A din of laughter and hundreds of bodies fill the patio of Iguana Mack's in Chandler, AZ - it IS Friday, as a matter of fact, but I thought I was showing up early...it's 4pm, and there's not a seat to be found.

First #1: I notice a surprising number of silver-crowned patrons milling about in the inside bar and the patio area. That's not a first in itself, but it makes me curious as to why there would be so many in what appears to be a rather raucous and fast-paced bar.  Then, reality hits - there is a senior discount. Zing!  I've never seen or even heard of that before...let the night of firsts begin!

First #2: During my set, I'm playing a cover of "Don't Dream it's Over" and I'm playfully bantering back and forth with some of the nicely toasted frequenters, and all attention is directed to a spot by the bar about 20 feet away.  Apparently, the music is whipping a couple of imbibers into a fist-led frenzy, and I catch the point of the confrontation where one man has another's arm behind his back and somehow has his other hand slightly inside the other man's mouth - it appears that he's using the "fishhook" method of taking his opponent down. Needless to say, all conversation and merry-making stop to focus on the altercation.  I figure singing "Don't Dream it's Over" is contextually suiting at this point, but maybe not so appropriate...they are removed.  Whew - first number 2...

First #3: As end of the night draws near, my truck is packed up and I'm ready to call it a night - I just need to "settle up"(that's code for "give me my money, please") with the bar. The staff is awesome, I can see myself coming back here for sure, they cut me a check and ask what I had on my tab.

"Two Margaritas."

Apparently, spending $6 of the allotted $50 bar tab that is comped to all musicians who play there is unheard of - it's a first for them that it didn't even crack $10. Wow, I should have asked for the rest in cash.

Scottsdale, here we come tonight...

-TRMJ