Rosie’s Bottom’s Up

Last night Michael McKee and I played a gig at Rosie’s Bottom’s Up in Sebastian, Florida. Rosie’s is an old establishment that’s sat in the Florida sun on US 1 for countless years. The turquoise painted, cinder-block frame is a hangout for the locals, a great place for bikers to stop for a cold beer. The people are friendly. There are pinball machines and some kind of money wagering games that roar with bells and horns through the night. There’s a couple pool tables and a big square bar that takes up a big chunk of the room. That’s where all the socializing takes place. Then there’s enough room to do a little dancing, or as in the case of one woman last night, the splits. The band sets up near the doorway to US 1, backed up to the south wall of the building. We found ourselves blocking a dart board and I hoped that wouldn’t be a bad decision.

Rosie’s Bottom’s Up, 8400 US 1, Sebastian.

I had left my day job early to roar down US 1 to set up for the gig. In my haste, I left the subwoofer behind. Not a disaster but not brilliant. We were getting some feedback and Michael switched his guitar into an amp he had with him and we leveled things out. I was grateful that my voice seemed to be clear and free of some weird throat issues of late. So yes to that! Michael did his usual impeccable guitar work and we jammed through our three-hour gig. The bar patrons couldn’t have been nicer or more receptive. We were definitely heard and appreciated. At one point in the evening, we did Wild Horses (Rolling Stones) and it was like there was this stillness, and then a burst of applause and everyone facing us and staring at us. I was overwhelmed. It was so rewarding. When it was over the bartender came over to me, paid me, and said, “I need more of this in my life.” She promised to speak to the owners about booking us again. Today I followed up with that owner and she said she’d love to have us back. She’ll even push the start up an hour so it doesn’t cut into my day job. I’m thrilled. Michael is thrilled. It’s good to be playing again.