August 1-3 Winnemucca trip: Light Show For The Belamy Brothers

This is the second year we've been asked to run the lights for the Superior Livestock Auction concert in Winnemucca, Nevada. Last year the band was great but I hadn't heard of them before. This year it's The Belamy Brothers. Although I have heard of them, before I checked out their website, I couldn't tell you any of the songs they sang. (http://www.bellamybrothers.com/)

At any rate, I've been looking forward to the trip. We have a couple that is coming to stay at the house with the kids and the dogs, so Rob and I are taking this little trip together- just the two of us. Dale and Rob loaded the van and the trailer on Tuesday, so we were able to hit the road at a fairly reasonable time on Wednesday.

Set-up time on Thursday was 8:00 a.m. Just like last year, 4 stage hands were available for the entire day to help with whatever we needed.

This made the whole event easier for me. It was funny to watch Rob put up these lights with the help of three other people:

It was the exact same set-up as last year so we knew what to expect. We were set up in plenty of time and were making final adjustments when the Bellamy Brothers tour bus pulled up to unload.

We had a nice big break in the middle of the day. The convention center next to the stage had a cool wild animal display:

One of the perks of this show is that they feed us the same delicious food they serve the ranchers attending the auction. Spaghetti and meatballs for lunch and steak and all the fixins' for dinner.

There are probably several thousand people here for this event and it's obvious that money is flowing freely- both at the auction AND the casinos. It was nice to not be in charge of audio at this event (Rob would disagree) so we just sat back and watched the sound check:

This is one of the few times this dance floor was empty. Even between bands, people were dancing to the background CD music:

This is a band that played during dinner on a side stage. We had nothing to do with it at all, but they were really good!

This is the band that opened for the Bellamy Brothers. I didn't catch the name and I only listened to one song- I went back to the hotel for awhile:

This is the view of the concert area from our hotel across the street:

The opening band was just finishing up when I got back:

The Bellamy Brothers:

I think it's safe to say that 80% of these dancers are stinkin' drunk:

The Brother's stopped playing around 11:00 p.m. when the Midnight Riders took over. We had to wait to tear our stuff down until the band and the sound company cleared the stage so we were the last ones out of there (besides one very drunk man who was passed out at one of the tables). It was close to 2 a.m. before we headed back to the hotel:

We got a slow start on Friday morning when it was time to head home. We were pretty tired from the late night so we took our time getting ready to leave. This is one of the most boring roads to travel- it's 5 hours of nothing but road and sagebrush:

I couldn't help but think of Bilbo's song in LOTR. I could only remember a couple of stanzas so I had to google it at home:

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

The Road goes ever on and on

Out from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

Let others follow it who can!

Let them a journey new begin,

But I at last with weary feet

Will turn towards the lighted inn,

My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

-- J R R Tolkien

Gloria was very happy to see us when we finally got home:

We topped off the day with dinner at Texas Roadhouse and a rented movie.

It was a really good trip, but it's so nice to be home.