Nick and Bob started out as drinking buddies, and that didn't end until both of them quit drinking. Although I did hear that when Nick was drinking he used to have a daily pattern of going over to his favorite bar down on the pier there in Coronado and he'd order a shot for himself and one for Shane. He'd say, "Cheers," clink the glasses together and suck 'em both up. Early on in this ritual the bartender was curious and asked why he always ordered the two shots. Nick told him that he and Bob had been drinking buddies for years and in honor of their friendship he always orders a shot for Bob as if he were there with him. So then after Nick quit drinking he still continued his daily habit of heading down to the pier, but when he ordered he'd just get one shot, which he promptly and unceremoniously downed. After a couple days the bartender became curious and asked, "Why are just ordering one shot instead of your usual two? I hope nothing has happened to Mr. Shane." Nick very calmly replied, "No, Shane's fine, but I quit drinking." OK - it's an old joke, but it could have happened! Back to your question, Nick being the easy-going, no-hassle guy that he is, he preferred the easy path, which was to stick with the formula that was working. I don't think he had a lot of creative input as far as the music goes. Dave handled that duty and Nick, as did Bob, preferred to do it "on the natch," meaning they didn't force it. Bob and Nick were of a like mind in that regard, and playing music was just part of the constant party they were living. Dave, being the more serious of the three, wanted more than the party. He wanted to challenge himself musically and neither Bob nor Nick saw that as anything that would enhance what they already had by doing it "on the natch." You also asked: "How are Rick Dougherety's vocal stylings going to fit the Trio format?" I have no way of responding to that. As you say, Rick comes from the Irish tenor tradition, which isn't what Nick was about, for sure. Certainly the quality of his musicianship will be evident in the overall presentation, but obviously it must be a different sound. All the reports I've heard have been very positive, but I haven't heard anybody actually address a comparison between Rick and Nick. Ron Fitz is going to see them in Cripple Creek tomorrow, and I've asked for his objective feedback. Perhaps he'll post his impressions here. Finally you asked: "Am I the only one that felt the electric bass was way out of place in the Limeliters? " I can say definetely "no" to that, even if it's just you and I who feel that way. First of all, I was so used to the look of the Limes with Lou and the upright bass. And now with Andy Corwin in the group, that "look" is back. I also never cared for the sound of the electric bass with the Limes. That having been said, Rick, Bill and Alex were probably my favorite configuration since Lou, Glenn and Alex - just from the entertainment standpoint. And they probably had the strongest vocal presentation of any configuration before or since. Too bad they couldn't have stayed together. I might still have a gig!
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