"I want to rock your gypsy soul."
- Van Morrison
RANGER REPORT - April 30, 2016
BACK FROM BOSTON! - On Tuesday morning, April 26, Jim Hines (djembe/cajon/vocals), Randy Wagner (electric bass/vocals), and I (acoustic guitar/harmonica/vocals), drove up to Boston, Massachusetts to perform at the majestic Wang Theater for 2 nights. ( http://www.citicenter.org/discover/wang-theatre-90th-anniversary ) We were Shana Morrison's band (The Shanatees?) and we were opening for her father, Sir Van Morrison and his band.
Our friend Jason Crosby played keyboards and violin with us on the first night before flying down to New Orleans for a previously-booked gig.
Both shows went well. On the first night, while we were playing her father's song, "Angeliou", we slipped into a version of Prince's "Purple Rain" as a tribute to the late artist. ( https://www.facebook.com/manny.tee.988/videos/1764243257141037/ ) On the second night I got to play harmonica and also sing a duet with Shana.
After our opening sets we were allowed to sit on the side of the stage and watch Van perform. Over 2 nights he sang such hits as "Into The Mystic", "Somebody Like You", "Brown-Eyed Girl", "Wild Night" and many others with his amazing 5-piece band. He played alto saxophone and blues harp. Van is a jazzman, a bluesman, a soulman and an Irishman. On both evenings he invited his old friend British vocalist Chris Farlowe (Colosseum, Atomic Rooster, Jimmy Page) to sit in on a blues number. The 2 of them closed both nights together singing "Stand By Me". They had first toured together in 1962!
Other luminaries also hanging out in the wings included J. Geils Band vocalist Peter Wolf and Gary "Aloha Gary" Sohmers from "Antiques Roadshow"!
Special thanks to Victor Melanowski and Slacker.
KEYSTONE LOUNGING! - Tired of tribute bands? Friday, May 6, The Mighty Manatees return to The Keystone Lounge in Cedars, PA. The Keystone is a hip club with a great chef and a dance floor. Bring your loose pants and your dancing shoes. The electric quartet will begin transmission at 9:30 PM. ( http://thekeystonelounge.com/ )
SLACKERFEST! - IT'S OUR FIRST OUTDOOR SHOW OF THE YEAR!!
On Saturday, May 7, in beautiful Copeechan Grove in Schnecksville, PA, we will perform at a special, all-day, all-ages, outdoor event:
1:00 PM - Gates open.
2:00 PM - Grill is started.
3:30 PM - The Episode featuring Cassie Ciciliot
5:00 PM - Brett Andrew & Company
6:30 PM - Will Hodgson and Friends
Tickets - $20 includes hot dogs, burgers, fresh cut french fries, bottled water BYOB
Children and pets welcome.
A Mystic Vagabond Production.
WILL & LEX'S EXCELLENT SUNDAY BRUNCHS! - Starting on May 15, New England bluesman Lex Romane and I will be performing free, outdoor, all-ages, Sunday afternoon patio shows at Justin's in Skippack, PA, from 2 PM to 6 PM. There will be numerous drink specials as well as Justin's award-winning cuisine.
Bring the whole family. Children and pets welcome! http://www.lexromane.com/ http://www.justinscarriagehouse.net/
BOB DYLAN'S 75TH BIRTHDAY SHOW! - On Tuesday, May 24th, our greatest living American songwriter will be 75 years old. We will be celebrating this day with an evening show devoted entirely to the music of the bard. At the Rising Sun Barn in Telford, PA, many musical friends will be stopping by to perform a Dylan song or two including Joe Rizzo, Karl Frick, Randy Wagner, Ray Adkins, Ted The Fiddler, Brett Andrew, Dance Wareham, Lex Romane, Bob Tomlinson, Jim Hines, Tim Hooper, and many more. Tickets are $10. Showtime is 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM. ( http://www.risingsuninn.net/ )
That's all the news for now.
Dig yourself!
- Will
IN PASSING -
Merle Haggard
Prince
Maddie Phalen
Don Knotts
Ronnie Corbett
Patty Duke
April 2016
30 - Sat - Ron's, Exton, PA 9:30-1
May 2016
05 - Thurs – Rising Sun Inn, Franconia, PA 9-12:30
06 - Fri – The Keystone Lounge, Cedars, PA 9:30-1:30
07 - Sat – SLACKERFEST, Copeechan Grove, Schnecksville, PA - Will Hodgson and Friends - all-ages, OUTSIDE! 6:30-9: 30
13 - Fri – Meadowlands Country Club, Blue Bell, PA OUTSIDE! 6-9
15 - Sun – Justin's Sunday Afternoon Brunch w/ Will & Lex, Skippack, PA Free, all-ages, OUTSIDE! 2-5
19 - Thurs – Rising Sun Inn Franconia, PA 9-12:30
20 - Fri – Hotel Fiesole. Skippack, PA 8-12
24 - Tue – Bob Dylan's 75th Birthday Celebration - Will Hodgson and Friends -Rising Sun Inn, Franconia, PA 7-11
27 - Sat – Steppy's, Norristown, PA, w/ Will & Randy OUTSIDE! 8-11
28 - Sat – KC's Alley, Ambler, PA 10-1
29 - Sun – Fitzwater Station, Phoenixville, PA - Free, all-ages, OUTSIDE! 4-8
30 - Mon – Memorial Day - Will Hodgson and Friends - Sands Event Center, Bethlehem, PA - Opening for The Wailers! - Free, all-ages, OUTSIDE! 6-7:30
June 2016
02 - Thurs – Rising Sun Inn Franconia, PA 9-12:30
03 - Fri – The Barrel, Phoenixville, PA 8-11
04 - Sat – Pickering Creek Inn, Phoenixville, PA 9-1
10 - Fri – Justin's, Skippack, PA OUTSIDE! 8 - 12
11 - Sat – Rob & Michelle's 25th Wedding Anniversary OUTSIDE! 6-10
12 - Sun – Justin's Sunday Afternoon Brunch w/ Will & Lex, Skippack, PA Free, all-ages, OUTSIDE! 2-5
16 - Thurs – Rising Sun Inn Franconia, PA 9-12:30
17 - Fri – Hotel Fiesole, Skippack, PA 8-12
18 - Sat – Piggypalooza Benefit, Rushland, PA OUTSIDE! 4:20-6
18 - Sat – South Mountain Jam, Wernersville, PA OUTSIDE! 7-10
24 - Fri – Will and K-Jo at PJ's Pour House, Exton, PA
25 - Sat – Ranger Will with Mike Greer and Company at Lansdale Beerfest - free, all-ages,OUTSIDE! 2:30
25 - Sat – Blue Bell Inn, Blue Bell, PA 8:30-12
26 - Sun – Justin's Sunday Afternoon Brunch w/ Will & Lex, Skippack, PA Free, all-ages, OUTSIDE! 2-5
30 - Thurs – Rising Sun Inn Franconia, PA 9-12:30
For the full schedule, including any updates, visit http://themightymanatees.com/schedule.htm
Every Sunday morning from 10:30 to 11:30, various members of The Mighty Manatees play at The New Church Live in the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Rd., Bryn Athyn, PA. 19009 (Tomlinson Rd. & Buck Rd. - the corner down at the far end of the parking lot)
Watch LIVE at 10:30 AM on Sundays, or see video clips at
www.newchurchlive.tv
You can now download our music at
www.themightymanatees.bandcamp.com
Also now available on iTunes
www.savethemanatee.com
