November 2005

RANGER REPORT & Wed., Nov. 16, 2005

"When you're going through hell, keep going."
-Winston Churchill

Here is a review of the last three weeks in ManateeLand:

Fri., Oct.21st, we played The Dutch Cottage in Skippack ,PA. It was our drummer Ras Michael's birthday. We didn't realize this until after the gig. Happy Birthday Ras Michael!

Sun., Oct 23rd, we played the 3rd Annual Manatawny Ridge Oktoberfest. It was the last outdoor show of the year and the weather cooperated fully. Hostesses Kelly and Julia made us a wonderful Manatee jack-o-lantern, their brother Fran sat in on his mandolin, there were bags of Halloween treats for the kids and Jagermeister for the adults. An attendance record was set and the event was filmed.

Fri., Oct.28th, was our 20th Annual Manatee Masquerade The Sandtrap in Limerick, PA. Jeff Asher, president of JefDam Records, designed and printed some stunning commemorative posters for the occasion. We gave away most of them at the show but there are still a few left if you ask nice. They're printed on poster-board and are suitable for framing. Thanks to Emma and Denise. The winner of the best male costume prize went to Pete Allen who came dressed as a pirate complete with pistol, sword, and hook. The winner of the best female costume went to Pattay Alexander who came dressed as Me! Complete with curly hair, painted-on beard, and one of my own Bob Marley T-shirts! Congratulations to both of you. Annalisa Doud did some great pumpkin carving including one of Bob Marley's face. The whole event was recorded by Uncle Ronkle and filmed by G. Best from Key West (who is leaving for a tour of Asia this week).

Another Bob Marley pumpkin was presented to us the following night at Big Head's in Warminster, PA (where we judged another costume contest). This one was carved by Victor Malinowski and wound up on my back porch for a week.

A few of us went to see David Lindley's solo show at The Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA. It was a lot of funkle. He did a 15-minute "Cat Food Sandwiches". Thank you so much.

Some friends and I went to see the 1922 silent German vampire movie "Nosferatu" at the Ambler Theater in Ambler, PA. Live soundtrack music was provided by the Devil Music Ensemble of Boston. My son Liam was there with a bunch of his friends too. Oh the kids these days…

Fri., Nov.11th, we were back at Big Head's when who should show up but singer/songwriter Ric Sandler, an old friend of the band. Moments later Roy Bell appeared with his pedal steel guitar and keyboard. Roy wound up sitting in with us for most of the evening. And when he wasn't playing with us Ric got up and played piano and sang as well. The whole evening was recorded by Peter Wroblewski.

Sat., Nov. 12th, we played at Ras Michael's brother Patrick's 21st birthday party. It was held at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Conshohocken, PA!?! Everyone was very well-behaved.

Here are some of the more note-worthy shows coming your way soon:

Next week on Wed., Nov. 23 it's our special Thanksgiving Eve show at The Whitpain Tavern. Joe and Kathy will be joining Randy, Ras Michael and I. Players and singers will be there. Give thanks and praise to the most high. JAH!

Thurs., Dec.1st, we debut at P.J. Whelihan's.

Sun., Dec.11th, we'll be playing on the Gene Shay Show on WXPN 88.5FM at 10:00pm. This is to promote our show at The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA on Fri., Dec. 23rd. The show is called "Ted the Fiddler's Big-Time Birthday Bash". Ted is the projectionist at the theater and every year he throws himself a birthday party there with proceeds going to the theater's restoration project. The theme this year is singer/songwriters and will feature all-original music by a variety of artists. This is the very same stage where Harry Houdini performed his magic.

Ted the Fiddler ran for mayor of Spring City in last week's elections. He got 35% of the vote. Not bad considering he only had a two-week campaign.

Don't forget New Year's Eve at Crazy Carl's w/ Crazy View Dew. It'll be Crazy… Tickets are now available.

Thank you so much,
Ranger Will

Thu. Nov. 17 - Salford Pub - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Nov. 18 - Dutch Cottage Tavern - Electrio - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Nov. 19 - Molettieres - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Wed. Nov. 23 - Whitpain Tavern - Trio - 9:30-1:30 - Thanksgiving Eve!
Fri. Nov. 25 - Big Head's (Richboro) - Quartet - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Nov. 26 - Tex-Mex Connection - Trio - 9:00-1:00
Sun. Nov. 27 - Bridgeport Rib House - 5 Piece - 7:30-11:30
Thu. Dec. 01 - P.J. Whelihan's - 9:30-1:30
Fri. Dec. 02 - Crazy Carl's - 8 Piece - 10:00-2:00 - La Banda Grande w/ The Rhino Horns
Sat. Dec. 03 - The Funhouse - 5 Piece - 10:30-2:00
Wed. Dec. 07 - Whitpain Tavern - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Thu. Dec. 08 - Finn McCool Tavern - Quartet - 9:30-1:30
Fri. Dec. 09 - TBA
Sat. Dec. 10 - Bridgeport Rib House - 5 Piece - 7:30-11:30
Thu. Dec. 15 - Salford Pub - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Fri. Dec. 16 - Dutch Cottage Tavern - Electrio - 10:00-2:00
Sat. Dec. 17 - Ritchie DeCarlo's 10th Anniversary w/ Los Manatees
Wed. Dec. 21 - Whitpain Tavern - Trio - 9:30-1:30
Thu. Dec. 22 - Finn McCool Tavern - Quartet - 9:30-1:30
Fri. Dec. 23 - Colonial Theater - 8:00-11:00
Thu. Dec. 29 - Sarah Street Grill - 9:30-1:30
Fri. Dec. 30 - Scoogi's - Quartet - 9:00-1:00
Sat. Dec. 31 - Crazy Carl's - 8 Piece - 10:00-2:00 - New Year's Eve w/ Crazy View Dew

Thanks,