"The Graduate"

Graduation Party – Houston, Texas

Marcos Witt is a performing musician and songwriter, a four time Grammy winner, and a sought after music producer, selling over 10 million copies of his records in México, the United States and Latin America. More than 3 million people have attended Marcos Witt's concerts in some of the main concert stadiums of Latin America. He is the author of ten books, the senior pastor of the Hispanic congregation at Lakewood Church. But most importantly, he is the father of four children. And today, his eldest son, Jonathan has graduated from high school.

With numerous connections in the music industry, one wonders why Marcos had his personal assistant go out of the way to contact the trio to perform for Jonathan's graduation party. But the guys have learned to never look a gift horse in the mouth - In fact don’t look at a gift horse at all. (Lee once thought he saw a magical gift horse, but it was probably just a hallucination since the horse was bouncing on a pogo stick with a bright orange tattoo on his back of Mahatma Gandhi striking Mayor McCheese with a cane.)

The trio arrives to the Witt home late in the afternoon. Load-in goes very quickly, since family and friends have yet to arrive from the ceremony across town, the guys are able to move quickly and unobstructed. The only thing that slows them down a little is Matthew's candy dish munching. Each time he walks by the bowls of M & M candies, he inconspicuously grabs another mouthful and quickly shoves it in. Lee and George become suspicious since Matthew is usually very 'chatty' as the equipment is being set up - Today he is strangely quiet. Finally he gets caught. "Hey Man, Those are like decorations! Don't eat all of those." "But they put them out to be eaten." "Yeah, but you see how they're only the yellow and blues ones? That must be the high school colors or something. If you're going to eat them, take equal amounts of the blue and yellow." "Alright. I'm done anyway." "Good - the 'M' printed on them is not 'M' for Mathew."

The Witt's staff haven't noticed the rapid M & M depletion, as they are busy putting the last minute touches on the food and other decorations throughout the house. And speaking of decorations, the front of the home has been adorned with a bright red new Mustang GT . Delivered directly from the dealership, with less than 20 miles on the odometer. It is a beautiful car. George pulls his 'more experienced' car on up the street so as not to confuse the guests (who are beginning to trickle in).

Due to space limitations in the area where the guys are to play, the staff has suggested that George play Marcos' custom-made baby grand piano. They only have to ask once - George eagerly tries out the keys. He accepts with an "Oh Yeah! This will work." His enthusiasm is only matched by Matthew's return to the candy dish - "Oh Yeah! This will work too." Lee is forced to set up in the darkness of the den adjacent to the room that Matthew and George will be playing in. Lee is used to being 'In the dark' with these two, but the concern is how will he be able to hear the piano so he can keep time for the trio. He and George quickly devise a way. They mic the piano and run the line back to a monitor near Lee and start softly playing. Just in time too - Jonathan has just arrived with family in tow.

He is confident and courteous. He works the room with a finesse that any politician would be envious of. The difference is that all of his gestures, hugs, and handshakes, seem genuine. He even stops the band's playing to take a photo with the guys. "Oh this guy is smooth." thinks Lee before returning to his darkened 'cave'. It's dark but Lee doesn't mind. He's discovered he's in the 'trophy' room. The mantle proudly displays the four Grammys awarded to Jonathan's father, Marcos. Lee also has a musical display tonight. A life-long friend/surfing buddy and artist (John Olvey) has recently completed a customized paint job for Lee's main conga drum. http://www.george-p.com/Blog/BlogArt/Conga.htm The result is a kind of modernized hieroglyphics that tells the story of emancipation from bondage in vibrant colors. He's even included genuine gold leaf for accent color . Lee is very proud of this new modification, and is pleased that the first gig to use it at is a rite-of-passage event for this young man. In fact, George and Matthew are also excited to be at what George calls a 'Scrapbook-Type Venue". "We have the best job in the world. We get to help people celebrate special moments like this, play music, and get paid for it." "Mmm hmm... Don't forget the M & M's." "Yes - those type benefits too."

The music shifts to more spirited jazz as the attitudes in room warm up to the guys. The only pause of the evening comes when Jonathan addresses his guests. Like royalty in exile, his speech is elegant and even inspirational. For a moment Matthew wishes he was back in high school too. A flash of nausea, brings him quickly back. Jonathan thanks everyone who has helped him achieve goals, shape him, and helped him to become the young man he is. George doesn't even know this kid, and yet he still feels proud. The cake is cut, and ceremoniously shoved in Jonathan's face. Everyone applauds, and Jonathan returns to mingling, while wiping icing out of his hair.

Marcos makes a point to thank the trio. The guys comment on his Grammys in the next room and ask if they can take a photo holding them, as if they had won them. Marcos laughs, but declines. He states it's against the Grammy rules. George laughs until Marcos convinces him this is true. "Really?" "Yes, really." "Really???" "Yes."Apparently the academy makes the Grammy recipients, sign a formal document stating that they will not allow other people be photographed holding your Grammy(s). Read bylaws of academy here There are also rules about not using it as a door stop, and you can not use it as a weapon in the event you stumble upon a prowler in the middle of the night and the only thing to bludgeon them with is your Grammy. George is disappointed at missing out on a great photo-op. Lee can't tell what's going on from the dark recesses of his adopted lair in the den. Matthew shirks it off, and fakes coughing as he secretly shoves in another fistful of M & M's.

George launches the band into the final set. Lee's drumming is impeccable tonight -the piano mic gimmick works perfectly. Matthew's fingers are courageously walking up and down the neck of the bass like never before -he's discovered a freedom within this instrumental jazz that burns with a new intensity. These three have never played as tight as they are right now. At the end of the set, George hears a rumbling upstairs. The three realize that there's someone upstairs playing a drum set. Always looking for a way to involve an audience, George yells out to the drummer to bring his set downstairs. It turns out to be Jonathan's younger brother, Carlos. After taking a few moments to set up he is ready to go. A few measures in George is painfully aware that this is the worst idea he has had in a long time. Looking to 'go out on a high note', George encouraged Carlos to play it up. The problem is, the boy has no sense of volume. His strikes on the snare and toms are perfect, but they are ridiculously loud. The decibel level in the room triples, and guests (and Jonathan) scatter for safety into other parts of the home . Only the boy's mother, Miriam stays behind to support his sonic assault. Upon realizing this miscalculation, George only plays an obligatory amount of the piece and shuts it down.

Marcos comes out of hiding, and mentions that Jonathan has left to go to another party. George thanks him for allowing him to play his custom piano. The two begin to ramble on and on about piano stuff. Steinways vs. Bosendorfer, the keyboard responsiveness of the August Forester and on and on. Lee's back is hurting and he secretly wishes that Carlos would do a drum solo encore to cover up all this fruity piano talk. The three pack up their gear and head to the vehicles. Jonathan's car is gone from the front entry, so loading goes very quickly. George returns inside to say goodbye to Marcos and Miriam. Marcos asks "So do you want that picture?" "Of the Grammy? I thought we couldn't hold it." "You can't, but we could make it look like I'm awarding it to you." George is elated "That'd be perfect! Let me get the guys." A few moments later Gabriela, the Witt's personal photographer snaps the shot. http://www.george-p.com/Blog/BlogArt/WittMattGrammy.jpg

George has his mock photo, Lee has a backache (and a new drum), and Matthew has a shirt pocket of half-melted M & M's. And to these guys, that's a pretty good night.

Open Wide and Say "Aaaahhhhh."

Dental Office Grand Opening – Katy, Texas

Dental Math: There are 4,961 dental facilities in the greater Houston area. Over 1/5 of these seem to be in Katy, Texas. The population of Cinco Ranch (Katy) in 2000 was 11,196. An adult human mouth has 32 teeth. So, multiply 11,196 mouths by 32 teeth (358,272) then divide by 992 practices and you end up with a TTDP (tooth-to-dental practice) ratio of 362 to 1. In other words, in Katy, you have a dentist office for every eleven to twelve people. The city charters must have opted for setting up dental offices instead of having Starbucks coffee shops percolating on every corner (as in most cities). So it is no surprise that if the boys are playing in Katy tonight, they're probably playing for a dental facility. In fact, they are helping to celebrate the grand opening of Dr. Bryan Berteaux's new practice at Cinco Ranch Endodontics.

Endodontics is a specialist sub-field of dentistry that deals with the tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. If you've ever been fortunate enough to have a root canal, you've been to an endodontist. Even though Lee and George profess to be good teeth brushers, that have had their share of painful trips to the dentist. So both pleased that they will be working tonight instead of being 'worked on.'

In a strange co-opt/marketing maneuver by Beverly, the band's agent, she has paired them up with a group called La Dee Da Catering. As the trio arrive, they meet their surrogate employers for the evening, Ray and Jan. They're both nice enough, but the dental staff mistake the trio for members of the catering company's band. No bother to George though, "Let them think whatever they will; as long as no one gets food poisoning and that prevents us from playing future functions, I'm okay with it." Matthew is just grateful to be playing in doors. Tomorrow's gig at an apartment complex is outside, so he is breathing in all the air conditioning he can force down his lungs in preparation.

The facility's surroundings are very serene, designed to calm visitors and take their minds off the pain - not from the root canals, but the pain of having to use a co-signer to pay their expensive medical bill. The office staff is eager to help Dr. Berteaux's first practice be a success. He approaches the trio and everyone politely exchanges introductions. His demeanor is much like the environment he's chosen; his voice is calming, his words gently pass through his perfect teeth soothing the ears of the listener. Each syllable links to the one before and after it like a soft hypnotic chain of sounds. This tactic, no doubt, lulls patients into an unparalleled state of relaxation to deal with the pain (again of the bill - not teeth). The guys are pleased to be playing for the grand opening of his office, or maybe that's just the hypnosis talking.

The three return to setting up as the good doctor prepares for visitors. Tonight's venue is to be instrumental music only - no vocals through the sound system. In fact, the sound system (affectionately known as the GP5000) has been brought upstairs, but has not even been plugged in. Due to not having to check vocal and equipment mic levels, the trio has finished setup earlier than usual and have some time on their hands - And this is never a good thing. The three are not destructive or anything, but given enough time, all of their conversations end up in some sort of juvenile dare (usually instigated by George). Today is no different - George convinces Matthew, then Lee to check out Dr. Berteaux's new equipment in the back rooms. By 'check out' he means demonstrate how to perform root canals on each other. http://www.george-p.com/Blog/BlogArt/DentalChair.jpg Lee and Matthew willingly participate, and George didn't even have to use the hypno-voice technique that he picked up from the doctor.

After a few minutes, the guys return to the front lobby. Understanding that they will be the first thing that guests will see as they enter the facility, they do some 'housekeeping' straightening up stray chords and tucking away cases. They want to make a good first impression for the practice. It's 5:00 PM and time to start. George has brought jazz arrangements of many of the 'regular' songs the band plays. He and Matthew find it invigorating to play these tunes without singing the lyrics. The songs have a freshness, and these two are forced to listen to what the other is doing more intently since the words are often used as guideposts in each piece. Lee could care less - words or not, he's happy to be pounding out the pulse on the bass drum and conga.

After 30 minutes or so of exuberant playing, the guys notice a an interesting pattern:

1.) Visitors come through the front door into the lobby,
2.) Pause a moment and smile at the band,
3.) Take one of the band's business cards from the edge of the piano,
4.) Look interested in business card,
5.) Leave the lobby headed to the back of the facility (never to be seen again)

So the guys find themselves performing for four or five people at a time, and for a very short duration. It's much like speed-dating...except it's between an audience and a band. After a while the trio realizes they've essentially been playing for an empty room. They can hear the crowd down the hallway, smell the food, but the view they have of a lonely reception counter. But the guys don't loose heart; they know their music is being heard down the halls and echoing into the examination rooms.

With the audience in another part of the building, Matthew seizes an opportunity. By now he has become bored with no vocals through the system. He begins singing on-the-spot parodies of each song played. Only George is within earshot to hear Matthew's lyrical quips about gum disease, flossing, crowns, fillings, gingivitis, etc. George loses it when Matthew sings "She's Got Decay" to Billy Joel's SHE'S GOT A WAY. He's smiling from ear to ear as more guests arrive through the front door. They think he's either really friendly, or there's a nitrous leak in the office and he's inhaled too much laughing gas. The visitors follow protocols 2 -5 listed above and quickly disappear from sight.

George encourages Matthew to sing the 'real' words to AS TIME GOES BY even though there are no mics. "But you said Ray and Jan don't want singing." " They just didn't want the sound to be too loud with vocal amplification - But we should be okay to sing a few without mics." Matthew agrees and delivers a passionate performance of the song. It's as if not singing for a few hours has built up some magical performance power in him. George asks him to sing another, in which Matthew complies with Patsy Klein's CRAZY. A peculiar thing about the human voice is that it entices listening. And tonight is no different: Like a pied piper, Matthew's singing has brought a few curious listeners back into the lobby where the band is playing. They eagerly sit in the waiting room chairs, and even make a few song requests of the trio. This encourages the band to continue down this path for the remainder of the night. George begins the only song he will sing vocals to this evening, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF SHEEP (one of his favorites). More people re-enter the lobby.

A few tunes later and the guys finish up with LOVE CATS, a spunky song from The Cure that the trio has recently added to the repertoire. It features Matthew's bass playing and singing, and Lee and George gleefully accompany by singing out the backup vocals "...Da de da de-de de doo De da da dit-dee doo da!" As the guys pack up, many of the guests compliment the band as they head back through the lobby to leave. George and Matthew make two interesting observations: This is the first time that the band has played that people didn't dance. And secondly, no tips were awarded tonight (unless they were given to the catering company by mistake). Neither of these indicate the success of an evening, but it is a little peculiar. Even so, it's been a good gig, the guys are pleased to have helped out. Dr. Berteaux returns to the lobby and repeatedly thanks the trio (the guys welcome his hypnotic voice). George realizes that he really likes this guy. He has a very humble spirit, and an accessible personality not always allowed by younger physicians starting out on their own. The band suspects he will do well in this town of dentists and wish him the best.

Editor's Note: At the time of this blog posting, the band has made a return trip to the Katy area to play for another office grand opening. You guessed it - Another dental office!

Games People Play

GP3 GAMES PAGE

The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV video game, an action-packed shoot-'em-up thriller, hit store shelves this morning. It’s expected to be the biggest seller in gaming industry history, projected sales topping $300 million for this week alone.

Normally, we would provide a hyperlink for you to click on to see an image of what we’re talking about. But this game is ridiculously violent and sexually suggestive, and thereby controls the actions of juveniles and weaker minded game players. So we've decided against it. As a matter of fact, if you are under 18 years of age (and/or weak-minded), stop reading this blog immediately, turn the computer off and go outside (for the your safety and the safety of others) before you unwittingly attempt to recreate the all of the crimes experienced in the game.

For those of you that are still reading this, the highly controversial Grand Theft Auto is a state-of-the-art video game in which players rob and murder their way through the criminal underworld (much like what George and Matthew do each day at their day jobs). The game is set in Liberty City, a metropolis that very closely resembles a modern-day New York (except the street rats have better tattoos). Players maneuver a low-life character named Niko Bellic through the beautifully densely detailed digital carnage. He steals cars, shoots at cars, shoots from cars, speeds in cars, shoots from speeding cars at other speeding cars, carjacks vehicles with people the in cars, plows cars through police barricades (some of which are made of cars), steals more cars, run over pedestrians in cars, etc, basically, committing every imaginable crime while driving a car including not waiting thirty-minutes before entering the water after a big meal.

The question is how much would someone be willing to pay for all of this crude, crass, disgusting, violent game? Answer, GTA retails for $59.99! Talk about being jacked! Upon learning this, the GP3 marketing team decided to remind everyone to play their FREE games online. The games below contain no violence, no sex, no vulgar language, and no graphics of cars committing crimes.

So have a 'HOT COFFEE' and let the games begin.

Guess Matthew's Social Security Number
Guess Matthew's SSN, assume his identity, and tour with GP3

Tic Tac 'Poe'
A hilarious game of Tic Tac Toe against Matthew's Evil Twin who uses upright basses instead of O's

Lee's Picture Scramble Game
Unscramble pictures just like the retro hand-held plastic square game

George's Memory Game
A timed game of skill and concentration using GP3 images

Lee's Hyper Cube
This virtual cube puzzle is like a Rubic's Cube on steroids!

GP3 Collage Memory Game
Test your memory by revealing the correct squares of the collage

See them all here: GP3 Games Page
Enjoy,GP3

George & Lee Go To Prom Together

Safari Texas Ranch – Richmond, Texas

George is not a 'morning person'. In fact, he's not a mid-morning, mid-mid-morning, or late-morning person either. Usually somewhere between 11:06 a.m.- 11:13 a.m. he will mentally resurface for a moment, mumble off some incoherent idea he has about something, then quickly retreat to the expressionless cocoon of 'zoning out' until the afternoon. Through the years, he has cleverly learned to conceal this predisposition, in order to co-exist in the world of the 'early morning dwellers'. But it's all a just a social mask, to avoid the early morning inquests of "What's wrong?" "Are you feeling alright?", "Rough night?" etc.

Lee on the other hand, finds the start of each new day invigorating. He's ready to take on the world! And on a day that he gets to perform, he is even more exuberant! He has already had three cups of coffee by the time George arrives to his house to load in at 8:30 a.m. Three cups for Lee is probably 2 1/2 cups too many due to Lee's physiological makeup. In the same way that 1 human year is equivalent to 7 dogs years, 8 ounces of coffee to Lee would be as if a normal person were to have a mixture of espresso, Red Bull, and rocket fuel pumped directly into their heart while drinking a gallon of Jolt cola. While George finds the smell of freshly brewed coffee delectable, he can't bring himself to drink what he calls 'heated bean juice.' If he ever did, maybe he would find out that he is actually a morning person after all.

The two quickly load the equipment into the GP3 mobile (also know as Lee's van) and zip down the highway. Unfortunately, Matthew will not be joining them today. After the gig date had been secured, Matthew found out that his day job had a scheduling obstacle and has sentenced him to participate in a tediously drawn out planning meeting today. This is unfortunate for a variety of reasons: Number one, nothing significant ever is accomplished at these team meetings. If he's lucky, the organizers will run out of steam after 2 1/2 hours and agree to reconvene for a follow up session later in the month. As for the band, the guys are definitely better as a trio vs. a duo (who ever heard of the 2 Stooges?). Matthew has a natural connection with everyone he meets, making the group very accessible to the people before and after the performances. Lee and George are usually setting up/tearing down the gear, allowing Matthew to mingle through the crowd. He has a gift. But the main reason for regret today, is because this is no ordinary venue.

The guys have agreed to provide entertainment for a school of handicapped and special needs teenagers called the Community Center. The event is being held at the Texas Safari Ranch in Richmond, Texas. It's their prom, and Principal Bobby Stanley wants some lively, upbeat music for the students. Bobby saw the trio at a grand opening he happened to be at a few months ago, and told them of his need. The three agreed to donate their time to the school and not charge for the performance. Even though Lee and George miss Matthew, they are eager to participate and make today special for these kids. Neither Lee nor George went to their high school proms, so this is an opportunity that they are looking forward to.

After the two engage in a ridiculous debate about Clint Eastwood's role in the movie UNFORGIVEN, Lee's coffee has taken full effect and he is amped up! He flies down the highway like an A.D.D. diagnosed kid with weak bladder control playing Chinese Checkers. He leapfrogs the van from slot to slot (some of them are even empty). He's like a buccaneer fighting through toll roads, yelling at on ramps as if this behavior helps advance the vehicle. Ironically, George chose to carpool with him to relax - wrong! Lee is conversing now with the other drivers to which George sheepishly reports "Uh...Lee, I don't think that they can hear you..." But Lee ignores this; and it's at this point that George suspects Lee is having a Steve McQueen flashback to the car chase scene in the1968 movie Bullit.

An hour or so later, the two arrive at the ranch, and George is exhausted from the drive. Feeling a little bit like he's been living through the Blues Brothers' driving finale with the fast forward button stuck, he jettisons out of the parked vehicle. He is, however, grateful to Lee for getting them here early. The two are first struck by the wonders of the safari's animal life: "I thought that the 'Safari Texas Ranch' was in name only...look at those zebras over there!" Lee convinces George that jumping the fence to pet or ride them is a bad idea.

The two make their way to the Palm Pavilion Ballroom as peacocks strut and stroll directly outside the bay windows. While Lee is looking outside , George is looking up at the many chandeliers which seem to elegantly bloom from the ceiling. "Hey, you know, Bobby said the ranch here donated this room to the school today. The normal rate for this ballroom and food is $10,000.00." "Really? Then we should put on a $10,000.00 show." "What exactly would that be?" "I don't know, maybe I'd ride in on one of those zebras, and you'd be dressed in a peacock suit." "Yeah, then ten grand wouldn't be enough!"

The two quickly setup on the small stage provided for them. As they are finishing up, Principal Stanley arrives in full tuxedo. He thanks them both once again and takes a quick photo. As the students and their caregivers trickle in, the excitement builds; this is the first time their prom has had live music. Usually it's a karaoke singer and the latest KIDZ BOP CD or something worse. The pupils and faculty are always grateful, but they know today will be special.

And speaking of karaoke, George's attention is drawn to the sound of squelchy feedback radiating from the far left of the room. He approaches a lady hunched over a small (but annoyingly powerful) karaoke box. "Hi. I'm George..." Squee-weeeeel!!!! "Huh? Oh...Hi. I'm Carolyn. I'm trying to..." Squee-weeeeel!!. George helps her surpress the feedback demon, but only for a moment. "Are you speaking today? You could use our system - We're already set up and we could get a mic for you." "Well, I'm doing a little of both speaking and singing today. If I could just..." Squee-weeeeel. "Uh...You shouldn't point the mic directly into the speaker." "I know, sorry. I think I'll just stick with my system because..." Squee-weeeeeeeeeeeeel (George resists the urge to break the volume knob of Carolyn's karaoke and offers a smile instead) "What are you singing?" "Some inspirational songs for the kids: You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings and then What a Wonderful World." "Oh we love the song, What a Wonderful World! In fact, we were going to close with that today. Would you like us to play it for you to sing over?" "Thanks, but I have a special way of doing it." "Oh...are you..." SQWEEEAAAAAAEEEEEL!!! George has had all the he can stand of Carolyn's system feedback. He winces as he backs away. He contemplates putting his head in Lee's bass drum to escape Carolyn's sonic assault. He finds it interesting that the noises don't seem to even register with her. As if she's conditioned herself over the years to endure the piercing screeches of her speaker. But everyone else still has a way to go.

Lee and George have moved on to mingling with the students and teachers and are well-received. After a few minutes of this, places are taken and the program formally begins. Principal Stanley welcomes everyone and acknowledges accomplishments of the past year by passing out roses from the podium to each of the teachers and assistants. Lee thinks how this suspiciously resembles that Bachelor TV show. A few announcements later, Carolyn is invited up to begin her presentation. Gratefully, she has managed to control most of the feedback noises. And as promised, she begins an odd spoken-word version of WIND BENEATH MY WINGS and WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD, occasionally singing the melody at the chorus. Lee at first is confused by this, but eventually tunes it all out secretly hoping the feedback will return.

At the conclusion of the special 'songs', the wait staff emerge and serve with the precision of a Navy SEAL team. The entrées are quickly distributed to all of the settings . Lee leans to George "Do we play now?" "Uh...I--don't know...I was kinda waiting for an official announcement, and maybe even a rose given to us." George looks around for a signal from someone in charge, but no one seems to be paying attention to them. He lightly strikes the piano keys for a few measures, and looks around. He shrugs to Lee "I guess we can start...if not, someone can come stop us. Let's start slow and see what they do."

Even without Matthew and his bass, these two are clearly on their game. After 'warming the room' with a few jazz instrumentals, Lee and George are now in full stride. During the fifth song George introduces the 'band' and mentions that bass player, Matthew, would have loved to have been here today, but couldn't. He dedicates Norah Jones' tune DON'T KNOW WHY I DIDN'T COME to Matthew and imagines him counting ceiling tiles and writing notes on his hand in a fluorescently lit, overcrowded holding cell with his co-workers.

After the meals are finished, the assistants move the students to the front of the ballroom. Those who are able to walk, push their wheelchair-bound friends around and around circling and zig-zagging over the dance floor. They're having a blast and Lee and George are delighted to be a part of it. These kids may have some physical and mental disadvantages, but they know how to enjoy themselves. One of the volunteers leans into George between songs to say "We could all learn how to live in the moment from these kids". George agrees, and he and Lee continue to play their hearts out for this group.

Bobby announces that the coronation of the prom king and queen is due. The 2007 queen, Jackie is rolled into position next to him. She proudly wears her crown from last year for the last time. After a buildup worthy of a beauty pageant, Principal Bobby announces the winners: "Clay Brown as King, and Chelesa Garrett as Queen!" Applause erupts through the ballroom. George begins to sing the Eric Clapton favorite YOU LOOK WONDERFUL TONIGHT. Clay and Chelesa's teachers wheel their chairs together and apart across the dance floor like two Venetian gondolas romantically passing each other at dusk. The song ends, and everyone returns to dance floor. George and Lee's playing is white hot now with no signs of letting up.

After a blistering 20 minute set of upbeat tunes, Principal Stanley discretely requests the song LADY IN RED. As George plays the opening chords, Bobby grabs the surprised hand of a young lady dressed in an exquisite long red dress. As the two dancers sway around the dance floor by themselves, something happens to George and he gets all 'Emo'. He is so choked up at the scene, he is barely able to sing. His voice cracks and becomes unreliable. He tries to compose himself for the sake of this special moment, and manages to make it to the instrumental section. He leans to Lee "It's so beautiful...it's just so..." George re-enters at the chorus and holds it together for a strong finish. "Whew! I wish Matthew could have been here for that." The other dancers return to the floor to finish out the set.

Outside the rain barrels down like Niagara falls. It's past the prom's scheduled finish time but the sudden cloud burst keeps everyone inside. Since the wheelchairs can't be loaded in this downpour, George and Lee decide to play for an extra 45 minutes. The schoolmates are overjoyed. As the skies turn blue again, George finishes with an obvious selection of HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN? Everyone loads into vans and buses and the ballroom is quickly still again.

The room echoes with the sound of gig cases popping open and drum stands being folded up and stowed. After a few minutes Bobby returns from a side door "WHOA! That was amazing! How many songs did you guys play?" " I don't know...maybe 30 or 40?" Bobby has graciously had the wait staff save a plate for Lee and George. As they eat, George and Lee ask Bobby how he became involved with a special needs school. He tells them his story and the highlights of service he's given to the Community Center for the past five years. George and Lee are so moved that they offer to play a Christmas concert for the school in December; and two handshakes later they seal the deal. Bobby thanks the guys again and heads out back to his school and students.

Tired but satisfied, the two weary band mates finish loading the van. Lee's driving is noticeably more relaxed on the way home. The two speak of how fortunate they are to be allowed to play all of the different venues they have played and people they've meet along the way. George begins to softly nod off as Lee plays him a CD of rock/folk band Country Joe and the Fish (This is no small task if you've ever heard CJ&F's music- you know how hard it is to fall asleep to them). Nevertheless, he slumbers as the van bounces down the highway back to Houston. One can only imagine that he's dreaming of how beautiful Chelesa and Clay looked gliding back and forth to the band's music. He wonders if he will ever see a more beautiful sight on the dance floor.

GP3 Helps Out the Feds

The GP3 Cyber Store

On Feb 13th of this year, US President George W. Bush signed a two-year, 168-billion-dollar economic stimulus package in hopes of delivering "a booster shot" to an ailing American economy. Treasury Secretary, Hank Paulson, believes tax rebate checks of up to $600.00 for individual taxpayers and $1,200.00 for couples, plus $300.00 for dependent children, could raise consumer spending (which has been pressured by sinking home prices and tight credit). Those rebates will put approximately $120 billion in the hands of individuals in the hopes that they will spend it, and thereby energize the economy.

The trio being so moved by this act of 'generosity', instantly devised a way in which they could partner with the Feds in this time of need. Contact was made with an manufacturing company called Cafe Press.com. Working day and night for the good of the country, the GP3 team developed 50 or so intentionally overpriced items for your choosing to help stimulate the sluggish U.S. economy. It was difficult at first to convince the guys to charge so much for these exclusive items (including shirts, bumper stickers, coffee mugs, buttons, tote bags, mouse pads, even clothing for you dog). They wanted to just give these items away, but then they realized as Americans, it was not their choice, but their duty! So each of them decided to make the sacrifice, and do what was best for the nation - To serve you...the country...capitalism, and ultimately...the world!

So once you receive your rebate, click on the Shirt Icon below or the MERCHANDISE link on the heading of this page to participate in this 'economic about-face'. We are confident by working together (and you forking over a bunch of cash), we can turn this thing around!

Start Shopping Now

God Bless America,

GP3

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