A Day (or Two) in the Life of a Tribute Band.
A Day in the Life of a Tribute Band: From Sarasota Sunshine to Buffalo Blues (and Everything in Between)
By Shane – Vocals, coffee enthusiast, professional aisle seat negotiator
Ever wondered what it's like to be in a tribute band, hopping between cities, hotel bars, and stages every weekend? Welcome to a flyout weekend with Counterfeiting Crows—this one took us from the warm breeze of Sarasota, Florida straight into the crisp lakefront chill of Buffalo, New York. Two cities. Two shows. Five bandmates. Endless coffee. Zero regrets.
Friday – Wheels Up and Shades On
Our weekend started early. I (Shane) landed at the airport around 6 a.m., channeling my best Adam Duritz energy and clutching a lukewarm airport latte. Kevin (bass) travels like a secret agent—sunglasses, headphones, no small talk before 9 a.m. Jerry (drums) always somehow brings exactly one small bag that contains everything he owns. Rich (keys) shows up looking like he's headed to a jazz brunch in Paris. And Edward (guitar) checked his gear and promptly disappeared to find breakfast tacos.
We touched down in Sarasota by noon, where the air smells like sunscreen and early retirement. Our hotel? Absolute paradise. Plush robes. Pillow menus. A view of the water that made us momentarily forget about hauling gear later.
Friday Night – Soundcheck Shenanigans
The venue in Sarasota was gorgeous—an outdoor setup, palm trees swaying, and a crowd already trickling in just to catch soundcheck. Edward spent 20 minutes perfecting his tone. Rich turned a standard keyboard check into an impromptu jam session that may or may not have involved hotel pool noodles as percussion.
Soundcheck complete. Show clothes on (yes, we coordinate), eyeliner applied (okay, just me), and lights down.
Showtime.
And this crowd? Unreal. Singing every lyric back to us like they've lived it. Dancing like it's 1993. It's moments like this when you forget you've been on your feet for 12 hours. The connection, the energy—it's everything we live for.
Post-Show – Hotel Bar Hashing and Hash Browns
Back at the hotel, we debriefed the show at the bar. Every flyout weekend ends this way: huddled around high-tops, beers in hand, replaying the night. Jerry always swears he "missed a beat" that no one noticed. Kevin reviews crowd response like it's game tape. Edward's usually halfway into a grilled cheese. Rich retells a story we've all heard but still laugh at. Me? I'm trying to convince the bartender to put on the Butter Miracle album for the full-circle vibe.
Sleep? Barely. We packed up at midnight, caught about four hours of rest, and hit the airport by sunrise.
Saturday – Buffalo Bound
There's something hilarious about flying from flip-flop weather to winter jackets in less than 24 hours. Buffalo welcomed us with a blast of wind and a welcome committee of die-hard Crows fans.
The venue? Classic rock club vibe—sticky floors, amazing acoustics, and walls that have probably seen every band from Zeppelin to local legends. We love places like this. They feel lived-in and loud.
Soundcheck went smoother than usual, probably because Rich found coffee strong enough to wake the entire Eastern Seaboard. We met some incredible folks backstage, including a couple who had seen Counting Crows in the '90s and said we brought them right back. That's the best compliment we could ask for.
Buffalo show? Electric. It was packed, sweaty, soulful, and completely unforgettable.
Sunday – Home Again (Temporarily)
We don't take a minute of this for granted. The travel, the crowds, the late-night laughs—it's all part of the magic. Our weekends may be fast and furious, but man, are they filled with music, mayhem, and memories.
Whether we're in Sarasota, Buffalo, or your backyard—Counterfeiting Crows brings that Counting Crows energy you know and love. Because at the end of the day, this isn't just a tribute. It's a celebration of music that shaped our lives—and continues to shape yours.
So if you've got a party, a festival, or a random Tuesday that needs a little "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" energy—we're there. Find us at:
www.countingcrowstributeband.com
We're available everywhere, and we mean it.
Until next weekend,
Shane, Rich, Jerry, Edward, and Kevin
Counterfeiting Crows – Your favorite Counting Crows tribute band (with better hotel snacks)