On Friday night, May 29, Brad Mercer, professional performer, singer/songwriter, recording artist and local radio personality of The Eagle 106.9 and his new band The Acquitted, debuted at The Roadhouse located on South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. The group was brought together by Mercer as lead singer and lead guitarist, along with Tim Kramer on guitar, James St. James on drums and Paul Villalobos on bass guitar.
After only 60 days jamming together, the group was ready to hit the stage for the world to see with the evening‘s live Web and television feed to fans from as far away as Hamburg, Germany (to whom Brad gave a shout out to while on live feed). The night was brought to fans throughout the world by FADVideo.TV and produced live by Steve Petersen Productions Inc.
Connie Mercer, Brad's wife, stated, ”I had been listening to them practicing for a few months now within their home studio including a recent dress rehearsal held at Robbie T’s in Indio.”
The band took the stage around 11:30 p.m. and Brad said to the crowd, ”We are gonna let you have it, mistakes and all tonight.”
The play list was simply amazing with original songs "Now," "Oliver Stone" and "Carry Me Back" to name a few.
The night was informative on learning rumors of where some of the songs written and played originated. “No Parking Anytime” was written by Brad in 1980 and rumor had it that this song came after he had attended an Eagles concert and was instructed he could not use the restroom because Joe Walsh had all his gear in the bathroom. What a great story!
I also wholeheartedly loved the song “You Made Me, Me,” Written by Brad’s son Paul James from Jacksonville, Fla., whom we learned holds his roots strong in writing country music.
In attendance were well know valley sax player Mikole Karr of The Mikole Karr Band and renowned sax player and local KNEWS radio talk show host Mark Christopher who has also been found on stage with the likes of Billie Joel and Chaka Khan. Christopher also jammed on stage with Mercer and The Acquitted to create a full on rock 'n' blues sound. The sign of true talent is hitting the stage when accomplished musicians show up in the audience to show support or jam on sets and also enjoy the sounds played and stay late into the night.
The night's feel took me to The Beach Boys, Eagles, Elvis, Santana and Tom Petty with a bit of blues, rock 'n' roll all mixed together to create a new sound that only the talented Mercer could have pulled together.
As the band packed up for the night, I could not hold back and approached the stage to find out the next show date to bring my friends to hear.
Brad says they are in the middle of contract negotiations to open for either Dave Mason or John Waite for a September show called Desert Rock, which will be held here in the Coachella Valley.
The closing song, “Hear My Songs on the Radio,“ said it all. I want to hear those songs on the radio Brad; you have my personal play request and I hope to hear them playing soon because I don’t think I can wait till September.
I want to say thank you to The Roadhouse in Palm Springs, Brad Mercer and The Acquitted, Steve Peterson Productions and FADVideo.TV for bringing this fabulous late night on the town.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Connie Mercer, Brad's wife, stated, ”I had been listening to them practicing for a few months now within their home studio including a recent dress rehearsal held at Robbie T’s in Indio.”
The night was informative on learning rumors of where some of the songs written and played originated. “No Parking Anytime” was written by Brad in 1980 and rumor had it that this song came after he had attended an Eagles concert and was instructed he could not use the restroom because Joe Walsh had all his gear in the bathroom. What a great story!
The night's feel took me to The Beach Boys, Eagles, Elvis, Santana and Tom Petty with a bit of blues, rock 'n' roll all mixed together to create a new sound that only the talented Mercer could have pulled together.