Little Did I Know...

Picture it...Charlottesville, VA, 1996.... A small little club named Trax

I really had no idea what I was in for...and I definitely had no idea what would be started this day! I was on a roadtrip with some dear friends from Catholic Campus Ministry at Mason, so I should have known that the adventure that would start this day was heaven sent and part of a bigger plan of things to come. With me on this particular adventure was my dear friend Rebecca, and we were introduced to this local up-and-coming band from Richmond, VA, called the Pat McGee Band! Little did I know...

Formed by Pat McGee, a Northern VA native and Longwood grad, the Pat McGee Band had just released their debut album, From the Wood - an awesome blend of rock guitars, drums, and percussions together with their folk harmonies and acoustic roots! From The Wood includes a lovely little tune, Rebecca, with which PMB closed the show!!!....Brilliantly simple lyrics to capture the conversation about much more  complex questions...

Does anybody out there want to help Rebecca find a clue to life;
I guess she feels she was the victim and we are the knife.
There is a price to pay when you put on that face and roll the dice,
One day soon you'll realize the world ain't that nice 

Hey, Rebecca this is your pilot speaking and you're about to land.
I hope you got all your answers and you've come to understand
That people and things are always going to change and you can't stop them now

For years after that day, 'From The Wood' rocked from my CD player - I cherished hearing it every time, but I was craving more!! Pat McGee Band was one of the most hardworking touring bands, playing over 300 days a year for almost the next decade, and despite being even signed to label, I didn't hear anything about them....Of course, it's because I was listening to the radio!!!!

Not until 2003 would I get the chance to see PMB again...after I got an invitation to see Michelle Branch at 930 Club. And guess who was opening?? How excited was I???? PMB featured one of the most insane percussionists I have ever heard, Mr. Chardy McEwan, rocking the bongo drum kit, the shakers, the chimes, the cowbell...Chardy pretty much rocks anything that makes noise!! Also, in the original band from Richmond was Mr. Brian Fechino, aka Techno, who wailed out some amazing guitar jams as the show went on. I was determined never let them out of my life again, and thus began a roadtrippin' adventure to see Pat and his band wherever they played in VA and MD.

Although these boys in PMB have faced the tragic loss of their drummer, Chris Williams, in 2006, a rotation of band members, and the realities of music labels, growing families, and kids, Pat still tours regularly, as a solo indie artist or with his band, sometimes even including saxophone and horn section! To this day, over 15 years later, they still bring the ROCK to ROCK AND ROLL -- check out this video I captured last year at the Leesburg Fall Festival!!



As you will see in my upcoming blogs, all the musical talent...and a lot of dear dear friends...are in my life today because of this band. Follow Pat McGee on Facebook to check out when he is coming to a town near you!! Check out his killer mini music festival weekends, also known as "Down the Hatch." He has even planned a "hometown" Down the Hatch weekend in Richmond, VA coming up September 23-25, 2011!! ROCK!