MID LIFE CRISIS AZ

The current blog is at http://mlcaz.com/ This is the original site for Mid Life Crisis, winners of the 2007 TAMMIES Reader's Choice for Cover Band (Runners up in 2005 & 2006). We'll try to work on updating as much as possible, but bear in mind these are some older posts. Thanks for visiting!

    July 29, 2006

    BOB DIEDRICH












































          The first group I every sang with was the Tucson Boys Chorus…..a long time ago. The Chorus instilled in me a love of music of all kinds, and it put into me a love of performing with others. I was in the chorus for 6 years and had the opportunity to tour with them throughout the United States, Mexico, and Australia. After leaving the chorus, I was about 14 at the time, I sang with school choirs and whatnot.

          I’d always listened to my trusty transistor radio and loved that new fangled rock and roll music, rhythm and blues, blues and funk. One day, the Beatles came along, The Kinks, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Dave Clark Five, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Yardbirds, that whole British invasion thing mixed in with the explosion of sweet soul music in the states.

          It wasn’t long til; I was jamin’ with guys in he neighborhood. Everybody had a guitar. Everybody was forming a band. My first band, formed around guys from Rincon High School, was The Nobelmen. We played junior high schools and CYO’s around the city. Eventually we became Just Us, and became a frat band. We must have played every frat and sorority at the UofA. That eventually led to playing not only the frats and sororities but also the Embers and Cedars on Speedway and becoming the Friday night house band at the Poco Loco. We had a good run of five years and broke up after we all hit our second year in college. Pickup bands followed over the years. Jam here jam there. Bands started up and closed down. I was playing some music with Steve Swinehart, who plays lead in Mid Life, and he was also playing with he guys in Mid Life at the same time.

          One day he asked me to go to one of their practices and there it was; a band that was going to stick around a while. Practice, practice, practice…learn more and more tunes, make ‘em sharp, form the harmonies, get tighter. We started to play out and it started working. And, it’s still working today. We’re a cover band and we make people dance, and that’s what it’s all about.

          I love playing and singing with these guys. We’re having fun and helping people to have fun themselves. The schedule is a busy one, but that’s what we were looking for when we plugged into the amps.

          Rock On

          -Bob


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                July 26, 2006

                AMERICAN LEGION 7-12-06


                  A full house welcomed the band back to the American Legion Post 66 on Friday. As usual, there were dancers from song one and they kept going all night. We debuted “Achy, Breaky Heart” and caused the usual turf war between the line dancers vs. the rest. “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” was well received, but we will polish the presentation a bit. Yours Truly (Gilbert) totally whiffed on our Elvis Medley and started singing Elvis lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis music – I think Khang recorded it. It’s amazing what a few weeks off will do to your mental concentration. I guess that’s part of a mid-life crisis.

                  Bob and Wild Bill wore their “Mid Life” shirts which reminds me – we will have the shirts in stock next week in S, M & L so let me know if you want yours. Only $10.00 with proceeds going toward the cost of our new demo recording on August 12. Thanks to the American Legion for always being so supportive.

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                    July 24, 2006

                    FYI


                      With my current wage earning work schedule, M-W are about as easy as my days get. Thursdays would be a good day to check this blog out for new content. I know you are busy, too.....so thought this Info would be helpful.

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                          July 23, 2006

                          YOUR STORIES


                          Do you have a good story that's connected to going out to see Mid Life Crisis? When out dancing/listening to Mid Life Crisis, did you meet someone special? Do you have a photo related to your story?

                          Please
                          e-mail me your Mid Life Crisis story and I'll post them!

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                            July 21, 2006

                            HIDEOUT SALOON PHOTOS July 2006


                            I sure had fun on Saturday with Mid Life Crisis at the Hideout, and it didn't look like I was alone!

                            I planned to stay out only a few hours (had a long week training at my second job) and take some pictures........I didn't leave till after the band stopped playing!

                            Here's some of the pictures I took (sorry for the delay in getting the photos posted, I have a crazy schedule!)




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                                July 19, 2006

                                HIDEOUT 7-14-06

                                The band returned from a short vacation and was welcomed by a good crowd at the Hideout.

                                Some of our Green Valley contingent was on hand to get the dancing started early (thanks Nancy & Oran) and our Hideout regulars kept it going all night long. The lovely Jan was on hand to snap a couple of shots –the best way to make the gallery is to get on the dance floor. The photos will be posted by the end of the week. Fred, Tom, Sharon, Carol, Roger & Michele - thanks for showing up and a special thanks to Jason & Liz (Happy Birthday Liz!). We’ll see you back at the Hideout on August 12”.

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                                  July 18, 2006

                                  SCHEDULE



                                            Friday July 18 - Chuy's 6310 E Tanque Verde - 6:30 to 9:30

                                            We''ll be playing in the side bar (you'll hear us). A great family place, join us on your way home for food and drink - we hope to attract a big enough crowd to make this a regular gig. We have so few gigs open to the public and fewer in E. Tucson.

                                            Saturday July 19 - Elks Lodge in Green Valley - 7 to 10:00

                                            Always a good time here, get there early to grab a place to sit.

                                            Friday July 25th - American Legion Post 66, Green Valley - 7 to 10:00

                                            This is a maybe at this point. Too bad in that the lounge just went non-smoking. Check back for updates.

                                            Sunday July 27th - Corpus Christi Church Pot Luck - 6:00 to 7:30

                                            This happens to be my parish, located in East Tucson. You can join us, just bring a dish to share with others. Dancers are needed - the folks are a bit shy about that first dance.

                                            Saturday August 2 - Taco Bron on Tanque Verde near Sabino Canyon - 7 to 10:00 on the patio.

                                            Another new venue for us, great place to munch while you drink and dance. If you drink Tequila shots, try Don Julio. Calling all friends to help fill the place for Tom.

                                            Friday August 22 - American Legion Post 66, Green Valley - 7 to 10:00

                                            See July 25th.

                                            Saturday August 23 - Elks Lodge Green Valley - 7 to 10:00

                                            You still have a fews weeks before the snowbirds come back - still room to twist the night away.





                                                1 Comments:

                                                Blogger Singing Insurance Dude said...

                                                Hope all our friends are checking this out. Thanks to you for coming out.

                                                5:23 PM  

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                                                  July 10, 2006

                                                  THE SONGS (A-L)

                                                  SONG-ORIGINAL ARTIST

                                                  A Mover El Bote-Texas Tornadoes
                                                  Achy Breaky Heart-Billy Ray Cyrus
                                                  Ain't Too Proud to Beg-The Temptations
                                                  All Shook Up-Elvis Presley
                                                  At Last-Etta James

                                                  Bad Case of Loving You-Robert Palmer
                                                  Bad Mama Jamma-Carl Carlton
                                                  Because Dave-Clark Five
                                                  Black Magic Woman-Santana
                                                  Boot Scootin' Boogie-Brooks & Dunn
                                                  Brown Sugar-Rolling Stones

                                                  Celebrate-Kool & the Gang
                                                  Cumbia Raza-Los Lobos

                                                  Do You Love Me?-The Contours
                                                  Do Wah Diddy-Manfred Mann
                                                  Don't be Cruel-Elvis Presley
                                                  Drviing My Life Away-Eddie Rabbit

                                                  Eight Days a Week-Beatles
                                                  Electric Slide
                                                  Fast as You-Dwight Yoakum

                                                  Get Ready-Rare Earth
                                                  Green River-Creedence Clearwater
                                                  Guacamole-Texas Tornadoes
                                                  Guitars, Cadillacs-Dwight Yoakum

                                                  Hard to Be in Love-Hall & Oates
                                                  Heartaches by the Number-Ray Price
                                                  Help-Beatles
                                                  Hey Baby Que Paso?-Texas Tornadoes
                                                  Hey Good Lookin'-Hank Williams, Sr.
                                                  Hold Me, Thrill Me-Mel Carter
                                                  Hurts So Good-John Mellencamp

                                                  I Need to Know-Marc Anthony
                                                  I Swear-Michael Montgomery
                                                  Imagine-John Lennon

                                                  Johnny B. Goode-Chuck Berry

                                                  Kansas City-Wilbert Harrison

                                                  La Bamba-Richie Valens/Los Lobos
                                                  Let it Be Me-Everly Brothers
                                                  Let's Twist Again-Chubby Checker
                                                  Little Bit 'o Soul-Music Explosion
                                                  Little Bitty-Alan Jackson
                                                  Little Miss Honky Tonk-Brooks & Dunn
                                                  Lo Mucho que te Quiero-Rene y Rene
                                                  Lodi-Creedence Clearwater
                                                  Looking for a Love-Bobby Womack
                                                  Lost in the 50's-Ronnie Milsap

                                                  THE SONGS M-Z

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                                                    July 09, 2006

                                                    THE SONGS (M-Z)

                                                    SONG-ORIGINAL ARTIST

                                                    Margaritaville-Jimmy Buffet
                                                    Marie, Marie-The Blasters

                                                      Oh Boy-Buddy Holly
                                                      Oh Darling-The Beatles
                                                      Old Time Rock n Roll-Bob Segar

                                                        Mid Life Crisis-John Ankiewicz
                                                        Midnight Hour-Wilson Pickett
                                                        Mustang Sally-Wilson Pickett


                                                          Play that Funky Music-Wild Cherry

                                                            Right Down the Line-Gerry Rafferty
                                                            Rock 'n Roll Music-Carl Perkins/Beatles
                                                            Run Around Sue-Dion & the Belmonts


                                                              Shake, Rattle & Roll-Bill Haley & the Comets
                                                              She Don't Know -Sammy Kershaw
                                                              Sister Goldhair-America
                                                              Spooky-Classics V
                                                              Surfing USA-The Beach Boys


                                                                Taking Care of Business-Bachman Turner Overdrive

                                                                  Tequila Sunrise-Eagles
                                                                  That'll be the Day-Buddy Holly
                                                                  The Letter-Box Tops
                                                                  The Middle-Jimmy Eat World
                                                                  Tore Down-Eric Clapton
                                                                  Tulsa Time-Don Williams/Eric Clapton


                                                                    Unchained Melody-Righteous Brothers
                                                                    Under the Boardwalk-The Drifters


                                                                      Wasted Days & Wasted Nights-Freddy Fender
                                                                      What I Like About You-The Romantics
                                                                      Whole Lotta Shakin'-Jerry Lee Lewis
                                                                      Who's Making Love?-Johnny Taylor
                                                                      Wicked Game-Chris Issak
                                                                      Wild Night-Van Morrison
                                                                      Wonderful Tonight-Eric Clapton


                                                                        YMCA-Village People
                                                                        You Got Me Singing the Blues-Marty Robbins
                                                                        You're Gonna Lose that Girl-Beatles
                                                                        You've Lost that Loving-Righteous Brothers


                                                                        THE SONGS A-L

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                                                                          July 08, 2006

                                                                          GILBERT CASTILLO-part one


                                                                          It’s a convoluted journey from playing the cello in grade school to singing in a dance cover band. I actually “came out of the shower” in 2001 thanks to Sharon Ankiewicz, the wife of our keyboard player, John. We were part of group of store managers in Tucson for OfficeMax that traveled to Phoenix for quarterly meetings. The bar near our hotel hosted karaoke and she talked me into singing a duet with her – I was petrified. I survived, worked up the nerve to start singing solo and after a few more outings Sharon asked if I would be interested in singing in her husband’s band.
                                                                          John extended an invitation and I met the gang in Khang’s (Nguyen, our bass player) garage. After a tentative start, I worked my way from background harmonies to lead vocals. Ironically, Khang was playing bass in my church’s band, mentioned that the band needed a male singer. I attended a rehearsal and was asked if I could handle a solo. The following Sunday I sang “professionally” for the first time in public – 950 eyeballs watching me – I thought the karaoke was tough.

                                                                          1 Comments:

                                                                          Anonymous Anonymous said...

                                                                          What's up, I was just curious about Gilbert Castillo being a musician, my name is also Gilbert Castillo and I'm also a musician, check this page out...

                                                                          I'm from Rocky Point Mexico, and I'm also a Recording Engeneer

                                                                          http://togilber.hi5.com

                                                                          7:40 PM  

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                                                                            July 07, 2006

                                                                            GILBERT CASTILLO-part two





                                                                            In May of 2001 my wife told me her pre-school’s carnival could use a band and asked if we would be interested. John & Khang have been in numerous bands but we had never performed in public. “Sure, why not.” As the date approached she began fielding questions. Fellow Teachers: “What kind of music do they play?” Joanne: “I’m not sure.” Fellow Teachers: “Are they any good?” Joanne: “I don’t know, I’ve never heard them.” Now Joanne was working on how she could distance herself if we bit the big one. I guess they figured we would show up with a boom box and a Mr. Microphone but we lugged in enough equipment to impress them. At that point we only felt confident in about 8 of our songs so we just repeated the set. Luckily, the constantly moving mass of pre-school kids proved enough of a distraction and enough people came and went to prevent our limited repertoire from being an issue.


                                                                              From there it was a matter of confidence – it was intimidating singing with musicians with years of experience but they let me hang around since I was starting to book more gigs and we started getting paid. I never said it, but at that point, I was happy to play & sing for free just for the experience. Steve Swinehart joined us and provided a strong lead guitar and after Bob Diedrich joined up we were able to incorporate three part harmonies behind a lead voice. Singing in my church band and with these guys accelerated the development of my musical ear – leads are a blast, but so is weaving a tight vocal harmony.

                                                                                I grew up in Texas so I heard a lot of country, and my dad loved the blues, Sinatra & Tex-Mex/Norteno music. I also discovered Bill Haley & Louis Jordon while I was high school so I listened to that along with Creedence and even some Black Sabbath. I want songs that make people sit up and, better yet, get them up on dance floor. It’s also a kick when the audience sings along.

                                                                                  None of my family knew this was a lifelong dream, and I still find it hard to believe I’m getting the opportunity. It’s a total blast.

                                                                                    I haven't quit my day job, though! I am an independent agent for State Farm.


                                                                                      1 Comments:

                                                                                      Anonymous Anonymous said...

                                                                                      This is a great site . . I'm so glad you took the time to set it up and put in personal information also. That way everyone is able to keep up with the Mid-Life Crisis and know where they will be next.

                                                                                      May you all have continued luck . . though don't really think you will need it as you have a great band!
                                                                                      Neva

                                                                                      8:16 PM  

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                                                                                        July 04, 2006

                                                                                        4TH OF JULY

                                                                                        A SAFE AND HAPPY

                                                                                        FOURTH OF JULY 2006

                                                                                        From Mid Life Crisis
                                                                                        The band that plays America's favorite dance tunes

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                                                                                          AWARDS


                                                                                          TAMMIES -Tucson Area Music Awards
                                                                                          Reader's Choice

                                                                                          2006

                                                                                          2005

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                                                                                            THE MUSIC














                                                                                            Mid Life Crisis keeps the dance floor full by including a wide variety of music in their sets. It doesn't matter if you and your friends differ on the type of music you listen to, everyone will hear something they can enjoy dancing to, singing along with, or just sitting back and listening to.

                                                                                            Mid Life Crisis sets include:

                                                                                            • Rock & Roll
                                                                                            • Country (modern and traditional)
                                                                                            • Mo Town
                                                                                            • Disco
                                                                                            • Tejano

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                                                                                              VENUES















                                                                                              Elks Lodge-Green Valley, AZ
                                                                                              December 2005 to present


                                                                                                American Legion-Green Valley, AZ
                                                                                                March 2005 to present

                                                                                                  Hideout Saloon-Tucson, AZ
                                                                                                  December 2005 to present

                                                                                                    Desert Diamond Sports Lounge-Tucson, AZ
                                                                                                    2004-2005

                                                                                                      Fred's Arena Bar and Steakhouse-Tucson, AZ
                                                                                                      2005

                                                                                                        Desert Diamond Patio-Tucson, AZ
                                                                                                        Private party

                                                                                                          Sonshine Pre-School-Tucson-AZ
                                                                                                          April 2002-FIRST GIG!-complimentary performance


                                                                                                            First Private Party
                                                                                                            October 2002

                                                                                                            Mid Life Crisis performs at weddings and private parties as permitted by their schedule.

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                                                                                                              July 03, 2006

                                                                                                              BAND MEMBERS













                                                                                                              2003 to current

                                                                                                              2002

                                                                                                              2001

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                                                                                                                July 02, 2006

                                                                                                                BAND NAME ORGIN

                                                                                                                Joanne Castillo asked her husband, Gilbert, what he did with the guys on Thursday nights. When Gilbert answered, “We get together in Khang’s garage, play some songs and sing.” Joanne responded “It sounds like a bunch of guys going through a mid-life crisis!” After that, the band had a name!

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