And Now, Time for Something Completely Different

Most GP3 blogs chronicle the adventures (and sometimes misadventures) of the trio in primarily text-based entries. Sometimes we include an occasional snap-shot of the venue and pictures of the guys playing, etc. But several months ago (last July to be exact) we posted a blog in which the members of the band were 'Simpsonized'. That is to say that their likenesses were done in caricature in the style of Homer Simpson. Surprisingly, we received more comments from this one posting than all of the others combined. And that got us to thinking...maybe not all of you are the readers we thought you were...maybe some of you would rather see a bunch of silly photos instead of text. So this blog posting is for all of you:

The link below will take you through the various incarnations of the George Poe Trio. Sure, everyone knows how they dress today; their refined style, George's hat, Matthew's tweed jacket, Lee's affinity for Hawaiian shirts. But what are the style choices they rejected before deciding on the sleek image that we're all familiar with?

Well, through the magic of PhotoShop, and us having way too much time on our hands during spring break, we've assembled these mock photos for you viewing pleasure. We'll even allow you to post comments next to your favorite 'versions' of the band. Make as many witty quips as you like, but please remember...no wagering.

Click Here to Begin:
http://www.widsonline.com/GP3/Image/GP3I-a.htm

Have fun,
GP3 Graphics Team

Come Fly With Me

Lone Star Flight Museum – GalvestonTexas

A large, warm, crimson and orange sun slowly slides down to the bottom of the Galveston horizon. Matthew and Lee are loading in the hanger of the Lone Star Flight Museum. They marvel as the fiery sunlight ricochets off two majestic planes on the runway . George is running later than he'd like to be this evening (due to getting lost again) and has not yet arrived. The trio has been hired to play for supplier of subsea oil drilling equipment. The company is FMC Technologies, and tonight they are hosting a client appreciation dinner. FMC holds the title of Fortune magazine's 2008 most admired oil and gas services company in America.

They have chosen the Lone Star Flight Museum for the site of the evening's event. Situated between Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn waterpark, the museum houses original aircraft from Post WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War eras. The museum's collection is rare because most of the aircraft are still flyable . They even have an airstrip behind the museum that can even accommodate the massive Thunderbird Boeing B-17G that they have on display. It's this runway that George is driving next to at the moment. He goes through the security gate check in, and finds Matthew and Lee finishing up inside.

George's breath is taken away as he moves through the large bay doors. The band is to perform in front of a beautifully restored Supermarine Spitfire fighter . The fighter is a relatively small WWII plane capable of speeds of over 375 mph. There are less than 50 of these majestic machines that are airworthy in the whole world, and the band is within arms reach of one tonight .

The band sound checks and is finished setting up early (despite George's tardiness). As they wait, the three ponder on the remarkable caliber of the men that flew the planes in this hanger. The conversation soon leads to "What does FMC Technologies do anyway?" Upon learning about the subsea oil drilling niche that FMC has, Matthew and George realize a missed opportunity to have worked up the song WHALE OF A TIME from the movie HELLO DOWN THERE.

In the 1969 movie, Tony Randall plays an inventor who develops a futuristic home 90 feet below the surface of the ocean. In order not to be fired by his boss, the mean T.R. Hollister - played by Jim Backus (Thurston Howell III himself), Randall convinces his family to live in the underwater house for 30 days. His wife played by Janet Leigh, who in the span of ten years made both HELLO DOWN THERE and PSYCHO (HELLO DOWN THERE being her scariest role) eventually relents and moves their kids, along with the kids' rock band, 'Harold and the Hang-ups' - featuring Richard Dreyfuss (some would later argue that this role made him welcome the idea of being eaten by a shark just a little over 5 years later in JAWS). While under the sea Randall and family fight off sharks, frolic with dolphins, and cruise around in a submarine—all in some of the least convincing underwater photography ever brought to the screen. The movie's 'crown jewel' is the syrupy soundtrack. One of the featured tunes (lip-synched by Dreyfuss himself) is WHALE OF A TIME. Catch the song footage on YouTube here: WHALE OF A TIME. George considers this film the very best Tony Randall-futuristic-underwater-living pop band movie of all time. Jabber Jaw comes close, but it is... after all, a cartoon (and the lip synch of the cartoon characters in the band match better).

It's 7:00PM, and the band starts off by playing an instrumental arrangement that George has written to the tune COME FLY WITH ME. An appropriate song considering the decor of planes all around . The music instantly 'warms the room'. There are brief outbursts of dancing during the set. A gentleman named Stephan requests the song MISTY for wife Lydia. Matthew and George happily comply (this is a song the two used to play as a duo). At the song's close, Stephan thanks the group. Matthew questions his accent, and learns that he is from Norway. "In fact there are many Norwegians involved in subsea drilling here tonight." Lee is impressed: "Who knew that Tony Randall was so big in the Netherlands."

At the conclusion of the first set, the guys take a break and head outside to the airstrip behind the museum. The air is cooler out here now. The three walk up and down the dormant runway getting a closer look at these flying metal behemoths. As they stroll, Lee becomes very somber. He speaks of how he saw singer/guitar player Buck Owens the night of his death (Owens not Lee's). And even though this took place nearly two years ago, Lee seems pretty worked up. He goes on about seeing him in Bakersfield at the Crystal Palace..."and then, just like that, he was dead (Owens again, not Lee) George whispers to Matthew "Is he about to make a confession to us, or something." Matthew whispers back: "I don't know... but I'm ready for anything..." The two decide to leave him to his thoughts (actually, they head back in to partake of the catering and Lee stays behind jingling the keys in his pockets ).

The food inside is spectacular (even by Norwegian standards). The trio has smelled it all night, but the agreement with their hostess, Tabitha, was to let the guests go through the buffet line first then the band could feast. And feast they do! Matthew and George are consuming unknown meats on skewers. "Everything seems to taste better when it has a wooden stick shoved through it!" Lee has made his way back into the hanger, and has set up camp at the chocolate fountain at the end of the line . Matthew and George join him. They spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME at this fountain. Even so, the chocolate shows no signs of slowing or stopping. George returns to the band stand, soon followed by Matthew. After a few minutes of waiting for Lee, they start back up without him. The first song they play that is not off the night's set list is a song by Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan called ICE CREAM. The main lyrics of the song are "You're love is better than chocolate...better than anything else that I've tried..." Matthew promptly dedicates it to the chocolate fountain while George declares the fountain to be the MVP of the evening.

A few songs later, the two realize that Lee is still MIA. "Should we go look for him?" "I think we should go back to the fountain...I mean I think I should look for him at the fountain." "Yeah. Me too!" But before they do, some of the guests approach the duo and want some upbeat music to dance to. "Always happy to oblige." Meanwhile Lee is taking a tour of the museum with a tour guide . The guide continues on : "The DC-3 was first flown on the 32nd anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight at Kitty hawk in 1935 blah... blah... blah..." But Lee is not listening, he is daydreaming about Hee-Haw.

Lee returns to the bandstand to George and Matthew swinging in full force. The three play the final set to a scattering of dancers. The event coordinator, Tabitha is pleased, thanks the trio. As an expression of gratitude, she gives each of them one of the plant table decorations to take home to their wives. Matthew clumsily knocks over the band's marquee sign in a move that Chevy Chase would envy. "Smooth Matthew." Tabitha is looks confused; she hands the check to George then acts as if she quickly sees some clients on the opposite side of the hanger that she must 'tend' to. (But Lee knows better).

15 minutes later, all of the band's gear is stowed in the cases and bags and ready to go. It's just about then that Lee realizes his keys are missing. Matthew and George help him search through his drum equipment cases. Nothing...they move to searching the other cases - still nada. Lee looks in the men's room. George looks around and under Lee's van. Matthew heads over to the chocolate fountain corner - but the fountain's gone (oh...and ...uh... no keys). Eventually the three reconvene near the pile of their equipment. "Do you think you left them on the runway?" Three heads simultaneously turn slowly to the open bay door into the darkness.

On the airstrip, the three wander back and forth like unenthused zombies, retracing the steps they took a few hours ago. George starts laughing at the absurdity of being in the middle of a runway 75 miles from home at midnight (a reaction due to sleep depravation, no doubt). He has a 5:30 wake up call and wonders if they'll ever get out of here. He looks across the darkness to see Matthew looking for the keys by the light of his cell phone.

After what seems like an eternity, Lee yells out "I've got 'em!" George and Matthew rally around him. "Where'd you find them?" "Uh...in my pocket." What??? In your POCKET???" "Not pants - In my jacket pocket." "What difference does that make???" "I thought I checked there." (George is laughing again) "Let's get out of here."

The three load up and head out. George and Matthew contemplate strangling Lee and leaving his body in the bay, but they're too tired. The band is due to play at a grand opening for a land title company day after tomorrow. They'll strangle him then - when they're fully awake (so they'll enjoy it more). As for now, it's nearly 2:00 AM - the flow of Interstate 45 pushes their vehicles back towards the city. Back to their slumbering families. Back to... home

The Once and Future King

Note: Normally these writings do not relay information of pending or upcoming plans of the group, but we felt this one was too good to pass up:

Recently, the trio were contacted by an Elvis impersonator named Ralph Elizondo to consider playing with him as his backup band. I know what you're thinking - "Ralph??? How can anyone named 'Ralph' bring to life the phenomenonal magic of that hip-swaying boy from Memphis?" We agree: the name 'Ralph' ranks pretty high on the list of supposed non-Presley-ian type things right below names like Ivan, DeShawn, and Otto.

Despite this etymological challenge, Ralph is pretty good. He is a third-generation musician/performer who has been imitating the King for a decade or so, appearing as 'E' at hundreds of venues, including shows like Entertainment Tonight. He has even has aired his own 30-minute Elvis of the 50's & 60's local television show in early 2002. So, he's the real deal.Check out video of Ralph in character here: mms://houstonelvis.com/houstonelvis/dontbecruel.wmv

Tonight's meeting is being held at a Benningan's restaurant on Houston's north side, near Greenspoint mall. This location was chosen for three reasons: (1.) It's symbolic to GP3 since their very first band meeting was held here (2.) Geographically, it's the halfway point for everyone (3.) The restaurant serves an entré affectionately know as the MONTE CRISTO. This is a monster of a sandwich which contains a heaping of turkey, ham, Swiss & American cheese. The sandwich is deep-fried then dipped in raspberry jelly. To finish it all off it then has powered sugar dumped on top. The Lee and George believe that this is perfect for making sure that Ralph stays in true Elvis form by maintaining his intake of strange southern deep-fried cuisine.

But Matthew is not convinced as to whether or not the impersonator will eat healthy or not since his act is the 1950's -60's era Elvis - in other words The 'Skinny' Elvis. George suggests that they get him 'fattened up' so they'll get to play that 'IN THE GHETTO' song which was performed later when Elvis 'ballooned up' to the size of the Michelin Man.

The guys have studied up on the web about their soon-to-arrive dinner guest (http://www.houstonelvis.com) It turns out that Ralph is ranked # 2 in the nation and #10 in the entire world of Elvis impersonators. They understand that it is a huge compliment that this guy has chosen them. The guys contemplate how the Elvis rankings are achieved. "So do you think these Elvis guys have some kinda 'Elvis-Olympiad' or something to determine who's best?" "Yeah, the events are probably centered around the duration you can swivel your pelvis, followed by slow-motion karate moves, and the hotel television shoot out." As the three wait, they agree that it must be something like this and resolve to ask when he gets here.

Matthew decides to wash up. Lee and George notice that he sheepishly takes his computer laptop with him to the men's room. "What's that about?" "Does he not trust that we would we leave it alone? I mean, it's not like we would hide it from him...well...it's not like we would hide it from him for too long." Yeah, just until Elvis gets here." Matthew returns the table to face a fair amount of razzing for this. It's to be expected, but he does have his computer and it is intact. "Laugh all you like guys."

As the restaurant begins to fill for dinner service, the guys watch the door. They size up each patron that comes through - "Could that be Elvis?" "No." "That one?...not yet." They discuss what are the key questions that they'll need answered to make an informed decision about this possible alliance. Matthew states, that he's just going to listen. "Just lay back and see what this guy has to offer, and just listen." They continue to talk of how it would be 'cool' to play back up for an Elvis impersonator vs. playing for a less publically accepted entertainer - Like someone who would impersonate Ecuadorian rapper Gerardo. Known to most as 'that Rico Suavé Guy.' (who incidentally refers to himself as the 'Latin Elvis'). For that matter, it would be better to be helping Ralph than playing for the 'Real Rico Suavé Guy'.

Over George's shoulder, Matthew and Lee see it first. Coming up the sidewalk, in full Elvis costume is Ralph. "Wow! Do you think that he dresses like this all the time -or is this just for us?" "How can you tell it's the right Elvis impersonator?" Elvis...er..Ralph moves across the room like a stage towards the three standing figures. He smiles and takes his place in the empty seat opposite of the trio. "I'm Ralph." Introductions are blurted out in unison. Hands are thrusted out for quickly shaking. It's time to start.

Matthew immediately jumps in and dispenses with small talk. He is polite, but rattles off questions to Ralph like a Gatling gun searching for a target. Lee and George burst into laughter. Lee remarks about how "...it's a good thing Matthew wasn't going to say much." (More laughter). But Matthew doesn't slow. Question after question - this friendly interrogation is enough to rival that of Hanns Scharff. Oddly, very few of Matthew's questions have anything to do with Ralph's musical expectations, band logistics, song lists, etc. The rapid-fire questions mostly surround things like "Did Elvis really know all that karate? Was Colonel Tom Parker a big jerk? When did The Jordanaires begin to accompany Elvis?" George and Lee are concerned that maybe Matthew doesn't know that Ralph has never met Elvis and that he is NOT Elvis -it continues: "How much did Priscilla sell Graceland for? Are they really going to convert it into a theme park?" And finally, "In the movie Kissin' Cousins, where Elvis plays a twin of himself, which twin did you like him as the best? Josh - the soldier, or Jodie - the hillbilly?" Lee is hysterical! (The prosecution rests your honor).

Feeling mischievous, George heads over to the jukebox and selects the Elvis tune "A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION". Matthew gets the message. It's Ralph's turn. He passes out press packs, and begins to speak of his vision with the act. The conversation weaves through topics of song arrangements, his collection of over 30 replica outfits made by Elvis' own clothes designer, overnight stays, former shows, etc.

James, the guys' waiter brings the check. The trio have been having fun with him all evening, and he has been most gracious to this rowdy table. James obliges them when asked to take a photo of Elvis and GP3. Ralph subconsciously displays one of the King's greatest attributes: generosity. To their surprise, he pays for the trio's dinner. The four shake hands again; this time more slowly and deliberate. As they make their way to the parking lot, George tries to figure out a way to get Matthew's laptop away from him, but doesn't have an opportunity.

As Elvis drives into the distance, the trio realizes that this, as odd as this all seems, could actually happen. It's been laid at their doorstep - If they want to, they can do this Elvis/GP3 backup band thing and eventually see 10 times the amount of venues then they perform at now. The band will sleep on the idea tonight and vote tomorrow. It's very surreal - anything can happen now.

And in keeping with the 'Anything-Can-Happen' motif: Tune in next week when the GP3 battle rabid vampire-unicorns on Mars.

Lost & Found

Hyatt Regency Hotel – Houston Texas

Tonight the band is playing for Administaff's annual sales conference at the downtown Hyatt Regency hotel. The organization is a fortune 500 company that leads the professional employer industry in outsourcing administrative services. They basically go into an existing, fully staffed client company and assume responsibility for their employees. Kind of like a corporate INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, but with a lot more forms and paperwork for the victims to fill out. Administaff (or 'ASF' as they are affectionately referred to on the stock exchange floor) deals with everything from employee payroll, benefits, worker's comp issues, training, human resource needs, and specialize in very detailed things such as federal/state compliance issues, OSHA, and most importantly: when client employees should use whom vs. who in a sentence, etc. They have over 600 members in the Sales/Marketing organization, and it seems that all but 5 or 6 are here tonight with spouses and significant others.

Matthew and George arrive to the venue early. And it's a good thing because George can not get a hold of Sybil, the event's coordinator. The conference is spread out over three floors of the hotel, and Sybil is not to be found on any of them. George asks Matthew to wait by the cars in the valet parking area until he can find out where they're to be setting up tonight. He scrambles up to the enormous ballroom on the third floor, down to the second floor where photographers are taking pictures of salesmen/saleswomen of the year, then he scurries to the first floor reception desk. After several moments of pleading, the counter person allows George to call for Sybil on her top secret hotel room phone - but she's not answering there either. George is becoming concerned that he may not find her in time for the guys to sound check tonight.

In contrast, Matthew patiently waits down stairs in the parking area. He's brushing up on his Vietnamese as he speaks with one of the valet drivers named Dinh. The trio's third arrival Lee, pulls into the garage. 'What are we waiting for?" "George is inside trying to find out where we set up." " But… he's here -right?" "Yeah, there's his car. He followed me here." "So we should just wait? How long has he been in there?” Matthew replies “He has been gone for a while.”

Back inside, George is desperate! He has succumbed to systematically asking everyone in the ballroom (1.) Do you know Sybil? (2.) Have you seen Sybil? (3.) Do you know where the band is to set up? He questions the staff setting up for dinner, the lighting guy, the plant arranger, the photographer, he even asks some guy in Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt (who is obviously not affiliated with the event) but to no avail. Then George has an epiphany! He remembers that the daughter of his friend, Deb, works for Sybil. So he calls Deb - If anyone will know where Sybil is, it will be Deb's daughter (who should also be onsite somewhere here by now). Ah Ha! The phone in Deb's apartment rings...and rings...and rings...and - No answer. George sighs and folds the cell phone back into his pocket.

In the unloading zone, Lee and Matthew begin to empty the equipment from the vehicles. This is being done mainly to appease Dinh and the rest of the valet guys who are getting perturbed that the trio’s cars are still blocking access ways. Dinh is no longer smiling, and says something in Vietnamese to one of the crew that Matthew can’t translate, but Lee can tell that whatever it is - it's not very pleasant.

George has accidentally begun to repeat himself by asking some of the same people about Sybil. He is considering filing a missing person's report when he sees a sign of hope. From the 4th floor, he spots a lady speaking into a Blackberry phone. She strolls along the 2nd level’s balcony looking like she may be some type of assistant coordinator. George knows that in the corporate world, a Blackberry is always inter-connected to someone in authority. That's why everyone wants one -to be important or connected to the important.

George charges down the stairs, down the escalator, and rushes at her. The woman is taken aback at first and thinks he's a little off (by this point maybe he is). Between panting, George introduces himself. As he gulps for air, he tells her that he's with the evening's entertainment, and looking for Sybil. Looking into his crazed eyes, the lady secretly wishes that this Blackberry had a 'taser feature'. Eventually, she introduces herself as Miranda and admits that she knows Sybil. After a few cheerful beeps and clicks from the device, Miranda is speaking to her about the trio. "She says that you're on the first floor, in the lobby Set up anywhere you like." George attempts to regain his composure, thanks Miranda, and heads down the escalator towards the garage.

Matthew and Lee have already begun to bring the equipment in by the time George makes it downstairs. The three set up quickly, change clothes, and sound check in record-breaking time. With 15 minutes left until they are to play, the three wander through the hotel's massive lobby. The guys come upon a photographer which is taking complimentary photos for Administaff personnel. George wrangles Matthew and Lee into striking a few poses. He pays the gentleman, and tells the guys that this is a good sign for the evening. "When else could you get a new band promo photo for $20.00?

George is right - the rest of the event goes off perfectly. Since the guys were hired to only play for 1 hour, they've pulled out all of the stops for tonight. The trio is on fire, performing 'high-octane' show-stopping songs that have proven themselves time and time again. The two exceptions to this, are a last minute jazz arrangement that George has pieced together for the event and a 1st time performance of the Etta James' song AT LAST by Matthew. Halfway through the set a request is made from the audience to play Van Morrison's MOONDANCE. The last time it was played by the band was when it was requested last November. Matthew did it then, but George takes a turn this time. The song goes off without a hitch, and the band carries on.

At 6:50, the Administaff coordinators rustle their sales people upstairs like a corporate cattle drive. The lobby becomes instantly quiet and still. In the distance a busboy chinkles some wine glasses that were not taken up to the ballroom. It takes a few moments for the trio's adrenaline to level off. This is the shortest duration they have ever performed. Many of their venues stretch into 4+ hour events...But not tonight: A brief 55 minutes of intensity was all that was ordered. And the boys delivered it in spades. They pack up the gear and head back into 'Dihn's domain' in the garage. He has regained his smile for them. "How did you do?" "It went great." is the soft reply. "Thanks for asking." Lee and Matt drive off to share a belated diner. They end up at a Burger King a few blocks up the road, and speak of Lee's possible retirement, and recently read books. George heads back to the northeast side of town to pick up his kids from the babysitter. On the way home, he double checks his Day-Timer to make sure that he has ALL of the contact info for the trio's event next Tuesday.