Fun DMC spent the better part of last week living out a mini tour in the greater St Louis metropolitan area. The band was hired by the Horace Mann Insurance Company to perform two nights at their annual sales rally at the Four Seasons near the famous St Louis Arch. In addition to their normal performance requirements, both Aaron and Robert, who happen to work for the company, were commissioned to rewrite the Horace Mann song. The original version of said composition hearkens back to a more mellow time and includes tender lyrics, light acoustic work, and of course, a gentle flute solo. While introducing the song to the East coast agents on Tuesday night, we were asked to play a clip from the original recording from 1982 before delivering our updated live version. In an unexpected turn, it just so happens that the old company song happens to be a favorite for quite a few folks. I will admit that there was some hesitancy before launching into the more pop rock version after realizing that the traditional song was so beloved. That said, Fun DMC delivered on their promise and clicked into the new song with the rousing invite to “come and join the family!” To say that the song was generally well-received would be a huge understatement as the dance floor immediately filled with insurance agents from all over the Eastern region. The same would be said for the West Coast agents two nights later. If there was ever any notion that corporate attendees cannot own a dance floor, that idea was emphatically put to rest at the Horace Mann sales rally.

During our time in St Louis, the band had a day off to go and explore the city. The day began by purchasing our passports to adventure, AKA a day pass on the St Louis MetroLink. Our first stop was an area known as the Delmar Loop where the band spent some time at the world-famous Vintage Vinyl. We also had our first taste of St Louis BBQ at a joint known as Salt And Smoke. During our conversation over lunch, it was revealed that many of the members of Fun DMC had never visited the world famous St Louis Gateway Arch. The band quickly jumped back on the Metrolink and made their way down to the 8th and Pine drop off where they purchased their tickets to ride the elevator 620 ft all the way to the top of the arch. It was also during this time that it was revealed that several members of the band suffer from both claustrophobia as well as a staggering fear of heights, a problem when you are riding a small elevator train to one of the highest points of the city.

More adventure awaited the band that evening as they made their way to the So Ill Climbing Gym. Inside we would find an incredible space for both wall climbing as well as bouldering, a skill that most of us were unable to master. A couple of hours later, our forearms and hands completely sore from dangling from dizzying heights, the band drove back into the downtown area in search of dinner, which we found at a local haunt known as Pi Pizzeria.

On Thursday, Robert and Aaron had to be on site for the Horace Mann vendor fair. Meanwhile, Talon, Katey, and Chad decided to visit the City Museum where they found enormous slides, a giant human hamster wheel, and a hauntingly beautiful storyteller who entertained the trio while they made snowflakes in the craft area. This is where the stories of St Louis BBQ will vary a bit. While the City Museum group will tell you that the best BBQ found in St Louis is the world famous Pappy’s, Aaron and Robert are likely to mention that Sugarfire is the best BBQ hands down. The contention over this issue continues to this day and will likely result in a band civil war at some point.

I’d like to say that during our trip to St Louis the band did more than try new restaurants but honestly, those are what stick out the most about our trip. Case in point, Thursday night after our final show, Talon and Robert ventured out to find a late night restaurant that was still serving. Initially their target was Mission Taco. However, upon arriving they were informed that food ceased to be served past 12:30. They were directed to an Italian eatery in the downtown area known as Maurizio’s Pizza & Sports Bar. This turned out to be one of the best moments of happenstance and Maurizio’s serves some of the best Stromboli ever sampled by this writer.

Finally, and I say this with all shame, it is likely a good thing that this writer does not live in the same city as an Insomnia Cookie shop. Having the ability to have milk and warm cookies delivered at 3:00 AM is way too dangerous.

On Friday morning, following brunch at Rooster, Fun DMC returned to Springfield for a homecoming stop at Long Bridge Golf Course. Having recently added a dozen songs to our set list, we were eager to try them out on a local crowd. They were quite well received, particularly our mashup of “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga.

This weekend we are hitting the road again starting in Jacksonville for their annual Valentine’s Rotary Club dinner and dance and a Mardi Gras show in Quincy at the South Side Boat Club. See you on the road, my friends.