It began with a picture (on the right). Soon, I learned that the Orbans' keyboardist Justin Pate, pictured with 'ol whatsisname over there, is temporarily joining Ben Harper and Relentless7 to perform at the David Lynch Foundation benefit being held Saturday at Radio City Music Hall.
Harper and Relentless7 (which counts, as you'll recall, Crowley native Jordan Richardson among its ranks) are backing Ringo Starr on four songs, '60s folk legend Donovan on a couple tunes and Sheryl Crow will join as a back-up vocalist. Pretty kewl stuff ... I'm going to try and get Justin on the phone later this afternoon for his take on the whirlwind situation.
UPDATE: Just got off the phone with Pate, who was in a cab in NYC on his way to a five-hour rehearsal. Whirlwind craziness is how he described his experience thus far. Pate, who attended SXSW with the Orbans, came back Monday [March 23] to find himself out of a job (he says he forgot to cover his shifts while out of town) but on the receiving end of a phone call from Richardson the following day. "Jordan called me on Tuesday [March 24]: 'I might have a crazy opportunity; Im just making sure youre available,'" Pate said on his way to rehearsals for the Lynch gig. In the days since that call, Pate has met and jammed with Ringo Starr, Donovan, Sheryl Crow and Eddie Vedder. "It all happened so fast," Pate said. "Ill come back Sunday night and be an unemployed musician again, but my name will be listed in the program [at the benefit], so that may lead to some things."