davidhallblog.com: July 2007

It's Time For Bengals Action!

Dane And Matthew At Bengals Training Camp
The Bengals are once again having their training camp at Georgetown College. Matthew and I have been twice this first week and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Matthew and his friend Dane were thrilled as they secured many autographs after practice. The offense, led by the great Carson Palmer, looks fantastic and is one of the best in the NFL. The defense has a lot of question marks and are counting on some great, but young talent. It should be a fun year and one that brings a run in the playoffs for the Bengals.

With Bengals Radio/TV Announcer Dave Lapham

Carson Palmer Making His Way To The Practice Field

A Nice Wedding Reception Gig

Audra & Geoff Hughes
Vocalist Kyle Toombs and I played a nice wedding reception this past Saturday for Geoff and Audra Hughes. The wedding ceremony and reception were held at the Bedford Acres Christian Church in Paris, Kentucky.

Vocalist Kyle Toombs Sounded Great

Playing My Selmer Mark VI Alto Sax

Dave Webster, Father Of The Bride, Played "The Nearness Of You"

A Good Time Was Had By All

Smooth Jazz Star Marion Meadows Playing Equus Run Vineyards

Smooth jazz saxophonist Marion Meadows will be in concert at Equus Run Vineyards on 8/11/07. Dinner is to be provided by Carino's Italian Grill. Smooth jazz fans won't want to miss this one.

Difference Between A Blues Musician And A Jazz Musician

Today a friend explained to me the difference between a blues musican and a jazz musician. He said that a blues musician plays 3 chords in front of 1000 people and that a jazz musician plays 1000 chords in front of 3 people.

UK's Angie Ortega Wins Contest

Angie Ortega, a University of Kentucky senior studying music performance, won the "Big Phat Jam" online competition and will be a featured vocalist on the next recording of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. Professor Miles Osland, director of jazz studies at UK, recognized Angie's talent and encouraged her to enter the contest. After graduation, she is going to be a musician and is planning to start her professional career playing music on a cruise ship.

Angie will be singing with The Miles Osland Little Big Band at Ecton Park on Tuesday, July 17. The free concert starts at 7:00. I am hoping to be able to attend.

Shooting A New Commercial At Giuseppe's

Giuseppe's had a new television commercial shot on location last night. Channel 27 technicians came with their equipment to the restaurant and recorded a lot of footage. In the above photo, the cameraman is trying to find my good side, but I don't think he found one!

There was a nice group of folks at the bar beneath the bright television lights.

Friends enjoyed the atmosphere before dinner.

It's always great seeing happy families enjoying themselves together.

Friends and fans are always welcome.

Time For Michelle's Soccer & Matthew's Football

Michelle had a good middle school soccer tryout and was named to the team. She is excited about playing for Madison Middle, as several of her friends are also on the team.

Matthew plans to play football this year and is scheduled to attend a football camp starting tomorrow. This will be his first year in organized football, and he is pumped up and ready to go.

Home Lumber Cubs Celebrate Championship

The Home Lumber Cubs celebrated their baseball championship at Pizza Hut. The kids had a big time at the celebration and will surely always remember the championship season.

Team and individual statistics sheets were passed out to each player. Matthew Hall posted an impressive .429 batting average and a .520 on base percentage for the season. He pointed out to me that those are better numbers than the ones Ken Griffey Jr and Alex Rodriquez put up.

Remembering Boots Randolph

Famed saxman Boots Randolph died July 3, 2007 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 80 years old. His 1963 hit "Yakety Sax" was later used as the musical theme for comedian Benny Hill's television show.

I met Boots at Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins' Inauguration. I was playing that night with "The Men of Note" as we alternated sets with Boots. A Kentucky native, Boots was a true gentleman as he offered me encouragement and told me to always enjoy and appreciate the times I play music. I listened to each of his sets from directly in front of his bandstand so that I could closely check out what he was doing on his horn. He had a unique sax sound and vibrato and an interesting way of articulating his notes and shaping his musical phrases. I enjoyed hearing him in person and particularily appreciated the few moments we spent talking about music and the saxophone.

Bill Pinkney Of The Drifters Dies At 81

I was saddened to read today that rhythm and blues singer Bill Pinkey, the last surviving member of the original lineup of the The Drifters, died yesterday. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity of playing with The Drifters on a couple of Kentucky concerts in the late 1980's. Those gigs were a lot of fun. Mr. Pinkney was also a former pitcher for the New York Blue Sox of the Negro Baseball League.

The Drifters were known for such hits as "Under The Boardwalk", "Money Honey", and a 1954 cover of "White Christmas." Pinkney and six members of The Drifters were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Richmond National League All-Stars Sweep Weekend Tourney Games

Matthew Hall enjoyed being a part of the powerhouse Richmond National League All-Stars as they won both of their games this weekend in the District 3 Tournament.