"Old musicians never die, they just played away."
- Anonymous
THE RANGER REPORT - August 2019 The Official Newsletter Of The Mighty Manatees "Celebrating 33 Years Of A Strange Sense Of Purpose"
JERRY GARCIA BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE! - It's true! Once again it is time for our Jerry Garcia Birthday Show at The Rising Sun Barn in Telford, PA, on Thursday, August 1. It will be an evening spent celebrating the music of Jerry from his work with The Grateful Dead to all his various solo bands. There will be many musical guests including Dakota Jay, Charlie Phillips, Mike Greer, and Big Daddy Scott Gourley. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Showtime is 7:00 - 11:00 PM. Sound by Lakestone. Lights by Hodgstone & Ras Mykyl. Special thanks to Chef Fred, Slacker, and Charlie Juneau. What a long, strange tribute it's been... http://www.risingsuninn.net/
FIRST FRIDAY IN PHOENIXVILLE! - On Friday, August 2, we will return to The Barrel in downtown Phoenixville, PA, as part of their "First Friday" festivities. The Barrel is located right across the street from the historic Colonial Theater. Come on out and enjoy some of Phoenixville's vibrant night life. Showtime is 8:00 - 11:00 PM.
WHITE'S ROAD PARK FREE CONCERT! - We are very delighted to be returning to the wonderful White's Road Park in Lansdale, PA, on Tuesday, August 20. This is one of our favorite parks to play. It has a expansive natural amphitheater that leads down to a large band shell. This year we will be saluting the late Carl Saldutti who coordinated many summer concerts for many years in and around the Lansdale area. There is currently an effort underway to rename the White's Road Park band shell in Carl's name. This is a free, outdoor, all ages event. Pets and coolers welcome. Special guest: Fiona Hodgson! Showtime is 7:00 to 9:00 PM Sound by Mike Lightkep.
PETE'S BARN 20TH ANNIVERSARY BARN DANCE! - It's true! The old girl is celebrating her 20th birthday and Pete is throwing a big weekend barn dance. We will play this celebration on Saturday night, August 24. Don't miss this local cultural event! For many people, it is the climax of the whole summer! Showtimes and other bands are still to be announced...Free copies of a special "Pete's Barn 20th Anniversary CD Re-issue" of our live album "All Heaven Broke Loose" will be given away on the night of the show. These complimentary CDs will feature songs recorded at Pete's Barn way back in 2002! Special production thanks to Ritchie DeCarlo, Jeff Asher, Jeannette Ponder, and Ellie Hodgson.
PETE"S BARN FUN FACTS: Did you know that The Mighty Manatees have performed at Pete's Barn for every one of her 20 years? It's true! And for many of them, the barn also doubled as our own band rehearsal space. Mana-thanks, Pete, you is good people.
ENVIRONMENTAL TIP OF THE MONTH - I know you don't want to hear this, but cardboard and wooden matches are WAY more environmentally friendly than lighters (even refillable ones). Cardboard and wood are recyclable and have a second life of some sort, while plastic lighters are disposable and just wind up in landfills. It's up to you.
MANA-TV VIDEO CLIP OF THE MONTH - This month's clip was filmed on September,1, 2013, in Camden, New Jersey. La Banda Grande features Brian Herder on guitar, Brett Andrew on bass, Karl Frick on organ, Nancy Josephson and Kathleen Weber on background vocals and percussion, Johnny B and Blondy on sax and trumpet respectively, Andrew Geltzer on keyboards, Jim Cavanaugh on drums, and yours truly on guitar. We are playing my song "Watershine" on the Camden waterfront. https://youtu.be/gKFfFOOt5zM
CONGRATULATIONS TO JULES! - And finally, on a personal note, I'd just like to shout, "Congratulations!" to my eldest daughter Jules, who just graduated (Dean's Honor Roll) from Simon Fraser University (#1 in Canada) in Vancouver, British Columbia. Way to go, Doolers!
Well, that's all the news for now.
Let the fun shine,
Ranger Will (last name withheld)
IN PASSING -
Artie Johnson
Rip Torn
Joao Gilberto
Mad Magazine
JULY - 2019
25 - Thurs - Rising Sun, Telford, PA 9 - 12:30
26 - Fri - Faracos, Quakertown, PA 7 - 10 Acoustic duo
27 - Sat - BLOCK PARTY! - 55 Latschar Lane, Spring City 6 - 10 OUTSIDE
28 - Sun - Temple Campus, Ambler, PA 6:30 - 8:00
AUGUST - 2019
1 - Thurs - JERRY GARCIA BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE!, Rising Sun Barn, Telford, PA 7 - 11
2 - Fri - PHOENIXVILLE FIRST FRIDAY!, The Barrel, Phoenixville, PA 8 - 11
3 - Sat - Private Party, Pottstown, PA 2 - 6 OUTSIDE
3 - Sat - Blue Bell Inn, Blue Bell, PA 8 - 11 OUTSIDE
4 - Sun - REGGAE SUNDAYS!, The Social Lounge, West Chester, PA 4:20 - 7:30 Acoustic duo
7 - Wed - West End Pub, Quakertown, PA 7:30 - 11
8 - Thurs - Rising Sun, Telford, PA 9 - 12:30
9 - Fri - Justin's, Skippack, PA 8 - 12 OUTSIDE
16 - Fri - Hotel Fiesole, Skippack, PA 8 - 12
20 - Tuesday, WHITE'S ROAD PARK!, Lansdale, PA 7 - 9 OUTSIDE
22 - Thurs - Rising Sun
23 - Fri - Mill Dam Club, Wayne, PA 6 - 9 Acoustic duo
24 - Sat - PETE'S BARN 20TH ANNIVERSARY!
29 - Thurs - Bridgeport Ribhouse, Bridgeport, PA 7 - 11 Acoustic duo
30 - Fri - Faracos, Quakertown, PA 7 - 10 Acoustic duo
