What A Night or' More Fun Than I Can Shake A Drum Stick At'

Kevin Christensen by Jan Rose-Bartlett cc

Monday night at THE SWISS PUB in Tacoma had a great crowd. Meeting and hearing the band, MOJO BLUES was so much fun. I'm so glad I took the time to be there.  AND, some unexpected treats too... several of  our musician friends were there, some that I hadn't seen forever it seemed. [2005, 2006], that's pretty close to forever isn't it?. 'Close 'nuff'.
First thing, as we got outta the car, we run into guess who? TERRY JAE/bass, you know, from THE SHELLY ELY 's Band BIG NASTY' [nice job Merri Sutton] and her fun  Shelly Ely Jam and I know I've seen his photo with LAURIE JOHNSON, [thanks kainalu99] Soon after we arrived the rest of the band came in, plus ROLF OLSEN/keys a new member of this group...cool. They set up and I meet them all. LARRY WILLIAMS will be taking photos. 
Soon, I found out my table was right in the middle of the dance floor, perfect, just where I WANT to be! A very handsome waiter asked me if I want to move my table. NO way, I was really fine, really I was. People danced round me and I was close to the stage and could see everything.
Steve's ALL smiles when he plays...I'd almost forgotten how much he's at home on stage doing music.  AND, smiling he was..you know.that BIG SMILE of his, the whole first set. 
At break time, my BARTLETT's laughing with some guys behind me...who could it be? I tried to turn around and see. What a surprise, I've heard that laugh before... who??..it was KEVIN CHRISTENSEN/drums, with DOUG SKOOG/keys and DON YOUNG/drums. Don gives me his hand and says something kind. What a wonderful drummer and kind man.
 Well, I haven't seen Kevin for several years, even though Steve has played with him several times. But, there he was, his goofy big grin...smiling at me. First thing he says..'Jan, you're looking so good' Well, I've gained 100 pounds and can't walk, but you know, it's Kevin, he hugs me, pulls a chair close to me and whispers in my ear,..'I hate 'Steven' for playing the bass so well', I remember that Kevin is the only one that calls my bassman by that name besides me . We both laugh.
Time to play more music, RICHARD MOLINA/guitar calls Kevin, and Doug up to that big stage join the band for a few tunes. That's when Kevin starts doing his thing, you know, grinning from ear to ear, tossing his sticks in the air and catching them without missing a beat, he spins those same drum sticks in his hands, like a marching band leader with a baton, grins and laughs. He looks amazed, just like the rest of us.  He always takes several sticks with him onstage, if he drops one, two, or even more it doesn't bother him at all, it's part of the show, of course, isn't it?... He just grins even bigger, waves his stickless hand to the rhythm of the tune, grabs another stick from his bag, again never missing a beat, and continues.  I use to see him onstage stand up and dance while he plays and more fun things, Steve and Kevin were in TIME FRAME with NATALIE CLINE and H.D. way back when [2006?]. My BARTLETT's glad to see his old pals Kevin and Doug Skoog. Who is fantastic EVERYtime he plays those keys of his.
After a couple of songs, Kevin waltzs off stage and sits at my 'dance floor' table.  Still grinning, he  says to me 'Boy, that was fun, music's made for having fun.' I said,' I am having fun too, 'Kevy'. We enjoyed the rest of the show. There's some pretty young women at the next table... they're all smiling at Kevin. He instantly jumps up and joins them...they start to laugh and giggle.
 Mojo sings beautifully, Steve's having a great time. We all smile at him and whole the band.
Yes, it was a perfect night of music. Thank you MOJO BLUES BAND and some my ol' friends too. Jan
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More old photos below by me.... Jan Rose-Bartlett

Kevin and Bartlett 2006

Kevin and Steve 2006?

TIME FRAME 2006?

Steve Bartlett, H.D., Kevin Christensen , Chris Lieberman