monetteB4L wrote:
Hi MM,

Could you shed some light on some of your most treasured on stage moments with Maynard during your stint with him? How about some nights that surprised you or made you woop out loud for the Boss? One night in early 06 I saw the band in South San Francisco at a middle school just before Pete F. left the band for the second time (my guess is right before you joined up). Maynard played some of the best improv I ever heard him play in his later years that night. He was tearing up the changes on Dr. Fox such that the horn line was audibly cheering him on during his solo. Reggie W. pointed to MF emphatically after his first solo and the crowd and band went wild for MF. He quoted I've Got Rhythm during his solo and that pretty much got passed around to whomever else blew on that tune that night too. Just goes to show you how everything MF did was so infectious! I specifically remember Lashway throwing it into his solo too. Man, that was the first time I saw Lashway back on the band after he left for the first time and he never disappointed. He even played the Archie Bunker theme song when they introduced Pete F. Man, that guy has some sense of humor. What a band that night! Maynard also played some of the best blues I have EVER heard from anyone on Frame. That solo was really something to behold.
Every minute with Maynard is treasured. That might sound a little corney, but it's from the heart. "On Stage" ... I guess the first two things that come to mind was the first time 'the walk on' (Blue Birdland) started, and the first time being introduced as part of the trumpet section, and the hands together bow of respect.

As far as a surprise moment ... It might have been in Porterville, CA ... at the end of 'The Hit Medley' Maynard goes up for his double C on Hey Jude. His missed it! Just shot an air ball. For an instant some band members kind of looked at each other with the OH SH_T look. Mayn motioned to Stockton to keep the drum roll/fill going, he took a sip of water, backed AWAY from the mic then plastered a double C so loud it hurt the ears from behind in the back row. I heard MANY WOOPS that night. (Fast forwrd a number of hours, back at the hotel.) As I was getting him settled into his room I said to him, "Hey Boss, I loved what you did tonight on Hey Jude." "Oh yea? ... ah ... what did I do?" I reminded him of what happend, and he turned around, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Oh yea ... well ah ... I got a little over confident with that first one ... (gave me a wink) ... but never fear."



Last Edited By: Michael Aug 22 08 12:05 PM. Edited 1 times.