The camera-microphone setup would have made Rube Goldberg jealous. Max hooked two microphone stands together so they reached the ceiling, and then anchored them to the ceiling with a bungee cord. I sat on a bar stool next to the pole next to the pole, to prevent boozy patrons from knocking the camera out of alignment (and of course, I'm the one who bumped the pole mid-broadcast and blurred the video). The camera and microphone were attached to the pole with several varieties of tape.
For the audio, we ran a wire out the window of Max's office and through the front door of the tavern, which was conveniently located below. The video was transmitted by from the bar to a receiver in Max's office. The video came through very well on a VCR we had hooked to the camera, but the RealProducer video wasn't so good. In the future, Max hopes to patch directly into the PA system and get better audio - but this was a first-time thing, and you can't expect perfection. Pene was stuck in Max's office, tending to all the equipment and making sure Mudcat didn't crash.
I guess I was the only performer who had never performed in a bar before. I sing at two Masses every Sunday, but that's a bit different. I didn't expect to be asked to perform at all. I'm sure glad Max asked me to sing - I had a great time.
Now it's time for me to hit the road and see the leaves before they hit the ground. You wouldn't believe how beautiful this area is. West Chester is a great town, a suitable home for Mudcat.
-Joe Offer-