10/16 Slapwater's 40th Anniversary

I opened the Sunday paper this morning and there on the cover of the Good Life section in the Daily Press were my photos... that's a moment for me..

Last December my friend Wayne Berry asked me if I wanted to shoot a band.. He knows I don't "shoot people" but thought it would be fun, so we went to shoot Crazy X at The Banque, it was challenging and fun. After shooting his band, Southern Exposure a few times I was hooked! 






Around May I got band fever & started going around shooting local bands.. my first was Slapwater.

 



 




















Had I known at the time that they were local legends, with a 40 year history in the area I may have felt too intimidated to approach them and ask them to shoot, but I approached the bassist Shelton Parson and he quickly put me at ease. 

   

I took some shots, showed Dody (the manager/drummer)  asked if I could shoot some more, and a quick friendship was born. 

 

Not just one friendship, but many... They have a very large following, and I quickly discovered the fans are also part of the "Slapwater family" and how important they are to the band. I have friends that go shoot the band with me now (Steven & Don), fans that have joined the photo club I belong to (Amanda & George), and have made many other connections along the way. 

 

Their sound crew Abigail's Attic Sound Company has also pulled me into the fold and I now shoot with Ric, Rob, Fernando and Kernan on a pretty regular basis as well.  Fernando even got me to shoot my first wedding...

If you have not heard them perform you really need to put that on your to-do list.  They are a 10 man band with a full brass section and energy thru the roof! The show is ALWAYS entertaining and is over way too quickly with a mix from the 70's thru today of toe tapping, foot stomping, sing along tunes from soul to disco to jazz...

Kelly Jones is an amazing singer- Maurice White to Barry White in 30 seconds.. the crowd goes crazy every time he hits those high notes.

So as I sit, looking at my photo of Bubba in his red suit performing at Tribeca.. I am so grateful to each and every member of the Slapwater family.

 

    Thank you Slapwater for the unrestricted access to you at your shows, my first billboard, the Daily Press coverage, promoting me on your website, the music, laughter, good times and allowing me to shoot your 40th anniversary celebration... its going to be EPIC, as my friend Will would say.. the list goes on and on.
I owe a debt of gratitude to each and every member so here goes:  To: Dody and Shelton for all your encouragement, friendship and promoting me. 
To: Dave, Alex, and Steve for always hamming it up for the camera, wrapping your cords and being so welcoming to me.  To: Carl & Bubba for always "dressing for the camera" and the great photo ops.
To: Kelly.. I know you don't like the attention, but you deserve it.. I could listen to you sing for days.. thanks for letting me capture you "in the moment"  To: John & Brad- for always giving us the unexpected moments its obvious that you really love what you are doing.

 

There is something about Slapwater... aside from the music, a feeling that I cant describe. Seeing one of their shows is more of an experience, a family reunion of sorts, with warm friendly people that you instantly feel you have known for ages, everyone is smiling, laughing, singing and dancing and leaving the stress of everyday life behind for a while.


Carl- I am sure all the Slapwater fans echo my sentiments that we are grateful you continued making music and we know Kenny is proudly watching with love, and a gleam in his eye.












I love these guys and here's to wishing them another 40 years of health, harmony and happiness!

Check them out at a local event or book them for one of your own!  Slapwater website