It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. I had no idea how bad it was going to get.
I walked into The Social in Orlando FL in the late afternoon and found the Black Keys on stage doing a sound check. The bar was empty, except for the bartender and the soundman. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy seeing Dan give me a nod from the stage. By this time, it was my 20th time seeing them play over 18 months in 9 different states.
I saw them the night before at Skipper's in Tampa. I'd just come from a week long vacation in the Bahamas with Kristen. She flew on home and I got to enjoy a couple days in Florida attending shows.
The Social was near a town square and I had spent a couple hours that afternoon checking out the vendors goods and services. I remember having some boiled peanuts and having a chair massage. After the sound check, I had time for a good meal before coming back for the show.
What I didn't know, was that my business partner had used this week to plan his takeover of our business. When I returned, the first thing he did was demand that I sell my half of the business to him or he would have his lawyer file to dissolve our corporation. On the one hand, I was more than happy to part ways with this sociopath/psychopath. I had many sleepless nights contemplating the potential jailtime/fraud that he put our business at risk for earning more money. His greed, ability to lie, and manipulate people was boundless. On the other hand, I walked away from a very successful business for much less than it was worth. You do find out the friends and family that at are really there to support you in times like these.
I'm so glad I had music to retreat to during these dark times. This process took months to resolve in the middle of 2005, and for several years, the consequences lingered.
Anyway, here's the Black Keys audio at The Social in Orlando FL
Set I
Thickfreakness
Girl Is On My Mind
Grown So Ugly
10AM Automatic
Do The Rump
Them Eyes
The Breaks
She Said, She Said
Set You Free
Act Nice And Gentle
Hard Row
All Hands Against His Own
No Trust
Have Love Will Travel
applause before encore
I Cry Alone
Heavy Soul
Girl Is On My Mind
Grown So Ugly
10AM Automatic
Do The Rump
Them Eyes
The Breaks
She Said, She Said
Set You Free
Act Nice And Gentle
Hard Row
All Hands Against His Own
No Trust
Have Love Will Travel
applause before encore
I Cry Alone
Heavy Soul