Don,

I remember those "good ole days" very well. I didn't have a van. I had a 5 by 7 trailer that I used to haul my equipment to the job. I carried either a Hammond M3 or a Gulbransen Theatrum organ. This also included a 147 Leslie. I drove the Leslie with a Fender Bassman head. (I wish I still had the Bassman head, it was built like a tank and was indestructable). I ran the bass output from the organ into an external bass amp. It was a Canadian amp called something like VT. I would have to put the organ on a dolly, wheel it in and take it off, go back out and wrestle the 147 out of the trailer onto the dolly and wheel that in. Grab the bench and carry that in, go back and get the VT amp and the Bassman head and bring them in. Then go back out and move the car and trailer. After the gig of course it was the reverse. Then when I got home it was park the trailer and disconnect it.

Now it is hard enough doing all this when it is 70 degrees out. Try doing it when it is 15 and the roads and walks are covered with snow or ice.

That's why you confederates lost the war. You're soft!

FYI it is 24 degrees out as I'm typing this and last night we got about 6 inches of snow. I'm tired of being tough.

Tom

[This message has been edited by Tom Cavanaugh (edited 11-17-2005).]