Let's hear from all you OFF KILTER fans !!!!

[NancyIL]

I got back from WDW last night, and was THRILLED with the schedule change! I arrived Thursday and expected to hear the boys play that day and not again until Sunday. Apparently the locals complained about the lack of entertainment on the weekends, so now Off Kilter, British Invasion, and MoRockin ALL will play Friday-Sunday - with different weekdays off.

I was also told by a local that Off Kilter asked to have Jason (the fiddle player) join the group permanently, but Disney said it wasn't in the budget. He is so talented, and I love hearing him play - but the group dynamic is definitely different when Jamie isn't there. They're much more serious, and Randy doesn't clown around with Mark as he does with Jamie.

I'll be back to WDW Easter evening, so I hope to catch a set or two of Off Kilter then. If I don't, I'll be back at the end of June.

**By the way, Jason71 - the paper schedules I had did have Off Kilter's new schedule. WDW prints the schedule for only a few days at a time, but they were definitely on it for Thursday, Fri.- Sat., and Sunday.

 

[CarolA]

Nancy,
Thanks for the report.

Got to admit that the scheudle change makes sense to me. After all weekends are the heaviest admission times at Epcot so to have the entertainment all off was a bit much and the replacement band at Canada never drew as well as Off Kilter.

Plus for folks like you and I doing weekend visits it does mean we can see them more.!

 

[NancyIL]

Nancy,
Thanks for the report.

Got to admit that the scheudle change makes sense to me. After all weekends are the heaviest admission times at Epcot so to have the entertainment all off was a bit much and the replacement band at Canada never drew as well as Off Kilter.

Plus for folks like you and I doing weekend visits it does mean we can see them more.!

Yes - having Off Kilter play on weekends is great for WDW patrons, although not so great for the folks who have to work every weekend. I think we'll see a lot more substitutions as a result, because the performers will want to have a weekend day off every now and then. I was fortunate to see all 5 guys the first 3 days I was there, with Jason filling in for Jamie on my last day. The new schedule will also make it more difficult for them to perform at any weekend festivals.

 

[CarolA]

Yes - having Off Kilter play on weekends is great for WDW patrons, although not so great for the folks who have to work every weekend. I think we'll see a lot more substitutions as a result, because the performers will want to have a weekend day off every now and then. I was fortunate to see all 5 guys the first 3 days I was there, with Jason filling in for Jamie on my last day. The new schedule will also make it more difficult for them to perform at any weekend festivals.

I understand that but this is one of the risks you take when you decide to make music a career... nights and weekends are the "work season" it's not a 9-5 job. (And heck most musicians I know would love a nice steady gig like this LOL!)

As for festivals. They haven't done any in two years so I guess Disney doesn't consider that a big problem.

 

[tynkrB]

Yeah, we were a bit surprised to see them on the schedule last Sat. It was our last day and we hadn't expected them to be there so we didn't have them on them on our schedule. Luckily we had seen them several times earlier in the week. Once with Jason and 2x with Jamie. We enjoyed Jason, but as was mentioned, it's a much different show without Jamie. He is clearly the "entertainer" of the group.

 

[carlyle688]

I was also told by a local that Off Kilter asked to have Jason (the fiddle player) join the group permanently, but Disney said it wasn't in the budget. He is so talented, and I love hearing him play - but the group dynamic is definitely different when Jamie isn't there. They're much more serious, and Randy doesn't clown around with Mark as he does with Jamie.

Jason would be an awesome addition to the group. I hope the guys keep bugging until they can have him join permanently. I agree, he is so talented - and a really nice guy.

 

[NancyIL]

I understand that but this is one of the risks you take when you decide to make music a career... nights and weekends are the "work season" it's not a 9-5 job. (And heck most musicians I know would love a nice steady gig like this LOL!)

Very true - that's showbiz!

 

[Jason71]

**By the way, Jason71 - the paper schedules I had did have Off Kilter's new schedule. WDW prints the schedule for only a few days at a time, but they were definitely on it for Thursday, Fri.- Sat., and Sunday.

LOL, I must have got a left-over one Friday, did see them added by Sunday.

I agree it's a good move bumping up the weekend entertainment, EPCOT even more than the other parks seems perfectly designed for just wandering on the weekend. Bound to bring the locals out more.

 

[TnTsParty]

I am glad to hear that they changed their schedule - now I can plan weekend trips. Before I had to take days off work to catch them.

I was able to catch them last Thursday. Meant to get back to Epcot Friday afternoon but it never happened.

Hope to see them again in May.

 

[NancyIL]

Jason would be an awesome addition to the group. I hope the guys keep bugging until they can have him join permanently. I agree, he is so talented - and a really nice guy.

Not only that, but Jason is actually....Canadian!

 

[Tuffcookie]

I love Off Kilter!!!

Here is a video I shot when we were at WDW in July. Hope it brings a to your face!

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e...n=view&current=DancingTeensOffKilteratWDW.flv

TC

 

[Eljay]

I love Off Kilter!!!

Here is a video I shot when we were at WDW in July. Hope it brings a to your face!

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e...n=view&current=DancingTeensOffKilteratWDW.flv

TC

Wow, that's great!
It's always nice to see people of all ages enjoying Off Kilter!

 

[CarolA]

Well the schedule for this week is the same as last so maybe we are back to a trend!!!

(Yes I already checked, I changed my end of Feb trip. I will be there TUESDAY!!! Hopefully I will get to see the boys on Wed and maybe Thursday!)

 

[NancyIL]

Well the schedule for this week is the same as last so maybe we are back to a trend!!!

(Yes I already checked, I changed my end of Feb trip. I will be there TUESDAY!!! Hopefully I will get to see the boys on Wed and maybe Thursday!)

It definitely sounded like a pretty permanent schedule, at least for the 3 major bands at Epcot. Hope you'll get to hear them this week!

 

[CarolA]

Quick Report

I saw the 2:30, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 shows today.

Boys were great as usual. All five of them were there. I heard all of the new songs and lots of others (no repeats on my sets)

Mark has a "haircut" (AKA as he seems to have shaved his head LOL!) ALso, I just went back and checked the photos in this thread and I think he has a new bass too.

They sounded and looked good!

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the report, Carol! So...what were you doing at 3:30?

This morning I bought a plane ticket to Orlando...for another birthday trip this April! I decided it was too long to wait until late June to hear more than one set!

I'll be at Epcot Easter evening, and might catch a set of Off Kilter IF my plane arrives on time and IF they are playing! Petula Clark will be the guest perfomer that night for the Flower Power concert.

 

[carlyle688]

Quick Report

I saw the 2:30, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 shows today.

Boys were great as usual. All five of them were there. I heard all of the new songs and lots of others (no repeats on my sets)

Mark has a "haircut" (AKA as he seems to have shaved his head LOL!) ALso, I just went back and checked the photos in this thread and I think he has a new bass too.

They sounded and looked good!

Hey, I was out there today -- went to all five shows. I'm sure I saw you.

I'm glad Mark cut his hair -- he was getting really shaggy.

 

[athenna]

Thanks for the update!
I can't believe I have to wait until October to see these guys again
Haircut or no haircut, I am sure Mark still looks adorable.

 

[TnTsParty]

I am sure Mark still looks adorable.

Yes I am sure he looks adorable as always. We saw them the end of January but was only able to catch one show (don't seem to be able to catch them as often when I am not staying at an Epcot resort) and we weren't very close. I did get to hear Brother John. Need to hear more before I form an opinion. Though I am a fan of Mark singing and not Jamie!!

 

[athenna]

I'm torn on that one...I love Jamie's singing also.