"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
- Mark Twain
THE RANGER REPORT - AUGUST 2024 The Official Newsletter Of The Mighty Manatees Medicine Show "Celebrating 38 Years Of Musical Happenstance"
CIGAR REPUBLIC - The acoustic duo of Ray Adkins and I (aka Late and Loud) will play on Wednesday, July 24, at Cigar Republic in Conshohocken, PA. Showtime is 7:00 - 10:00 PM. This is a liberated smoking zone so please feel free to drop by for a puff. "Where there's a Will there's a Ray". http://www.thecigarrepublic.com
THE RIBBY WILL ROCK! - Many of our fans say that The Bridgeport Rib House aka The Ribby is their favorite place to see us play. Our 5-man electrical band will return there on Friday, July 26. Showtime 9:00 - 12:30 AM http://www.theribby.com
THE KIMBERTON FAIR! - It's true! Amongst the ferris wheel, funhouse, bumper cars, and rollercoasters, we will be playing outside at the Kimberton Fair on Saturday evening, July 27. This is the final night of the fair. We will perform from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. The Kimberton Fairgrounds are located at 762 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville, PA.
V-DAY! - We are playing a benefit concert at the stunning Ed Rocks, in Bethlehem, PA, on Sunday afternoon, July 28, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. This benefit is called V-Day! and it's a fundraiser helping to offset the costs of Victor Malanowski's recent health issues. Victor is road manager/artist/designer for The Mighty Manatees. This is an outdoor event. http://www.edrocks.live/
PANACHE W/ BOB T. - On Friday, August 2, we accompany Bob Tomlinson at Panache in Blue Bell, PA. We will play from 6 to 9 on the outside patio under their large tent. Big Dave Rizzo on congas! Valet parking. http://www.panachewoodfiregrill.com
BLUE BELLED - For several years now we have been playing The Blue Bell Inn on the first Saturday of every month. It has become a grand Mighty Manatees tradition. We continue this on Saturday, August 3. We will be outside in the royal courtyard from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Valet parking. http://www.bluebellinn.com
JERRY GARCIA BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE - Jerry's birthday is on August 1 and on August 4, Randy Wagner and I will play an acoustic Sunday afternoon tribute to him at The Country Creek Barn at 133 Cressman Road, Telford, PA. Showtime is 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Have A Happy Jerry Day.
THE CENTRAL CONTINENTAL COWPOKES REUNION! - On Thursday, August 22, I will be reuniting with my Canadian Cowpoke bandmates at Shrugging Doctor, 483 Berry Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Rick McGhee, Andrew Roblin, Brian Ridd, and I will be joined by Robert "Zap" Zaporzan and Keith "Flash" Macpherson. Invoke The Poke! http://www.shrugdoc.com
FREE WILLY - We descend on Free Will Brewing in Perkasie, PA, on Saturday, August 24. Showtime is 7:00 - 10:00 PM. http://www.freewillbrewing.com
GROOVING AT THE GROVE - The acoustic duo of Randy and I will play The Grove in Malvern, PA, on Wednesday, August 28, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. This a free, all ages, outdoor show. http://www.thegrovemalvern.com
FAR OUT FARACOS - Percussionist Tom Mussleman joins Randy and I at Faracos in Quakertown, PA, on Friday. Highly recommended.
PETE'S BARN! - Yes, it's time for some good old-fashioned barn rock!! One of our all-time favorite gigs is playing Pete's Barn. We will be bringing our entire 9-piece band to Pete's Barn in East Norriton on Saturday night, August 31. Showtime is 8:00-ish. Camping permitted.
VIDEO OF THE MONTH - Last month's July Ranger Report did not have a Video Of The Month and we got some complaints. It's good to know that you're watching. My daughter Fiona just turned 20 years old (!) and in honor of her, this month's clip is "Me & Fiona" from The Sellersville Theater. I have no idea what the date is but it features Ritchie DeCarlo on drums and Ted The Fiddler: https://youtu.be/EEhiWRUnLhk?si=aCM498MRxdE3RL03
That's all the news for now. See you at the shows.
Peace & Love,
Ranger Will
Sea Cowpoke
JULY 2024 -
24 - Wed - Cigar Republic, Conshohocken 7 - 10 Will & Ray
26 - Fri - Bridgeport Rib House aka The Ribby 9 - 12:30
27 - Sat - KIMBERTON FAIR 6 - 10 OUTSIDE
28 - Sun - V-DAY! BENEFIT CONCERT, ED ROCKS, Bethlehem 2 - 6 OUTSIDE
AUGUST 2024 -
2 - Fri - Panache, Blue Bell 6 - 9 OUTSIDE
3 - Sat - Blue Bell Inn 8 - 11 OUTSIDE
4 - Sun - GARCIA BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE, Country Creek Barn 2 - 5
22 - Thurs - COWPOKES REUNION, Shrugging Doctor, Wpg., Man. 6:30 - 10:30
24 - Fri - Free Will Brewing, Perkasie 7 - 10
30 - Fri - Faracos, Quakertown 6 - 9
31 - Sat - PETE'S BARN!, East Norriton 8 - 12-ish
We got to make it work.
IN PASSING -
Ahmed Gorfti...Frani Wagner...Rusty Golden...Laurie Lindeen...John Landau...Robert Towne...Judy Belushi-Pisano...June Leaf...Soma Golden Behr...Mildred Thornton Stahlman...Joe Engle...Audrey Flack...Shelley Duvall...Joe Egan...Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon...Dave Loggins...Alex Janvier...Tessie Prevost Williams...Peter Buxtun...Evan Wright...Bob Newhart...Dr. Ruth Westheimer...Richard Simmons...Shannen Doherty...Marvin (dog)...Pumpkin (cat)
