RANGER REPORT – MAY 16, 2006 

“It is fascinating.  In the West, you have bigger homes, yet smaller families; you have endless conveniences, yet you never seem to have any time.  You can travel anywhere in the world, yet you don’t cross the road to meet your neighbors.”

                                                                                                        -The Dalai Lama  

Hello everybody.  Welcome to “The Ranger Zone”.   

First of all, we have a correction to make.  To subscribe to Carrie McCarthy’s wildlife newsletter, “The Green Lane Loons”, the address is silvertoez@comcast.net .  We apologize for any confusion. 

My brother-in-law Steve Shail recently returned from England where he was on tour with British guitarist Robin Trower and his band.  They visited Manchester, Liverpool and even Stonehenge.  Steve runs the finest Robin Trower web-site in the world and you can experience it by going to www.members.shaw.ca/stevesplace . Robin Trower plays the House Of Blues in Atlantic City, NJ on Wed., June 28.  

Two weeks ago Randy Wagner, Ted The Fiddler, Uncle Ronkle and I attended Peter Wroblewski’s birthday bluegrass jam up in Doylestown, PA. We got to sit in with some fine musicians including members of the Philadelphia Bluegrass Band and National Flat-picking Champion Mark Cosgrove.  Randy later claimed that it was the best jam session he ever attended.  Peter is considering making it a monthly event.  Special thanks to Naomi for the good vittles. 

This Wednesday, May 17, I have been asked to guest host for Mike Guldin’s weekly Blues Jam at The Salford in Harleysville, PA.  I have never hosted a blues jam in my life so I’m calling out to all of you singers and players of instruments.  I will be backed by Mike’s band Rollin’ & Tumblin’   www.rollinandtumblin.com (Mike will be hanging out with Delbert McClinton at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA.)  The very next night, Thurs., May 18, I’ll be playing at The Salford again but this time with Los Manatees. 

The next night we begin a Taurus birthday party weekend starting with Kathleen Weber’s 31^st on Friday, May 19, at the Dutch Cottage Tavern in Skippack, PA.  Then the following afternoon, Sat., May 20, we play for Eric Luce’s 40^th at the Celebration Of Life Benefit in Bryn Mawr, PA.  And finally, that same evening, we totally rock at Kenny Shea’s 40^th  Birthday Blockbuster Blowout in Abington, PA.  That’s a grand total of 111 candles. 

On Saturday, June 3^rd, Who Hill presents The Splintered Sunlight Family Cookout featuring The Manatawny Creek Ramblers, The VW Project, and Axum (Ras Michael’s reggae band).  Los Manatees will go on right before Splintered Sunlight at around 7:00pm. Gates open at 10am.  Camping and food will be available.  Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes. This is a rain or shine event.  For tickets & directions call Annie Who at 267-255-4318 www.whohill.net  

On Sunday afternoon, June 4, the acoustic Manatees return to Mont Clare, PA for their first outdoor Fitzwater Station show of the summer.  This is an all-ages event that starts at 4:00pm. Bring the whole family. 

We play another free outdoor show five days later on Fri., June 9, from 7pm to 10pm at the Lower Providence Volunteer Fire Company Fireman’s Fair in Eagleville, PA.  Check out www.lpvfc.com  

Thursday, June 15, we debut at McFrog’s in Doylestown, PA  (near where Peter Wroblewski lives).  Showtime is 9:00pm sharp. 

The last week in June finds us doing a rare Manatee road trip.  On Tuesday, June 27, we will be appearing at Dr. Unk’s in Corolla, North Carolina www.drunksoasis.com  and on Wednesday. June 28 we will be appearing at Barefoot Bernie’s in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina www.barefootbernies.com Special thanks to Todd Fritsche for use of his crib.  

Don’t forget about drummer Tim “T.C.” Campbell’s All-Star Jam every Tuesday night at Traxx in Colmar, PA.  All musicians are welcome. 

Today is an election day and our own Jeff Asher (president of JefDam Records) is running for Committeeman in Skippack District 1.  Please do your civic duty. 

Also in the news:  Manatee guitarist/vocalist Ray Adkins and his wife are flying over to Europe next week to take part in a ballooning race in the skies over France.  They will be the only American entry.  Go Ray! 

Well that’s about it for now.

Adios amigos,

                        Ranger Will