GIG RECAP - SMASH Benefit

A tribute to Fleetwood Mac to support SMASH!

May 30, 2025

UPCOMING RELEASES:
06/12 - “You Called Me Kid” single!
07/24 - ”Song for Barbara Ann” single!
08/22 - Fade Away Blue album drops!

UPCOMING GIGS:
06/08 - Portland, OR • Mississippi Studios • TICKETS
06/13 - Los Angeles, CA • McCabe’s Guitar Shop • TICKETS
06/14 - Ojai, CA • Ojai Underground Exchange • TICKETS

Performing “Storms” at The Crocodile on 4/24/25. Photo by Lance Mercer.

Last month, I was invited to play the annual SMASH Benefit. SMASH stands for Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Health Care. This wonderful organization was founded by my pal and fellow Vashonite, Ian Moore, to provide access to free and low-cost healthcare services to musicians in the Seattle area.

For this year’s benefit concert, a bevy of local luminaries gathered at The Crocodile to pay tribute to the mighty Fleetwood Mac. The house band, Wild Rumours, did a fantastic job of backing up a wide array of artists, taking on the breadth of material spanning the various incarnations of the legendary band.

This was my first gig at the new Crocodile. I have many fond memories of playing the old location, including headlining its very first Saturday night in 1991 with my old band, Ramadillo. Another highlight from the old Croc was the time I sat in with Mad Season at their record release party. That’s another story for another time.

The new Crocodile is much bigger than the original. Roomy stage. Great sound. Nice lights. Ample backstage space. And a super friendly staff. I loved it.

With Elaine, Wild Rumours and Mark Pickerel at The Crocodile on 4/24/25. Photo by Lance Mercer.

I’ve been a Fleetwood Mac fan since I was a kid, when my folks played Rumours around the house. But the record I love the most is Tusk. So I chose “Storms” as my first song to perform.

As I took the stage, I told the audience I was not normally one to wear shoulder pads and that I would explain the coat later. The audience in the back of the packed hall was a bit chatty during my solo acoustic performance of “Storms,” but folks up front were nice and attentive.

For the next number, Elaine Summers and the band joined me. Mark Pickerel rounded out the Wild Rumours crew on drums. Elaine was sporting a super groovy outfit with custom embroidery. As we were packing up for the gig, I joked, “How am I going to compete with that?” She instantly replied, “Your Tom Petty coat!”

Sporting my Tom Petty coat. Photo by Mike Mitchell.

Of course! My Tom Petty coat! It’s a piece of custom-made stage wear that Tom gifted to me at the end of the Dogs With Wings tour. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to wear it.

To make things even more perfect, the song we sang was written by and featured vocals by the man himself. While technically not Fleetwood Mac, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” was on Stevie’s first solo record. So, it’s Fleetwood Mac adjacent. Close enough.

It had been many moons since I performed with a full rock band, and it felt fantastic. A great band groovin’ out a great song. What’s not to love? And Elaine killed the lead vocal. Here is a short clip filmed on a phone from the floor. (Thanks, Joleen!)

We played pretty early in the night, so I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the show without pre-show nerves. Thanks to Bob Watanabe and the SMASH team for organizing a beautiful night of music and community and for curating such an amazing collection of performers. I was honored to be counted among them.

I was also honored to have my performance immortalized by artist Jeff Barlow. Jeff has a project where he draws a band or performer in one song. Check out his work on his website or visit his Instagram.