Living Proof rocks in the New Year

On New Year's Eve, with the cooperation of the Indianapolis rock 'n' rhythm band Living Proof, I photographed the group's performance at the Kincaid Ballroom of the Fishers (Ind.) Conference Center, adjacent to the Hilton Gardens and Indigo hotels in the northeastern Indianapolis suburb. Tickets to the show were sold as part of an overnight lodging package that included rooms at one of the two hotels.

I'd done a shoot of the band's taping of a video and subsequent live show on Jan. 30, 2010, so I had some familiarity with the band, liked its stage presence and enjoyed its rapport with the audience. I sensed it would make for some good images. I took pictures from the moment the band began setting up its equipment, lighting and sound system around 5:30 p.m. New Year's Even until the show ended somewhere between 1:30 and 2 a.m. on New Year's Day.

The pictures in this post -- leading off at the top with the band's horn section, trumpeter Larry Beiswenger (left) and saxophonist Teddy Patterson, are from that shoot; a full gallery of images can be found at Living Proof - New Year's Eve.

Above: Bassist Marc Latney doing his share of the stage setup.

Above: Trumpeter Larry Beiswenger tending to some of the percussion instruments. Unknown to him, the band's test of the colored light system found a coincidental target on the side of his head. I did show Larry the image after I took it; he was amused.

Above and next two below: During a test of the sound system, the band decided to also test their fogger system. Good thing they did it before the live show, too: It set off the smoke alarm, and the Fire Department showed up. The band decided to severely restrict the fogger during the actual show.

Above: The Fire Department crew, pausing to talk to hotel staff before heading back to the station after assurances the fogger system that triggered the smoke alarm was under control.

Above: Band members Gary McCreary, drummer, and Marc Latney, bassist, confer during a lull in the setup. In the background is fellow bandmate Jessica Patterson, vocalist.

Above: Some of the party-goers filing into the conference center when the doors opened. They need to check in and receive a wrist band indicating they were paid customers.

Above: Periodically during the show, vocalist Leonard Patterson -- Jessica's husband -- was asked by members of the crowd to take their pictures, and he complied when he had the chance.  

Above: Keyboardist Jeff Libby, who really doesn't have red hair. That portion of his head just happened to get a very concentrated blast of one of the colored lights.

Above: The band uses an assortment of colored lights throughout the show. The reds were on when this image was captured, showing the large screen providing the live telecast of the New Year's Eve broadcast from Times Square. The actual countdown would come later in the evening.

Above: Because there are seven members of Living Proof, and because they are spread out across the stage -- and then often fully or partially obstructed by speakers, microphones, light systems, instruments or other stage equipment depending on your vantage point -- it can be difficult getting them all into one shot. This is what I was attempting to do with this frame. From left: Teddy Pattersion (sax), Larry Beiswenger (trumpet), Gary McCreary (drums), Jessica Patterson (vocals), Jeff Libby (keyboards), Leonard Patterson (vocals) and Marc Latney (bass).

 

Above: Sax player Teddy Patterson -- Leonard's cousin -- during an animated interaction with dancers on the floor in front of him. 

Above: Leonard and Jessica go face to face during one of the band's songs; below, Jessica pulls away to boogie.

Above: After watching the ball drop at Times Square at midnight on the televised feed, the crowd celebrated in traditional ways -- balloon drops, toasts and kisses. 

Above: The band started the second, post-midnight set of their show in masks to perform the Michael Jackson hit "Thriller."

Above: Teddy Patterson gets up close and personal with a dancer near the stage during one of his vocal numbers. 

Above: The dance floor was packed almost from the start, but this was after midnight, and the moves were still going strong.

Teddy Patterson (above) and Jessica and Leonard Patterson (below) in shots I managed to pull off directly in front of the stage -- and with dancers no more than a half-foot away from me.

      

Above: A hat-donning number had Jessica in all smiles.

Above: The grinning was contagious, as evidence by drummer Gary McCreary, who I finally managed to reach by snaking behind the bongos on Stage Left. Perhaps his grin was silent applause for my perseverance!
 

Above and below: Still more grins and good times from the dance floor community.

 

Above and below: Two of the many enjoyable faces of Jessica Patterson, who always seems to be having a fun time doing what she does.

 

Above: Trumpeter Larry Beiswenger gets his moment to shine before ... 

... saxophonist Teddy Patterson (above) takes over, meandering off the stage and into the crowd for a little intimate performance among the dancers.

Above: A final look at the dance floor (OK, and yes, Teddy Patterson, bending backward behind the dancer right in the middle of the picture) ...

Above: Leonard Patterson looking out onto the crowd and dance floor while immersed in colors of red and indigo. 

This post's coda, notes courtesy of Jeff Libby.