Kings of the Hilltop

The Hilltop is an East Sacramento institution. Loved by party hounds and only dubiously embraced by irritated neighbors, The Hilltop is on the edge of Sacramento's grandest and most expensive old neighborhoods. Many KDOG fans live well within staggering distance of this wonderfully comfortable and shabby bar and pool hall.
Kenton has known the new owner, Donna, for many years. We've got an in! Kenton finally decided to cash in this chit. We met with Donna yesterday and agreed to play two dates for $200. The first could be as soon as Feb 16. (This is, in fact, the date. The show is 8 p.m. to midnight, perfect for you boomers who can't stay awake past 10 p.m.) The next date booked is Saturday, March 10. Our goal: to fill this place with every person we know for both shows. No one should claim to be too scared to go to The Fabulous Forties, as the area is known, where the biggest danger to your well being are the giant SUVs piloted by the local gentry, eager to fight over parking spaces at the Trader Joe's just up the street.
I used to call the Hilltop the Hi-Top because critical letters were busted or burned out on the electric sign. Under the old ownership, the Hilltop attracted a few trouble makers who irritated the neighbors by racing motorcyles up and down the streets after midnight. Donna took over, kicked out the bad element and created a welcoming ambiance for both old and new customers. She also started booking live music. There is never a cover charge. "The music should be free," Donna told us over a round of beers. The deal is simple: we play a couple of gigs for $200 and see how it goes. If we can pack the place, we might be able to play a steady once a month gig. That would be ideal. It's our kind of place. Under Donna's guidance, the bar is developing a reputation for live music and friendly booze hounds.
"I've known Donna forever," Kenton told me. "I was gonna call her and gonna call her, but I'm glad we waited. Playing at the Stoney really helped us get into shape."
The Hilltop's pool table room, where we'll be playing, has plaster walls, a high ceiling and a painted concrete floor - all of which present potential sound problems. Packed with sweaty bodies, it should sound fine. Empty, it will be worse than playing at the Legendary Mojo Dojo Rehearsal Space and Hair Care Products Storage Facility. It's important to make a success of the first gig. I am going to invite every person I can think of. The shows start at 8 p.m., which is perfect for the typical boomers who don't want to stay out past 10. The band will play on until midnight.
Kenton level of connectness in this town is astonishing to me. It's the secret of our gigging success so far. He knows somebody. He makes a phone call. He's like a Wise Guy, except that, so far as I know, no ones legs have been broken.
© 2007 Edward Dean Chance ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Comments

[Tommy Stiletto]

Great news about the Hilltop. The old members of the band will be at the upcoming show. One request, please limit the length of each set to something less than a rock opera (around 30 to 40 minutes per set please). The break between sets is a time for the audience to re-charge and a time for the band to mingle with the crowd.