RANGER REPORT & Tuesday. Oct. 24, 2006
"In many ways, the Amish are better equipped to process grief than are many other Americans. First, their faith sees even tragic events under the canopy of divine providence, having a higher purpose or meaning hidden from human sight at first glance. The Amish don't argue with God. They have an enormous capacity to absorb adversity & a willingness to yield to divine providence in the face of hostility. Such religious resolve enables them to move forward without the endless paralysis of analysis that asks why, letting the analysis rest in the hands of God." – Donald B. Kraybill
What's going on in the wacky world of The Mighty Manatees you may well ask me (and ask me you shall).
All kinds of stuff has been going on around here these days but the BIG story is one of our most loyal fans (and a long-time supporter), "Dancing Tommy", was involved in a serious motorcycle accident while out in California recently. Tom suffered two broken legs! Then he flew the 2000 miles back home to Pennsylvania and still managed to make it to our show last week at the Bent Elbow before our drummer Ras Michael. We put a Manatees bumper sticker on his wheelchair. Tom is healing along nicely and wants to thank everyone for all the cards, letters and flowers. Get well soon, Tommy!
Speaking of bumper stickers, Cherri (our merchandize grrl) tells us that there are still some available. And now she has introduced her brand new Los Manatees shot glasses! Be the first one on your block to own one. I use mine to hold my toll booth change. Manatee-shirts are also on sale, all sizes, just ask Cherri. (She recently created a Los Manatees myspace. Check it out. www.myspace.com/losmanatees
Uncle Ronkle has just produced a 20-minute DVD of Los Manatees performing beneath a dazzling fireworks display at Jeff Daniel's Jeep Day last month. The clip should be appearing on our web-site soon. Check out photos of this event here. Many thanks to everyone at Ronkle Records.
A couple of weeks ago I was at home wiping yogurt off of baby Fiona's face when the phone rang. It was none other than legendary reggae guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith! He was calling from Dylanava Studios in Bluebell, PA where producer David Ivory had just played him the rough mixes of the three songs he plays on from our new studio album. Earl was delighted with what he heard and told me how proud he was to be a part of the project. He also said that he hoped we would be able to work together again someday. Yeah!
Manatees co-founder singer/songwriter Ray Adkins has been hard at work on his new solo album. Recently, Ray was joined in the studio by a group of gospel singers under the direction of Rev. Lady Esther Ford. The results sound amazing. Los Manatees look forward to recording with this group as well.
Last week, at The Dutch Tavern, multi-instrumentalist Bud Burroughs sat in with us on his electric mandolin. Bud had just returned from of a tour of the west coast with his band Boris Garcia www.borisgarcia.com. They are promoting their new album, "Mother's Finest". Boris Garcia is managed by long-time Grateful Dead publicist Dennis McNally.
Coming Soon: This Friday, October 27, at The Sandtrap in Limerick, PA, we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Manatee Masquerade! (Last year was the 20th anniversary of The Mighty Manatees themselves.) There will be freebies, prizes for the best costumes and Halloween madness. La Banda Grande will be out in full force. We'll do the monster mash and have a graveyard bashÂ…
November will see us playing two new clubs. On Friday, Nov. 17, we will be debuting at Revivals in Perkasie, PA for Jeffrey A. "Chef Jeff" Reed's Birthday Party. Revivals is a fun place with an exciting open mike night.
On Sat., Nov. 7, Los Manatees will be back in Bethlehem, PA, at The Funhouse (which Stuff Magazine called one of the "Top Ten Dives In America").
That's it for now folks. I'll have more news for you next month. See you this Friday at the Manatee Masquerade!
BOO! – Ranger Will
Joseph Hill (leader of the reggae band Culture and composer of the song, "Love Shines Brighter") 1949 & 2006
Syd Barrett 1946 – 2006
Arthur Lee 1945 & 2006
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October
Wed. Oct. 25 & Whitpain Tavern & 9:30-1:30
Thu. Oct. 26 & Finn McCool Tavern & 9:00-1:00
Fri. Oct. 27 & Annual Manatee Masquerade @ The Sandtrap & 9:30
Sat. Oct. 28 & Big Head's Town & Country
November
Fri. Nov. 3 – The Bent Elbow – 9:00-1:00
Sat. Nov. 4 – The Fun House – 11:00-2:00
Wed. Nov. 8 – The Whitpain Tavern – 9:30-1:30
Thu. Nov. 9 – Finn McCools – 9:00-1:00
Fri. Nov. 10 – Agave – 10:00-1:00
Sat. Nov. 11 – Tex Mex – 9:00-1:00
Fri. Nov. 17 – Revivals (Jeffrey A. Reed’s B-Day)
Sat. Nov. 18 – Bridgeport Ribhouse
Wed. Nov. 22 – The Whitpain Tavern
Fri. Nov. 24 – Limerick Inn – 9:30-1:30
Sat. Nov. 25 – Big Head’s Town & Country – 10:00-2:00
Thu. Nov. 30 – The Salford Pub – 9:00-1:00
Thanks,