Smithereens/TP&HB -or- What I'm doing on my summer vacation

[kennyhowes]

Hello all!

I wanted to send a quick note to let you all know about some upcoming gigs I'm playing in this month.

As most of you know, I fill in on bass with The Smithereens when their regular bassist, my good friend Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacian, has other obligations.

For the month of June, I've been doing just that - four shows already, and having a great time.

The remaining five shows in June, though, are particularly exciting, as the band will be opening for a group from Florida called Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

I'm honored and completely stoked to be involved in this tour! It hasn't sunk in yet, honestly.

For more information, feel free to check out http://officialsmithereens.com/shows , as well as the Smithereens' OfficIal Facebook Page.

See you out there!
KH

[jps]

Very cool, Kenny!

Looking at the tour schedule I see a gig on 11/1/13 in Cleveland, do you know whether you'll be pulling bass duties for that show?

[kennyhowes]

Very cool, Kenny!

Looking at the tour schedule I see a gig on 11/1/13 in Cleveland, do you know whether you'll be pulling bass duties for that show?

I'm only scheduled for the dates in June at this time.

[8mileshigher]

Very cool, Kenny!

+1

[JakeK]

Will there be the off chance that you'll get to meet TP and the Heartbreakers?

Break a leg on the tour, Kenny, sounds like it's going to be:

[cjj]

Wow! That's totally cool!

[kennyhowes]

Will there be the off chance that you'll get to meet TP and the Heartbreakers?

Off chance. No way of knowing.

[JakeK]

Off chance. No way of knowing.

Get a picture if you do. IIRC, TP likes the Smithereens (I read it in the book Coversations With Tom Petty)

[doctorwho]

Wow! That's totally cool!

+1!

[kennyhowes]

And in case you wondered: 4003S JG.

[wmthor]

Wow! That's totally cool!

+1!

+2!

[kennyhowes]

Will there be the off chance that you'll get to meet TP and the Heartbreakers?

So this happened backstage after our show in Indiana:


Scott Thurston of The Heartbreakers (to me): Hey man, you guys were great!

Me (toweling off): Thanks! (shakes Scott's hand)

(Tom approaches us, having just arrived, holding cup of tea)

ST: Hi Tom! Hey, this is Kenny, he played bass tonight.

Me: Hi Tom!

TP (raising teacup in toasting manner & in a relaxed, slow drawl): Hey Kenny, how ya doin'.


Tom then set down his cup of tea and walked directly onstage and began his set. I, in the moment, was cool and collected, and then walked away and realized I'd just been greeted by name by one of my musical heroes, and had a minor meltdown.


And that, fellow forumites, is how I met Tom Petty last night.

[jps]

Well, it seems the meltdown was pretty short lived as you were able to recount the story. Mazel tov, Kenny.

[cjj]

Even more "Totally cool!"

[8mileshigher]

Even more "Totally cool!"

+1 again