Moose vs. Elks vs. Grange...which guitar/amp?

[xtian]

I guess these service organizations are where it's at. Playing the Grange Hall this weekend. Do I need to know a secret handshake? Forget it. You don't get to learn the secret handshake unless you join. Duh.

At the Elks lodge where we played Halloween and New Years', they would ask us to take a break at 11pm and ring their special bell and pay respects. Wonder what they do at the La Grange. ZZ Top?

[Leo_Gnardo]

No special handshake at the Grange hall but you might be called on to hitch up the haywagon. Heck I've done lots of Mason's Halls too, Jacksonville, Atlanta (Fox Theatre), Indianapolis, Hollywood. The architecture's always solid, you can depend on that! Cool deco too. Hollywood Mason's Hall is where the Jimmy Kimmel show takes place. First year, they had the background deco in the stage shots. After that, covered it up, but it's still in the lobby & all over the rest of the building. One of the best parts about going there is just as you take your last step on the sidewalk before going up the stairs, there's Rod Serling's sidewalk star. Coincidence? I think not! "You're about to step - - - into the twilight zone."

[Structo]

A grange several miles from me used to have a bluegrass/ folk/ any tune/ open jam every Friday night.

Used to be this guy that had to be in his 80's that played a tenor sax.

We used to love when he played, especially "Georgia on My Mind".

They don't use the grange halls around here very much anymore except for special events.

[Teleguy61]

The best advice I ever got on a gig was the first time I did an Elks.
It came to 11:00, and they went into their routine. The drummer leaned over to me and said, "Have you ever seen this before?" I said no.
He said "Whatever you do, don't laugh."
Hmmm I said to self.
Then they started the "It is the hour of remembrance. The great heart of Elkdom swells and throbs........"
If I hadn't been warned, I would have been dead meat on my feet.

[xtian]

[quote="Teleguy61"The great heart of Elkdom swells and throbs[/quote]

*snerk!*

What about the Clampers? E clampus vitus! (Loosely translated, "To hug is to live!" No?)

[Structo]

I forgot to add the caveat to my earlier post.

There were no amps present, thus precluding any effects.
Sometimes a harp player would be allowed to use a small tweed amp for his harp but most of the times, it sounded pretty decent.
Most likely the result of accidents in acoustics during construction.
Heavy wood construction (Post & Beam for a solid building that has high ceilings.

Everybody should get out to play with others, while young and
energetic.
Best way to learn and find like minded musicians.

As we get older we settle into our ways, which most of the time means we don't do much. (at least me)
Certainly not as much as I did 25-30 years ago.

[boots]

I technically joined the Grange when I was younger at my parents' insistence. And to get their auto insurance. All I can say is, the Grange has a lot of weird little rituals. I don't remember any secret handshake, but there were other similar rituals, which thankfully, I can't remember.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Xtian, are you talking about the Grange Hall in .junction City?

[xtian]

Xtian, are you talking about the Grange Hall in .junction City?

No, Chico.

I've been thru Junction City, 299 to the coast. Great drive.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

I've played the one in Junction City. They are a great bunch of folks who love to party and dance! The only thing that was a bit strange, but made sense after they explained their position, is that they asked everyone who brought alcoholic beverages to drink them from red solo cups (they provided the cups). Their reasoning is that it allows everyone present to keep an eye on underaged drinking. We did NYE a few years ago, and a fun time was had by all...