@samster0101: Thanks for the positive feedback on my kit. The "angled cymbal stand" is the result of a prior owner who must have been experiencing some sort of brain-freeze. For some unknown reason he bent a perfectly good Rogers stand to use as a type of modified boom. I've stopped asking "why" in regard to this type of silliness long ago. Fortunately, the stand is still functional so I make use of it with one of my splash cymbals. We're playing at an Irish Restaurant and Pub.
@Purdie Shuffle (John): I appreciate the hydration recommendations. I gave the "formal" Santa outfit a test run earlier today. I'll definitely be using it while leading the audience in "The 12 Days of Christmas - Redneck Style" but might be forced to replace it with my "informal" (i.e., lighter) outfit for playing the next set. We usually play about 8-10 songs per set. However, for this job we'll be doing two longer sets with 17 songs in each. I honestly think I'd melt under the beard and the "formal" outfit. The "attached belly" might also cause some challenges in a sitting position. I'll have to see how it goes, I guess. As far as the "foxy-looking office cougar", Christmas is the season for dreams, isn't it ? I've been told that old, fat guys with pot bellies and huge white beards wearing red suits have been known to be babe magnets during this time of the year (lol)! I'm really looking forward to a fun evening. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, John!
@FFR428: Shall do! Thanks for the kind words!
@MarkE: Thanks for the comments on my kit as well as your suggestions. I'll definitely try to get some pics. If I do, I'll post 'em.
@Jim: As I mentioned to Purdie Shuffle, I might be using the "formal", heavier Santa outfit for the audience participation portion of the show and replace it with the "informal, lighter outfit for playing purposes. At this stage of the game I can't afford to be sweating off any additonal pounds! The Christmas songs we plan on doing are "Santa Baby", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (instrumental version), "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "Run, Run Rudolph", Away In a Manger" (acoustic version) and "The 12 Days of Christmas -- Redneck Style".
@MME (Vati): I've got the jingle bells all packed and ready to go. I had my own from playing Santa at some office parties and our bass player also brought some. I can assure you that "Bells Will Be Ringing!"
