Huntington Beach, CA – It is always a welcome challenge doing a show for people in the industry.

Tonight we had an audience of 200 people who sell sound and lighting equipment to stadiums and arenas all over the world. It’s challenging because these are usually the guys who are behind the sound board, on a lighting catwalk, tuning up the mics — but now they were dressed up in suits and getting awards and watching a show.

They don’t know how to handle themselves. You can almost see them reaching onto the table (where their sound controls would normally be) and adjusting levels.

We did an hour and after about 10 minutes they were able to forget who they usually are in this setting and laugh it up like any room full of people.

I saw some of the most phoenomal equipment I have ever laid eyes upon. A sound board (sorry, don’t remember the make or model) that is all digital and touch control. The level sliders can sense if you meant to move them, or it it happened by accident. If you bump a random bunch of them up, they instantly return to where they were — right before your eyes. Oh man, my nerdy side is coming out. I’ll stop with the tech gushing.

They gave out some huge awards to guys who just set up the arena in S. America for 1.5 million people at a Rolling Stones concert. That’s an opening act spot I’d take in a second.

The production at this event was world-class. The Hyatt here in HB is a seriously state-of-the-art venue. Thanks to Jennifer, Paul and Cristina for making it such a fun day and night. And the suite — thanks! I could see living in this room.

Car is coming to get us at 5:30 AM as we have a show in Kansas City tomorrow night. It’s a busy week.

Barry

Howey-In-The-Hills, FL -PS America. PSA. These people sell flooring products to the trade. Call a ’showroom’ a store and you owe them a buck. I paid on stage for that mistake.

We made 4 appearances throughout the evening’s award ceremony and it was a real great event. Produced by one of my all time favorite corporate producers – they always make sure everything is just right. It all seems so easy with Charmagne in control (although her pinch hitters were there tonight in her absense. Thanks Karen and Lisa).

The highlight of the show for me was a woman from the audience caught my ping pong ball and at the cheering of her table mates after Dan suggested it, she popped it into her mouth and spit it back to me.

I caught it in my mouth, spit it back to her and she caught it in her mouth. The crowd went absolutely crazy… I really wish there was a way to make that work every show… darn.

Then she came up to bring it back to me (probably for fear of starting the cycle over again) and she holds out her hand to shake. I say, “After what we’ve been through I think more than a handshake is in order…” and she pulls me down and kisses me on the lips. It was a pretty funny section… we had to regain control of the house after that.

Making memories for companies… I guess that’s our contribution to the world. If I were in the audience and saw that, I would bet ANYTHING that it was a setup. But, as all of you at PSA who know Crystyna, it wasn’t set up. Watch out for her — she’s going to drive you guys way above that 50M goal this year – no doubt.

This is not normal — if you’re reading this and thinking, “OH GROSS!”, well, yeah, but things happen in live theater and that’s what we all hope for.

Busy month ahead… Keep Reading.

Barry

PS… Oh, and Dan was great tonight. When he said that one thing and did the other thing… I swear I teared up, again.

We start out 2007 with a home town concert — well, for me.  Dan had to make the 2.5 hour drive but it was so darn worth it.  And, I must say right off the bat, the man was in rare form. Really, more so than ever.  He was on a roll and I lost it a number of times.

We had a sold out house of 300, including about 50 extra chairs in the front row and over 200 people at the door who couldn’t get in.  Damn… I hate that.

Our great friend Dave Nachmanoff opened the first and 2nd half of the show and he is just so darn good.  Go buy all his CDs right now — really.  Don’t get me started on how much I love Dave.

We got to do a few routines that we never tour with.  It was so much fun to have a theater packed to the gills with people who I see all the time in this wonderful small community.  I think we will do another local show this year — 3 years was way too long between local shows.

Zed did the very first opening act before Dave and he killed.  Did his diabolo routine with the music from his little Casio keyboard that he walks out with and turns on.  So calm, controlled, peaceful is he on stage.

Big month ahead.  Eight more shows all over the country.  I’ll be remembering tonight every time I step onto another airplane.

Wish you were here…

Barry