all get fed in between run thru's, one of my jobs is to find out what the band wants to eat and get the meals ordered ahead of time.
I am dressing a bit warmer for run thru's now, they keep the building air conditioned and it's cold!
The man is of course working his socks off (scuse the pun) under stage lights so he is taking things off whilst I am putting on more.
They did some adjustments on his guitar sound yesterday and now I can hear every fab note he is playing. (he says, "what! you are hearing every bad note!" Noooooo, fab note silly)
Thursday is the first gig, cant wait to see an audience here, will let you know how that goes.

No More Mr Nice Guy Tour and more

I have been so crazy busy that this is my first chance to do a bit of writing.

I am sitting in a huge warehouse sized rehearsal room next to the lighting desk in front of the band going over songs for the tour. I have ear defenders on or would be pretty deaf by now.

This is their second day and they are still working out who will play what parts, the boss will be here day after tomorrow.

There is such camaraderie between these players in only two days, it’s been a joy to watch them bond and they sound amazing!

I will talk more about the band in my next blog.

The man and I had a great trip to LA a few weeks ago; once again the flight was smooth which continues to be a relief to me. I wish I could get used to the idea that a huge chunk of metal and plastic can take you off the ground and keep you up there!

We had not been back to LA for three years; we wanted to go look at our old neighborhood but didn’t get time, maybe just as well.

The first gig was at the Nokia Theatre, the crowd was loud and enthusiastic which really brought out the best in the original AC band, they rocked the place.

I met the snake that night; had a chance to touch this massive python in the changing room before the gig. It was not in the least bit slimy, it felt more like a humongous muscle filled sausage……. steady ladies! or maybe one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s arms.

I have to say it did seem rather frisky, waving about above Alice’s head as though trying to find the branch of an invisible tree. I did consider the possibility that this thing could easily strangle him and then I found out that this was his first gig! (the snake not Alice) He may well have got stage fright and squeezed the breathe out of the dark lord of rock!

After the gig we all went to what is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the US where I was treated to lobster for the first time in ten years, it was so yummy.

The next day we were up early to get to the film studio in Hollywood for the filming of the 4D holographic performance. The band had to have missed having an audience after the encouraging crowd from the night before but after a few run thru’s they were all fired up and the director was very happy.

The red suit was fun to do, I took off the extra buttons on Steve's old double breasted suit and added some fabric and things, it turned out pretty well.

There will be 800 people in the UK who get to see the showing of the hologram; I will be interested to see what they think of a virtual show.

That’s about it at the moment, I must away to do our final packing and check my ‘to do’ list before we leave for Indiana and the warm up gig before Canada’s dates.

I have no idea what this experience will be like, I toured for just three weeks with Gary Numan in 84 and 85 doing BV's but that will not even touch all the dates and countries I will be going to in the next few months.

Steve, Satch and Jason

The benefit concert was held at a club called Slims in downtown San Francisco, not a big place and I think they had to turn a few people away in the end as the line stretched around the block.
There were about 650 people in the room, downstairs were dressing rooms for all the different musicians who were there to lend their support to Jason.

I was not sure what to expect, Steve and I are not metal guitar/shredder aficionados so all I knew was that there would be loud music and maybe lots of leather!
What I found were a whole bunch of musicians who showed such affection for their friend, long hair abounded and so did the love.  They were all so good at what they do, fast playing, dexterity and excitement.

Most of the night was taken up with full bands apart from Marty Friedman who had flown in from Japan for the gig, so he used a backing track but played so well and with such intensity and feeling that you forgot there was not a band up there with him. A gentle and generous man with a mane of black curly hair who had travelled such a huge distance to support his old recording mate Jason.

When we were introduced I said "Hello, can I have your hair" he laughed and said "Hello, can I have your accent".

I knew Jason wanted Steve to play but we were not sure how or when that might happen. Steve would need a band behind him and he had told Dave Lopez the organizer that the best way to go was to do a blues, but who with?

The night started around 9pm, the line up of music just got better and better, I was looking forward to the last couple of guys, Richie Kotzen and the great Joe Satriani. Steve and I normally go to bed at 9pm, so you can imagine us sitting in a crowd for three hours past bed time. Enjoying the night but gradually falling asleep in the dark.

I was beginning to think Steve would not get to play, if that was so I was sorry for Jason more than anything, Steve was his normal pragmatic self, saying he was just happy to be there and to have spent time with his old buddy. 
He had sat clutching one of Jason's guitars in a case all night but maybe it was doomed to stay in there. 

Around midnight, Terry, one of Jason’s loyal and lovely friends who had been so helpful to us on our visit appeared at my side. He shouted in my ear " Joe Satriani has asked Steve to play a blues with him, do you think Steve will be up for that?" My prayers had been answered; Steve might get to play after all! I turned to Steve "Do you know Satriani?" "No" says Steve, "Well he has asked you to join him onstage for a number". 

As it turned out Joe was sat quietly in the dark watching from the side, just a few feet from us, an unassuming, small man who hid his huge onstage persona perfectly in the crowd.
Terry guided Steve over to speak to Joe and it was decided they would do a Jeff Beck song called 'Going Down', Steve had played it before, thirty years ago!!

It was my job then to find out how Steve would get onstage and plug in, a job normally sorted out by tour crew given his blindness.
I found Joe on the stairs leading down to the dressing rooms and introduced myself. I explained that Steve was nearly blind, he had no idea, few people do but he was grateful to know the situation.

Terry helped me locate the stage manager and then in turn Joe's guitar tech who was amazing and took control of the situation. 
We found ourselves onstage at the back where we waited for the three songs before Steve went on to join Joe and his extraordinary bass player and drummer.

It was like a wall of sound! Steve says he felt a musical kick in the ass and realized he had to just hold on tight till the train stopped. What a tight band! Joe was so generous and respectful, he beamed from ear to ear as he and Steve traded licks.

Steve does not realize just how many people including Joe Satriani have followed his career and admire his work. 

They brought the house down, the crowd went mad and Steve looked so happy to be there.
It was a truly amazing experience, everything; San Francisco, Haight Ashbury, Jason and his wonderful family and friends and finally a night of music not to be forgotten for a man not to be forgotten.

The film crew captured the whole thing so I will look forward to that!

Here is my view of the stage:




Middle pic by Kris Claerhout

The Jason Becker film interview

The young team from London who have been filming the new documentary about Jason were without a doubt the coolest group of young people I have ever met. All in their late 20's or early 30's they have taken on this massive responsibility with great thought.
They work so well together, keeping humour there but the business of the movie is at the forefront.

I am hopeless with names but I think there was Jesse, Freny, Carl and Dario . They were all very respectful with Steve and made him feel relaxed, an essential part of doing interviews for film.

Jesse asked some good questions but kept them sparce and loose, allowing Steve to get into his flow and recall the days he and Jason spent in Vancuver recording. Two young rock guitarists out on the town, gathering cute girls around them whenever they could and having a ball between sessions for the album. 

Steve as ever was eloquent and articulate, as he described the times when he would be walking along kidding with Jason only to look around to find Jason was not there. Then find him collapsed on the sidewalk as his legs started to deteriorate at an astonishgly quick rate.
I was moved to tears as he described how his young talented friend was facing such a devastating illness.

The trailer for this movie is an indication of how good this production is going to be and I applaud the film team for getting out Jason's story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGFDWTC8B8g

San Francisco

This is a big year of 'firsts' for me! And going to San Francisco was another one.

The home of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hippy Movement................my art college roots came with lashings of hippie stuff: No shoes all summer, some dubious methods of relaxation and not forgetting my (off) white raggedy sheepskin coat.

We were there for a very important purpose but Jason's mom and dad, Pat and Gary were determined to get us out to do a bit of sightseeing despite their being run off their feet with all the arrangements on top of normal daily duties.

They took us for a drive to the GG Bridge and through the park near it, the bridge is awesome! Then we drove slowly through Haight Ashbury, this is where the hippie movement started and I could feel my youthful carefree days flooding back to me here in the home of freedom of thought. 
The houses are so beautifully painted, I found a cool pic to show you.
Steve and I decided we would love to live there but of course that would involve risking the earth quakes so I will reserve judgment on that move for now. 

It was pretty cloudy that day so my pic of the Golden Gate Bridge has added vibe (:

Not Dead Yet!

Jason Becker ~ 'Not Dead Yet' ALS Benefit

Of all the events in our calendar this was one we did not want to miss!
Steve has known Jason Becker for 22 years, they first met when they were both recording on a David Lee Roth album in 1989.

Jason was a 20 year old guitarist who had already started to light up the world with his astonishing playing, he was destined to become an all time great. But one day during the recording of the album Steve noticed that Jason was walking with a limp, he asked him about it and suggested he get it checked by a doctor.

That was the start of many visits to doctors for Jason, eventualy he was diagnosed with
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. (ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease)

Despite all the negative odds, Jason is still with us and still composing music.
He communicates with his eyes via a method developed by his dad Gary.
Jason is funny, smart, spiritual and loving. In fact all the things that we all love about Steve are right there in Jason and that is why they are like brothers.

We flew to San Francisco where Jason and his family live and from the moment we were picked up to the moment we were dropped off to the airport to fly home again we were enveloped in the blanket of love that surrounds Jason Becker.
His condition demands constant care, but there is a network of carer's that include his mom and dad who take on this work without complaint. The network extends to the wider family and friends and Jason has a lot of them!

We were there to do two things other than hang with everybody, Steve wanted to add his part to the new documentary being filmed by a group of young talented film makers from the UK and he wanted to be at the music event that had been organised.

More about those things on the next blog:

Hall of Fame the finale

Due to our standard cable package being so ****! I am not able to watch the show go out tonight so here is the last blog on the Hall of Fame night:

  

The finale was spectacular! Alice, Dennis, Michael and Neal,  Darlene Love, Dr John, the choir, everybody singing and having fun; Bette Midler is awesome, where does that voice come from?

I think Glen Buxton was looking down and smiling for his friends, I know they were thinking of him.

We were sitting down and catching our breath when I hear our names being called. The co ordinator Vanessa is galloping along the balcony, her walky talky clonking up and down and hitting her in the hip; “Steve! Karen! Bette wants to see you; she won’t leave till you get there”.

We follow her back down the stairs, although she actually left us behind; through the kitchen and out the other side into the VIP area and there waiting in a hallway with her husband is Bette Midler.

She flung herself at Steve, they have not seen each other since the movie ‘The Rose’ in the 80’s but as ever the man had made an impact, his humor, his honesty and of course his talent is infectious and those lucky enough to be around him when he is relaxed and comfortable never forget.

Vanessa had the insight to take out her camera; Bette grabbed me saying “get in the picture”. So we have a pic to come of the three of us. After she had gone people were stopping us saying “Did Bette find you?” She had been shouting “Where is Steve Hunter!!”  The man’s kudos took a bit of a leap that night.

He was made up, he loves Bette Midler like a sister and I think that made his year!

What a time we had.

   

Hall of Fame (part three)

We were all gathered in the kitchen waiting for the band to go on; Bette Midler had just gone past like a dose of salts! She was very small, shorter than me!

Alice’s stage manager took over from me, guiding Steve into the ballroom and up the stairs to the stage along with Neal; I went and found a spot to watch from. There was one song I was particularly concerned about; the man had an intro that involved a seven fret jump.

The atmosphere was amazing, this was a very overdue accolade in many people’s minds and tonight was their night to shine, which they did. Rob Zombie joined them and gave a very funny introduction what a cool guy he is and he has a wife too stunning for words.

At this point, time stood still or did it just whizz by? Whichever it was, before I knew it, the band were heading for the podium and Steve was on his way back off the stage. He had done the troublesome intro with no problem and that is all I can remember of the three songs.

We got back upstairs to our table by which time Alice had a yellow snake around his neck which seemed to be trying to slither on to Neal, it may have decided to take a short tour of entire Alice Cooper Group.

The speeches done by the band, we could sit back and watch…… more speeches.

Ok, it is a well known fact by any of my friends that I am hopeless at remembering the order of things so for anybody reading this that was at the show I apologize, my brain will be spitting out things in the order that they get remembered.

Elton John was part of my youth, I loved all his earlier albums but never took to him as a personality but I now offer up great respect. He was so eloquent and I was riveted by his introduction of the video of Leon Russell, ahead of giving him his award.  He described how Leon had been forgotten despite writing so many wonderful songs, that he had decided to record an album with him and set forth on a mission to see him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He called for Leon to come on stage and a portly man appeared long white hair and dark glasses. I had goose bumps as he made his way up the few steps to the podium; he had a cane and was frail.

When he got to the top he paused, took a breath then said just a couple of sentences, but I was already in tears before he finished. He said something along the lines of “I was on the side of the road and Elton John picked me up” it was unbearably touching, and then he was gone.

I remember Darlene Love; she was shining so brightly you could see a glow around her and when she sang it was perfect, soulful and full of joy.

At some stage early on I couldn’t believe my eyes when Judy Collins got up to sing ‘Both Sides Now’ I was awestruck! Judy Collins!!!! She was small, with lots of long grey hair and her voice filled the room, crystal clear and pure like an angel.

Tom Waits was introduced by Neil Young who is one of my all time hero’s. Tom Waites could have been a successful standup comic if it were not for his amazing songwriting talent. I was crying again by the end of his speech but it was from laughing this time.

There were performances by combinations of musicians that would rarely be seen, John Mayer, Elton,  Tom Waites and Leon Russell, Neil Young, Dr John and even Bruce Springsteen; it was so musical and so honest. None of that overdone rubbish like on the Grammy’s this was real music!

Tom Waites did a set on his own, with a small group around him, barely feet apart from each other on the big stage. It was incredible; he made the ballroom so small and intimate with his performance, we could have all been at the local pub.

Paul Simon introduced Neil Diamond; he was dry and funny and obviously has great affection for Neil. When Neil came striding up the steps to the podium he had a little camera in his hand and immediately started taking snaps of the audience which was so funny and somehow made everybody relax. Steve had told me what a great performer he was and I was not disappointed, he was amazing and had most of the room up and swaying their arms. People like Catharine Zeta Jones and all those rich luminaries were all having a ball and I was right there, stood up swaying and singing at the top of my voice, “Sweet Caroline” la la la, next to the over excitable lady from the UK who I swear nearly fell off the balcony!

One more blog to go; we get a call from Bette!

Hall of Fame (part two)

The day of the show the man had a run thru in the afternoon (pic below) so I took off and had my hair washed and ironed, just like his black shirt!

When I got back into the ballroom all the lights and cameras had found a home and the cables were miraculously tidy.
We had a couple of hours to relax and change into the show gear, there was a cocktail 'do' before the show and a cocktail 'do' after the show, they certainly made sure that the people got their money's worth ($3,000 a seat for the floor and $2,000 a seat for the balcony).

As we entered the room for the first cocktail session we passed by Dr John, Steve did an album with him years ago and as we were so close I tapped on his shoulder. Dr John looked amazing; purple suit, feathers and things in his hat, a walking stick with things carved all over it.

I couldn’t understand a word he said: Apparently he said "The Deacon!" and nudged somebody saying "this man plays great guitar, he did an album of mine" or something like that. The man was made up that Dr John remembered him and will treasure that moment.

We don’t drink so we did a tour of the room, winding our way thru all the frocks and bow ties then headed  upstairs to our allocated table.
The man and I were on the balcony for the dinner....which was great cos I could look down and do star spotting. On our table were two guys from Wall Street, a lady from ASCAP who was quite important I think. There was a couple from the UK who were huge Neil Diamond fans and before long they and the two Wall Streeter's were 'Neil' spotting from on high. The couple were from Durham and very nice although she was quite excitable. Neil actually knows them as they follow him everywhere which was pretty cool during his performance as he sang up to them when he recognized their shouts of adulation.

We managed to have most of the meal before the runner came up to get us, they wanted Steve downstairs . We joined Alice in his parlor.......a small area partitioned off by screens with a couple of chairs, a table and a mirror, the rest of the band were milling in and out in their glitter clad finery, we took some pics and jokes flew round like confetti.
It was nearly time for them to go on, so we all wound our way out into the crowd. Steve needs careful guidance in dark rooms so  we took our time to get to the holding area.

The kitchen was the holding area:  Waiters were banging through the swing doors as we ended up waiting for about 20 minutes, some got really brave and asked to have their photo taken with the band.
This was a musically historic occasion and the staff of The Warldorf knew that. 

Just as she was about to be announced, Bette Midler was hustled through the back of the kitchen to the swing doors, she was inducting Darlene Love ahead of the bands three songs. She stood right by Steve who had worked closely with her on the movie 'The Rose' in the 80's, he said "Bette it's Steve" but woosh she was gone through the doors and on to the stage.

More of the man and Bette Midler at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in the next part.

   

Reviews of 'Empty Spaces'

5.0 out of 5 stars What a lovely voice, February 9, 2011

J. Richardson "jrlvsblues" (Rio Rancho NM)

I have been a fan of Steve Hunter for years. When I heard that he was producing a
CD with his wife, I couldn't wait to hear it. Karen Ann, has a beauitful voice. She has
wonderful range, and you can just sit back,read a book and listening to her. The production
is first class, with the musical accompaniment backing. Steve's guitar work is as usual
outstanding. I look forward to listening to this often. Great effort, and highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUSICAL COLLABORATION MADE IN HEAVEN, March 18, 2011

David Lowe (England)

This review is from: Empty Spaces (MP3 Download)

COMBINING Karen Ann Hunter's expressive vocals and accomplished songwriting skills with Steve "The Deacon" Hunter's extraordinary musicianship was a stroke of genius. The two of them were born to make music together, and what wonderful music they've given us with their debut "Empty Spaces" album. There's not a so-so track on it: they're all eminently listenable, whether you're relaxing at home, whiling away a long flight, or on the road behind the wheel. Indeed, several of the titles on "Empty Spaces" have that special quality of leaving the opening or hook-lines rolling around in your head until you've simply got to play the whole track again. If I was to be asked to sum-up "Empty Spaces" in just one word, that word would the "ethereal". Yes, the whole collection resonates with an other worldly quality; embroidered with some very clever lyric writing, plus Steve's masterful guitar playing - including those exquisite harmonics - and, of course, Karen's crystal clear, true voice. Take it from me, there are no "Empty Spaces" here: they are all filled with genuine world-class music making.

Thoroughly recommended!

DAVID LOWE (Producer~Presenter: B.B.C. Regional Radio & The LoweDown music column, the Herald Express provincial newspaper South West England)

This is one of the most beautiful collections of music ever recorded. This cd is up there with Celine but was written by Karen and all of the musical accompaniment is performed by and produced by her husband Steve "the Deacon" Hunter. Just take a listen to the sample clips presented here and you will be compelled to purchase the CD or MP3 download available here at the link. It is a beauty only exceeded by it's writer.

Steve Harris: March 19th 2011 

The Hall of Fame Experience (part one)

Not sure where to start with this, my brain is on overload in the awesome experience dept;

First of all, I must thank the pilot of the 'far too small' airplane that got us into NY, that was the bumpiest hour and half I have ever had but he got us to the other end in one piece!

We were staying with Cindy and Dennis Dunaway who despite being in the middle of their own overload made us feel welcome and took great care of us. Dennis loves my album and played it three times during our stay, how cool is that!

The rehearsals in NY had gone well, each day the band got better and once Alice and the management team arrived things really took shape, the band were tight and there was a lot of laughter.  
We checked into The Waldorf on the Saturday after the remote rehearsals were done, to start a couple of days run through's in the main ballroom where the induction would take place. The Waldorf is very spectacular but the cost of doing anything apart from sneeze is even more spectacular!

Me and the man were pretty tired the first night and decided to drag our asses down to the restaurant, we had a lovely meal that cost more than two nights at the Holiday Inn!

But, the funniest thing was going down to have a light snack in the main foyer; we had popped in to check it out the day before. This time there was a huge buffet spread filling the whole front entrance hall. We were guided to our table and ordered two apple juices then waited.....and waited.

Eventually I asked the waiter for the menu, he said there was only the buffet today and it cost $95 per person. Ha ha, we laughed! I tried to pay for the apple juice but the waiter looked at me with head on one side in pity and said, "Don’t worry about that madam" and we left.

The ballroom on that first day was a cacophony of lights, camera's and huge cables, people dashing all over the place like ants, they all had ear monitors and mics and were talking to the air.
We were assigned a couple of sweet ladies whose job it would be to get us where we needed to be on the night.
My job was to make sure Steve got where he needed to be without tripping over equipment or cables plus I had to iron his black shirt for the big night....... me and the man are not big on ironing generally. 

Driving myself crazy

I took my theory test for driving here in the USA! The place was packed but people were polite, a young man next to me started up a conversation after he sussed I was foreign. Oddly, he seemed very proud that he was back taking his learners permit for the third time because he had not done any homework on the rules of the road here.........how weird is that?

We had to go to the dentist last week, neither of us like the dentist and avoid it at all costs unless as in the man's case, there is an abscess shouting....you gotta go, you gotta go!!

I rashly said yes to going to a dance type exercise class yesterday, 45 minutes of shaking things that risked causing a bodily tsunami. I may have to invest in a pair of depends if she make me jump up and down for too long next time! Apparently they do come in various colors these days so the TV tells me.

Today I had to add Ibuprophen to my breakfast! Of course the man thinks that is hillarious!

We are getting ready for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gig now, the new Gretsch custom guitars arrived and look fab. I will do a blog about our adventures in NY City.