The uniformed security guard checks our VIP pass and waves us through the gate.  Suddenly we’re out of the crowded masses that are pouring in from all possible parking locations within 2 miles of the Plano Balloon Festival.  We make our way along the fenced off west bound lanes of Spring Creek parkway that serve as the access road to the stage and vendor areas.  As we get within sight of the stage another security guy checks our VIP pass again then directs us to the parking area for performers.  Two very friendly festival workers drive up to us on golf carts and proceed to load up our amps, guitars, and drums. They move off in the direction of the stage which is about 400 yards away.  More golf carts arrive with drivers that whisk us to the back stage area.   

The sound guy meets us at the back stage area and goes over our requirements for monitors and individual sound mixes. The back stage manager comes up and introduces himself and goes over the sequence of activities with us.  He points out the beverage coolers provided for the band and tells us to let him know if we need anything. 

We walk onto the stage and have a look around. The stage floor is about 60’ X 40’. The ceiling is 20 feet above us with par 64 lights around the perimeter waiting to be lit.  Randy is already directing the assembly of his drum kit on the riser that sits toward the back center of the stage.  I look out at the crowd and can hardly credit what I’m seeing with my own eyes.  We are one hour away from show time and there is already a crowd of about 10,000 people gathered in front of us. As I watch, more and more people stream in to grab a place on the grassy hillside that is the viewing area.   

I should be nervous but I’m not.  I reflect on this for a moment and wonder why I’m not nervous.  This will be the biggest crowd I’ve ever played to by far.  Then I realize that I’m totally confident in the guys that will be sharing the stage with me.  We’ve played these songs a thousand times. Our level of communication with each other borders on ESP.  Every glance, nod, or tilt of the head means something and we are always on the same page.  I know if I fall they’ll catch me as I would with anyone of them.  That’s cool.

I turn my attentions to plugging in my amp, connecting my effects board, and unpacking and tuning my guitars.  I’ve selected my two favorites for this show – the Black Fender Fat Strat and my precious Gibson MIII Deluxe. I’ll start with my Strat and use my MIII as a back up in case I break a string or something. I look over at Vaughn and he’s tuning his guitar as well.  I smile to myself as I realize that just like every other show Vaughn is going with one guitar – his ‘82 Fender Stratocaster. He don’t need no stinkin’ backup. Ken has already finished his set up and is going over his monitor mix with the sound technician.  I check my rig one more time then rack my guitar, toggle the amp to “Standby” and walk over to talk to each of the guys to make sure everything is OK. I head backstage and check out the beverage coolers and select a bottle of water and chat with some of the stage hands killing time until show time.   

At ten minutes to show time I walk back on stage and recheck my tuning.  Everything is good.  I’m ready to rock.  At that moment I feel heat emanating from above.  Ken and I see each other across the stage walk toward each other.  Ken gestures toward the stage ceiling with his chin and says, “You feel the lights?”  “Yep.  Big difference when the lights are lit, huh?” I say.  I pull out my shades and put them on.  The lights are that bright.  We each check with one another to be sure we are all ready.  Ken nods to the stage manager who switches on his microphone from behind the PA stack at stage right and says, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 2006 Plano Balloon Festival.  Tonight for your enjoyment we present one of the best rock bands in the DFW area, Hoopdolfin!” I start the opening riff of Sweet Home Alabama and we are off and running.  As I’m singing I look out over the crowd and try to estimate how many people are out there.  All I know is I can’t see the grass between the people.  I find out later that there were about 30,000 people in the audience.  The song ends and we hear the applause coming back at us and I realize that it doesn’t get much better than this.  This is why we chose to be musicians in the first place.  This is the pay off for all the hard work and sacrifice.  Trying to put it into words now doesn’t do justice to the actual experience.  And unless you’ve experienced it yourself there is no way to convey the way it feels when 30,000 people show their appreciation.

Vaughn starts the opening riff of Jenny Jenny and we are into the next song.  Then into No Matter What and on through the rest of the set list.  Everything sounds great.  I’m having so much fun running around that like a dog coming up short on his leash, I actually pulled my guitar cord out of my effects board.  Ken works his way over to the sound guy and has a word with him.  The stage guy runs out and tapes my cord down to the stage to keep me from pulling it out again.   

We played all the songs they wanted to hear and too quickly it’s over.  We thank everybody and head off stage.  It was truly a night to remember.  Knowing that we’ve decided to dissolve the band makes this performance all the more special.  We definitely finished on a high note. 

Why are we dissolving the band?  Well, if every performance was like what I just described, we probably wouldn’t.  After a while you just come to dread playing a gig because of having to load your equipment, drive to the venue, unload, set up, play 4 hours with the club owner telling you at least once a set to turn down, loading out, driving home at 3:00 in the morning, unloading at home, and finally hitting the sack about 3:30.  Then there is the look in my son’s eyes when I had to tell him that I couldn’t make it to his baseball game because I had a gig.  Or having to constantly tell our friends we couldn’t join them for dinner because I had a gig. After a while it’s just more trouble than it’s worth.  We are just ready to enjoy other parts of our lives.

I wanted to thank everybody for all the support over the last 4 years.  Although I’m hanging up my guitar for now, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.  You’ve all been great. Please keep supporting live music. Thank you.

We will be playing the occasional private party, but the grind of the club gig is something we won't be doing.

 Joel (for Vaughn, Randy and Ken and well of course Joel)