Happy March! Spring is right around the corner, and I’m getting so excited! I need warm weather and sunshine! I have to go snag an early dose with a trip to the Sunshine State, so I have to get this article done so I can go have fun! With a month full of travel my month was very limited, but I still squeezed in music however I could.
The first stop this month was at the end of January at the Open Mic at Blue Sky Tavern. It happened to be the anniversary of Dad’s passing so it was a rough day, but I knew music would be just what I needed. Out of all the songs in the universe two different performers played not one, but two Dad classics: “Riders on the Storm” and “All Along the Watchtower”. I really felt an overwhelming hug from Dad, which is just what I needed. It’s amazing how music cures what ales ya, whether it’s through your radio, or live and in person. I’m so extremely thankful for this music community, the friends I’ve made, and the bonds we’ve created.
After the open mic we headed up to Flinchy’s to finish the night with Sam M Music. None of us had ever heard of Sam M, but decided to pop in and check it out. Sam is a solo, female musician. We don’t have enough female musicians in this area, so I was thrilled to see someone I’ve never seen before. She was excited to have all of our craziness and excitement come in the room! She was playing all of our favorite songs and we were quickly singing along and having a great time. Sam is just getting started, but hopefully we will see her, and more women like her out there rockin’ local stages!
On a Thursday night I made it in to Sturges to see Hank the Buffalo. Not only was the music fam out to see Hank the Buffalo, but Sturges was also packed with people in town for the Outdoor Show at the Farm Show. There were some boys from East Coast Outfitter that were a hoot and a holler to hang with! They were amazed by Hank the Buffalo’s show, and invited us all on down to Orcacoke to play music and hang out. And if we ever want to go hunting and fishing.. they got us covered! Ya never know where I’ll show up. There are some lovely beaches down there in the Outer Banks! Friday night I was busy after work getting my magazines delivered, but did manage to swing in to Sierra Madre again for Hank. The manager at Sierra Madre loved them so much they booked them for their biggest party day of the year, Cinco de Mayo! They will be performing from 5-8pm! Sierra Madre is definitely the place to be for Cinco de Mayo!
Saturday as all my friends were running around having a blast. I was working and having fun in my own way at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. I’m continually amazed at all of the entertainment all of the local casinos provide. I’m much more in tune with it all now that I’m the one booking it! HA! This day was a busy one with Joe Cooney and Friends (Dan), in the Penn Draft House, (which by the time you read this Penn Draft House will be no more), Steel Dragon, a lion dance for the Lunar New Year, and then it was the first Saturday of the month, so the tribute band was Earth to Mars, a tribute to Bruno Mars. As a liaison for BRP Entertainment it’s our job to make sure everyone has everything they need and are everywhere they need to be. I definitely got my steps in running around the casino, but appreciated snippets of all of the entertainment that was provided. If you are ever looking for something to do. Grantville bands rock out til midnight Friday and Saturdays with the DJ til 1am, and York and Morgantown have full bands on Fridays til 1am, and Saturdays both have DJs also til 1am. So much entertainment to go see and hear. The fun doesn’t have to stop at 11pm, last I checked I don’t think any of us will turn into a pumpkin after midnight!
On Sunday I kidnapped Cindy, and we went with my family down to Sandbridge Beach for a much needed vacation. I literally do as little as possible when I go to the beach. People are amazed that I can manage to sit still, but every now and then I need rest too.
When we got back the weather wasn’t cooperating, but finally on Thursday I got out to Sturges for Megan and Dave! I wasn’t the only one jonesing to get out and the music fam was out in full force. Megan and Dave continue to strengthen their set list and suck me in to every show. I love singing and dancing with my friends. Megan and Dave cover music through 7 different decades and such a huge variety, you really never know what they are going to play next, but whatever it is, it’s going to be FUN! Of course fellow musicians were filling the down time at breaks and the music was in full force all night long!
On Valentine’s Day mu hubby was under the weather, so I scooped up the next best thing, my son Zack and we went to Matt Jameson’s show at Boomerang Bar and Grill before the Harrisburg Comedy Zone show. The dining room was full of plenty of people on their hot Valentine’s Day dates, but the requests were flowing and everyone was having a great time. The comedians were both pretty funny, but the local opener Mike O’Donnell was hilarious. Zack and I were both rolling with laughter during his set. The Harrisburg Comedy Zone/Boomerangs offers a lot of entertainment with music, comedians, etc. It’s one of those places I just don’t stop in enough, because I never see their postings anywhere about their events, etc. Otherwise I would probably stop in there more often!
After some more nasty weekend weather stopping my fun plans, I was excited to see the following Tuesday Matt Jameson was at Falls Crab Shack. If you’ve never been it’s one heck of an experience. You just never know what’s going to happen. When I got there the place was packed with so many familiar faces. I had a blast bopping around the room talking, singing and dancing with so many different friends! It’s hard for people to realize, not only do I love going to Matt’s shows because he’s a great “entertainer”, and I love hearing him play, but also his fans have become my friends. I get the pleasure of actually visiting with the people that support him, because music is the bond!
On Wednesday I made a shout out on Facebook that I would be at Open Mic at Blue Sky because I needed content for my article and people did not disappoint!! Blue Sky was absolutely packed!! I was there from beginning to end and caught it all! Matt was breaking the seal by going first and giving everyone time to warm up. Colin Alvarez stepped up next. Colin plays solo and with a 3-piece band, he’s been playing more throughout the area and it’s always a special treat to catch his soulful sound! Marshall Stone graced us with his presence the whole way from New Oxford. His secret trick is playing “I Put Your Picture Away” with both Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s voices! Marshall is definitely a show to catch for sure. He plays all over the place especially in South Central PA. I was super excited to finally physically meet Rachael Thomas from Ragged Grace. Rachael regularly performs with Jeremy Chubb and Slade Heller, but since Slade was coming with Derek Avalon, he was late. HA! So Rachael performed on her own, and she killed it! LOVED seeing the girl power on the stage. Speaking of girl power Vivian took the stage next, at only 9 years old she sang her heart out on one of her Disney favorites. A small reminder that open mic is for all skill levels and types! Next up was Dale Stipe. He’s been around for a while in many different capacities and is still rocking with his full band every chance he gets. Scott Crasher from Crash & Cross stepped up next with his guitar and continues to amaze us with how much he’s learning. He sang and played “Something in the Orange” like a pro! Another new Trio, technically duo for the night was ATM, Alex and Mike brought the 90s Grunge music back on the stage for us all to enjoy! Tom is recovering from surgery, but hopefully we see all three of them again soon. Merv had me head-banging at an open mic! This guy is probably close to one of the quietest in the room, but when he’s on stage, he lets loose and I absolutely love it! Dave Gates stepped up next. He has an amazing voice and played some crowd favorites for us all. Derek Avalon finally showed up! And played some love songs for us with his buttery voice, almost made ya feel like it was Valentine’s Day! Slade Heller brought his guitar to play us a song before he joined Hank the Buffalo on stage. I believe Matt said it best when he said that Slade is the “O” in Buffalo! Slade switched from guitar to drums for their set, because, well, that’s what Slade does. He’s a multi-instrument maniac.. and multiple bands! After Hank the Buffalo got us all rowdy singing we “Gotta Fight For Our Right to Paaaaarrrtttaaayy!”.. Matt Jameson strapped his guitar on, and quickly got a bunch of musicians up to play, no better song, than “Come Together” by the Beatles. Overall it was an amazing night, not only by the musicians sharing all of their talent, but also from the fans of music all gathering together to enjoy the show! If you missed this open mic, the fun is at Blue Sky Tavern every Wednesday from 6:30-9pm.
Thursday night Matt Jameson had an early show at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon for Rotunda Brew Pub’s Tap Takeover. He had Slade Heller join him on percussion, and it was definitely an amazing added bonus! The entire bar was definitely taken over! It was overflowing with standing room only craziness! You had no choice but to dance to the music. The Doyle has a special vibe. It’s definitely the reason why there is a “FUNcannon”. You can’t leave that place without a smile on your face!
After his show we took our crazy energy down the road and back to the Sturges for Dave Gates. With way too much FOMO going on we quickly convinced the music fam to follow us down and join in the fun. We quickly made Sturges the place to be. Luckily Jen from Bristle & Board was there with me because there was a lot of testosterone at this show. But it was so awesome to see all of the guys in the local scene sitting down together, supporting Dave and having a great time just all being together. Dave is definitely the human juke box and can basically play anything you request! I don’t think I ever heard him say the words I don’t know how to play that song! Truly a machine!! During his breaks again the room was never silent as the guitars were passed from one musician to another and fun was had by all!
My last night of the month I had great plans to zoom down to Gettysburg Rocks, but decided to stay local after a full work day on the road! I was bummed to miss Gettysburg Rocks this year, but I’m finishing this article so I can go catch my flight! So last night, the fun started at the Copper Pub to help Jason Carst celebrate his birthday! After last month when we sucked him into our Funnel of Fun, the poor guy literally slipped a disc in his back because of all the fun, and is still trying to recover! So he’s feeling every year of his age, but he still makes sure the show goes on! Jason loves Grateful Dead, but even on his birthday, he was awesome and played our requests instead of what he really wanted to play! Jason tries his best to livestream every show, so if you are ever bored at home, check out his page and join in on his Livestream! It’s always a good time!
After the Pub it was off to Flinchy’s for one last Matt Hoorah! To finish off the month. Matt doesn’t play at Flinchy’s nearly as much as he was last year, so when he does play there the place is always INSANE. So packed with people that it’s hard to even walk in there, but we are all “family” and we squeeze in and have an insanely fun time! I can’t quite talk today, I lost my voice.. I wonder why!?
Another month of fun comes to an end! But alas.. I will be back! It’s hard to believe the Central PA Music Awards show will be here before we know it on Wednesday, March 5th! As of today there are a few tickets left, but they are limited! Come celebrate the local scene with us! It’s one heck of a party that you won’t want to miss!
Thanks so much to everyone for all of your continued support. This wouldn’t be nearly as fun without all of you!!! Music brings us all together and heals are souls! Please get out there and support local music! And if/when you see me Out & About please stop me and say Hi!
