BREAKING NEWS

I have some unfortunate news to deliver to BackUp Band fans: Long time bassist, Craig Clasen, (photo - far right) has announced his upcoming departure from the band. Craig is a great guy and a talented bass player. We will miss him and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Craig has always been more of a straight ahead bluesman and recently has been playing side gigs with Wallace Coleman. Perhaps we played Mustang Sally one too many times. Its one of the downsides of the business. I love Wilson Picket, but you get sick of people screaming for that song night after night; sometimes having to play it two or three times in one night.

Maybe its my goatee. Could my new look have scared him away? Craig has had to get used to having to setup his rig next to a radical beatnik (as one business associate has become fond of referring to me). Maybe its my deodorant. I don't know. I feel like I should have done more; that maybe there might have been some way I could've reached out to him. Then again, maybe it was just Mustang Sally. (I would've been happy to drop the tune from the list, but The Reverend (photo - bottom row; leather; sunglasses) is persistent.

While virtually every musician on the planet is easily replaceable with the use of drum machines, samplers and digital sequencing, there is still something to be said for Craig's wild stage antics, dancing and wild acrobatic displays. I'll truly miss that.

In all seriousness, I have thoroughly enjoyed playing in a band with Craig. He is a great musician and a great guy. Keep in touch, dude!

I've not talked to everyone else, but I believe that the intention is for the band to continue on. If I hear otherwise, you will be the first to know, courtesy of tbublog (It would figure that I finally start a blog; then the band breaks up).

Anyway, please join us at 9:30 PM on Friday August 26, 2005 at The Greenville Inn in Chagrin Falls, Ohio to give Craig a wild send off. Craig's buying*. I guess he'll have to play Mustang Sally at least one more time.

Later!

Keith
Lowly Keyboardist and Assistant to the Assistant Marketing Director
(c) 2005 BackUp band of Cleveland, OH, LLC.

*Craig's not really buying. Bring some cash if you want to drink.

P.S. Know a good bass player? Email contact information to thebackupband@aol.com.