Ranger Report & Sunday Nov, 19 2006
"Study music in order to beautify your own heart, and beautify your own heart in order to make this world more beautiful for others." – Anon.
Hi boys and girls, my name is Ranger Will and I'm the Canadian of the group.
And now the news:
Los Manatees will be debuting at The Limerick Inn (formerly The Black Granite Inn) on Fri., Nov. 24. It is located across from the Limerick/Pottstown Airport. Showtime is 9:30.
On Thurs., Dec. 14, Los Manatees will be returning to The Rising Sun (formerly The Bell House) on 898 Allentown Rd. in Telford, PA. This place was, at one time, a kind of clubhouse for the band, a "home away from home". Next year, beginning on Jan. 11, we will be playing there every 2nd Thursday. Showtime is 9:30.
Also in the New Year, Jim Cavanaugh will finally become our FULL-TIME drummer. This last year saw a steady rotation of drummers in Los Manatees and it resulted in some inconsistency at the gigs. Our producer, David Ivory, insists that we need a solid line-up for all the showcases we'll be doing next year when the new CD comes out. So welcome to Manatee insanity Mr. Jimmy and God bless you. (Jim has played all over Europe and once even opened for The Who!)
And speaking of name-dropping Manatee vocalist/percussionist Kathleen Weber recently joined The David Bromberg Band www.davidbromberg.net as a backing vocalist with The Angel Band www.angelband.net David Bromberg is a multi-instrumentalist/singer who has recorded with Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, and even once co-wrote a song with George Harrison. Kathleen will begin touring the country with David in December but will be back at the end of the month to play our big New Year's Eve show at Agave in Ambler, PA. We all wish her the best of luck.
Also in the name-dropping dept Famed percussionist Pablo Batista (Grover Washington Jr., Alicia Keyes, etc.) will be in Dylanava Studios next week recording on our new Los Manatees album (rapidly nearing completion). Pablo was a teacher to two Manatees drummers – Andy Vernon and Ritchie DeCarlo.
And speaking of Ritchie DeCarlo he is hard at work in his New Jersey studio putting together a Christmas compilation CD. One of the tracks is a live cut of us doing "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Rude Boy" and we're recording another one in a few weeks. It's a Christmas Carol that The Band recorded years ago called, "Son Of A Carpenter".
And speaking of Christmas Carols for the second year I will be playing my harmonium with the West Chester Wassailers led by Robbie Dickenson. During the first three weeks of December we will be performing at several hospitals and senior homes around the West Chester area.
Los Manatees producer David Ivory just returned from his first trip to Jamaica where he was celebrating his 50th birthday with family and friends. Happy Birthday David!
Los Manatees has over a thousand friends on MySpace.
Our condolences go out to Ron Kohl ("Uncle Ronkle") and his family on the passing of his mother.
And finally, my sister Susan up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is fighting cancer once again and could sure use your prayers and healing vibrations. Stay strong Sue!
Peace & Love,
Ranger William
November
11/22 – The Whitpain Tavern
11/24 – Limerick Inn & 9:30-1:30
11/25 – Big Head's Town & Country & 10:00-2:00
11/30 – The Salford Pub & 9:00-1:00
December
Thanks,