Searles at Hunstanton

Windy but dry day. Uneventful trip over making good time to be first to arrive at :5:30pm. Met up with the security guys to find the stage had been moved back to its original position. I got the trolley out and loaded up my gear when Dave and Rita A arrived; followed shortly by Dave and Jenny. We managed to get set up on the small stage, making a few adjustments to a poster and partition to give us a bit more room. It was plenty warm enough inside. Soundchecked OK and sat down to have a beer outside and talk with Dave A about the future. I explained that whilst we were very happy with him and his bass playing, we had offered the job to Nigel and it was Nigel’s vocals that gave him a clear edge in the decision. I asked Dave to continue to dep with us whilst Nigel got released. Whilst he was disappointed, Dave seemed agreeable to that. Dave and I said we had hoped Dave A would get a more permanent job with the Nashville Numbers, but Dave A explained that that was not likely and he would still be looking for bassist work. So with the air mainly cleared we got changed and did a creditable hour long set 1. We were requested to do an Elvis number so we brought forward “Blue Suede Shoes”. Bantering was good and we got a good reaction from a growing audience. Gave away a couple of CD’s to some lads who came up to play tambourines in “Mr Tambourine Man”. Had a break for some water and did set 2 pretty much as set out to finish after another hour with “Shake Rattle Roll” and “Love is all Around” During this set Dave had been a bit distracted but we still did a good job on the bantering front. Got changed with the dancing girls and came back to do Set 3 playing right through to “All Right Now” without stopping. Unfortunately, I cocked up the solo but it still got a warm round of applause. Then we only had time for “Bad Moon Rising” before we were into the close down numbers. We got a great reception as we signed off and the governor gave us the OK to do an encore with “Great Balls”. The band sounded good where I was bust Dave A reported distortion on the PA on the loud bits – oh dear still haven’t sorted it! Overall, despite a few mistakes, I think it was a good night for the band. Got packed and loaded up slowly; getting away before midnight for a 1am arrival home.