Ranger Report & Aug. 1/05
"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd rather have been talking."
-Aristotle
"Sometimes I'm just not worth talking to. Especially in the morning. Please do not call me or any other professional musician before ten in the morning."
-Ranger Will
July was a very upful month for Los Manatees. Our Fitzwater Station show in Mont Clare, PA (Sun., July 10) was well-attended and we were joined on stage by Ray Adkins (guitar/vocals), Dance Wareham (guitar/vocals), Bud "Beefbone" Burroughs (mandolin), and Joel Fine (percussion). During our breaks we handed over the stage to singer-songwriter Felicia Rose who was invited by our drummer Ras Michael (his leg is healing nicely thank you). The whole afternoon was filmed by our projectionist Bob Rominiecki who plans to edit it down to a DVD.
Marco's Birthday Barn Party in Skippack, PA (Sat., July 16) went off smoothly even with a little rain. The vibes inside the barn were good and warm and our three sets were recorded by the good folks at Brickhouse Live who also did a great job doing sound for us and The Happy Dog band who went on after us. www.brickhouselive.com
There was some press recently about the closing of the Main Point coffee house in Bryn Mawr, PA. A little know fact is that we played the very first show there when it re-opened some years ago. We even have a video of the event.
The "Christmas in July" show at Moletierres in Lansdale, PA (Sat., July 23) was fun as many of the fans had the "Free Beer" coupons we had been handing out constantly for two weeks. Near the end of the night, Rhino Horn member Jeff "Blondy" von Stenz showed up with his trumpet and proceeded to blow hysterically. It all came to a climax during "Shakin' All Over" when the whole club rose up off it's foundations almost a foot and levitated for nearly a minute
The next evening (Sun., July 24) we were playing to over two thousand people at the Souderton Community Park in beautiful downtown Souderton, PA. There were lots of families and blankets and coolers and babies and grannies and Ras Michael even brought his dog, Samson. Halfway through our show Kathleen Weber appeared on stage (fresh from just singing at a wedding service up in Allentown, PA) and added her harmony vocals to the proceedings. It was a sweet gig indeed and a splendid time was had by all. Too bad we didn't record it
Two days later we were back in Dylanava Studios recording with saxophonist John Bian who played a solo on the song "Angelina" which may or may not be the first single from our long-awaited new studio CD. John plays with the local band Ten Feet Tall.
Just a few blocks from The Funhouse in Bethlehem, PA (where we play the first Sat. of every month) there is a very cool restaurant called "tulum". It is located at
17 West Morton St. Bill & Walt run the place and they serve some serious "ital" food. Check it out.
Did you know that there is a public access TV show on Channel 8 in the Limerick/Pottstown, PA area that has been running since the late 80's and their theme music is a song by Los Manatees? The show is hosted by local musician Phil Stahl and features musical acts from around the area. The music they play at the start of the program is a snippet from the song "Senorita Dance" from my first solo album "Billy Pilgrim". Phil asked if he could use it after we were one of his first guests way back when
Also in the news: Tree doctor and Manatees fan Andrew Meehan had a cheery picker roll on top of him a few weeks ago but a few bruised ribs didn't stop him from coming out the following week and dancing to the band. You can't keep a good man down!
And finally: Manatee sometime guitarist/vocalist Bobby Tomlinson (Tommy Boblinson?) will be singing the national anthem at 7:00pm at Waterfront Park on Wed. Aug. 10 .The New York Yankees AA team The Trenton Thunder will be playing The Reading Phillies.
That is all for now. Have a great August and we'll see you at the shows.
Jah love, everyone!
Wed. Aug. 03 - Whitpain Tavern - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Thu. Aug. 04 - Salford Pub - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Aug. 05 - Crazy Carl's - 8 Piece - 10:00-2:00 - Featuring The Rhino Horns
Sat. Aug. 06 - The Funhouse & 5-piece - 10:30-2:00
Wed. Aug. 10 - Appetites On Main - Trio - 8:30-12:30
Thu. Aug. 11 - The Rising Sun - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Aug. 12 - La Taverna - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Sat. Aug. 13 - The Snow's Butt-Kickin' Barbeque & 5-piece
Wed. Aug. 17 - Whitpain Tavern - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Thu. Aug. 18 - Nipper's - Trio - 10:00-2:00
Fri. Aug. 19 - Scoogi's - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Sat. Aug. 20 - Private Party
Sun. Aug. 21 - Bridgeport Rib House - 5 Piece - 7:30-11:30
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 - General Davis House - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Wed. Aug. 31 - Whitpain Tavern - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Thanks, 