Chris, Kenny, Konocti, and a catching up on stuff post

Man I can't believe it is the end of August. The year is 2/3 over. Soon the time will change and that is so depressing for me. I work late so any advantage the early sunrise has is lost on me. Dec. is the worst of course.



I used to work weekends at an AM station in Lakeport that was a 500 watt daytime signal. We were only on during the day, and had to sign off the air at the 1/4 hour closest to (before) sunset. So in Dec. we would be off the air at 4:45 pm. In the summer they added a shift at night done by a local school teacher.



I hate the time change.



It has been a fun summer, lots of stuff planned, but I didn't get to do it all. The key for me is to plan a lot and see what I can pull off actually doing. Not making plans leads to me not doing much, and I like to stay busy.



Going to the movies at the restored theatre in Alameda was fun, seeing Godfather and GF II in the same weekend on the big screen was great. Godfather II is the best movie ever (according to me) but on its own it is just good. The first movie really sets it up. Every scene in II is just perfect. In so many movies you see a couple of scenes you can tell they just shot for some reason and they added to the film. The actors are just "calling it in" and getting it over with. In GF II every single moment and scene is so intense and well done. It is perfect. I could watch it every weekend.



Too bad more people didn't go. The theatre shut down. Maybe they'll do special events, and they still have the auctions. Man I so miss the UC Theatre and all their cool films. Oh well.



I went to Konocti to see Chris Isaak. That place used to be a joke. All the classic rock has-beens would play there but the last few years they brought in a new booker and he is changing things around. They are booking a good mix of acts and getting the crowds and building a good reputation as a great place to see bands. Word is they are also making some Bay Area bookers a little upset. They pay the bands pretty good at Konocti. They can because lots of people who come for the shows will book a room and stay for the weekend. If you include the bar and resturant Konocti is making out pretty good. They can pay enough to get exclusive gigs from some of the bands.



Here are some stories about the place. It only holds about 5,000 in the outdoor theatre. If you were in the last row of the bleachers, farthest from the stage you are still only about 50 yards from the front row. The lake is on your right and Mt. Konocti (a volcano) is to your left and blocks the setting sun, cooling things off. It is really nice. So if you see somebody coming you'd like to see go and check it out. You don't have to stay there, you can camp at Clear Lake state park or there are lots of places nearby.



So Chris Isaak was a good show. Lots of favorites and Chris goofing around on stage. Chris really has a good band and plays a rocking set with a few ballads and acoustic numbers. I always like to see him.



He played Saturday night and stayed over at Konocti. Sunday I hooked up with his drummer Kenny Dale Johnson. Kenny and Chris have been together for about 20 years and I've known them both since playing demo tapes on KUSF in the early 80's. The last 3 years or so they have been spending alot of time in Vancouver Canada filming "The Chris Isaak Show" on Showtime. I hadn't been in touch with Kenny for a few years, he's been busy so it was good to see him. We went to Marcie's in Kelseyville for some AM chow. Kenny had some good stories but I can't tell them here except...



There is a Chris Isaak Christmas album coming out soon with covers and originals.



"The Chris Isaak Show" is done and there might be a DVD set of the show but with all the guests it might take awhile to get the lawyers and everybody to agree on a deal. Same thing with making a CD of the shows songs. All the guests make it hard to do. But people are working on it.



Chris and Kenny might not be done with tv yet...



The band is going to record a Christmas special for the PBS Soundstage show. And there might be more Chris and or Kenny on the tube in another show.



Nobody had seen the final cut of A Dirty Shame. It is out in Sept.



I don't "hang" with famous people. Kenny is just an old friend. It was good to catch up.