Over My Head

Sounded like a swell idea when Mike Sugerman pitched it: the Eyewitness Blues Band playing a few songs at the Great American Music Hall to open a Funniest Celebrity fundraiser event, then backing Mike as he competed by singing his tune "Eyewitness Blues".

But then it turned out that half the band couldn't make it that night. It was going to be me, bassist Doug Sovern, and Mike. We hastily recruited San Francisco Chronicle reporter Steve Rubenstein to play harmonica, and we figured we'd make do.

Until we started chatting with ace guitar-slinger Doug Logan of Little Wolf and the Hellcats. Doug says he's never played the Great American Music Hall and we say, "Hell, come play with us!". It's a win-win: we get a way better guitar player; he gets to hit the big stage at the GAMH.

And then Doug says, "You guys need a drummer for this gig." We say, sure, we know that, but our drummer will be in Hawaii. And he says he'll get Little Wolf to come play drums--and sing!

A package deal! A drummer/vocalist, with real chops.

So last night we got together: three members of the Eyewitness Blues Band, two members of Little Wolf and the Hellcats, and harp-man Rubenstein. And it was a blast.

Little Wolf and Doug (or Doug2, as we're calling him to distinguish him from our Doug) can really play. And it's true what they say: you play with better musicians, you get better. I'm still mediocre on my good days, but I felt like I was playing on a new level.

So anyway, a week from tonight, it'll be a pickup band. Little Wolf and the Eyewitness Blues Boys? The Eyewitness Hellcats? Whatever. It'll be a blast.