Photographer’s notebook: I knew something was wrong when I arrived at the Crystal Bay Casino on Friday, June 23, about five minutes late and the funk band Katdelic was just setting up. Their car had broken down and it was going to be a late one since the scheduled start time was 10 p.m. After a quick sound check the show began at 10:40 p.m.
It was rough as the drummer kept saying he couldn’t hear and they stopped in the middle of a song a couple times, gave up on that song and just started a new one. There is extreme talent in this group but everyone has a bad day.
Then a young girl out of the crowd asked if they take requests and RonKat Spearman gets this look on his face like, “What is this girl going to actually request?” She blurts out “Purple Rain” and gets an equally odd look again. Then RonKat goes back and huddles with the band and comes out and performs this long fabulous cover of the song. They quickly go through the vocals “Purple Rain, Purple Rain” and then Ronkat takes on this long guitar solo that just kills it. It sure made up for all the troubles starting out.
This group has some true artistic talent and I look forward to seeing them again at the Guitarfish festival on July 29.
-Larry Sabo
