"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
- Plato
RANGER REPORT - May 12, 2017 The Official Newsletter Of The Mighty Manatees "Celebrating Over 30 Years Of Celebrating"
THE BRITISH INVASION OF PETE'S BARN! - That's right. You read it correctly. We will be playing an evening of music at the legendary Pete's Barn in Norristown, PA, on Saturday, May 20. Special guest star: Fiona Hodgson. This concert is a welcoming party for Fiona's 2 aunts (Emma's sisters - Tracey & Julia) who are coming from England and meeting for the very first time (!), AND a 50th birthday party for longtime Mighty Manatees fan Lisa Woodstock! If you have never been to one of Pete's barn parties before you really owe it to yourself to attend. $20 ticket includes waters, sodas, snacks, desserts, and MUSIC! BYOB Showtime is 8:00 - 12:00 PM.
WILL & LEX"S EXCELLENT MATINEES! - Lex Romane and I will be performing at Justin's in Skippack, PA on various Sunday laughternoons throughout the summer months. Our first appearance there is on Sunday, May 21. Showtime is 2:00 to 5:30 PM.
BOB DYLAN BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE! - This year I am once again presenting a musical tribute to Bob Dylan on his birthday. The Rising Sun Inn Barn in Franconia, PA will be holding this event on Wednesday, May 24. It will be an evening of Dylan songs performed by over 20 different artists including:
Deb Callahan
Lex Romane
Dance Wareham
Mike Greer
Brian Herder
Ray Adkins
Mike Wilkins
Myles Rothwell
Tim Hooper
Karl Frick
Randy Wagner
Jim Cavanaugh
Ted The Fiddler
and many more...
Doors open at 6:00. Showtime is 7:00 - 11:00 PM. $15 admission. Come and celebrate the music and words of America's greatest living singer/songwriter.
Deb Callahan will be singing Dylan's "Lord, Protect My Child" (among others) at the Dylan birthday tribute on May 24th. Here is an MP3 audio recording of Deb performing it with guitarist Alan James during The Spring Thanksgiving at The Rising Sun Inn Barn last week: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_cwcH5CNjThNkNFQ3RqSVlkaV9Qc1dPN0FZTndjVWNfb3Jr
FIONA ROCKS IT! - And speaking of my child, here is a video clip of my 12 year old daughter Fiona singing "Save Me" by Aimee Mann with keyboardist Jason Crosby during The Spring Thanksgiving at The Rising Sun Inn Barn last week: https://youtu.be/wRTjLBEIXHM
RETURN TO THE FITZWATER STATION! - Our second outdoor show of this year will take place on Sunday, May 28, at the historic Fitzwater Station in Mont Clare, PA. This is another free, outdoor, all ages show. Pets welcome! Special guests: Singer/songwriter Ray Adkins, Brian Herder on dobro & pedal steel guitar, and Josh Kanusky on drums (David Bromberg Band/Angel Band). Showtime 4:00 - 8:00. Bring the family.
QUAKERTOWN'S WEST END PUB - Starting this month we will playing The West End Pub in Quakertown, PA on the LAST Wednesday of every month. The monthly line-up will include Karl Frick on bass, Brett Andrew on guitar, Jim Cavanaugh on drums and myself on upside-down left-handed guitar. Showtime is 7:30 - 11:00 PM. On a related note, I will be playing with The Mike Greer Band at The West End Pub on the FIRST Wednesday of every month.
That's about all the news for now.
Give thanks,
Ranger Will
IN PASSING -
Jean Mitchell
Col. Tom Hampton
Jonathan Demme
MAY - 2017
12 - Fri - Justin's, Skippack, PA w/ Fiona & Gramma Hodgson! 8:00 - 12:00 PM
13 - Sat. - Ron's, Exton, PA, w/ Tom Musselman 9:30 - 1;00 AM
18 - Thurs. - Rising Sun, Franconia, PA 9:00 - 12:30 AM
19 - Fri. - Hotel Fiesole, Skippack, PA 8:00 - 12:00 PM
20 - Sat. - BRITISH INVASION OF PETE'S BARN & LISA WOODSTOCK'S 50TH B-DAY!, Pete's Barn, Norristown, PA 8:00 - 12:00 PM
21 - Sun. - Will & Lex's Excellent Matinee!, Justin's, Skippack, PA OUTSIDE! 2:00 - 5:30 PM
24 - Wed. - BOB DYLAN BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE!, Rising Sun Inn Barn, Telford, PA 7:00 - 11:00 PM
25 - Thurs. - Bridgeport Rib-House, Bridgeport, PA Will & Jozo 6:00 - 10:00
27 - Sat. - The Local, Point Pleasant, PA 8:00 - 12:00 PM
28 - Sun. - The Fitzwater Station, Mont Clare, PA 4:00 - 8:00 OUTSIDE!
31 - Wed. - West End Pub, Quakertown 