Mike Starcher – Drivin' It!

Hi gang!

I hope everyone had a great week! Shady Drive played a fun private gig this past Friday and we had a night off on Saturday. Those don’t happen often! :c)

Coming up this week, I’m with The List today at Razzles/Pheasant Run Inn in LaGrange appearing at the Thompson Family Spaghetti Dinner benefit from 1pm – 4pm. The benefit is to assist the Thompsons in rebuilding their home and life after a terrible house fire destroyed almost everything they had. It’s a good cause so come on out if you can!

On Tuesday, I’m with The List hosting the Bullfrog’s jam night from 7:30 – 11pm. This is always a great time! Bring your guitar, bass, sticks, bongos, harp, kazoo or maracas and come jam with us!

On Saturday April 23, I’m with Dwayne Dickman and Sam Romano as Cleveland Music Club takes the stage at Irish Kevin’s in Lakewood. I’m really looking forward to this, as it’s been a long time since Dwayne, Sam and I have played a gig together. Look for a sneak preview of this at Brother’s jam night tonight!

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

Hi gang!

Our first daffodil bloomed this past week! Spring is finally here! Can you tell I’ve had enough of winter for a while? :c)

Last week was amazing! I did the jam night on Tuesday at Bullfrog’s, which is always a great time. On Wednesday we attended the Sly Fox jam night with Dwayne, Eroc, Cy, and JD. The highlight of the evening was Dwayne’s Mom’s stage debut, which was GREAT! The place was packed and she got a standing ovation! Check my Facebook page for pics!

On Thursday, we headed to West Park Station to catch Jim and Eroc. If you’ve never seen these guys, you’re missing a great treat. My personal favorite was (ARRRGH!) their rendition of “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. Fun times!

Friday night found us at the Fairview Tavern for My 3 Sons, who played to a packed house. We had planned to catch just a set and have dinner, but those amazing harmonies kept us there until the very end. My 3 Sons are another band you absolutely need to see. You won’t believe your ears.

On Saturday, Shady Drive and Erin Rossi took the stage at the Fairview Tavern and another capacity crowd. Our thanks to everyone who cam out and made the night a huge success, including Mark and Marla Brennan, Peanuts, Efrain Hernandez and Mari and Marty! A great time was had by all! :c)

Coming up this week, I’m with The List on Tuesday, hosting the Bullfrog’s jam night starting at 7:30pm. I’m with Shady Drive playing a private party on Friday night at Brandywine Ski Resort and we’re off on Saturday.

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

Hi gang!

I think we can finally say spring has sprung. I’m not taking the snow blade off the tractor just yet, though. I’m waiting until the temperature hits 70 just to be safe. :c)

It was definitely over 70 degrees at Irish Kevin’s on Friday night! We had a great crowd dancing and partying the night away with us. Thanks to everyone for coming out!

Coming up this week, I’m with Sam Romano, Mike Wypasek and Tony Camerato as The List hosts the weekly Bullfrog’s jam night at 7pm. It’s always a fun night. With lots of jammers, 30 beers on tap and an $8 steak dinner, what’s not to like? Come out and jam with us this Tuesday night!

On Saturday, I’ll be with Shady Drive as we return for our monthly gig at the Fairview Tavern. Vocalist Erin Rossi will join us onstage at the Tavern this month, so you’re in for a real treat! Don’t miss this one!

Shady Drive will be exploring some east side venues very soon. We have some shows in the works at Cebar’s, Glory Dayz and Mad Mike’s, so stay tuned!

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

Hi gang,

The ownership at Loco Leprechaun has opted to cancel our gig on April 2 in favor of the college basketball tournaments.

We’re at Irish Kevin’s on Friday, April 1, so come on out and party with us and show your support! Hope to see you there!
We’ll talk soon,
Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Spring seems to be trying to make its appearance, but is having a tough time of it. It won’t be long though, until warm weather is here. :c)

Speaking of warm, Doc and Louie’s was certainly hot this past Friday as the dance floor was full all evening with friends old and new! Thanks to everyone who came out!

On tap this week, I’m with The List tomorrow at Bullfrog’s hosting the weekly musicians’ jam night. Shady Drive’s Rob Hayes joins Sam, Tony and me on the stage at 7pm!

Friday I’m with Shady Drive as we make our monthly appearance at Irish Kevin’s in Lakewood. Join us for a great time as Morgan serves up the drinks!

On Saturday, Shady Drive returns to Loco Leprechaun to help you party the night away while Carol and Vanessa serve up your favorite beverages. Their Mexican-Irish cuisine means great food, so don’t miss this one!

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

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Cross your fingers, it looks like spring has finally sprung! Not a minute too soon, either. I’ve had my fill of snow for the time being!

St. Patrick’s Day was a blast at Doc and Louie’s with Shady Drive and Erin Rossi. The place was certainly jumpin’! We were joined onstage for a few tunes by Jaime Flores on trumpet and Jeff on harp and vocals. Lots of dancers and the great crowd at Doc’s made for a very fun night! :c)

In the week ahead, I’m with The List on Tuesday March 22 hosting the weekly Bullfrog’s jam night. Always a great time, the $8 steak special, 30 beers on tap and musical adventures make this a weekly event you don’t want to miss.

On Friday March 25, Shady Drive returns to Doc and Louie’s. Hopefully the gang there has recovered from St. Patrick’s Day by then!

Winding up the week on Saturday March 26, I’ll be with Kristine Jackson and KJ Blues at the Parkview Nite Club. Kristine is an amazing blues performer and songwriter. If you haven’t heard her, you should. If you have, you know what I’m talking about!

That’s it for this week, gang! Hope to see you out there!

We’ll talk soon…

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

This past weekend was certainly full of surprises. The weather was just crazy! It all turned out great though, and we had a rockin’ good time at both gigs!

Shady Drive returned to Bullfrog’s on Friday with special guest Bob Hayes on keyboards. We started the night off by playing our “Can’t Walk A Straight Line” CD in its entirety to a full house at “The Frog”. It was great to have Bob with us again! Great night!

On Saturday, Shady Drive was back at the Fairview Tavern with special guest Erin Rossi on vocals. The capacity crowd rocked the house all night and Erin treated everyone to amazing renditions of “Me and Bobby McGee”, “Gimme One Reason”, “Whole Lotta Love” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” among others. Rick Keane also joined us onstage and delivered a great version of ‘Thrill Is Gone”. What a blast! :c)

This week, I’ll be with The List on Tuesday, March 15 hosting the Bullfrog’s jam night from 7pm – 11pm.

Then, on Thursday, March 17, Shady Drive and guest vocalist Erin Rossi will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in rockin’ fashion at Doc and Louie’s Bar and Grille in North Olmsted. The fun starts at 7:30 so don’t be late!

Shady Drive is off this weekend, but I’ll be out catching some other local bands and supporting live music in Cleveland. Check your local listings to find out who’s playing!
That’s it for this week, gang! We’ll talk soon!

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Snow. Again. Ugh.

Okay, ’nuff said about that.

We just put another rockin’ weekend in the books! Friday at Irish Kevin’s was a great time with lots of friends in attendance. Thanks to Erin, Cheryl, Polly, Pat, Beth, Eric, Jack, John, Wally, Ross and Kevin’s Irish Gang for coming out to party with us! Erin Rossi was kind enough to sing a few tunes with us and delivered a killer version of ‘Whole Lotta Love’! We celebrated Denise’s 32nd birthday in fine fashion and a great time was had by all! Cheryl’s camera even caught Dick smiling! (WOW!)

Saturday found us back at The Mad Cactus. The rainy weather seemed to be keeping some folks home, as the crowd was a little sparse during the first set. During the second set the place started to come to life and we forgot all about the time as we played for over two hours non-stop. It was great to see Chris, Becky, Cheryl, Sharon, Chris, Joann, Rob, Wally, Marty, Daryl, Jeff, John, Rick and Terry! We had a blast and hope you did too!

Up next, I’m at Bullfrog’s with The List, hosting the Tuesday jam night on March 8. The fun starts at 7pm! bring your picks, sticks, axes and saxes and jam with us!

Friday will find me with Shady Drive at Bullfrog’s in North Ridgeville at 9pm. Bullfrog’s is a great room with lots of comfortable seating, great food and 30 beers on tap, so be sure to stop by and join the party!

On Saturday March 12, Shady Drive returns to the Fairview Tavern at 9:30pm. Erin Rossi will join us onstage for the evening, so you definitely want to plan to catch this show. Whether Erin lends her amazing voice to a Bonnie Raitt tune or Led Zeppelin, it is an experience not to be missed! If that isn’t enough, the Tavern has amazing food and a great variety of beer on tap. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday evening. :c)

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

Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Another weekend has come and gone and spring is finally just around the corner! I’m really anxious to be rid of all this snow and get on with some warmer weather, as I’m sure you are too. We chased away some of those winter blues this past weekend at two really fun shows! On Friday night, the crowd at Irish Kevin’s saw the debut performance of Cleveland Music Club, as I shared the stage with Erin Rossi (vocals), Dwayne Dickman (guitar/vocals) and Derek Poindexter (bass/vocals). I’m not sure who had more fun, the band or the crowd! :c) Cleveland Music Club is back onstage March 26th at Loco Leprechaun with Erin Rossi, Rob Hayes, Tim Hamman and Efrain Hernandez, so mark your calendar!

On Saturday, I was back with Shady Drive and Erin Rossi at the legendary Parkview Nite Club, which was filled to overflowing when we took the stage at 9:30pm. Definitely one of the most memorable gigs I’ve ever played. The Parkview has a great staff with food to match. You really can’t go wrong at the Parkview on a Saturday night.

Next up, I’m with The List this coming Tuesday at the Bullfrog’s Musicians’ Jam Night from 7pm to 11pm. On Friday I’m with Shady Drive at Irish Kevin’s in Lakewood. Saturday will find me again with Shady Drive at Strongsville’s Mad Cactus.

I’d love to see you at one or all of my shows this week, but get out to ANY show and help support live music in Cleveland.
That’s all for now. We’ll talk soon!
Mike :c)

Hi gang!

Wow, what a night at Fat Little Buddies this past Friday! Joining Shady Drive onstage for our second set were Erin Rossi on vocals and Ray Varga on sax. The house was definitely a-rockin’ when those two hit the stage. Erin and Ray, thanks so much for joining us and making it a night to remember! Thanks also to all our friends who came out and partied with us! It was a blast!

I finished the weekend up with Shady Drive, playing a private event at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland.

This week, I’ll be with The List on Tuesday February 22 hosting the Bullfrog’s Jam Night from 7pm to 11pm.

Friday February 25, I’ll be with Erin Rossi, Dwayne Dickman and Derek Poindexter as Cleveland Music Club takes the stage at Irish Kevin’s in Lakewood at 9pm. We’ll be playing all of your favorite classic rock tunes while you dance the night away! :c)

Then, on Saturday February 26, Erin Rossi joins Shady Drive onstage for a night at the remarkable Parkview Nite Club! The Parkview has great food and is a landmark Cleveland blues club with loads of character. Make plans now to join Erin, Rob, Dick and me for what should be an amazing evening!

That’s all for now. We’ll talk soon!

Mike :c)