"There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people."
- Vincent Van Gough
THE RANGER REPORT - OCTOBER 2020 - The Official Newsletter of The Mighty Manatees Medicine Show aka The Mightees "Celebrating 35 Years of Fooling Everyone"
All attendees of Mighty Manatees shows are encouraged to wear face masks and practice social distancing. Thank you.
FARACOS AMIGOS - This Saturday, October 3, Randy Wagner, Tom Mussleman and I will be performing an outside acoustic show at Faracos in Quakertown, PA. Showtime is 5:00 - 8:00 PM. www.faracospizza.com Special thanks
to Andrea and Sharon.
AUTUMN AT JUSTIN'S - Friday, October 9, Randy Wagner, Ras Mykyl and I will be playing an outside acoustic show at Justin's in Skippack, PA. Show time is 7:00 - 10:00 PM. www.justinscarriagehouse.net
Special thanks to Justin and Dianne.
"UNDER THE STARS" - In February we played a memorable debut show at the LNC Event Center in Huntington Valley, PA. We have been asked back to play outside on Chapel Field beside the Sound Sanctuary. This gig features the electric 6-piece band and is a BYOB event. Showtime is 7:00 - 10:00 PM. There is a free opening show with Play It Forward from 3:00 to 5:00. Special thanks to Sheryl Messina and Denny Horn @CircleDProductions. https://www.musae.me/circled/experiences/840/mighty-manatees
FITZWATER STATION FINALE - Our last Fitzwater Station (Mont Clare, PA) gig of the year is on Sunday afternoon, October 11. Karl Frick, Joe Rizzo, Ras Mykyl and myself will be performing along with special guests including The Laniacs. This is a free, outdoor, all-ages, pet friendly event. Show time will be 3:00 - 7:00 (to accommodate the earlier sunset). No coolers, please. www.fitzwaterstation.com Special thanks to Frank McLaughlin.
BRIDGEPORT HOUSE OF RIBS - The acoustic duo of Randy Wagner and myself will play outside at the Bridgeport Ribhouse in Bridgeport, PA, on Thursday, October 15. Show time is 5:00 -8:00 PM. www.bridgeport-ribhouse.net Special thanks to Melissa.
STONE HOUSE GRILLE - The very next night, Friday, October 16, Randy and I visit The Stone House Grill in Kimberton, PA, for an outside evening of acoustic music. Check out the jambalaya. Show time is 5:30 - 8:30 PM. Special thanks to Bill Nutter.
LAST ED ROCKS SHOW OF 2020! - It's true! The 6-piece electric band will return one more time this year to play the fabulous Ed Rocks listening amphitheater in Bethlehem,PA, on Saturday, October 24. This will be the season finale for Ed Rocks until 2021. Showtime is 2:00 - 6:00 PM. www.edrocks.live/ Special thanks to Ed & Lois.
MANATEES MASQUERADE - Did you know that the very first ever Manatees show was on Halloween, 1985?? It's true! Halloween is our Manaversary! This year it will be held at the Sellersville Moose Lodge on Saturday, October 31. We will be doing a double bill with Mike & The Tumblers (aka Mike Guldin and Rollin' & Tumblin'). Showtime is 7:30 - 11:30 PM. Costumes and masks strongly encouraged. Bring your own boo.
VIDEO CLIP OF THE MONTH! - This month's clip is a doozy! It's a one hour film by Jim Walck and Jeff Knapp called "MANATEES IN MANHATTAN". It's all about The Manatees' very first show in New York City in November, 1989. At that time, it was the original Manatees electronic duo with Ray Adkins and myself. We played Kenny's Castaways on Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village. We brought two buses full of fans and a film crew. Enjoy time tripping during this period piece. Special thanks to Rich Stoler and Brad from Zendog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm4GytcgbnA
MORE QUOTES -
"I keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy." - W.C. Fields
"If you pick it, it won't heal." - Earl Scruggs
IN CONCLUSION - This will be our last month of steady gigs for awhile. As the weather gets colder it becomes harder for us to play outside. Indoor shows are still too dangerous due to the pandemic. We will still be doing a few outdoor and semi-outdoor shows in November but by Thanksgiving this will come to an end. I will be returning to my monthly live stream shows, and we are also planning a full band live stream show at our new rehearsal facility. Please become friends with The Mighty Manatees Band on Facebook. We are thankful for our fans ("The Fanatees") and their continued support. Stay safe and well.
Shoutin' Irie,
Ranger Will
IN PASSING -
Ronald "Khalis" Bell
Alysann Buonadonna
Mac Davis
Justin Townes Earle
Alice "Dorrie" Greger
Toots Hibbert
Colleen Horbay
Simone Juneau
John Macpherson
Helen Reddy
Dame Diana Rigg
OCTOBER 2020 -
3 - Fri - Faracos - Quakertown, PA 5 - 8
9 - Fri - Justins - Skippack, PA 7 - 10
10 - Sat - UNDER THE STARS - LNC Event Center, Huntington Valley, PA 7 - 10
11 - Sun - Fitzwater Station - Mont Clare, PA 3 - 7
15 - Thurs - Bridgeport Rib House - Bridgeport, PA 5 - 8
16 - Fri - Stone House Grille - Kimberton, PA 5:30 - 8:30
24 - Sat - ED ROCKS - Bethlehem, PA 2 - 6
31 - Sat - HALLOWEEN MANAVERSARY w/ Mike & The Tumblers - Sellersville Moose Lodge - Sellersville, PA 7:30 - 11:30
