Ramblin', Gamblin' Quartet

Clear Choice did a one hour show for the Hickory High School Alumni Association last night, in Hickory, PA. The only downside was the 2 hr. drive each way. We broke up the drive to the gig by stopping at Mountaineer Resort and Casino in WV. That allowed us to eat at the casino buffet and play the slots for a little while before continuing our journey.

The location of the show was in the old Hickory High School building, which stopped being a high school more than 35 years ago. It is now owned by the local city government and has been transformed into a very nice theater. There is a two-level stage, comfortable seating and great sound and lighting systems.

We got to try the kind of wireless mics that are attached to your ear. They worked well and we even had a sound man who kept everything balanced during the show. The community theater (Oldschool Players) put on high quality shows (Man of LaManca, Bye, Bye, Birdie, Fiddler on the Roof, etc.) We were told that the mics we used cost about $900 each and the group has 14 of them, plus 6 more that attach to a lapel. Not bad for a town with a population of about 500.

All in all, it was a great trip. We had fun singing, the audience was very receptive and at the casino, one of the employees asked us to sing for some of the kitchen and waitress staff. We did a couple of songs. The lady took one of our business cards and said she would pass it on to the people that are in charge of booking entertainment for the casino. Maybe we will become a lounge act.