A woman is to be loved and appreciated. Woman is an earth, the mother of creation. Must love woman, but don't fall in love. Me stand in love. Love so much me look hungry. Pure love, dat."
-Bob Marley
Ranger Report-Aug. 23/05
Everyone is back from vacation. Ras Michael went to Key West, Florida earlier this year. Joe Rizzo took his family to Sarasota, Florida. Karl Frick took his brood down to Williamsburg, Virginia and they all went roller-coastering at Busch Gardens. Kathleen Weber climbed Mt. Saint Vrain in Colorado with some friends and family and took part in an ashes scattering ceremony for the late Jeffrey Gockley who passed away in February. Randy Wagner took his tribe out to Ocean City, New Jersey where they vacationed with his brothers, their families, and the Myles Rothwells. As I write, the Bob Tomlinson clan is frolicking up at Split Rock Lodge in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
August started out very well. Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/Canadian Andrew Roblin (who just returned from a Jamaican vacation) sat in with us on Sat., Aug.6, at The Funhouse in Bethlehem, PA.. We backed him up on an old Jamaican mento song he recently learned down there called, My Pussy".
On a related matter, I recently found two kittens abandoned on the side of a secluded country road in 100+ degree weather. I took them home. They're only eight weeks old and both males (thanks Betsy). So now we have two cats named Fender and Taylor. They have already doubled in size.
On Sat., Aug. 13, we played The Snow's Butt-Kickin' Pot-Luck Barbeque. At 12:30 in the afternoon we started our first set. It was 105 degrees. They hooked up several powerful industrial fans to blow on us and they kept a steady supply of water, beer, and margueritas flowing. We did two sets in the afternoon and two sets in the evening. After we finished our last set, Pete Snow's 85 year-old mother told us that it was the first time she has enjoyed music in years. Mandolinist, Bud Beefbone" Burroughs sat in with us on our acoustic set and then went on to play with the bluegrass band - Psycho-Billy. This band used no amplification at all. They stood around the bonfire and did bluegrass versions of David Bowie and Jethro Tull. What blew me out was an a capella Barrett's Privateers" by Stan Rodgers.
The following week we did three shows with bassist/vocalist Jim Kleinman while Randy was away. It was Jim who first introduced us to drummer Ras Michael and we have never forgiven/forgotten him. Jim is currently playing with the Mississippi Pig Farmers www.mississippipigfarmers.com
Last week ended with a performance at a nudist party. We brought the three-piece Rhino Horns (including Blondy von Stenz on trumpet and congas, John Bian on alto sax, and original Rhino Horn member and chart transcriber, Bobby Michaels on tenor sax). Ray Adkins played guitars and sang. Ted The Fiddler made an appearance as well.
Ras Michael has been playing drums/percussion with the reggae band Riddim Nation on Sunday nights (when he's not playing with us) at Sunset Bay in North Wildwood, N.J.
Also in the news: Cherri, our former Manatee merchandise maiden, is now bartending at The Skippack Roadhouse and at Brassiere 73. These two sister clubs are located in Skippack, PA right beside each other.
Coming attractions: this Friday, Aug. 26, is the FINAL show at the now-legendary Bell House (aka: Rising Sun). I know that you've heard this before, but this is REALLY it. It's the end of an era. Come watch the Rising Sun set. Ask not for whom The Bell House tolls, it tolls for yous.
The next day (Sat.,Aug. 27) we are doing a surprise acoustic duo outdoor afternoon show on the deck at Finn McCool's in Hatfield, PA from 4 to 7.
Lastly, as a musician, I feel it is my duty to turn people on to good music.
So go check out an instrumental song called, Friendship Update" by The Go!Team. Also listen to Johnny Appleseed" by Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. This song was originally brought to my attention by none other than Dr. Art Chandler the former Manatee poet-in-residence.
Dread out,
Stranger Will
In Passing
Laura Milner White 1960-2005
Robert Moog 1934-2005
Vassar Clements 1928-2005
Wed. Aug. 24 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Aug. 25 - TBA
Fri. Aug. 26 - The Rising Sun - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Sat. Aug. 27 - Finn McCool Tavern - Duo - 4:00-7:00 - Acoustic
Sat. Aug. 27 - General Davis House - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Sun. Aug. 28 - Bridgeport Rib House - 5 Piece - 7:30-11:30
Wed. Aug. 31 - Whitpain Tavern - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Thanks, 