I was there about 6:30 or so... About 50 People were there with the numbers growing for the 8:00 vigil...
Ram has a very special place in my heart...
He would give any band a chance to perform and let you gain some mileage no matter how good or bad the band...
Unlike some of these stuck up venues, that I will not mention, won't even touch you without a manager, CD or a big following or all three... We all have to start somewhere... Ram would give you that chance to express yourself live and create your music in front of people in a live bar atmosphere... Of course if you sucked you would get heat or dead silence from the regulars there but it would be for your own good... How else would you grow...
I remember:
One time early last year when i booked so many Tacoland gigs. On one of those gigs dated David's truck broke down about a mile away from Tacoland... Man we did everything we could to get it fixed and then try to make on time... But no such luck that night... So David, Jack and I drove to Tacoland and of course I was ready to get my ass chewed by the man Ram... But no... He was soo humble and happy that I took the time in person to tell him I wasn't going to able to do the gig due to car trouble... He then kissed my hand... Kissed my hand... He then told everyone there I was one bad mother fucker guitar player and offered if we wanted something to drink... I guess he notice the sweat and tears of fustration from all of us that night... But Man I was in such an awe that whole night... He took notice and appreciated my band and my music... I was touched ever since. I would never forget that impression for it will stay with me for life...
The very first gig as a front man/lead guitarplayer of my own band was there at Tacoland... I'm playing at the Verizon tomorrow because of Tacoland... The right person notice the better, meaner sound of the new Double Clutch one night and gave us the gig with JP tomorrow...
Such a vast verity of music would play there at Tacoland and never mind it's history... My God we lost such a great man... San Antonio will not be the same without Ram.
Ram, I will miss you dearly.... JCM