Mardi Gras season is here. We have spent the last two weekends playing for balls and parties of elegantly dressed women and men in velvet, sequins, feathers, and masks, much as we did last year.

We had one really odd moment though; as we were finishing sound check at one of the balls, a few men with masks were standing around, watching and listening. As we continued to play through a song, more and more masked men came into the room. By the end of the song, there were over 100 men in masks (and sequins) just staring at us. I was waiting for the creepy clown music to start, and for them to pull out knives or something. It was pretty surreal.

This past weekend was a little rough, as I was still fighting off bronchitis and taking meds that made me veerrrrryyyy wooooossssyyyy. However I didn't do anything interesting like faint, or start seeing penguins, which was a little disappointing. Oh well, maybe next time.

Cheers,
Sarah

Mardi Gras in Mobile

Mobile, AL is the birthplace of the nation's Mardi Gras. New Orleans may have the better known celebration, but Mobile's was the first and arguably the best. We've played the Inca Ball for three years in a row. These folks really know how to throw a party! Here are pictures from this year's celebration February 17, 2005.

Mustang Sally makes its return to Nashville

Mustang Sally rides back home
By Ron Wynn
The City Paper, Nashville's Daily Newspaper
February 08, 2006

Lisa Romeo enjoys challenging stereotypes and ignoring conventional wisdom. She’s not only one of the nation’s better female drummers, but she’s also the bandleader for the female country group Mustang Sally.

Though they’ve been busy the past few years appearing around the world and opening for such acts as Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Terri Clark, Hot Apple Pie, Keith Anderson, and .38 Special, the band hasn’t done many shows in their hometown lately. In fact, tonight’s appearance at The Stage is the first time Mustang Sally brings their new sound to Nashville.

“I think people who might have seen us in the beginning will be quite delighted at what we’re doing now,” Romeo said. “It still surprises plenty of folk to see a group of women that write all their own material and also play their instruments. Our influences are incredibly broad. We draw from samba, rock and the blues, and inject all that into country. Plus, we have a great time on stage, so no one will ever get bored.”

With a lead singer (Tobi Lee) who’s a former Miss Teen Indiana and Junior Miss Teen North America, plus others from New Zealand (lead guitarist Lynne Campbell) and Brazil (bassist Amanda Ruzza), Mustang Sally has plenty of photogenic and international power. Keyboardist Rachel Solomon, rhythm guitarist Brenda Zitzman and fiddler Sarah Wilfong complete the lineup along with Romeo.

(Photo taken at The Stage, Nashville, TN)