Rockabilly Prom: A Wedding for Zack & Dollie

In high school I had an actual prom date.  Many years later, I have been reduced to accompanying my sister to the prom.  The "prom" in this case was the wonderful wedding reception of our friends Zack and Dollie.  

Mary wore the dress that I made for her actual high school prom.
I tried my best to look like the nerdy, math teacher/chaperone.

I had some remnants of the lace and ribbon that I used for Mary's prom dress, so I made her a corsage.
Not being a florist, I just had to wing it.  Can fresh flowers be hot glued?  We were about to find out. 

The reception was held at an historic Elks Lodge and was fully
decked out to look like a high school prom circa 1954.

Oh, so it was proof that you wanted that we were at an Elks Lodge.
Taxidermy is always welcome at wacky tacky!

What is a prom without prom photos?  Everyone was treated to photo op's on the beautiful paper moon that Reagan and Dollie built and painted!!!

Our new pals, Adam & Susannah
(photo by Sandra)

Emily & Jesse, the next to get hitched!
(photo by Amber)

Furthermore, what's a 50's prom/wedding reception without prom dresses?  The women brought out their prom best for the occasion!

Emily, Mary, and Amber
Pastel perfection.

At some point during the evening, it became apparent that
shades of blue and green were the most popular.
Emily, Deen, Cara, Mary, and Reagan

That isn't to say that Nicole and Sandra didn't make a splash in their purple and pink!

Dollie and the gang.
If someone stretched the miles and miles of lace, chiffon, and tulle
that were used for all of the frothy 50's prom dresses in attendance, I'm pretty
sure she could have reached the moon - or at least Omaha, Nebraska.

The cake!
Right about now I am second-guessing my choice to abstain.

The happy couple, Dollie & Zack.

The music for the evening was second to none and included The Blue Collar Combo, The Sidewynders, Roy Rapid and The Rhythm Rock Trio, The Dave & Deke Combo, Amber Foxx, Mary Simich, and the unmatched skills of DJ Lucky La Rocka.  It was a dancer's paradise.

The Blue Collar Combo
(photo by Sandra)

Amber Foxx and the boys

Mary penned a brand new song for the newlyweds!!!
(photo by Sandra)

Looking like a real, live crooner, Mr. Tiny even got up to do a number!
(photo by Amber)

The music was getting so wild, and Zack and Dollie were getting so groovy on the dance floor, that Dollie's hat had to go.  I took the hat for her and couldn't help but encourage everybody to take a turn wearing it.  Some folks took the traditional approach and wore it on their heads; others got a bit more creative - I hope Dollie didn't mind.

Then it was time to crown the prom court.  The only thing I was nominated for was official crown holder...

Somehow Mary managed to play the drum rolls AND crown the court!
I love this picture! 

Mary placing the crown on the Queen of the Prom
(and blushing bride), Dollie.

Mr. & Mrs. Simpson taking their rightful place as
prom royalty.

Just because the king and queen had been crowned, didn't mean the party was over.  The music kept going so that meant more DANCING!

For the uninitiated types, there were Bunny Hop instructions at each table!
As if Mr. Tiny needed directions!!!!

I'll give you just one guess who won the dance contest.
I swear that this said "Best Dancer" before it changed to
"BS Dancer" and eventually "B- Dancer."

If I learned one thing at prom, it was to NEVER fall asleep....

...and STAY asleep!!!

Okay, okay, so the hot glue could only withstand so much abuse.
This is the corsage after it fell apart and Mary tried to put it back together
with a little help from Scotch tape and a crepe-paper bow.

Congratulations Zack & Dollie!  Thanks for including us in your special day!

Here's to many, many more happy dances together!
(photo by Amber)

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

There's No Business Like Show Business, From What I've Heard

So here's something wacky for you.  A couple of weeks ago, Like an episode straight out of "I Love Lucy," Mr. Tiny joined show business!  I've been involved in the business world for years - primarily monkey, but this was a real star turn.  True, I have had my brushes with fame.  I've been told repeatedly over the phone that I could be a voice-double for Robert Downey, Jr. (by the same person, sort of a phone stalker who was more than likely deaf).  I've met Hollywood A-Listers like Alice Cooper, Kurt Russell, and Butch Patrick.  I have been paid to dance, act, model, but this was the big time - real show business.

 Proof
Ashley, Alice, Mr. Tiny, and Richard (l to r)

About a month ago, Mary was asked to perform a show down in San Diego at The Tin Can Ale House.  Mary is a Wild Records artist so she is entirely accustomed to the smell of grease paint, the glare of flashbulbs, and the bright lights.  I, on the other hand, am a hopeless rube, a bumpkin by the standards of slick, big-city, show folk.  Fortunately, it was a cowboy/honky tonk show, so I fit right in.

The mural on the front of The Tin Can Ale House is pretty darn cool.

Mary & Mr. Tiny (photo courtesy of Sarah Drake)
Maybe sitting wasn't the most flattering position to take.

Strangely, the pure and unadulterated hatred that I have for the sound of my own voice has never stopped me from singing  - or talking for that matter (although I might reconsider after barely making it through a brief review of these videos that a friend was sadistic kind enough to shoot).  Even more strange was the generally-positive response we received for our set.  Here are a couple of the songs (including a Mr. Tiny original) that we performed.  Please, be kind, it was our very first show!

"Someday"

written by Jimmie Hodges 

performed by Mary & Mr. Tiny

"Wagon Wheel"

written and performed by Mr. Tiny and Mary

I was dreading the performance on our way down to San Diego, mostly because I felt weird that I would just be there singing while Mary did all of the heavy lifting (guitar, song writer, vocalist), but I ended up having a lot of fun!  We even tried our best to include some witty banter in between songs.  The wittiness of the banter is widely open for debate, but I think we did a pretty good job, all things considered.

I'm tellin' ya, it was the real deal.
We got drink tickets (wasted on non-drinkers, like ourselves) and everything.
We even got paid; although Mary has yet to fork over my half of the loot!

I'm doing my best to have a good attitude and accept the challenges and opportunities that come my way.  Hopefully, this was the first of many fun times and exciting adventures ahead!  After all, how you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen SD?


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Back In the Saddle: A Cowboy Birthday

Last weekend we were invited to a very special western-themed birthday party for our friend, Amber.  It was held in the beautiful backyard of the home she shares with her husband, Bob.

All the guests were given a "western welcome" with their
very own, personalized, mason jar drinking glass.

 

Mr. Tiny & Mary with the birthday girl, Amber (I stole this photo from her).
 One can almost see the ghost of bunny ears behind Amber's head that she so
artfully retouched out of the photo.

Bob & Amber's backyard is great!  It is perennially decked out with a western/desert motif so the setting was ideally apropos.  I should have taken more pictures of the perfect surroundings that included wagon wheels, succulents, the barn and the corn!  Here are some photos of the cool desert details that were waiting around every corner.

 

 

The garden path (by day & by night) was lit with kerosene railroad lanterns. 

I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating, I LOVE WESTERN WEAR!!!  My collection, if it can be called that, is measly, consisting mostly of ties.  There is something about the incredible detailing, the folksy charm, and the spirit of the West that makes western wear a favorite for me.  Not to mention the brilliant people like Nudie, Manuel, Jaime, Gene, Dale & Roy, and The Sons of the Pioneers that made western wear COOL!  Unfortunately, I can never really pull off the entire look head-to-toe because my arches are high and my calves too thick to wear boots!  Nevertheless, here are some fancy western duds.

Queens of the Rodeo, Amber & Mary. 

Mary wore a vintage western shirt with new two-piece western

ensemble that I finished for her right before we left for the party. 

I think it needs some applique before it is truly "finished."

Ben & Mary showing off their matching shirts

How!
Pale Face heap happy to see Lone Wolf, Emily,
(the only Native American represented) at the party.

My favorite family photo of the night.
 Lovey, Charles & Dollie
 Are you my mommy?

All the food an fixin's were delicious.  People roasted hot dogs over the open fire and I made my award-winning roasted potato salad.  My mom and dad told me that bestowing an award to oneself in no way negates the validity of the award.

Amber made all kinds of tasty, themed offerings.
You'll have to ask her why they are labeled "Smore Pogs,"
but I was particularly taken with these S'More Pops.
It would've been easy to fill up on homemade rice krispie
treats too, but...

We had to save room for the beautiful horseshoe cake that Dollie made!

Amber's feeling lucky with her lucky horseshoe cake.

No matter how much cake one consumes, there is always room for presents.

Charles & Amber and an inch worm

After the sun set slowly in the western skies, a chill set in, so we gathered around the campfire to sing some cowboy songs.

Singing cowboy songs with Steve, Mary, Ben, Amber, and Dave was my favorite
part of the evening.  Among all of the wonderful bands in which he plays, Dave is
a feature in The Lucky Stars, the kings of western swing in Southern California.

You know it's a good party when....
Happy Birthday, Amber!!!

Here are a couple tunes to give you the feeling of our wild west shindig!

 

"Way Out There" - Sons of the Pioneers

"Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" - Sons of the Pioneers

Cheers & Happy Trails!

Mr. Tiny