Mary Dail said she remembers the first time she saw the band Hotcakes.
She went, underage, with a high school friend into Pascal’s, an Oceanfront nightclub. After dinner, she slipped into the audience.
“They were the band in the area, and I wanted to see them,” she said.
Ten years later, in January 1988, Dail joined the band. She was inducted by Bronco, the bouncer at Beach Quarters’ Beach Club. After a funny conversation about her being the new singer, he picked her up and put her in an airplane spin over his head.
“He said, ‘Welcome to Hotcakes,’” Dail recalled. “I laughed so hard and staggered off.”
She has since played close to 8,000 performances with Hotcakes. The band averages over 200 shows a year at clubs, private events and festivals. Sometimes she performed twice a day on weekends.
“‘The Show’ had a lot to do with upping our popularity,” she said. “It was a thing we created, dressing as different entertainers. It was very popular.”
Recently, the band celebrated its 50-year anniversary. Dail is the second-longest band member, after Bobby Smith, the band’s leader and bass guitarist.
“We’ve shared so many wild and crazy memories,” he said. “They’re unique memories that can only occur while performing in a live entertainment environment.”
Dail’s last Hotcakes performance will be Saturday at Old Beach Tavern. She’s retiring after 37 years.
“You hit an age and you know it’s time to do other things,” she said. “I want to travel more and spend more time with my husband.”
She said she may cover some jobs if the band needs her, though the new singer, she said, will be fantastic for the band.
“I will miss the band, followers and all the fun and craziness that goes with it,” Dail said. “I’m thankful to Bobby Smith for keeping Hotcakes going after all these years.”
Dail shared personal and band insights with The Virginian-Pilot. (Answers are edited for space.)
Biggest misconception about singing in a band?
People think this job is just picking up a microphone. It’s so much more. You have to load and break down equipment, keep gear working correctly and need to draw a crowd. I have to make sure my voice is doing OK. Do I need to rest my voice during break? If I have a temperature, I still have to play. All these things can be happening and the audience can’t know. You put a smile on your face and go out there and sing.
Talk about your part in “The Show.”
My characters were Shania Twain, Sandy from “Grease” and the Blues Brothers. I would bring someone up from the audience to be the other Blues Brother. Most of the time, I changed in the back of the 100-degree band truck with my clothes stuck to me. I would cover myself in baby powder so I could change into the next character. Ahhh, the glamorous life!
Favorite band moments?
We’ve had politicians play with the band and pro football and baseball players come out to see us, along with other famous people. One of my favorite times was when local legend The Mad Hatter would get up and sing with us.
What’s your day job?
I haven’t had one in years. When I owned two horses and was competing, I had a day job to cover expenses.
Favorite shows?
Weddings are my favorite because you never know what will happen. I’ve seen a groom knock out his best man and a mother of the bride lying in a giant pre-fab oyster shell after a few drinks.
Favorite song to sing?
AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
Scariest band moment?
We played outside at a Fourth of July event, and a storm arrived. The mobile stage malfunctioned and started to close with the band on the stage. While George Bell and I were trapped inside, I could hear equipment cracking. I screamed, and the next thing I see are some big guys jumping in and pulling us out.
What has Hotcakes meant to you?
Joining the band changed my life. I met my husband, Alex, and many of my best friends playing in the band. The people that support us are like family and we share everything going on in our lives. I am a lucky girl!
Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net