Ranger Report- Dec. 20th, 2004 (Last report of the year)

"When it snows during the night you can tell something is different, even before you open your eyes."
-Reginald & Galdys Laubin, The Indian Tipi

Hippie Holidaze! Well I guess the big news is the recent engagement of our own Manatee merchandise maiden Cherri to her Andy-man! The young couple have set a date in July and Los Manatees have been asked to play. Congratulations Andy & Cherri!

Also in the good news dept.: Manatee saxophonist, Bebop Tom Brunner's heart surgery was a success. "Bull" Brunner is up and moving. He recently finished his divinity studies and is now an ordained minister. Tom can now perform weddings, funerals, and various miracles. We ask him to bless Los Manatees. Congratulations Bull!

Long-time Manatee fans Fran and Sharon Doucherty celebrated the birth of their first child on Thanksgiving Day. They had a bouncing baby boy by the name of Finn Ossian. Congratulations Fran & Sharon!

Manatee guitarist/vocalist Joe Rizzo and his family have moved into their new house just in time for the holiday season. Joe's family will be celebrating their first Christmas in their new home (as will be mine). Congratulations Rizzo family!

Last week, Manatee producer David Ivory persuaded Paul "Late Night w/ David Letterman" Schaefer to come out all the way from NYC to David's Dylanava Studio in Blue Bell, PA for a secret recording session. Congratulations David!

Steve Shail, my brother-in-law, just turned 50 years old! Congratulations Steve!

Two weeks ago, Manatee bassist/vocalist Randy Wagner and I drove out to New Jersey to see drummer Ritchie DeCarlo's new recording studio. While there, we recorded several Christmas songs for a possible Los Manatees Christmas album. (secret santa download... http://www.losmanatees.com/music/rudy.mp3 )

Ritchie will be playing drums for us on several dates in January (as will Myles Rothwell AND Michael Schaeffer) while we continue to deal with "the drummer issue".

The Cloud Nine Gentlemen's Club is requesting a return performance from Los Manatees in early 2005. I bet we won't have a hard time finding a drummer for THAT gigÂ…

In the last Ranger Report I forgot to mention that at Pete Wrock's 24th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Party, long-time Manatee fans Dave and Beth Ann Carter arrived all the way from California! It was just few years ago that we were playing their wedding and it was a delight to see them again. Also in attendance at Pete's party was the Great Scott Weaber (who is a delight as well).

The Manatee Christmas Party will be held this Thursday, December 23rd , 9pm-1am, at The Drafting Room in Spring House, PA. The only other alternative would be Ted The Fiddler's annual birthday party concert at The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA which is unfortunatly on the same night. Ted will be performing w/ The Stumble Down The Mountain Boys. We'll be playing an acoustic show at The Drafting Room with Joe Rizzo, Uncle Ronkle, and other special guests. Children under 21 must be accompanied by a parent. Bring your Christmas spirit.

Next week is our big New Year's Eve show at Crazy Carl's in beautiful Schwenksville, PA. We are doing a first-time double-bill with recording artists Townhall, who've been getting a bit of airplay on 88.5WXPN. We'll be playing on the main floor while Townhall plays beneath us. We're going to try and stagger our sets with them so that the 2 bands can see each other perform and maybe even jam together a little bitÂ…Tickets are very affordable this year.

As Los Manatees begins to enter our 20th year of high-quality vibrations, I would just like to say thank-you on behalf of the group and myself and I hope we passed the audition. Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, and all the best in the coming New Year.

-Jah Will

Sandy Menlove
Keiran Saunders

R.I.P.

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And now, here is your Song-Of-The-Month:

Still Around & key of D major

Don't those trees look good
Just a-standin' there
Shootin' up outta the ground
Startin' so small and growin' so tall
Give thanks that it's all still around

A bird on a branch
Just a-singin' a song
Makin' a joyful sound
Into the ear of anyone near
Give thanks that it's all still around

Doesn't she look good
Just a-standin' there
She speaks without makin' a sound
Warmin' my heart, my favorite part
Give thanks that she's still around

Give thanks that it's all still around

Words and music W.Hodgson
Copyright 2004 Hungadunga Music Pub.
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JAHnuary 2005
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Wed. Dec. 22 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Dec. 23 - The Drafting Room - Duo - 9:00-1:00
Wed. Dec. 29 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Thu. Dec. 30 - The Rising Sun - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Dec. 31 - Crazy Carl's - Quartet - 10:00-2:00 - New Years Eve! w/ Townhall
Wed. Jan. 05 - Whitpain Tavern - Electrio - 9:00-1:00 - w/ Michael Schaeffer
Thu. Jan. 06 - The Blue Horse - Trio - 9:00-12:00 - w/ Myles Rothwell
Fri. Jan. 07 - Blue Dog Saloon - Quartet - 10:00-2:00 - W/ Myles & Bob Tomlinson guitar/vocals
Sat. Jan. 08 - P. T. Saloon - Electrio - 10:00-2:00 - w/ Ritchie DeCarlo
Wed. Jan. 12 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30 - w/ Michael Schaeffer
Thu. Jan. 13 - The Rising Sun - Trio - 9:00-1:00 - w/ Myles Rothwell (Formerly The Bell House)
Fri. Jan. 14 - The Drafting Room - Quartet - 10:00-1:00 - w/ Ritchie & Karl Frick keyboards/vocals
Sat. Jan. 15 - Tex-Mex Connection - Trio - 9:00-1:00 - w/ Michael Schaeffer
Wed. Jan. 19 - Whitpain Tavern - Electrio - 9:00-1:00 - w/ Michael Schaeffer
Thu. Jan. 20 - The Blue Horse - Trio - 9:00-12:00 - w/ Myles Rothwell
Fri. Jan. 21 - Dutch Cottage Tavern - Electrio - 10:00-2:00 - w/ Michael Schaeffer
Sat. Jan. 22 - Molettieres - Quartet - 9:00-1:00 - w/ Ritchie & Karl Frick keyboards/vocals
Wed. Jan. 26 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30 - w/ Michael Schaeffer
Thu. Jan. 27 - The Rising Sun - Trio - 9:00-1:00 - w/ Myles Rothwell
Fri. Jan. 28 - La Taverna - Trio - 9:00-1:00 - w/ Myles Rothwell
Sat. Jan. 29 - Private Party - Quartet - w/ Ritchie & Karl Frick keyboards/vocals
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Thank You,