Well hello people, I hope your weekend was half as good as ours. We had a priceless one for sure. But, business first - Friday Night we were up to Davy's. Even after a long hard week that took KW halfway around the country and back as well as the incredible stressful weeks that both DD and myself experienced, we came - we rocked and we boogied. It was another great show that was well appreciated by our Biker friends up to Davy's.
Saturday Night we were back up to the Central Hotel to begin setup up for the Sunday Food Run and Jamboree. Even after setting up and getting all of our stuff together for the big Junction Function the next day, we just had to jam! We fired it all up and played the better part of 90 minutes, just for the hell of it I guess - call it a stress reliever.
Then, Sunday morning at 9am it was SHOWTIME back up to the Central Hotel for the final setup and arrangements. By noon we were all plugged in and ready to go. Everything was set. First up the fabulous "Blue J's. This was the first time I got to witness the entire five piece band complete with Keys. You will not meet a finer group of performers and when they started the show off at noon, you could feel the magic of music in the air. Let the Mojo begin. They had a fantastic first set that literally put everybody into a party mood. And for just a moment you could forget about the pouring rain that was going on just outside the door. Thank god we went with our first instinct and set everybody up indoors that day. April can be funny with weather - 80 and sunny one day and snow the next.
On to Act No.2 - The infamous "Cardboard Cutouts". I gotta tell ya, I loved these guys! They are all young kids playing new music, their way. The way they signaturize their tunes and make them their own is commendable. They did some new stuff as well as some classic rock. Look for these guys as a truly new musical force in the very near future. A bit of break ensued and then on to the 20-Year reunion of the C.O.D. band. What a great group of guys even if I say so myself. There are not many bands anymore around town playing Hotel California and Free bird (8 minute versions of each). And As Tom said that day "We never really broke up, we just completed our world tour". I couldn't have said it better myself. Nice job guys! On to the 4th act - "Ring of Fire". Wally Jo and the boys with their pleasant brand of Americana style music was fantastic. Another band that were into their Mojo that day as well. Not many bands would ever try to play "16 Tons", and play it very convincingly to boot. It Reminded me of that old "Stray Cat Strut" tune. So by now the place is packed, with the better part of 300 people stopped to witness and listen to some of Binghamton's finest musicians, all gathered to help raise money for the food needy citizens in our area. Act 5 was "Chops". Many people know these guys but never realized that they play as a drummer & guitarist duo. Interestingly enough though, I had another plan in the back of my feeble mind. How about a Gator Stu reunion? Yeah, you heard it "Gator Stu" like it was in the beginning with Gene, Donnie & Jake. Well let me tell you here friends, this was the show of the day for sure. Now Jake is the lead player for the Blue J's these days and hadn't picked up a Bass guitar in about 5 years. When these guys played, 300 people watched, some danced, some sang - All i can say was Wow! Now how do you follow an act like that? Smoke was coming off the stage - these guys were so hot. Jake, nice job on the memory bank. It never left ya brother. Act number 6, the host Band "Short Change" with a guest musician and friend who stopped by and sat in with the band too. Dean Goble brought with him his arsenal of fiddle and Tele Guitar to the stage. Now we thought because we have so much of own own material now and then having our producer and sound engineer all on one stage, we're doing our own stuff for this show. When we opened up with our first single "Jack Daniels Whiskey" and Dean played that fiddle the crowd went wild and the rest was was all child's play from then on. We pulled off five of our own songs and at the end we had a bit of time left to include a copy tune of "Mustang Sally". Now most people would think nothing of us doing this, but when you have a 3-year old sitting on your lap playing drums along with you, it becomes priceless. Little Sean played the show of his life and the crowd goes crazy. How do you top all this?
We then began to pick and choose from the hat, that's how you do it. And for the better part of the next 2 hours we all played the "mix and match up" game.
All I can say is, we should have recorded this day either on video or tape, but it just didn't happen. The only thing you have here are your memories and Robin's fantastic pictures for this recollection.
So just as it all started, it finally came to a close 7 hours later. And as the dust settles one can just sit back and say "wow" we did our best. Special thanks to all of our BANDS - thank you all! Our staff, Robin, Tammy and Chris, Donna Thank you all! Tim and his crew for some awesome sound work - Thank you guys! Bobby, Chopper and all your fine staff! Donnie - Thank you for the "behind the scenes" and all the vendors for their fine donations. Ty, Dom, Johnny "nice pipes" - love you guys! Andrea, Cindy, and to my brothers KW and Darrell - We did it! And thank you to all of our guests for making this event the true success it was.
When the final numbers come in I will be sure to include them in our upcoming Blogs and for informational purposes we just about passed last years donation by 3 times the previous amount. Sweet!
In closing we all decided a gig this strong needs to take place on a Saturday (not a Sunday) So look for that next April when we head into 2011 to take place on a Saturday instead of the traditional Sunday.
Don't forget this Saturday's Show - we're back up to the magical hotel - The Central. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. (Don't be late)
We even have a few event shirts from the Jamboree left to sell. We hope to see you all again, and we'll pick up where we left off (so to speak)
Peace and Be well,
Mikee^^Dee And Good night...........
Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
CHOW Benefit at the Central Hotel April 25th
Well hello everybody. We have an incredible week ahead of us and much to cover so I'm going to get right to it.
Saturday night's show up to the Afton Inn was nothing short of fabulous. Two weeks and two shows in a row with great results. We played - we jammed- we played some more. Nice job Dominic taking us out of the second set on the drums.
We saw a ton of familiar faces once again, and that always makes it all worth while in the end.
On to Sunday we were back into the studio for our final trip this go around. Our 4th album "FULL CIRCLE" is complete and now in the hands of the packagers. Whoppee...Nice Job Dean!
It contains 12 great tunes with a run time of about 45 mins. We had 15 musicians who gave their all to help make this the great piece of music that it is. People say you need to leave your mark though each generation, and this is our Footprint that we hope will help support that concept.
Just reading the reflection that KW includes on every album we make, says it all!
We about hocked our gear to pay for it all this time around as this is our most expensive project to date. There probably won't be to many discounts on this bad boy, but $10 is by no means an outrageous price to ask for so much talent. So be kind to the cause when buying your copy. Get one for a friend too.
Moving ahead to this Friday night, we're back up to Davy's Last Chance Saloon, located in downtown Chenango Forks. The show begins at 9pm. We hope to see there. Let's go for three hot shows in a row!
Now on to the Jamboree - We have all been working diligently here for the better part or 2 months in preparation to this Sunday's "FEED THE PEOPLE AND SHARE THE MUSIC Jamboree. It will begin at 12:00 noon at the Central Hotel & Tavern in Nineveh. Now you can either read about this historic event or be there to witness it first hand.
I was thinking about the concept of the Jamboree yesterday on the way home from work. All the first generation people who have instilled their passion unto to us, to help others through music. The Bucky Moons, The Ben Shackeltons, The Charlie Sherman's of the music world of the past. The jamboree concept Of pickin' an grinnin' all together to help support a common a cause. Young and old alike sharing one stage as we pass down this concept of jammin' between 20 or 30 musician's for one afternoon of music. It makes me crazy with excitement just thinking of it.
The goal here is to have an effective event that is two fold, a great show as well as raising money to help feed the people in and out our local community. These are people you know, kids that go to school with your kids. Almost 1000 kids meals alone were served just last year alone. When I heard that the pantry distributed over 22,000 meals for the year 2009 - I said OMG... how can you not be moved to help neighbors with the single most important need in their lives- FOOD.
So with this in mind, this is the drive that will bring this group of 50 of us together this Sunday to succeed in that very goal.. Help Supply money to purchase Meals and food for the less fortunate.
Other than that, we hope to see you all there. If you miss that day, you miss alot. Oh in closing if you wish to just make a donation in lieu of a visit. Please make your check out THE AFTON FOOD BANK, and mail it to my PO Box and I will surely add it to the what we collect on Sunday
Mike DeBetta, PO Box 185 Harpursville NY. 13787. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Peace,
Mikee^^ Dee
Saturday night's show up to the Afton Inn was nothing short of fabulous. Two weeks and two shows in a row with great results. We played - we jammed- we played some more. Nice job Dominic taking us out of the second set on the drums.
We saw a ton of familiar faces once again, and that always makes it all worth while in the end.
On to Sunday we were back into the studio for our final trip this go around. Our 4th album "FULL CIRCLE" is complete and now in the hands of the packagers. Whoppee...Nice Job Dean!
It contains 12 great tunes with a run time of about 45 mins. We had 15 musicians who gave their all to help make this the great piece of music that it is. People say you need to leave your mark though each generation, and this is our Footprint that we hope will help support that concept.
Just reading the reflection that KW includes on every album we make, says it all!
We about hocked our gear to pay for it all this time around as this is our most expensive project to date. There probably won't be to many discounts on this bad boy, but $10 is by no means an outrageous price to ask for so much talent. So be kind to the cause when buying your copy. Get one for a friend too.
Moving ahead to this Friday night, we're back up to Davy's Last Chance Saloon, located in downtown Chenango Forks. The show begins at 9pm. We hope to see there. Let's go for three hot shows in a row!
Now on to the Jamboree - We have all been working diligently here for the better part or 2 months in preparation to this Sunday's "FEED THE PEOPLE AND SHARE THE MUSIC Jamboree. It will begin at 12:00 noon at the Central Hotel & Tavern in Nineveh. Now you can either read about this historic event or be there to witness it first hand.
I was thinking about the concept of the Jamboree yesterday on the way home from work. All the first generation people who have instilled their passion unto to us, to help others through music. The Bucky Moons, The Ben Shackeltons, The Charlie Sherman's of the music world of the past. The jamboree concept Of pickin' an grinnin' all together to help support a common a cause. Young and old alike sharing one stage as we pass down this concept of jammin' between 20 or 30 musician's for one afternoon of music. It makes me crazy with excitement just thinking of it.
The goal here is to have an effective event that is two fold, a great show as well as raising money to help feed the people in and out our local community. These are people you know, kids that go to school with your kids. Almost 1000 kids meals alone were served just last year alone. When I heard that the pantry distributed over 22,000 meals for the year 2009 - I said OMG... how can you not be moved to help neighbors with the single most important need in their lives- FOOD.
So with this in mind, this is the drive that will bring this group of 50 of us together this Sunday to succeed in that very goal.. Help Supply money to purchase Meals and food for the less fortunate.
Other than that, we hope to see you all there. If you miss that day, you miss alot. Oh in closing if you wish to just make a donation in lieu of a visit. Please make your check out THE AFTON FOOD BANK, and mail it to my PO Box and I will surely add it to the what we collect on Sunday
Mike DeBetta, PO Box 185 Harpursville NY. 13787. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Peace,
Mikee^^ Dee
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Well hello to you all, I hope your weekend was a grand as ours was. We played up to the Central Hotel once again and what a smokin' show we put on Saturday night. I'd rate the performance a 10+, what a great night for creating music boys!
Along with a great show we had a visit from our Brothers from different mothers -"THE STINKY BOYS" from Susquehanna P.A. If you have ever had the pleasure to party up with the Stinky Boys crew, they are truly a unique group of motorcycle enthusiasts. They not only party with ya, but they sing with ya too. Incredible, that's the only way to describe the fun. We love these guys and girls, what a great group of people!
Also on Saturday evening we had a former member of the SCB "Herb Winters" stop by and jam a few hours with us on stage. It's always a fun time when Herbies around. Gives KW a chance to roam the strings for leads when you have that second guitarist. D.D.was feelin it too - Sweet show, if you missed it - you missed alot.
We also had a ton of friends we haven't partied with in ages stop down and support us as well. Wow what a great night. Thank you all for attending and showing your support!
Here's a quick note on the band history line here: Having Herbie play with us the other night made me think for a minute how Many people don't remember the SCB time line much like myself. So, I will give you all a very quick history lesson - via the Short Change Band:
After Vince was hospitalized back in late 1988 we had to discuss what the future of the band would be. Steve had pretty much stepped down by 1988 and KW and myself had decided that we would fulfill the dates we already had booked. We then decided by the spring of 1989 to give the SCB a bit of a rest out of respect for Vince. We used fill in players at the time to cover Vinnie and they went between Phil and Herbie. Both were Bass players and guitarists in their own rights. Both worked us till the end. The summer of 1989 was kind of sad as we put the SCB on hold and myself as a member for just a short time back then was not ready to retire in any way shape or form. Thus entered the C.O.D. band. Fragments and splinters from 4 other bands was the forte' that carried us on for the better part of the next 3 years. The SCB had returned for a short time in this period but playing one time or so monthly was in no way comparing to our 3 shows every week regiment with C.O.D. Herb and I were not part of that short reunion, so we passed. Now the C.O.D. band became the fill for myself Herb, Phil, John, and of course Tom. When it was all said and done and the cuts were made, we remained a four-piece band - Phil and John left the band and we brought Chuck aboard. So for the better part of the next 3 years we played over 500 shows. And one day just like it all started, it came to an end. That type of pace would burn anyone out. Still to this day no band played what we played - Everything from Hank Thompson to Tesla. We did it all....We had a blast doing it too! In the spring of '91 Vince passed after a long 3 year battle with cancer. 'Til this day it's not something any of us dwell on. It was tough on all of us, not to mention our local followers. So to make a long story short we decided to put the band back together that summer and continued on with Herb on Bass as well as a new member on guitar, Cliffy. The Short Change Band was back, not quite like it once was but into the next phase. Enough already, maybe next week I'll take you from September 95' - because it all changed again that fall. (Film at Eleven)
This history stuff is tough on the brain, so let that be your weekly installment of Rock and Roll History too.
This Saturday we're at the Afton Inn, Main Street in Afton NY. The show begins at 7pm, Stop down and say "hi".
And don't forget the Share the music and feed the people Jamboree on Sunday April 25th, 12 noon. Put it in phone, your voice mail, tape it to your forehead. You don't want to miss this show.. 6 bands and a ton of jammin' and pickin' I get excited just talkin' about it!
And as always peace and love to you all,
Mikee^^ Dee
Along with a great show we had a visit from our Brothers from different mothers -"THE STINKY BOYS" from Susquehanna P.A. If you have ever had the pleasure to party up with the Stinky Boys crew, they are truly a unique group of motorcycle enthusiasts. They not only party with ya, but they sing with ya too. Incredible, that's the only way to describe the fun. We love these guys and girls, what a great group of people!
Also on Saturday evening we had a former member of the SCB "Herb Winters" stop by and jam a few hours with us on stage. It's always a fun time when Herbies around. Gives KW a chance to roam the strings for leads when you have that second guitarist. D.D.was feelin it too - Sweet show, if you missed it - you missed alot.
We also had a ton of friends we haven't partied with in ages stop down and support us as well. Wow what a great night. Thank you all for attending and showing your support!
Here's a quick note on the band history line here: Having Herbie play with us the other night made me think for a minute how Many people don't remember the SCB time line much like myself. So, I will give you all a very quick history lesson - via the Short Change Band:
After Vince was hospitalized back in late 1988 we had to discuss what the future of the band would be. Steve had pretty much stepped down by 1988 and KW and myself had decided that we would fulfill the dates we already had booked. We then decided by the spring of 1989 to give the SCB a bit of a rest out of respect for Vince. We used fill in players at the time to cover Vinnie and they went between Phil and Herbie. Both were Bass players and guitarists in their own rights. Both worked us till the end. The summer of 1989 was kind of sad as we put the SCB on hold and myself as a member for just a short time back then was not ready to retire in any way shape or form. Thus entered the C.O.D. band. Fragments and splinters from 4 other bands was the forte' that carried us on for the better part of the next 3 years. The SCB had returned for a short time in this period but playing one time or so monthly was in no way comparing to our 3 shows every week regiment with C.O.D. Herb and I were not part of that short reunion, so we passed. Now the C.O.D. band became the fill for myself Herb, Phil, John, and of course Tom. When it was all said and done and the cuts were made, we remained a four-piece band - Phil and John left the band and we brought Chuck aboard. So for the better part of the next 3 years we played over 500 shows. And one day just like it all started, it came to an end. That type of pace would burn anyone out. Still to this day no band played what we played - Everything from Hank Thompson to Tesla. We did it all....We had a blast doing it too! In the spring of '91 Vince passed after a long 3 year battle with cancer. 'Til this day it's not something any of us dwell on. It was tough on all of us, not to mention our local followers. So to make a long story short we decided to put the band back together that summer and continued on with Herb on Bass as well as a new member on guitar, Cliffy. The Short Change Band was back, not quite like it once was but into the next phase. Enough already, maybe next week I'll take you from September 95' - because it all changed again that fall. (Film at Eleven)
This history stuff is tough on the brain, so let that be your weekly installment of Rock and Roll History too.
This Saturday we're at the Afton Inn, Main Street in Afton NY. The show begins at 7pm, Stop down and say "hi".
And don't forget the Share the music and feed the people Jamboree on Sunday April 25th, 12 noon. Put it in phone, your voice mail, tape it to your forehead. You don't want to miss this show.. 6 bands and a ton of jammin' and pickin' I get excited just talkin' about it!
And as always peace and love to you all,
Mikee^^ Dee
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Hello again to you all. I started this on Sunday and here it is Wednesday and I still didn't finish up. So this week's installment will short as well as late.
The beautiful weather held right into the weekend and I think people had other things on their minds then listening to bar music and drinking beer. (Not to mention it was Easter weekend) We will have to remember that for next year. Easter Time is family time. The show at Fiddler's last Saturday was a hot show. We didn't have a big crowd, but once again we played our asses off for the 20 or more folks that did show up. Better luck next time I guess) We gave it our "all"
This Saturday night we are back at the Central Hotel for a 7pm show. It seems like it's been forever since we were all back home and I'm sure this weekend's show will reflect that as well! We're Jonesin' to play my friends. I hope you can come out and party!
And Remember, our Run for Chow - Feed the People and Share the Music Jamboree comes up in two more short weeks. (Sunday, April 25th at 12:00 Noon at the Central Hotel) I hope to see you folks all soon, because we miss our fans and band groupies alike - we really do! Come out and help support a terrific cause.
This week in Rock and Roll History:
Janis Joplin plays her last show with Big Brother and the Holding Company in San Francisco this week in 1970.
Toto plays it's final overseas tour before they decided to disband this week in 2008
Meat Loaf stars in a guest episode on "House" this week in 2009. (Damn I missed that one)
Have a great short and sweet week. I hope to see you all very soon! Come on out see us this weekend at the Central. It's our home away from home show
Peace - Sincerely yours,
Mikee^^Dee
The beautiful weather held right into the weekend and I think people had other things on their minds then listening to bar music and drinking beer. (Not to mention it was Easter weekend) We will have to remember that for next year. Easter Time is family time. The show at Fiddler's last Saturday was a hot show. We didn't have a big crowd, but once again we played our asses off for the 20 or more folks that did show up. Better luck next time I guess) We gave it our "all"
This Saturday night we are back at the Central Hotel for a 7pm show. It seems like it's been forever since we were all back home and I'm sure this weekend's show will reflect that as well! We're Jonesin' to play my friends. I hope you can come out and party!
And Remember, our Run for Chow - Feed the People and Share the Music Jamboree comes up in two more short weeks. (Sunday, April 25th at 12:00 Noon at the Central Hotel) I hope to see you folks all soon, because we miss our fans and band groupies alike - we really do! Come out and help support a terrific cause.
This week in Rock and Roll History:
Janis Joplin plays her last show with Big Brother and the Holding Company in San Francisco this week in 1970.
Toto plays it's final overseas tour before they decided to disband this week in 2008
Meat Loaf stars in a guest episode on "House" this week in 2009. (Damn I missed that one)
Have a great short and sweet week. I hope to see you all very soon! Come on out see us this weekend at the Central. It's our home away from home show
Peace - Sincerely yours,
Mikee^^Dee
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