Maia Sharp and the Hornblower

So, last night my wonderful wife and I went out on a HOT date. We like to call it a hot date because we don't get many of them. Not because we don't want to go out on dates, but because we don't get much time with 4 Mazza monkeys running around. Yep, four kids and we are still functioning....though I think my wife would say, "Barely."
One of our favorite local radio stations gave away tickets recently for this concert on a boat. Say what? That is right, I said "a concert on a boat." KPRI (www.kprifm.com) is one of the few remaining independent radio stations. They have always played the music that they want to, not bound by the management of some huge corporation. I like this. Although I miss the days when they were called SETS102, where they would play 2 and 3 song sets of one artist, I am thrilled with the fact that they always have their ear to the ground and are usually the first station in San Diego to play the next big thing....Examples are Norah Jones, John Mayer and Marc Broussard (more on Marc another time)....KPRI is playing and has played them before anyone else. Anyway, back to my story....
So, we got these free tickets for a Hornblower Cruise (www.hornblower.com) around San Diego Bay. On the top deck of the boat was the set up for the band. It was definitely a compact space, but they had three vocal mics and setup for a bass guitar, full drum kit, acoustic guitar, keyboard and electric guitar. The artist playing this night was Maia Sharp (www.maiasharp.com) and I have to say that I truly enjoyed the music, despite the frequent fly bys of Navy jets and helicopters (ah, the price of freedom). KPRI was one of the first to play "Brownstone" from Maia's 1997 debut and also one of the first to play "Willing to Burn" from her second CD in 2002. I never owned a CD of Maia's until last night. Paula and I picked up her new CD called "Fine Upstanding Citizen." What an awesome songwriter she is! Oh, and did I mention that she plays a mean sax? She busted out on a few songs last night and I was really impressed. She also plays acoustic guitar and keyboards. Check her out, she is a great talent.
To summarize....it was a FABULOUS date. You can't beat the sight of pulling away from the docks and seeing the skyline of downtown San Diego behind you, the sun setting in front of you, the calm waters below you and blue skies above. Not to mention the wonderful company I had....thanks, my love, for a great time. I am looking forward to Catalina at the end of June....
Well, I guess that is it for now....
Oh....did you notice that today is Friday the 13th....there's that number again....