Singing in the Big Leagues

Subject: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Dave Swan
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 08:49 PM

Oak Ash & Thorn is about to get on the grass at a major league ball park. We're fulfilling partner Doug's long time fantasy of singing the National Anthem in the big leagues when the Oakland A's host the Arizona Diamondbacks July 7 at 7:00. I really doubt that that part of the festivities will be televised, but it should be a kick in the pants, ranking as one of the most unusual gigs we've played in a while.

Put me in coach......

Cheers,

E.S.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 09:34 PM

*FAWKING A, MAN!* That is TOO kewl....it will the one and only time I will ever watch any football on television...they better show you guys!! Congratulations!

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 09:42 PM

Well you're in for a big surprise'cause its BASEBALL darlin'!!!

I'll try to get it here...Have a friend with the satellite you pickem game thingy!!! AND A BIG CONGRATS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!

How about a quick crotch grab?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Dave Swan
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 09:44 PM

Funny you should mention it. I've been thinking I should rent a copy of Betelgeuse and study up.

Phoooot-honk.

E.S.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 09:53 PM

Oh yeah and spit on the ground. Look how far Roseanne got doing just that. Good luck. SS

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 11:06 PM

Ain't that a hoot!!! Get a sock and fill it with quarters, what the hell.....when in Rome and all that......................LOL.

Mick

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 11:48 PM

Man you just CAN'T let this opp pass without a little "something." Like, just to check your first note harmony and all, sing BALLS in harmony. Back in my drunken sales period, I'd get a few other guys and we'd ride the elevator in whatever hotel and whenever the doors opened, we'd sing BALLS in harmony. People would stand and stare until the doors shut. I don't recall anyone ever getting on. Mostly during that time, our amusement came from either picking up women in the bar, destroying rental cars, or destroying the hotel rooms. Nothing like a group of drunken regional managers.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 11:58 PM

Thanks, Spaw...I knew something was wrong about football, but wasn't thinking very clearly! even better, I've actually been known to watch baseball...at least the World Series....has seen this thread, yet?**BG**

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: radriano
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 11:17 AM

Congratulations, Dave. I'll bet your rendition of the song will be spectacular!

Regards,
Radriano

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Mooh
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 11:42 AM

Probably the coolest gig anywhere! Congrats! Hope there's someone around with a camera...and send the forum a copy.

Batter up, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 03:46 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: JenEllen
Date: 07 Jul 00 - 03:52 AM

FANTASTIC!! Grab and spit before, and be sure to swat each other on the ass on your way out! We'll be watching for ya!
~Elle

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 08 Jul 00 - 12:24 AM

Wonderful news. But hey, guys, don't try to become ballplayers by spitting and swatting and such. You're folkies, and traditionalists, so be PROUD of that! Show them what you're made of! When you finish "and the ho-o-o-ome...of the...bra-a-a-ave," and the crowd is cheering wildly for the game to begin, why then you just...START RIGHT IN ON THE SECOND VERSE!

And thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just
And this be our motto, in God is our trust
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave

Wouldn't that be a statement! (Actually I think it may be the third verse, but, well, close enough for folk music.)

Go get 'em, guys. And remember what the bats are made of.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 08 Jul 00 - 12:31 AM

Oops. Just read the game date in your first post. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Besides, it's still July 7 here in Hawaii. Hope the gig went well. (You can always use my idea when you do the World Series.)

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Jul 00 - 12:32 AM

There was just a report on "Baseball 2Night" on ESPN2 about some incident that happened in the pregame at Oakland. Not a lot of details at this point, but something to the effect that the trio who sang the anthem finished it off by shouting "Play Ball" and lighting farts. One of these seems to have put a large scorch mark on Home Plate rendering it unusable and delaying the game while the plate was changed. I don't know yet whether any charges were filed or not.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 08 Jul 00 - 01:23 AM

I got to sing the Ntional Anthem at Wrigley Field once. Of course I was about ten rows up in the bleachers, but it was still a thrill. Congrats to Oak Ash and Thorn on being able to do it for real. It must have been an otherworldly experience.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Jul 00 - 05:47 PM

Still waiting on news.......Did they charge you for the damage done to Home Plate?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: WyoWoman
Date: 08 Jul 00 - 11:52 PM

They were so great the A's took 'em on the road with them. That's the only conceivable explanation.

Unless of course they took Spaw's multiple suggestions and sang BALLS in harmony and then started grabbing each others' bottoms and ...

nivver mind

ww

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 12:00 AM

The latest on ESPN2 is that the groundskeepers had considerable problems in repairing the damage since the intensity of the flame welded the underground securing posts and the Plate had to be dug around and then cut with a torch.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 11:32 AM

I see El Swanno is posting so they may have dropped the charges.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: p.j.
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 11:45 AM

Sorry, 'Spaw...that wasn't El Swanno posting (congratulations to Rick thread) it was jes lil ol me. I forgot to change the cookie this morning. My hunka hunka burnin love is on a 3-day shift at the fire station, and will likely post as soon as soon as they get the mayor out of the tree this morning...

PJ

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 12:48 PM

PAm, I'm certainly glad you were around to bail them out and I'm sure removing the mayor from the tree will look good to the judge and perhaps be an asset in commuting any sentence.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Amergin
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 01:14 PM

At least he was around to put out the flames...

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Dave Swan
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 02:32 PM

Singing at the Oakland A's game was a genuine, certifiable kick in the trousers. The A's are gracious hosts, providing us a nice place to hang out before the game, parking within steps of the gate, seats on the base line, and the finest microphone I ever hope to use.

I kept have little jolts throughtout the afternoon which said "hey, this is really happening". Being lead through the tunnels beneath the Coliseum and popping out behind the visitor's dog-out (the dug-out, cool) onto the GREEN grass of the diamond (wow, look at the grass, man, it's really, really green); brushing past Joe Garagiola setting up for an interview (no kidding, that's really Joe Garagiola, hey Joe); hearing the second and a half delay before our voices left the P.A. stacks (sure is a BIGGGbigggbigPLACEplaceplaceyou'veGOTTTgottgotHERRRRREEEE);swaggering back to the green room after sound check and running into Stomper, the A's six foot plush elepant mascot; singing before 17,500 people(don't break eye contact with Doug & Tom, don't screw this one up, don't scratch, don't choke); hearing, from the field, the roar at the end of the anthem (they always do that at ball games, it's not for us, but it dooo sound good); pats on the back from a local T.V. sportsdcaster; passing the umps and players in the tunnel as we retreated; trying not to look too much like a tourist, when I really wanted to stop and take it all in.

It only takes 53 seconds to sing the first verse of the song. Like new bridegrooms, we were finished in less than a minute, and wanted to do it again soon.

God, it was fun.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Dave Swan
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 02:34 PM

uh, that's having jolts, dug-out and sportscaster. Always profreeed.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 02:46 PM

Thanks Dave....And now that the jokes are over, the experience is very well told. Things like that are such a remarkable feeling that a good telling brings us there with you and makes many recall other times and other places and relive a few shivvers ourselves. Very neat my friend, and I'm glad to have you as one.

(The above translated into normal "Spawese" = "Fockin' A well tolt Bubba"

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Dave Swan
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 03:28 PM

Thanks, pal. Wish you had been there. Did I mention we drank some beer after the song??

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 04:08 PM

Yeah, yeah, but who won the game? (Toronto is still in contention, though not much longer the way things are going).

[GREAT SWANNO, DEEP ENVY, WHAT A BLAST!!! ANYONE VIDEO IT?]
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: p.j.
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 05:31 PM

I did, Peter. Unfortunately I had to tape over some explicit home movies I made of ElSwanno last month in Michigan. Just as Oak Ash & Thorn reach the climactic "...laaand of the freeeee..." the tape jumps to a shot of Captain Swan wearing nothing but his ox-driving hat and a big goofy grin, holding a bottle of chocolate syrup in one hand and a length of mosquito netting in the other. After a few seconds of fumbling with the pause button the tape jumps back to the A's game just in time to hear "play ball!". If I can get it all sorted out in the editing room, I'll send you a copy of just the anthem part.

Otherwise, you'll have to settle for the 35mm still pictures I actually did take from the field. They should be ready this week, and I'll try to post them on the 'Cat. Do they go under "events photos" or "personal profiles" or what? I'm gonna need some coaching to post them...

Peej

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 05:39 PM

Neat, neat, neat. Congratulations!

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 07:43 PM

HEY PEEJ!!!! We wondered what the hell was going on up there. And when we cleaned the room, we found some Energizer Superfeet insoles (no shit, we really did), a thong that wasn't mine, and a five pound sack of potatoes that have gone to root.

Can't wait to see the pic's and let me know if you want us to mail the insoles back.

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Willie-O
Date: 09 Jul 00 - 08:15 PM

Just put em on the ground pointing west, Mick. They will find their way.

W-O

Congrats Dave. And your feet will soon be happy...

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 01:01 AM

Dave, congrats. It's a real thrill isn't it? Did the one and a half second delay, throw you off? You keep hearing the last line as you're beginning the next one, and it can be really disconcerting. How did you handle that? All the best, Seamus

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 09:05 AM

Oh, that's why they threw him out of the animal husbandry class at the ox-driving school, I was wondering.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Dave Swan
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 11:52 AM

Seamus,

The second and a half can, as you say, be disconcerting. The grizzly old IATSE sound man told us a monitor only makes it worse, so we concentrated on the sound of each others's voices acoustically and did our best to ignore the amplified result. It seemed to work pretty well, althought I think we sounded better at sound check than in performance. Why is that so often the case? We did end up listening to ourselves a little bit and it led to about a half rest which is common in the anthem in ball parks. Like this: o'er the land of the freeeeee (now you can't stand it anymore, you're listening to the dying fermata of "freeee", you don't sing 'til it's gone, and there's more dead air than you've ever rehearsed--rest, rest) and the hoooome of the(sounded so good last time, we can't help but do it again--rest, rest)...brave.

I think that's why that pattern is fairly common in ball park national anthems. But then I've only done it once. What do I know?

Cheers, Dave

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 12:09 PM

Well that's generally about double the experience that anyone else has around here. But tell me, which of you scorched home plate with the fart.....still waiting to hear more on this.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Dave Swan
Date: 10 Jul 00 - 01:59 PM

We've been together so long, sometimes it's hard to know who it was. However, based on flame length, fuel source, time of burn and temperature (adjusted for sea level and realtive humidity)my guess is that it was a combined effort.Until the forensics report is returned it will have to remain a guess, as no gentlemen such as we would admit to a social gaffe of this magnitude.

E.S.

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 11 Jul 00 - 03:19 AM

Thanks, Dave. That makes sense. Wish I could have heard it. I sang the anthem once in a Triple-A Ballpark - Pilot Field in Buffalo, NY, before a Bisons game. I was warned ahead of time about the delay, but it still took me by surprise. I kept thinking: My God, that's ME! And almost forgot to sing the next line, but I did a fixed stare at the mic and got through it to the tumultuous applause of the 2oo or so people who were at the park early, and a pat on the behind from Buster the Bison. All the best, Seamus

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Jul 00 - 01:15 AM

Can't tell ya how proud I am of ya guy. And hey Seamus, ain't Pilot field a neat ball park?

Sadly the lady who sang the Canadian Anthem at the All-star game tonight was a bit nervous and hit a few bloopers. Wonder if she'd been warned about the DELAY!

Rick

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Jul 00 - 01:24 AM

Somebody should have put out a warning about the game. Well, I guess they did...............All Star Game...kinda like the Super Bowl..........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Singing in the Big Leagues
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 12 Jul 00 - 02:00 AM

Rick, Pilot field is a great ballpark, though it's no longer called Pilot Field. It's something else now, I forget what. The lady who sang the Canadiana Anthem tonight wasn't as bad as Mary O'Dowd from New York (a truly lovely lady and a superb performer) who blew the lyrics to the Canadian anthem a few years ago during the AL playoffs. She apologized profusely to Canadians everywhere, and if I remember correctly, they asked her back a night or so later to do it again, and she nailed it. ALl the best. Seamus