Hi gang!
It doesn’t seem possible that I’m writing my last note for 2011. You’ve all played a big part in making this a most wonderful year. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for your support and enthusiasm during 2011. I wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you again in 2012!
This past year was the busiest ever for Shady Drive as we played over 90 dates at the House of Blues, Twilight at the Zoo, Fairview Tavern, Irish Kevin’s, Doc and Louie’s, Savannah, Parkview Nite Club, Harpo’s, The Mad Cactus and The Lampliter among others. We’re scheduled back at all of those and more in 2012. Last year also saw the debut of the full 8-piece version of Shady Drive featuring vocalist Erin Rossi, keyboardist Bob Hayes and the fabulous North Coast Horns at Twilight at the Zoo in August and Bullfrog’s Sports Cafe in November. Look for more appearances in this configuration coming up in 2012, including a return to Twilight at the Zoo.
It was a busy year for Cleveland Music Club as well, as we celebrated our 1st anniversary with the debut of our Musicians’ Jam Nite at Doc and Louie’s on Tuesday nights. Many thanks to Dirty Town Guitars and Amps, Grabbit Stands, Guitar Center of North Olmsted and Sonor Drums for sponsoring and providing some great prizes, to Doc for hosting the jam night and to the amazing Kristen for her tireless efforts to keep our glasses and plates full! Thanks also to my amazing co-hosts and fellow Cleveland Music Club members Adam Constantine, Brian Davidson, Dick Devries, Dwayne Dickman, Drew Doman, Kevin Fancher, Sammy Free, Tim Hamman, G. S. Harper, George Hartwig, Rob Hayes, Bill March, Erin Rossi, Uncle Steve Smith, Eroc Sosinski and Cy Sulak for sharing the stage and their talents this past year. I could NOT have done this without all of you.
Also sharing their talents and the stage were our jammers and listeners! We owe you the biggest thanks for coming out week after week and making the jam night work. Without all of you, jam night wouldn’t be possible or even necessary. So without further hesitation, a huge Cleveland Music Club thank you to jammers Marc Alu, Ernie Arroyo, Ted Bahas, Jim Belanger, Dennis Bilinski, Mike Bomback, Jeff C, Jimmi Chance, Angelo Ciu, Chloe Cottom, Mike Cottom, Brittany Davidson, Carl E. DeScott, Bob DeVries, Dick Devries, Carol Dieball, Doug Doman, Billy Fischer, Joe Graceffo, Tony Graceffo, Dale Hartmann, Rob Hill, Dave Holmberg, Rick Hong, John Horvath, Ryan Iammarino, Ron “Papa J” Jackson, John Jannuzzi, Tom Jacquet, Greg Kern, John Kerver, Larry Ketola, Blake Kniola, Tony Koussa Sr., Bob Laeng, Brent Lane, Greg Lapsevich, Rick Lowe, Don Lyton, Wayne “Woody” Mesker, Dave Millard, Josh Narramore, Rick Palencar, Chris Patacky, TJ Plechaty, Nate Prahst, Phil Quidort, Alex Raz, Steve Raz, Elaine Reisdorf, Simon Rogers, Nick Samson, Sean Samson, Bill Sanders, Steve Simantiris, Charlie Simms, Snake Rock, Katyana Speckman, Todd Starr, Lori Matusz-Tibbitts, Norman Tischler, Terry Tobin, Georgeanne Urminski, Melissa Williams, the mysterious “Bass-er X”, bands Ignoring Daniel, The Melz, and Party Plates, our faithful audience Ami, Barb, Bob, Brittany, Cheryl, Chey, Dave K, Diane, Donna, Eric, Gene, Jay, Jim, Joanne P., Joanne S., Judy, Julia, Lenna, Leslie, Lisa, Mari, Mark, Marty, Mike, Patti, Pete, ‘Uncle’ Peanuts, Rick, Ross, Scott, Shelly, Tom and all of Doc’s music loving patrons! Thanks to all of you for a wonderful year!
Coming up this week, I’ll be back at Doc and Louie’s (24280 Lorain Rd. North Olmsted) on Tuesday January 3rd (7pm-11pm) to kick off the 2012 edition of Musicians’ Jam Nite with my co-hosts G.S. Harper and Sammy Free and sponsor Grabbit Stands. Doc features 2 for 1 burgers and $3 Margaritas all served up by the Amazing Kristen while we make some music, give away some prizes and generally have fun! Where else can you find all this in one place on a Tuesday night?
On Wednesday, January 4th,I’ll be with Cleveland Music Club as we begin a series of monthly acoustic performances at the Fairview Tavern (21867 Lorain Rd., Fairview Park, 8pm – 11pm). On the first Wednesday of each month join me, G.S. Harper and a guest performer as we play your favorites in an acoustic setting. This should be loads of fun, so come join us for dinner or drinks! Our guest performer this month is Adam Constantine, so don’t miss this one!
On Saturday January 7th, Shady Drive will kick start 2012 with our first show of the year at Irish Kevin’s (13601 Detroit Ave., Lakewood; 9pm – 1am). The Irish Kevin’s crowd is always a blast to party with, so come join us and let’s start 2012 off in fine fashion!
That’s all for this week (and this year!) We’ll talk soon…
Mike :c)