Last year, me and my friends loaded up with a designated driver and toured the Tri-Cities music scene and rang in the New Year from downtown Johnson City. We had so much fun that time, we figured we’d make another go at it since we were fortunate enough to be around another year.
There were lots of bands playing here and there and it was tough to decide where to go, but I had four bottles of various red wines and the will to last well after midnight, so instead of making all the decisions, I decided to go with the flow (I wish I had remembered to eat some food – I might have felt better on the day after).
Nevertheless, we started out with at least three bottles in Colonial Heights and made our way with Nikki and Laura to Halo in Johnson City. Halo isn’t the A-list venue in Johnson City and in many ways they keep their entertainment quiet. It’s a small club too, but plenty of character as a coven of ladies run this nice little bar that featured The Jones Boys for New Years.
I don’t know alot about the Jones Boys. They’re a four piece band with an eclectic mix of pop-covers. We arrived sometime about 11.00 and stood around for a set that included everything from CCR, Stones, Greg Khin Band and unfortunately…Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ at midnight. Not my cup of tea, but the ladies seemed to enjoy the music. I watched the ball drop from the TV above the bar and ordered a red-headed slut to quaff for the New Year.
It wasn’t long after midnight that we left Halo, hung out with a street corner musician singing Eagles songs for a little bit and watched the chaos in front of Gatsby’s as three Johnson City police cruisers were taking care of business.
The scene at Gatsby’s was cause enough to leave, besides CattleAxe was ringing in the New Year at Tap’s and Tom and Lisa invited us to the show and although Tap’s isn’t my favorite place to hang out, we were eager to see our friends as we were celebrating the holiday.
Inside the door, the band was on break and the first man-hug of the night went to Phil Davis on the soundboard. Phil is warm, dedicated friend whom I first met while living with Chris Jones in Mount Carmel. Phil has been running sound for bands throughout this region for a couple of decades and I always enjoy catching up with him. His wife Holly is a treat too and each time I see them, I’m envious for the happiness they seem to have as a couple.
Oddly enough, and maybe it was the alcohol, but I agreed to dance with Lisa Bettini as the band struck up a George Jones song. I still can’t believe it, but I couldn’t turn down a beautiful blonde and Lisa is wonderful spirit. Besides dancing with Tom’s wife kind of gave me a thrill as we made sure we smiled as we passed by while he was playing bass.
We had a good time tonight and the only mistake was not eating anything for the evening and that made for a tough time New Year’s day, but I’m glad another year has come and I have the extreme luxury of looking back on another year.
Happy New Year!