Ides members Bob Bergland (Left) and Scott May (Below) had the chance to rub shoulders with Rock Royalty in Milwaukee recently, Yes, that's James Taylor. The boys were there as guest of Larry Goldings (Below), James's keyboard player; as Scott brought him a Melodion from Hammond Organ. James and Larry also were given copies of the "Double Live" Ides CD for their tour bus. Thanks Larry! Thanks James!
ALL JOIN HANDS
TO RAISE THE ROOF
Those who follow the Ides know that the boys have a close relationship with Holy Name Pastor, Father Dan Mayall; and as such, with Holy Name Cathedral here in Chicago. Everyone was shocked to hear of the fire that decimated the roof of that venerable institution, especially after the recent participation (for the 4th year) in the Christmas Eve Mass. The band was among the very first to Call Fr. Dan and offer their help.
At the same time, the flagship of Chicago hotels, The Palmer House Hilton stepped up to the plate and donated a night in the Grand Ballroom, a gourmet dinner, and all ancillary necessities for a seating of 1000, totally free of charge to help raise funds for the roof's repairs. Of course, the IDES wanted to play that party.
But first, the fund-raising campaign, which is designed to go on out and beyond the Holy Name Parish had to be named. The Ides suggested their song "All Join Hands" as a rallying cry, and "All Join Hands To Raise The Roof" as the campaign name. It was immediately accepted and adopted.
The Ides pulled up to the Palmer House on Monday March 30th, and were treated like royalty every step of the way. The guest roster of the event had swollen to 1100, with many local dignitaries in attendance. Imagine the guys' surprise when they learned that they were to be seated at table #2, right next to...you guessed it table #1. Table #1 included Mayor Daley and Francis Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago. We were the special guests of Fr. Dan at his table.
Words cannot describe the incredible opulence and splendor of the Palmer House Ballroom, and the meticulous care that the staff showed in their execution of the event. Above the stage, a large video screen was emblazoned with a still of "All Join Hands To Raise The Roof". A Very proud moment for the band.
After the Cardinal said Grace, the guys warmed up and hit the stage for the first of two songs, the first being an Ides rendition of a number from the World Stage album "We Wish". Although the guitars were acoustic (this was an "unplugged" show) the performance rocked! Attention turned to the excellent Filets Mignon on the table.
It was time for another song. This time, the big tune of the night "All Join Hands". The entire Palmer House was soon caught up in the Ides' vibe. Mayor Daley, directly in front of the stage, was beaming like a proud Uncle. Following the tune, a video was shown, entitled "All Join Hands To Raise The Roof", and we'll give 3 guesses as what the soundtrack music was!
The band wanted to do just a bit more for the cause, and in a quick meeting with Fr. Dan and Jack, (the fellow who was to lead the live auction), they came up with a idea. Jack would auction off a place onstage playing tambourine with the Ides as they performed "Vehicle". The bidding ended at $700, and the winner took the stage.
Vehicle rocked heavily, and heads turned when Jim went into the "audience participation" part of the song. There was Cardinal George in the front row, nodding his head in time with the music, smiling broadly and singing the horn riff! Jim jumped off the stage and sang the final verse to him. It looked like the Cardinal was having a lot of fun.
It was a great honor getting to rub shoulders with the Mayor and Cardinal, but it was an equal honor for the guys to meet the early responders from the Chicago Fire and Police Departments who were the first on the scene the morning of the Holy Name fire. True Heroes in every sense of the word. Father Dan explained that if it wasn't for the singular bravery and quick thinking of these great men, the Cathedral would have been a total loss. Jim is pictured here with Winston Williams, Deputy District Fire Chief-Chicago F.D.
The late winter/early spring has been quiet for the "Public" Ides, but we haven't been hibernating. There's a new IDES album on the way. Like "Idesessentials", "Keep Rocking" will feature brand new Ides Music and familiar Ides songs never before released on CD. There will also be a new Ides "Epic" in the style of Symphony For Eleanor /Tobacco Road. We'll keep you guessing as to what the song is, but we think that you will all will be "turned on" by this Beatles classic done the "Ides way".
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