At the end of last year, I decided to take time off from live gigs. My band was feeling old and worn out to all of us and the spark had left us. My stated intention was to begin playing live again in the fall. It was closer to the truth to say I had no intention of gigging with the Mark Archambault Combo again. I had gone from singing the blues with passion and conviction to halfheartedly "whining" the blues. A few months ago my friend Rob Curcio volunteered to play bass if I wanted to play out. Drummer Mike Brennan completed the package and we were ready to rehearse.
What was still missing was a spark of inspiration. "What kind of music do you guys want to play?" was my question to them. "It's your band, you figure it out", was their answer.
It is up to me to pick the music that is played before and after church at Aldea. One Sunday I threw on a Motown's greatest hits CD and watched as the room lit up. People of all ages were tapping their feet and singing along to these wonderful songs. Rob said this was the music we should be performing. I already have several original tunes that fit the style. Now with the inspiration firmly in place, we are off and running.
Our first gig is in two weeks and we are excited about the music. It feels great to be singing songs by The Temptations, The Four Tops, Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Picket, Jackie Wilson, Ben E King, Ray Charles... I LOVE PLAYING MUSIC AGAIN!!!!
Please do me the favor of visiting our ReverbNation account and seeing us live. I promise you will have a great time shaking your booty and singing along.
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Mark
