A Night at the Focal Point with Beatle Bob

Saturday was a special night at the Focal Point in St. Louis as Switchback brought a "present" to the audience. The second half of the evening featured a set with the full band, which included Nick Hirka on drums and Paul Russell on violin. And in return, Switchback received a present in the person of the legendary Beatle Bob, who came in to dance to the band. According to musician lore, having Beatle Bob at your show means that your show is the hottest ticket in town. Bob has been going to shows all over the country and has developed a following from those who have created a fan site in honor of him, to those who created a site to get him to sit down. Wikipedia has the full story of this eccentric, but truly devoted live music follower. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatle_Bob

Switchback has always looked at Beatle Bob as a sign of good luck and that they are on the right track. Beatle Bob was thrilled with the show and taped a testimonial later to present to fans, exhorting them to come out and see a Switchback concert. The concert at the Focal Point was one of the largest yet, with all seats taken and standing room only in the back. When the full band hit the stage, some impromptu dancing broke out, started by super Switchback Fan, Dancing Donna. Half the audience was new fans, a large number of them brought in by Switchback fan Brenda Sobeleski. Two special moments occurred when the band dedicated "The Moon" to STeamers Helmut and Sarah Koch, and when proud grandma and Focal Point presenter Carol Kuntz held up a phone so her new granddaughter Olivia in Seattle could hear "Stellar Jay's Wing" played for her. Her daughter said she liked the soothing song that features the soaring violin of Paul Russell. Switchback will return to the Focal Point for a Saturday concert on June 4, 2011.

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