1999

In 1999 the band did not release a record. Marcus noted in the year-end summary that a record was not a requirement. The band played twenty-five shows. Each began on time.

In February the band issued version 3.0 of the technical rider. It was still fourteen pages. Marcus had removed a page of superseded circuit calculations and added a page on monitor placement for venues with low ceilings. Appendix B was not changed. Linda Vasquez signed for the house copy at The Runway Bar. She was the only venue owner who asked to sign.

In May Elaine Kowalczyk added a second room to her teaching studio. She hired a former student to teach beginners. She kept the advanced students herself. She gave each of them the same instruction on the first day: establish the baseline before departing from it. She demonstrated with a single closed stroke on the hi-hat.

Dave Pruitt trained two new drivers on the base shuttle route. He gave each of them a handwritten list of the twenty-two stops with the minute each was due. One of them asked whether the list was required. Dave said it was correct, which was more than required.

Dennis submitted his twenty-fourth equipment cost justification. It concerned a rack case. It cited the previous twenty-three. Marcus approved it.

In the summer the band played Las Cruces. Load-in was at 107 degrees. Elaine noted that the kit held its tuning. Tony noted that the van's coolant temperature held as well. Both entries are in the log.

In the fall Marcus wrote a Year 2000 contingency plan for the band. It covered the van, the PA, the four-track and the mission log. The mission log is on paper. The plan noted this and found the log compliant. The plan was approved by all members.

On December 31 the band played The Runway Bar. Marcus ended the set at thirty seconds before midnight so the band could observe the rollover standing. The lights stayed on. The van started the next morning. Tony checked it at 0700 anyway.

Brian Holt continued as an instructor pilot. Linda renewed the lease on The Runway Bar for five years. Tony's shop completed its first full year under his ownership with two bays and no comebacks.