April 19th, 2012
Yesterday, I had the cool opportunity to perform with Miles Schon at Center Point Drug and Rehab Facility in San Rafael through the program Bread & Roses (www.breadandroses.org). It was definitely one of the most fun gigs I’ve done in a while. Carolyn Gauthier, who booked the gig wrote a report about the show that I wanted to share! Here it is below:
Miles Schon and Emily Rath at Center Point
Date: 4/18/2012
Host: Ira Potovsky
Producer: Carolyn Gauthier
Essence Story by Carolyn Gauthier:
I’d been wanting to get this hot, young guitar player to do a show for Bread & Roses for a long time. It finally happened at Center Point, a drug rehab facility for men in San Rafael. To my delight Miles Schon brought the beautiful and talented Emily Rath, who I had also been trying to recruit for months. What followed was an amazingly upbeat, high energy show that rocked the building. There were several young residents who knew the two performers from high school or from around the county.
The duo played mostly cover tunes that the men knew and sang along with including songs by The Beatles and Marvin Gaye. They did Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” which was especially appropriate since Center Point is one of the facilities that Bonnie loved to play. Emily held down the chords on the keyboard while Miles stretched out on the amplified, acoustic guitar. Then he brought out a ukulele a friend had given him and he said, “I play bad-ass guitar. What the fuck am I supposed to do with this?” I must have raised my eyebrows because he said, “I guess I’m not supposed to use that word here.” The guys yelled out “It’s okay.” I shrugged, “They’ve never heard that word before.” Miles retorted, “Well you gave me that Mom look.” I guess I can’t help it,” I said. Miles proceeded to play some kick-ass ukulele.
Emily’s original song “Afterglow” was a huge hit with the audience, and when Miles played a ripping version of “All Along the Watchtower” he brought the house down. There were multiple standing ovations. And at the end of the hour the audience clearly did not want them to leave. Miles said he had to get into the city and they would do one more song adding, ”So fuck you all.” They launched right into Cee Lo Green’s hit song “Fuck You.” Every guy there, irregardless of age or race, knew the words and sang along. I saw a counselor stick his head in the door and was worried that he might shut down the show. He came into the room and waved his arms to the beat while many third fingers were raised in salute.
I may hear from the facility director today, but if I do, I will know exactly what to say to him.
For more info on Bread & Roses, check them out and ‘like’ them on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/
