Two weeks before our next scheduled event.  The band decided in a prior Sunday meeting to get out the fine sandpaper and tighten up all of our old material that we plan to do on August 4th, as well as continue to make strides on Hey Girl and Time of Season.

While progressing through the first set on Tuesday July 24th, the band got a visit from Whitey's sister Sally, who was up from Florida for a week's visit.  The band decided a couple of Jersey staples were in order, so performed Bon Jovi's Who Say's You Can't Go Home, and Springsteen's The Rising especially for the crowd of one.

For the first time ever, we received tears of joy from the blonde beauty.  We'll take that as a good thing.  Sally had never heard us live, and even with our practice gear thought we really sounded good.  Of course, her rose covered bifocals may have had something to do with that, but that has been the overall sentiment we think the last several times playing.  Who knows, maybe we are getting comfortable in our own skins.

The band then took a break to discuss upcoming plans for the remainder of the year, and even poke a look into 2008.  As mentioned in our previous email update, Ott's Tavern on August 26th has been scrubbed.  The Eagles game threw a monkey (sorry JR) wrench in our plans, but we move on.

We have added three new evening dates though at Otts however, thanks to JR.  All Friday nights, all starting around 9:00 pm-ish.  September 7th, November 2nd, and December 21st.  Loose two, gain three.  All good.

As for 2008, we kicked around ideas on how many 'out' dates a month we'd like to shoot for.  Our current goal has been once a month, to stay fresh and gain experiance.  We all agreed however, if a weekly gig or steady offer came up, we'd give it a try to see how it works out.

So there you have it.  Gig news, some tears of delight, and a look into The Deck Band 2008 crystal ball.

See you all right back here next week.