Thomas, being the boss that he is, had called on some contacts of his in Chattanooga to help promote our Friday concert. One of those contacts was at local TV station, WRCB. The station had offered us both a live feature on the top of their show, as well as the opportunity to pre-record some additional segments that would be aired in the days leading up to the concert. After some shenanigans involving disappearing phones and last-minute packing, we drove down Lookout Mountain to make our 10 AM call time at the station. We arrived right on time and were greeted by the loveliest television crew imaginable. It was an almost surreal experience for us being in a TV studio, getting the watch the weatherman gesture blindly in front of a green screen, waving to a group of homeschoolers who were touring the facilities, and of course getting in front of giant cameras and performing. We pre-recorded two segments for later airing, and then performed live for their 11 AM show (along with an interview for the hometown hero, Thomas).
Following our live television debuts (for most of us, anyway), it was time for more driving, this time to Cartersville, Georgia, where we would be staying with Ryan Brideau while giving our two Georgia concerts. We met Ryan at Zaxby's, a fast food chicken restaurant with enough southern spirit to make anyone start saying "y'all". After eating, Ryan led us back to his house just a few minutes up the road where we made camp. Of Ryan's three-story house, the bottom level is almost the definition of a "man-cave". Video games, ping pong, pool, Nerf guns, giant sofas, and a fridge full of Dr. Pepper. What more could five college guys ask for? We decided to take advantage of the warm afternoon and played some Ultimate Frisbee for a few minutes (after which some of us were already pretty winded). As Keith put it, it felt like the first time we had sweat in months. Clearing out the pores, or something like that.
Our recess had to come to an end, though, in preparation for the evening's concert, the first of the three. After some quick rehearsals and printing out programs, our crew packed up again and started the drive to Rome, Georgia. About five minutes out, Matthew realized that his car was running on fumes and, after a few tense minutes (full of prayer) of coasting along to rural highway, we rolled into a gas station, and not a moment too soon. Everyone arrived at the church where we were performing, a cozy building with beautiful stained glass windows and velvety, red carpet. Upon finishing some quick sound checks, we were invited to eat with members of the congregation who were there for a mid-week service. I got to try authentic southern sweet tea for the first time (delicious), and we all enjoyed scarfing down some chocolate Oreo pie (extra energy for the concert!). With that, everyone made their way next door into the sanctuary and the concert began. Everyone's performances were extraordinary, the program went very smoothly, and the audience ate up every musical offering we presented them. It was a huge weight off of our shoulders, with one extremely successful concert down we felt far less worried about the next two. We mingled with the attendees afterwards, got some pictures with them, and then said goodbye for the evening.
The champions returned to the Brideau estate where we finally, after days of being constantly on alert and ready to work, just sat down and relaxed. We finally felt like we were on spring break, in the man cave with a great concert under our belts. After an hour of the most chill chilling, we made a celebratory outing to Waffle House, or, as the locals call it, "Wa-Ho". I believe the overture to Wagner's Lohengrin would be an appropriate soundtrack to the presentation of our food. We started off our morning with delicious breakfast food and ended our evening with delicious breakfast food. Waffles, Texas toast, eggs, various meats, and hash browns covered in cheese, onions, and chili were my portion for the outing, a combination which produced one of the most satisfying diner meals I've ever had. Sorry, but Denny's just can't compete with the legendary Wa-Ho. We returned to the cave and chilled out (are chilling out) for the remained of the evening, early morning. Spring break is great, even more glad that it's really starting to feel like it.
3/5/2015 - 2:24AM
Glorious waffles -
We're not counting calories -
Breakfast of heaven.
