Haley and NOJO perform Led Zeppelin, Queen & Nirvana Nov. 13, 2014

[Tusk]

OK, before anything....WHAT AN INCREDIBLE NIGHT

let me get this down before it fades into the dream if feels like.....

I had done some scouting this morning, located the House of Blues, then Irvin's Jazz Playhouse

I asked the lady inside about when it opens do they take reservations? She said, no it opens at 8, get here at 7:30, you should be alright...

I was a little leery of the walk from my Hotel to the Playhouse when I first arrived, a few people warning me about being careful in NOLA, it was already dark, and the hotel was basically in the middle of a neighborhood

When I searched for rooms for this trip, my qualifications were, least expensive as possible, walking distance to HOB and Irvin's and had to have WiFi...little did I expect what a beautiful, luxurious place it was..

So being more familiar with the area, I decided to walk up there (PJ had tweeted that Uber was offering free rides to the HOB show, but I talked to front desk, they said, Uber had just moved into NOLA a couple months ago so didn't have enough drivers to make it reliable, a few of his customers were pretty disappointed)

I arrived just after 7, there were already people in the room, I asked if I could sit anywhere? The hostess said there are a few places, but many of the tables were already reserved. She sat me down to the side, but in front of the stage. I saw a couple leaving their table in front of me, so I asked the hostess, if I could sit there, she said, no, they're leaving because that table was also reserved. I told her, I was intending to take photos, maybe video tape, she said, "If you want, you can sit at the bar, just let him know you'll be coming and going to take pictures"

Where I was,

Where I moved to,

This proved to be a HUGE decision for the night for me (see later)

So I sat down asked for a menu, I'd tried the Jambalaya and Gumbo at random bars, and was largely unimpressed (bartender said every body makes it differently, probably got unlucky where I ate).... So I opted for the Meat and Cheese platter, fairly expensive, but I knew I'd enjoy it. Settling in, I asked for the 1 drink I enjoy, Maker's Mark, on the rocks, splash of Water....Can I say their shots are HUGE

There was another act on stage, lady with a very nice voice. A couple guys came from California sat next to me, one was a graphic artist, we commiserated on the state of the industry, why I decided against pursuing it as a career. We exchanged info...I proceded to 'sell' them on Haley LOL They were from California, Laguna Beach and Haley mainly performs around California, they really should check her out, at her next show. We talked about how she was my "Muse" got me enjoying being creative again after almost a couple decades. He asked me to write her name down, so he can look her up later.

All the while, I was keeping one eye on the entrance, looking for that tell tale sign, Haley's signature Hair. I thought she might be there, but didn't get my hopes up too much, already deciding how cool it was to be at Irvin's Playhouse, 'where it all began'. I was going to have a good time whether Haley showed up or not, at least meet Irvin, tell him how much I enjoyed Carnegie/Chicago theater.

So the 1st act finished, there was like a 45 minute break as I sat at the bar, talking to the bartenders, other patrons seated near me. I recognised some of the guys setting up their equipment to be part of NOJO, signalling that Irvin and NOJO were coming up next.

Then I noticed out of the corner of my eye, "Is that Irvin?" I expected him to be taller, but he was shorter than me, so I wasn't sure. I decided, yes, it must be Irvin, got up from my seat and headed his direction. The direct path was blocked, so I went around a table, then lo and behold...there was Haley, her signature hair underneath a cute hat. Her eyes widened, she gave me a big grin, we hugged, "glad you could make it" I told her I was headed over to introduce myself to Irvin. She grabbed my arm, "here let me..." But as we got to him, his set was ready to start, Haley pointed at me, said something I couldn't hear, Irvin gave me a nod... "Oh yeah, I saw you on Twitter"

---

I'm always careful not to hang around Haley too much, will never be 'stalkery', so I wished her well, went back to my seat as Irvin's set began.

After the 1st song, Irvin asked, "So Where Y'all from"...There was a group from Chicago, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Russia. He finally heard me yell, "Seattle!" He said, "what? I thought you were from Chicago?" the group from Chicago sat to my right, I saw Haley lean over, looking at me laughing

I'd brought my nice Cannon, #JustInCase, and my monopod. There was some great music on that stage, they were having so much fun, but it didn't sacrifice their performance, just so good. I asked the Bartender if they knew the House of Blues allowed videotaping, the lady bartender said, No. I said, but there's nothing about not being able to record on their website? She said, they put up signs all around at the event, every show she's been there they're very strict about it

So some incredible Jazz on the stage, next think I know, "I'd like to introduce a young lady to the stage..." I grabbed my camera, but didn't have time to attach it to the monopod, so I had to go back to holding the camera, hopefully dodging people walking in front of me... but I got video, she sang "Cry Me a River" and "Night and Day" with the band

Their set ended, Irvin and Haley were mingling, Then Irvin sat on the chair right next to me!! (The decision to move to the bar, earlier ) I told him, I know it's your bar, but I'd like to buy you a drink....Turns out, Irvin's a Maker's Mark man too, but he drank his in shots, I have to let the Ice water down my drink. I talked to Irvin a little, about Haley was my muse, inspired me to be creative again, that I love Rock, but because Haley can sing any genre, she brought me to Jazz. Irvin said, Haley has great fans, and Haley smiled a wide, proud smile

I told him, that because she's so versatile, I worried because people need to label you, that she won't get the recognition she so richly deserves... That's when Irvin looked me in the eye and said...

Tusk @HaleysTusk · 4h 4 hours ago
@IrvinMayfieldJr about @HaleyReinhart , "Tell you what, you make it to Carnegie Hall in you 20's? You're gonna be OK" #Proud2BeAHalien

and gave me a knowing nod

when Haley came next to my seat, I happened to have my YouTube channel on, on my phone, I'd posted my video of "Pathetic" with the pic of Haley, Mark, Dylan et all as my Main Page video. Haley saw that pic, She said, where'd you get that pic? I love that pic . I told her it was someone's Instagram, so we got to talking about how much I LOVE "Pathetic", you need to post the video on your Facebook. she said, yeah, we had fun doing that song, we never even rehearsed it before we performed it...

Unfortunately, Irvin grabbed Haley's arm and pulled her away to meet other people. You could tell, Haley was really enjoying herself, in great spirits, meeting everyone that wanted to meet her, even some of NOJO wanted some time with her

I'm starting to lose some of the details, but the other thing that was cool was during the second set, you could hear the first strains of #GBTC begin on the Piano, Irvin saying he'd like to bring a lady back up... I immediately grabbed my camera, sure enough, she went to the stage and sang God Bless the Child with NOJO

The really cool part was, Haley stepped off the stage, walked towards me, put her hand out, I went to shake it, she squeezed my hand, with a sweet grin, she laughed and said...

Tusk @HaleysTusk · 4h 4 hours ago
Haley just came to me after performing #GBTC, "Full Circle, right?"
#LoveThisGirl

I told her she was great, she gave my hand another squeeze and headed back to her table

Alot of people left after the 1st set, I was going to too, but the bartender (Incredibly hospitable staff Irvin has) said, you know, he's gonna do another set, so I opened my tab up again, continued to enjoy the show

Anyway, I think because alot of people left, Irvin and NOJO were alot looser, they were hilarious, singing very soulful "Happy Birthday" to a couple friends...

Tusk @HaleysTusk · 4h 4 hours ago
Things are really breaking down now, hilarious #CheersSong #IBelieveICanFly #InTheAirTonight #DontStopBelieving
Having a blast

Irvin even did a little rap in the middle of "It's your birthday, go party, it's your birthday"

Soon afterwards, I told Haley I'd tweet her the picture she liked and wished her good luck, she told me she was glad I had a good time, and so glad I could make it...I told her I got her 3 performances, If I can't get anything tomorrow, I can at least post these, she smiled and gave my hand another squeeze, went back to her seat ....later on, I saw she'd left, as quietly as she came in so I was glad to have had an opportunity to wish her luck and goodbye

I went up to Irvin, shook his hand and told him I had a great time in his club, and what an honor it was to meet him, then started on my way back to the hotel

So yeah... Great night

*PS, not sure if I'll get the 3 songs up tonight, but should be up before the show