Mike Starcher – Drivin' It!

Hey gang!

The past weekend was very busy, so this is a day late. On Friday I filled in with No Hurry at Bullfrog’s and had a great time! Awesome crowd and lots of fun tunes! Thanks Ira!

On Saturday, Shady Drive returned to The Mad Cactus to party with Teddy and the Cactus gang…and that’s exactly what we did! The regulars were all there along with some new friends and the house rocked!

On Sunday, Shady Drive returned to The Blue Snapper on the patio, and all I can say is WOW! The place was wall to wall people and it was an absolutely gorgeous day! Even the Coors Light girls were there! We are back there on Sunday July 17, so make plans now!

Coming up this week, tonight at 7:30pm I’m with The List and special guest Dwayne Dickman as we host another weekly installment of the Bullfrog’s Jam Nite. Bullfrog’s has an awesome menu and 30 beers on tap, so come on out and enjoy some good food, good beer and great music!

This Friday, Shady Drive rolls into Irish Kevin’s in Lakewood. Join us for our monthly TGIF party with the Kevin’s regulars and Jen behind the bar!

On Saturday, Shady Drive will rev up Schaun Acres’ Fourth of July weekend with our annual appearance there at 8pm! Bring your cooler, lawn chairs and party attitude!

On Sunday, I’m with The List and Ron Jackson for the Kickin’ The Cancer Blues House Party at Mike’s Barn. You can get details on the Mike’s Barn website here: http://www.mikesbarn.com/newsletters/062411.html

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

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Another great week in the books! Tuesday night Shady Drive appeared with special guest vocalist Erin Rossi at Savannah. Sharing the stage with Erin is always special and Tuesday night was no different. On Friday, Shady Drive rocked the Fairview Tavern. Both on Tuesday and Friday the crowds were light but enthusiastic…and most of all FUN!

The crowd at Sidetrack Cafe on Saturday was anything but light! We had a great time and we were scheduled to play until midnight, but we forgot to stop. :c)

Coming up this week, Shady Drive hosts the Lube Jam at Quaker Steak and Lube in Sheffield on Monday at 7pm. Joining us on bass is special guest Tim Hamman! This should be a great jam night so come on out!

On Tuesday, I’m with The List hosting the Bullfrog’s jam night at 7:30pm. Bullfrog’s has great food, 30 beers on tap, an $8 steak special and one of the best jam nights around! Bring your favorite axe and rock out with us!

Looking ahead to Friday, I’m back at Bullfrog’s filling in on drums and vocals with Ira Swartz and No Hurry. I’ve shared the stage with Ira at our Tuesday jam night quite a few times, so this should definitely prove to be a fun night!

On Saturday, Shady Drive arrives back at The Mad Cactus in Strongsville. This is always a great time with Teddy behind the bar and the great Cactus crowd.

Winding up the week, Shady Drive cruises into the Blue Snapper on Sunday at 3pm. The Snapper has great food and an awesome patio, so c’mon out and finish up the weekend with us!

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

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Apologies to those of you who were at Glory Daze to see us on Friday. The club double-booked and when Rob got there to start settting up, he was told we were canceled. We won’t be doing any further business with that club.

We played a private gig Saturday night and that went much better! :c) We didn’t get rained on and everyone had a great time.

Coming up this week, Shady Drive will be hosting the Cleveland Blues Society’s monthly jam night at Doc and Louie’s on Monday at 7:30pm. Bring your favorite axe and jam with us, or just come to listen! Everyone welcome!

On Tuesday, Shady Drive returns to The Savannah in Westlake with special guest vocalist Erin Rossi. This is always a fun time, so you’ll want to make plans to catch this gig! The fun starts at 7:30pm!

On Friday, Shady Drive rolls into the Fairview Tavern at 9:30pm. The Tavern features a friendly staff, amazing food and great drink specials, so come early to enjoy dinner and stay for the show!

On Saturday, Shady Drive debuts at Sidetrack Cafe in Lakewood for their Summer Kickoff Bash at 8pm. This is our first time there and we’re looking forward to it!

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

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Wow, what a weekend! First a great night on Friday at Irish Kevin’s! Off the hook! It was all out party time and the house just rocked!

Saturday, we played a private gig in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. It was starting out to be a repeat of Friday night until the rain started. We were able to muddle through for a bit, but the rain finally won.

On Sunday, we played a private gig in Wickliffe that made up for Saturday’s rain out. Erin Rossi appeared with us as well as Dave Frank on sax and the amazing Mr. Sam Romano on keys! What a blast!! Many thanks to Erin, Dave and Sam!

Coming up this week, I’m with The List on Tuesday at Bullfrog’s hosting their weekly jam night. On Friday, Shady Drive makes a debut appearance at Glory Daze in Wickliffe. They have great food (try the burgers) and LOTS to drink, so come on out! On Saturday, Shady Drive is playing another private gig.

That’s our week! We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hey gang!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day. Please take a moment to remember those who have served our country and those who have given all in the name of freedom. We owe them more than we can ever repay. My personal thanks goes out to all of you who’ve served in our armed forces.

Recapping the weekend, we started it off at Doc & Louie’s on Friday night with a great crowd! Thanks to Jeff for jumping up to play some harp with us and sing a tune, and to John Jannuzzi for sitting in with us on bass for a few songs! Great night!

On Saturday we traveled to Port Clinton and the Portage View Campground to kick off their Memorial Day Weekend celebration. The weather just didn’t want to cooperate, as we got off to a late start while the stage was covered. Thanks to the folks at Portage View, we were able to stay dry and play most of the night. The pool area was crowded with campers dancing and partying in the rain while we played. It rained so hard that at one point, people were jumping into the pool to dry off! ;c)

Coming up this week, I’m with The List tomorrow night hosting the Bullfrog’s jam night from 7:30pm – 11pm. Joining me are Sam Romano, Mike Wypasek and Tony Camerato. We’ll play from 7:30pm to 8:30pm and then it’s YOUR turn! Bring your favorite axe and come jam with us!

Friday, Shady Drive cruises into Irish Kevin’s at 9pm. Irish Kevin’s is a great sounding room with plenty of seating and a friendly staff! It’s always a great time there so come on out!
Shady Drive has private bookings on Saturday and Sunday, so this is your only chance to see us this week!

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

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Wow, what a weekend! Shady Drive’s debut gig at Cebars Euclid Tavern on Friday night went extremely well. Look for us back there on July 29. Saturday at Mad Mike’s was completely off the hook. We played to a packed house the entire night. Erin turned in another stellar performance and the place was hoppin’ until well after 1:30!

Coming up this week, I’m with The List on Tuesday May 24 hosting the Bullfrog’s jam night. Special guests Dwayne Dickman and Tim Hamman join Tony Camerato and me at 7:30pm. Bullfrog’s has great food and 30 draft beers. Come out and jam with us or just to listen!

Shady Drive returns to Doc & Louie’s this coming Friday at 9pm. Partying with Doc and the regular crowd is always a great time and the wings and the burgers are some of the best around! Come out and kick off your Memorial Day Weekend with us!

On Saturday, Shady Drive travels to Port Clinton and the Portage View Campground for some serious celebrating! These folks know how to party! I’ll need a few days to recover from this one. :c)

That’s it for this week! We’ll talk soon…
Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Okay, I’m all through commenting on or complaining about the weather. It just doesn’t seem to be working out very well. Does anyone have a canoe for sale? ;c)

Speaking of canoes, we thought we were going to need one to get to the Fairview Tavern last night! We forgot all about the weather once we got there. It was great to see Chris, Daryl, Tim, Diane, Barb and Alex and Alice who were celebrating their first wedding anniversary! It was a really fun night!

I also want to extend my congratulations to fellow musicians and good friends Jim Tigue and Eric “Eroc” Sosinski for having been honored with an official Resolution
passed by the Cleveland City Council recognizing their musical accomplishments on the 25th Anniversary of their creative and business partnership. The Resolution was presented and read by Council President Martin J. Sweeney just before the Wish You Were Here show at House of Blues this past Friday. Congrats, Jim and Eroc!

Coming up this week, I’m with The List hosting the Bullfrog’s jam night on Tuesday at 7:30pm. Tim Hamman will join us on guitar, filling in for Sam Romano.

On Friday, catch Shady Drive’s debut appearance at Cebar’s Euclid Tavern at 9pm! Then on Saturday, Shady Drive hits the stage at Mad Mike’s with special guest Erin Rossi! It should prove to be an exciting week!

That’s it for this week. We’ll talk soon…
Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Happy May! Does anyone else think it’s time to start building an ark? Thankfully it’s not snow, but enough already! >:c\

This past Saturday, Shady Drive traveled to Alliance, Ohio to compete in the NEOBA Blues Challenge. We had a great time and want to offer our congratulations to the winning band, Memphis Cradle and the winning solo/duo act, Paul Borger. Good luck in Memphis, guys! Thanks also to the NEOBA for a fun event!

Upon arriving home from Alliance, we scooted off to Irish Kevin’s to catch the debut of Soular JetMan. Wow! I got tired just watching them! These guys love to play and have loads of energy onstage. If you see them play and don’t have fun, then you’re not breathing. ;c)

Coming up this week, I’m with Shady Drive and special guest vocalist Erin Rossi at Savannah Bar and Grill on Tuesday May 3 at 7:30pm. This is our first trip back to the Savannah in a while, so come join us for some good food, good music and good fun!

On Friday May 6, Shady Drive returns to Irish Kevin’s at 9pm. With Shady Drive onstage and Morgan behind the bar, you can’t go wrong!

That’s it for this week! We’ll talk soon…
Mike :c)

Hi gang!

I hope everyone’s had a great Easter weekend! We sure did! Friday was an off night for me, so Erika and I took the opportunity to catch Mercury Rising at the Mad Cactus and Midnight Suns at Irish Kevin’s. We had a great time! On Saturday, I was with Dwayne Dickman and Sam Romano as Cleveland Music Club took the stage at Irish Kevin’s. It was a really fun gig with guest appearances by The Remainders and John Jannuzzi on bass. Thanks everyone for coming out!

Coming up this week, I’m at Bullfrog’s with The List hosting the weekly Tuesday jam night. Tim Hamman will be filling in on bass for Tony Camerato.

On Saturday, Shady Drive will travel to Alliance, Ohio to compete in the NEOBA Blues Challenge. Wish us luck!

That’s all for this week. We’ll talk soon!
Mike :c)