Mike Starcher – Drivin' It!

Hi gang!

This week’s jam featured guest hosts GS “Mr. Job Security” Harper and Adam Constantine. My most sincere thanks to these two for a smokin’ host set. CMC has missed you, Mr. Harper. But now it’s time to fire you again, at least until the next time you can visit us! :c) Following the host set we had a great group of jammers, including the bands “Thick as Thieves” (Jimmy Deamiches, Jason Neitenbach, Manda Baher and Mike Cottom) and “Under the Covers” Hayden Frosti, Erin, Michael and Doobie)… as well as Bob Laeng, John Kerver, Gene Frantz, Hichem Ferrah, Wally Marflak, Greg Castillo, Don Lydon, Gregory McGill, and Patricia Reiter. Thank you all for coming out to make some music! Thanks also to Lisa, Mark, Steven, Mike, Shelly, Pamela, the “Dancing Marilyns” and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful” for hanging out and supporting the players. Finally, thanks as always to our sponsor Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and to the staff and management of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe for making the jam possible.

Friday night at the Sly Fox with the Furious George Trio was just off the hook fun! My thanks to ‘Furious’ George Hartwig for having me along and to Sammy Free for being my rhythm section partner in crime for the evening. Great to see Lisa, Katyana, Eric, Scott and Susan!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are the amazing Becky Boyd, Mike Dixon and Tim Hamman! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

On Saturday, Shady Drive travels to Defiance, Ohio to back The Soul Men at the Defiance Fraternal Order of Eagles. We’ll have Megan Constantine on bass and Bob Gerhard on keys! This should prove to be a fun night!

That’s all for this week! We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Last week’s CMC Jam was all kinds of fun with hosts Brian Davidson and Bill March. Following them were Gerald Hurd, Bob Laeng, John Kerver, Gene Frantz, Mike Cottom, Don Lydon, Mike Cottom, 2/3 of “Family Tradition” (Darrin Meecha …Happy Birthday!… and Charlie Vanek), “Under the Covers” (Hayden Frosti, Erin, Michael, and Doobie), Stan on harmonica, Raymond Varga, Phil O and Rob Hill. Thank you all for the great music! Thanks also to everyone who just came out to enjoy the show including Tricia, JoAnne, Dawn, Thom, Gary, Vern, Shelly, the Dancing Marilyns and the rest of Frog Faithful. Finally, thank you to our sponsor, Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and to the staff and management of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe for keeping us going each week.

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) However, this week it’s not just another jam night. Our guest hosts this week are none other than “Mr. Job Security” himself, GS Harper and on bass, Adam Constantine! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

On Friday, I’ll be appearing with the Furious George Trio at the Sly Fox with George Hartwig and Sammy Free! Things kick off at 9pm!

Shady Drive is off this weekend.

That’s all for this week! We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Last week’s CMC Jam was a lot of fun, even though the crowd was light. Many thanks to hosts Furious George Hartwig and Gary G Rock Stulak, jammers Hayden Frosti, John Kerver, John Hamley, Bob Laeng, Mike Cottom, Hichem Farrah, Dan Elliott, Mal Mapes and Phil O. and to Ira, Marc, Dave, Helen, Vern, Pam, the Dancing Marilyns and Tori for hanging out with us!

Friday night at Danny Boys was AMAZING!! It was great to see Mark, Mark Jr., Natalie, Laura, Tim, Erin, Steve, Pat, Wally, Ann, Bill, Lisa, Joe, The Gears and Cheers gang and a bunch of others!!

On Saturday, we appeared at 42 Eighty for the last time as a power trio, however we may be doing a few shows there with the full 7-piece band. It was great to see Wendy, Les, Beth, John, Keith, Karen (Tanya) and Al (Fritz). Thanks to everyone who’s come out to see us at 42 Eighty over the past 3 1/2 years. It’s been fun!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are Brian Davidson and Bill March! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

Shady Drive is off this week.

That’s all for this week! We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Thank you to everyone who came out to host, jam or chill with us at this week’s Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam, including: Eric “Eroc” Sosinski, Rob “Shady” Hayes, Bob Laeng, Mike Cottom, John Kerver, Gregory McGill, Mike Cottom, Pete, Robert A. DeVries, Phil O., Phil P., Kathy, Vern, Gary, Derek, Rebecca, the Dancing Marilyns and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful.’ Thanks also to our sponsor Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and to the staff and management of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe.

Shady Drive, Chris Hanna and the North Coast horns had a stellar night at the Savannah on Friday. We spotted Meg, Jason, Laura, Ken (we missed you Sandy!!), Dan, Kim, Keith, Nicole, Dave, Beth, John, Angie, The Dancing Marilyns, Debbie, Chris, Daryl, Dave, Jess, Laura, Joy, Bob, Dave, Bob, Phil and our friends from Clay’s Park and their whole gang! The dance floor was full all night long and everyone had a blast! Many thanks to Jim DePaul for having us and to Guy for a great job on the boards. :c)

Saturday’s Fairview Tavern crowd was very light, but very enthusiastic. It was great to see Laura, Gerald and Meredith out in the audience! Rob and I broke out the Shady Drive UNPLUGGED show for the first set and it got very good reviews! Look for us at the Blue Turtle on March 21st!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are ‘Furious’ George Hartwig and Gary ‘G Rock’ Stulak! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

This Friday night, Shady Drive returns to Danny Boys (8158 Broadview Rd., Broadview Heights, 7pm-10pm)! Come early for dinner and a good seat! Let’s rock the house!

This Saturday, Shady Drive returns to 42 Eighty Food and Drink (4280 Shenandoah Pkwy., Brunswick, 9:30 – 1:30) for our monthly show with Matt Miller on bass. This is a must-see! C’mon out and party with us!

That’s all for this week. We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Great times last week at the Cleveland Music Club CMC Jam! My thanks to hosts Becky Boyd, Mike Dixon and Tim Hamman; jammers Skip Werke, John Kerver, Bob Laeng, Todd Starr, Mike Cottom, Gene Frantz, John Horvath, Dan Elliott, Greg Kern, Greg McGill, Mike Cottom, “Dos Gatos” (Mike Zawacki, John Mullinax), Jmy T., and Phil O! Thanks also to Shelly, Pamela, Dave, The Dancing Marilyns, and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful.’ for hanging out to listen and share some laughs. Finally, thank you to Dirty Town Guitar and Amps for sponsoring and to the staff and management of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe for all of their support.

Friday night’s Shady Drive debut at Henry’s Bar and Grill attracted a very light crowd, but was a success nonetheless! Thanks to Trina, Brian, Diane, Gordy, Koz (yeah, I saw you!), Merle, Gary, my old pal Jimmy, Larry and the Henry’s gang for coming out! Thanks also to Jeannie, Laura and Kristen for having us!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are Rob ‘Shady’ Hayes and Eroc Sosinski! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

This Friday, Shady Drive joins up with Tony Koussa Jr. on keys, Marty Greenberg on bass and the fabulous North Coast Horns to rock the house at The Savannah Bar and Grille (30676 Detroit Rd., Westlake, 9pm – 1am). The Savannah features great food, frosty drinks and a huge dance floor! Add Shady Drive playing your favorites from Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Chicago, The Blues Brothers and more, and you’re in for a terrific evening of dancing and fun! Don’t miss this one!

This Saturday night will find Shady Drive traveling back to the Fairview Tavern (21867 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park, 9:30 – 1:30) for our monthly show with Matt Miller on bass. The Tavern features great food (try the $10 steak special), drinks and service in a friendly atmosphere. Add in a night of your favorite classic rock and blues performed by Shady Drive and you’ve got a great Saturday night! Don’t miss it!

Shady Drive is still in the running on Cleveland’s Hot List, but we’re falling behind fast!!! We need YOUR help! Vote for us at http://cleveland.cityvoter.com/best/local-bands/arts-and-entertainment/cleveland

That’s all for this week! We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Another cold one last week at the Cleveland Music Club – CMC. Cold outside, at least. Things were cooking nicely on stage however, with this week’s guest hosts Brian Davidson and Bill March, jammers Gerald Hurd, Bob Laeng, John Hamley, Hayden Frosti, John Kerver, Mike Cottom, David Koler, Tim Hamman, Ted Wallingford, Don Lydon, Mike Cottom, Patricia Reiter, and Phil O. On the sidelines providing the applause were Tricia, George, Marc, Joanne, Thom, Willie, Helen, the Dancing Marilyns and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful.” Thank you to everyone who braved the cold to host, jam or party with us and also to our sponsor Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and to the staff and management of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe.

On to Friday and Shady Drive’s monthly appearance at Aces Middleburg! It was a really nice crowd and great to see Blake, Ron, Sandy, Ken, Chris, Daryl, Tricia, Gerald, Celeste, Erin, Priscilla, Mike and Sheila!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are Becky Boyd, Mike Dixon and Tim Hamman! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

This Friday, Shady Drive makes our debut appearance at Henry’s Bar and Grille (5105 Engle Rd., Brookpark, 9pm – 12am). Come help us show the Henry’s gang what a Shady Drive party is all about!!

Shady Drive is still in the running on Cleveland’s Hot List! Help us out by voting at http://cleveland.cityvoter.com/best/local-bands/arts-and-entertainment/cleveland

That’s all for this week! We’ll talk soon!

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Last week kicked off with another super fun Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam night. Thanks to hosts Furious George Hartwig and Gary G Rock Stulak, the band “Treble Breathing” (Emily Gendics, vocals; Mark Loper, guitar; David Scheatzle, guitar; Ben Safos, bass; Michael Petrus, drums; Zach Smith, keyboards) “Treble Breathing” will be performing in round 5 of the 2015 TRI-C HIGH SCHOOL ROCK OFF (http://www.cleveland.com/…/2015_tri-c_high_school_rock_of_7…). These are some very talented young musicians. Go check them (and their fellow contestants) out. The future of the Cleveland music scene is in good hands. Also thanks to jammers Hayden Frosti, David Poirier, Gerald Hurd, Bob Laeng, Jim, Dan Pfifer, Dan Elliott, Greg Kern, Don Lydon, Gregory McGill, Emery and Phil Ondrejech. Thank you to Tim, Effie, Tricia, Ross, Joe, Brad, Mary Beth, the Dancing Marilyns and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful’ for coming out to support the players. Finally, thanks go to our sponsor Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and the staff and management of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe for making these weekly shindigs possible.

On to Saturday night and Shady Drive’s Fairview Tavern show. We rocked the house all night long with Monica, John, Kathy, James, Liz, Joe, Sandy, Ken, The Dancing Marilyns, Laura, Gerald, Lisa, April, Zach and the entire Tavern gang! Tony Koussa turned in an outstanding performance on bass! A great time was had by all. :c)

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are Brian Davidson and Bill March! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

This week, Shady Drive hosts our monthly Friday Dance Party at Aces Grille Middleburg Heights (6849 Pearl Rd., Middleburg, 9pm – 1am). Great food, frosty drinks, great service and a huge dance floor complete with awesome in-house sound and light system. Add in Shady Drive playing your dance favorites and you’ve got a great evening! Come join us!

Shady Drive is in the running again this year on the Cleveland Hot List! Last year you helped us place 4th out of 250 local bands. Let’s go for the gold this year!! You can help by casting your vote at http://cleveland.cityvoter.com/best/local-bands/arts-and-entertainment/cleveland

That’s all for this week! We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Thanks to everyone who braved the cold to join us at last week’s Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam, including hosts Rob ‘Shady’ Hayes and Eric ‘Eroc’ Sosinski, jammers John Hamley, Gene Frantz, Gerald Hurd, Hayden Frosti, Bob Laeng, Clayton Higgins, John Kerver, Drew Doman, Dale Bally, Tom King, Dan Elliott, Don Lydon, Jmy T., Joan Skelley-Watts, Phil O., and Erin Wingenfeld and our loyal supporters George, Tricia, Effie, Mike, Dave, the Dancing Marilyns and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful’! Thanks also to our sponsor Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and to the staff and management of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe for letting us come in out of the cold!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are ‘Furious’ George Hartwig and Gary ‘G Rock’ Stulak! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

This Saturday night will find Shady Drive traveling back to the Fairview Tavern (21867 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park, 9:30 – 1:30) for our monthly show with Tony Koussa Jr. on bass. The Tavern features great food (try the $10 steak special), drinks and service in a friendly atmosphere. Add in a night of your favorite classic rock and blues performed by Shady Drive and you’ve got a great Saturday night! Don’t miss it!

That’s all for this week! We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Our first CMC Jam of 2015 was another great night! Thank you to our awesome hosts Mike Dixon, Becky Boyd and Tim Hamman; amazing jammers Gerald Hurd, Bob Laeng, John Kerver, Mike Cottom, “Herman” (Brandon, Dane, Bob and Mike), Phil O., Kaylee Cottom, Robert A. DeVries, Dan Elliott, Don Lydon, Gregory McGill and Mike Cottom and fabulous music lovers Gary, Derek, Tricia, Vern, Pamela, Tony, the Dancing Marilyns and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful.’ We appreciate all of you great people braving the arctic temps to make music and have fun. Thanks also to our sponsor Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and special thanks to Dan Elliott who gave away a pretty cool gear bag that he made out of a sail. Finally, as always, thanks to the management and staff of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe for giving us a nice warm room to throw this weekly shindig.

Friday night’s Shady Drive show at Danny Boy’s was a blast, thanks to Patty, Kris, Bobby, Lisa, Joe and crew, Sandy, Ken and Steve who all stopped by to hang out with us! Thanks also to Matt Miller who turned in an awesome performance on bass!

On Saturday, Shady Drive teamed up with Tony Koussa Jr. on bass to rock the house at 42 Eighty Food and Drink. Thanks to everyone who came out (the place was packed!) including Beth, John, Angela and their entire crew, Rachel, Whitney, Laura, Gary, Merle, Zach, George and the whole 42 Eighty gang! Great night!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are Rob ‘Shady’ Hayes and Eroc Sosinski! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

Shady Drive is off this weekend, but don’t let that stop you from getting out to support live music! Maybe I’ll see you there. :c)

That’s all for this week. We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Our first CMC Jam of 2015 was another great night! Thank you to our awesome hosts Mike Dixon, Becky Boyd and Tim Hamman; amazing jammers Gerald Hurd, Bob Laeng, John Kerver, Mike Cottom, “Herman” (Brandon, Dane, Bob and Mike), Phil O., Kaylee Cottom, Robert A. DeVries, Dan Elliott, Don Lydon, Gregory McGill and Mike Cottom and fabulous music lovers Gary, Derek, Tricia, Vern, Pamela, Tony, the Dancing Marilyns and the rest of the ‘Frog Faithful.’ We appreciate all of you great people braving the arctic temps to make music and have fun. Thanks also to our sponsor Dirty Town Guitar and Amps and special thanks to Dan Elliott who gave away a pretty cool gear bag that he made out of a sail. Finally, as always, thanks to the management and staff of Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe for giving us a nice warm room to throw this weekly shindig.

Friday night’s Shady Drive show at Danny Boy’s was a blast, thanks to Patty, Kris, Bobby, Lisa, Joe and crew, Sandy, Ken and Steve who all stopped by to hang out with us! Thanks also to Matt Miller who turned in an awesome performance on bass!

On Saturday, Shady Drive teamed up with Tony Koussa Jr. on bass to rock the house at 42 Eighty Food and Drink. Thanks to everyone who came out (the place was packed!) including Beth, John, Angela and their entire crew, Rachel, Whitney, Laura, Gary, Merle, Zach, George and the whole 42 Eighty gang! Great night!

Coming up this week…

The Cleveland Music Club – CMC Jam happens every Tuesday at Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe (33137 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, 8:30 – 12:30) Our guest hosts this week are Rob ‘Shady’ Hayes and Eroc Sosinski! Our sponsor each and every week is Dirty Town Guitar and Amps (15230 Madison Ave. Lakewood)! Full backline (two guitar amps, bass amp, Sonor drums and PA) is provided, so bring your favorite axe, sticks or just your party attitude and dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

Shady Drive is off this weekend, but don’t let that stop you from getting out to support live music! Maybe I’ll see you there. :c)

That’s all for this week. We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)