JEFF PIKE - MANIA - FALL 2022 TOUR BLOG - DAY 20

MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 9, 2022
The Taft Theatre
www.tafttheatre.org
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
When I was a boy, I was heavily into baseball and football. My favorite baseball team was the Cincinnati Reds, and my favorite baseball player was Johnny Bench. Aside from wanting to be an astronaut and a rock star, I had a huge desire to be a professional baseball player, and being a catcher was my dream. As you can see, none of those dreams came true, but I have made many good memories along the way.

Anyway, believe it or not, I have never been to Cincinnati and have always wanted to visit. As good luck would have it, we were playing at a stunningly beautiful theater less than three blocks from the Cincinnati Baseball Stadium. As bad luck would have it, the weather was freezing, and I was not feeling well. I had zero sleep, and my body was aching. I did not fear I was getting a cold; it was just the familiar road fatigue and aches and pains that I have sadly become accustomed to.

On top of that, I was starving, and no food was on the bus. Well, there was a ton of unhealthy food, but I would do my best to avoid it today. As usual, I was very late getting off the bus, and by the time I got unloaded and situated in my dressing room, and onstage it was time for soundcheck. (FYI - Soundcheck is always at 5:00)

Soundcheck was quick and painless, and I was ready to find food, and I was lucky to find an excellent deli directly across the street where I had a big healthy salad and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. I wanted to check out the city and the stadium severely, but it was still very cold, and I was in serious need of a nap if I was going to stay awake at my piano tonight. So I took a few photos, then hung my head in sadness and retreated to the bus for a siesta before show time. 

The Taft Theatre was beautiful, and the crowd was fantastic! Afterward, I took a very quick shower, departed the venue as quickly as possible, and headed to the bus. Once on board, I would again bypass the party and retreat to my bunk. Immediately pulling the curtain, I would try to find the sandman and the field of dreams somewhere in my sleep.

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