Thoughts from The Townedger-May 2021

Spring processing has kept my playing to a bare minimal this month.  I enjoy the privilege of working 10 to 12 hour days although the temps stepped up after Sheryl took the rest of the month off to recovered from heart surgery.   I wish her the best in recovery.  Scott, Jane and Madison have been a joy to work with, especially Maddie to which I'm sure she hates me calling her that.  Since Geoff Redding's daughter is named Madison, she prefers to be called Maddy.  Sheryl didn't have much kind words to say about Maddie (there I go again), I think she wanted to prove Sheryl work and could prove she can do the work. And that she did, she even pointed out that a certain job didn't have the right project number.  To which Mr. Tim, the first shift scan coordinator is still livid that nobody pointed that error out first.  But leave it to a temp that seen it and called it to my attention.  She earned her parking spot for sure.  A depressing fact: she doesn't turn 20 till September.  She wasn't even born when There's Nothing Left came out. She wasn't even born when I was seeing Lisa.  Gawd,  I'm ancient. Jane and Scott did the jobs and forms that I threw at them.  Probably the best set of temps that I ever had working for me.  

Needless to say, Spring Processing this year was the most chaotic that I have ever seen.  The petty fights and constant bitching from first shift.  I don't think I ever had this many run ins with my former printing senior Leonard aka Skittles a nick name that came to be after I had to redo a batch that had pages that needed to be slit, Madison always got a good laugh out of that when I call him Skittles.  He's better known as Captain Panic.  Me and Tony Woods would raz him back in the 90s about getting laid than he did.  But that was a long time ago.  I like to think I have a good working relationship with Lenny but this spring season seemed otherwise.  Retirement sounds good at this point.

With Spring Processing coming to an end, I can finally get back to playing guitar once again.  Since there are issues with Geoff Redding, The Townedgers have once again been pushed on the backburner once again and the new album destined for the archives.  This month had me playing drums for a couple songs at Rumors, and a good sign that the COVID is subsiding, more drummers are showing up for the Sunday and Wednesday jams.  Julie has been keeping busy with projects with Dave, tho I haven't heard anything about the Friday Night Checkers' reunion with Ryan.   I haven't pushed my own music projects on her.  Five years later after Kyle, she hasn't found that right person to replace him, and whatever I bring to the cause isn't her type of music.  Four years ago, we took in a movie and date night for the first time and somehow defied the odds and stayed together.  Kyle took the key to her heart when he passed on.  I'm simply a substitute in his absence.  Afterwards, the DOA reunion might be the last time that happens.  Ryan  was out of it most of the time, when Julie doesn't talk about it, something told me that it was a bad gig.  

David Bosier passed away from kidney failure this week.  I made a note of it and once again somebody made a comment about they didn't know that I was that close to him.  Fact of the matter is that I never knew David personally but rather a fellow musician that I noted that passed away.  Kevin Sinmacher knew him better and David did play in a few bands around the area.   He lived to be 70 years old and still had his hair   I'll be lucky if I can survive 65 and have any hair left.

For almost six years, I have been a small part of the CR music scene, be it smart assed drummer that sits on a couple songs at Rumor s  on Sundays, or the legend in his own mind acoustic troubadour elsewhere or the backbeat to Blues Rox with Russ back into play.  It looks to be this summer will be more a Blues Rox thing than anything else.  Spring processing made me put the guitar up for the month and I haven't played anywhere with guitar in hand.  I'll talk to Jim Jacobmeyer about a gig at the Sanctuary this summer before Fall Processing wrecks everything again.

10 years ago, Nicole moved out here in a almost year long relationship which ended on a bad note.  She has rebounded and finally get married in July, with a guy she's been going with the past five years.  Nicole was a big supporter of the Townedgers but never got to see or hear me play live.  It wasn't a fun time for neither one of us, mostly staying at home on weekends, watching TV and getting the strangest fights.  We had a great long distance love and when she came out to visit things were great, but something changed when she was down here.  I remember one night after having fun, that she decided to put together a book shelf at 3 AM in the morning and wanted me to help her, to which I was no help at all and all of a sudden I broke something and the finished project would lean.  When we broke up, I took this shelf home and filled it full of records and it has stayed standing straight up.  It's a stark reminder of when things went south but it does hold about 400 albums and CDs.  She has a good man now.  I wish her all the best.

I still haven't heard word about FB and Company doing the First Saturday Of The Month Jam since I haven't played there since March of last year.  The Phil Bo King jam last week did bring out some of those jammers from that place, Captain Kirksey, Chuck Savage, Corey Baker, Jeff Allen and Dakota McWhortor were there to play, Ron was there to watch.  I do think the next time Phil Bo has a jam, I will bring regular drums, the electric ones just didn't work for me.  I am not a fan of electric drums at all. 

Rumors Jam 5/29/21

Songs

Broken Hearts Are For Assholes (attempted) 
Further Down The Road

Bobby McGee

Gold Dust Woman

Dreams

Love Me Like A Man (Aborted) 

Kat Blue-Vocals

Tom Berdo-Harp

Tommy Bruner-Guitar and Vocals

Billy Bourbon-Guitar

Morris-Guitar

Dave Bonham-Bass

Terry McDowell-Host

R.Smith-Drums

Memorial day weekend and many folk were out enjoying the day or watching other bands. Bob Miller and Rick Wengel were the other drummers there.  Dave stayed to play bass, Kimberly did her usual signature songs.  Not a particularly good set by me, I added some Keith Moon drum fills to Gold Dust Woman which showed me to once again be ahead by a half step to the jammers.   Before hand, I went to listen to Sleeze Rox at Chrome Horse.  Some interesting choice of music but they didn't play Britzkrieg Bop right.  Plus they were loud, I could hear them over at Sinclair Park three blocks away.  I can't think of any other bands that played Britney Fox (Girlschool) than the Roxx.   Not my cup of tea but they did entertained the folks that did showed up.  

Nothing more to add about the Rumors' jam. Greg Nost is still nursing through his injuries and Al Hendricks stayed home. Bob Miller got talked into playing before another 15 minute break before we got back to playing again.  I could have swore that we played five songs but Broken Hearts was just messing around and Love Me Like A Man didn't happen due a change of new people.  To which I was on my way to the store to pick up stuff for another week of spring processing bullshit and housesitting while Julie is visiting relatives.    To which we are thankful that we did get to share our talents with the world.  With June coming up, I can get back to playing guitar and shaking the rust off the Acoustic Adventures. 

Till next month. 

Rumors-Terry McDowell Birthday Jam 2021

Songs played

Honey Hush

Money (that's what i want)

Back In The USSR

Statesboro Blues

House Of The Rising Sun

Dan Johnson-Bass and Lead Vocals 1-3

Tommy Bruner-Guitar and  backing vocals

Billy Bourbon-Guitar and vocals

Gary Darling-Bass on House On The Rising Sun

Bill Ginkens-Lead vocal and guitar on Statesboro Blues.

Nick Lnenicka-Harmonica

Morris-Guitar

Rhett Cole-Guitar and vocal on House of the Rising Sun, Statesboro Blues

R.Smith-Drums

Terry McDowell-Birthday Boy

(Steve Black Wolf, Donna Jo and me up front, Al Hendricks, Nick Lnenicka in the back) 

Notes:

In between a monsoon, we celebrated the big guy's birthday with a new pair of drum sticks and five interesting songs of different arrangements, except for a belch on Back in the UssR, it was a cool performance.

Other drummers: Mike Lint, DJ Hovenstot, Herm Sarduy, Rick Krecji, Sir Bob Miller and Kim Bean (8 drummers all total). Kim showed up with Craig DeWitte, who still can't remember me from yesterday. 

Dave Bonham was there with a new date, Della McMenomy (who used to go with Tommy).  Small world indeed.  Herm was asking about Belinda James to which he made her mad and she's not talking to him.  Miss B has been keeping a low profile of late.  

Yesterday, I took part in Phil Bo's Quarantine jam at his place for a couple hours and got to jam with Captain Kirksey and Chuck Savage once again, Jim from California played drums before leaving.  I managed to last two hours before going home and going back to bed due to exhaustion from working 10 to 12 hour nights and allergy issues.   With spring processing winding down, I might get time once again to frequent the other jams on weeknights.  Thought about an  Mad City getaway on the week Julie goes to the west coast to visit family but she wants me to housesit.  Jules is supposed to help out Ryan Paul at Checkers but the thinking is that Dave will replace Ryan on Friday.  In all fairness, I wish Julie would put an end once and for all about Dreams Of Arcadia playing again.  I haven't spoken with Ryan at all but the tire place he runs has consumed all of his time. 

It was 10 years ago, that Nicole, my former love, moved to be with me, but the 11 months she was here, we  never seem to be on the same page.  She is slated to be married in July with the guy she has been seeing the past five years and I wish them all the best.  Nicole was a big supporter of the Townedgers but she never did see me play live, which might have saved our relationship had I been playing   We shared some good times but in the end it wasn't destined to be.  

Camp Run A Mack happens next Saturday.  Never been there but perhaps I might surprise the gang.  Week night jams will not be happening till the temps are been laid off. 

The Birthday Boy (Below) 

Idle Thoughts: Four Day Creep

 An overabundance of drummers made me a spectator but I was there to see Four Day Creep coming back to life after a year's away from playing gigs.  Still as loud and joyous as ever.   A big crowd was there too.

8 drummers were there.  Anyway, here's most of 4DC, Rick Clay (gtr), Tami Soukup (fan), Andi Clay (Rick's wife), Troy Mitchell (best drummer out there), Ian Jacoby (MVP) and Jeff Brown (Roadie and sound guy) 

Rumors-Mother's Day Jam

Songs

Margaretville (pfft)

Brown Eye Girl

Feel Like Making Love

Mustang Sally

Knockin On Heaven's Door

Before You Accuse Me

Me n Julio Down By The Schoolyard

The Old Man Down the Road

Russ Glacklin sang on the first four numbers (of course)

Billy Bourbon-sand on the last four numbers and played guitar

Tommy Bruner-Guitar and vocals

Jeff Taylor-Keyboards 

Morris-Guitar

Tom Berdo-Harmonica on the last four numbers

I played Drums

Terry McDowell Hosted.

In order to have fun, we have to spice up the songs that we have done time and time again.  I know what songs Russ is going to sing, the object is to stomach it through.

We are going to play you Jimmy Buffet (GAG)

I'm sure you heard this one before (making choking gestures)

Sing along if you know the words (GAAAAAAB)

Okay, it was a bit over the top as I motioned the drum stick into my throat but people got a kick out of it. Actually I did managed to throw a decent beat to the overplayed Feel Like Making Love and cha cha beat to Mustang Sally, but I was following  Jeff Taylor's keyboard work to the latter song.  He had a nice keyboard riff so to speak.  Jeff Taylor is hosting the Checker's jam on this Thursday.  Like the previous four, I have to take a rain check while babysitting temps at work.

Due to the 10 hour workdays, I have put the acoustic adventures on hold till I can back into playing guitar with confidence.  The rust has corrosive itself big time and I don't feel I can put on a decent performance.  However playing drums is different; I don't need to   

Quite a big crowd at Rumors and DJ Hovenstot replaced me after my award winning act.  Kat Blue came up to play soon afterward, but no Tim Kaufman sighting.  Third week in a row he has not jammed.    Billy dusted off Me And Julio and it's more percussion than actual drums, Old Man Down The Road I don't think I played since the old Stone Garden Band of 1985.  

I did stayed long enough for Kat Blue to run through Gold Dust Woman with DJ on drums.  Tom Berdo from Notes From The Underground joined me on the second batch of songs after Russ did his usual favorites.  Most of the Rumors gang were there as well.  I think Dave Bonham went to the Stone City open mic.  Steve Black Wolf was at Rumors but didn't play.  Julie was hard at work putting more flowers in her yard.  The hardest working gardener in town.  

Doug Ducey is moving to the Quad Cities.  One less legend to jam with, but perhaps I'll look him up in the next time I take the guitar to the QC on a acoustic jam in the future.  I will miss him. 

Rumors-Greg Nost Returns

Songs played

Cadillac Ranch

Good Lovin'

Long Time Gone

Midnight Rambler

Billy Bourbon-lead vocal on the first two songs and guitar

Tommy Bruner-Lead vocal on the last two songs and slide and lead guitar

Morris-Guitar

Tim Canfield-Bass

Nick Lnenicka-Harmonica

Terry McDowell- Host of the jam for five years running

Me, I just sat in drums on these songs.

(Skeets Lewis, George Madilon, Al Hendricks, Greg Nost and friend)

Small crowd of jammers and I would have played more, but Rick Wiengal showed up to played drums, which enabled me to spend time with Julie and help move dirt around her yard.  Her place, with all the seeds and trees looks like Culver Garden's West.   Dave Bonham and Ronnie Boles also figured into the playing and singing.   It was the first time that Greg Nost returned to the jam since March of last year. He was missed.  Tom Berdo and Berdie came later on.  When I was leaving, Tom and Greg were sharing a blunt.  I don't toke but since I had to deal with the bullshit at work, I thought about trying it for the first time.

I haven't done Long Time Gone, nor Cadillac Ranch but both were extended and of course a nice romp through Midnight Rambler.  To which Tommy and I discussed about the best Big Country album ever made, The Buffalo Skinners with Simon Phillips playing drums.  Tommy does know good music, after all he's been part of the CR music scene for 50 years himself.  I do wish Terry would get Al to play some guitar again.  He's fun to jam with.

Thoughts From The Townedger-April Edition

Spring processing is gonna be the death of me yet. Got my COVID 2 shot on Tuesday and ended up sleeping two days away.  Meanwhile half of Blues Rox made it to the wed night jam with Freddy Jones and Dave Bonham.  Would have been nice to partake this jam but somehow the need to sleep won out.  There will be other chances I gather. 

Since turning sixty, I have battled my body on a lot of things.  Can't eat nothing without having the GD shits day in and day out, my blood pressure will not go under 150 and I hate the constant battle of shaving.  Every four fucking days, my brillo face returns and not amount of shaving will not get rid of the 14 hairs that get caught in my jacket zipper.  I have never looked good in a beard and the constant fighting of shaving every four days is getting tiring. Oh, but I can always cut myself shaving and still miss the fucking stubble.  Another of God's great practical joke I can do without.  Also, to add more insult, I continue to lose more hair.  The golden years doesn't seem so damn golden it seems.

But here I am still.  I managed to show up for the Sunday jams in the local area.  Due to the 12 work days, I have not played much guitar and when I do play, it's a ragged performance.   For May, it will continue to be spring processing first till the middle of the month and perhaps then I can finally get back into playing again.  But I haven't been much enthused about playing.  Music should be fun, this should be fun.  Blues Rox will be the main cause for the summer,  including playing the Jones County Fair in July, non paying of course but we'll get free admission to ride the rides.  And a August sleepover in Williamsburg.  

Spring processing has been as advertised, another clusterfuck.  Julie has been busy gardening and doing her best to plant to bring the butterflies to her yard, as well as practicing in her band and with Dave.  She's got a lot determination in the digging and planting of her seeds.  God bless her for doing her best to keep the insects around.  I haven't been much help due to my 10 hour days at work, but we had disagreements along the way.  True love travels a bumpy road.   She has once again hooked up with Ryan about playing again with Dreams Of Arcadia.  A thorny situation if there's ever was one.  The way I look at things, is that it's a choice, be it gardening or playing in bands and even being with me.  I will not tell what she should do.  Their partnership has brought some intense gigs between then.  I've been a part of some of them and some of them turned out to be one of the best gigs I've been in.  I admire Julie for her unweaving faith in negative  experiences such as Dreams Of Arcadia, but I also believe it's a toxic affair.   I want her to succeed in what she does, but so far none of her experiences has been as fruitful as they were when Kyle was alive.  I haven't done much with Ryan since last year and our political views clash tho it hasn't hampered us getting together and playing.   I think it's a lost cause, but whatever Julie wants to do with DOA, I'll support, but after spring processing.  She did get me to think about retiring in five years.  Maybe she'll get that wish....if I'm not dead by then.

My political views are mine and my own.  I will jam with folks who are as red as they can be but they will not force me to agree with their rhetoric.   I've notice that my relations with my drumming brother Rocky have cause friction between us, judging by my last conversation with him, he hightailed it after I told about getting the COVID 2 shot.  And he wasn't going to get it, nor does Sharon, who now is a part of his life.  Their life and I respect that.  But I can't change somebody who decided that since I don't agree with their Conservative views that I'm not worthy to be on their level, if that's the case, perhaps I should have left him shivering there on a New Year's Eve night when his truck failed him.   We have too many fair-weather people that want your help but when you are down and out, they'll leave you out there shivering on a cold winter's night.   I didn't care for the former POTUS or his servants such as Ashley Hinson or Joni Ernst, who are two of the most worthless congresspeople ever, but I will not bring that up to Rocky or Sharon or others.  If Rocky or Sharon show up to hear me play, I will return the favor but if he or she would rather to leave them both alone, they will get that wish. 

I am not sure what the month of May will br.  If I managed to survive the processing season and still have a girlfriend  or if I will continue the Acoustic Adventures.  Likewise, I will be all in on the Rumor's Sunday Funday jam and if time allows it, one or two of the Checker's Thursday Jams.  Promoting the new Towndger's album is done.  Maybe Jim Jacobmeyer will continue to convince me to do a Acoustical showcase but for the grand opening of the new Artisan Sanctuary in Cedar Rapids, that's not going to happen, maybe June at the very earliest.  Pat Ticklenburg will host the debut and he'll be fine.  If I can get my BP back down to normal and get some things taken care of, maybe I'll be back to help out the cause, but Blues Rox, as mentioned is number 1 on the list.  Till they find another drummer.

Maybe, I'll shave my head and get rid of the unwanted 450 hairs on top of my head.  Hopefully next month we'll be in a better frame of mind.   If I'm not dead yet.  God Bless Ed Cassidy.

Stone City/Rumors 4/25/21

Stone City Songlist

Fox On The Run

Rainbow In The Dark

Greenback Dollar

It's My Time 

Satin Sheets

Logic And Lies

Lynchin' Party 

Cheating Songs

Jet Airliner

Baby What You Want Me To Do/

Let's Work Together/

Cinnamon Girl

Ring Of Fire

Rumors song list;

When Will I'll Be Loved

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Johnny B Goode

You Never Call Me By My Name

Further Up The Road

Call Me The Breeze

All Summer Long/Sweet Home Alabama/Warewolves Of London Medley 

Mary Jane's Last Dance

Fast As You

Long Hair Country Boy

Before You Accuse Me

Women I Never Had

With
Morris-Guitar

Tara Primasing-Vocals (When Will I Be Loved, Hit Me)

Billy Bourbon-Guitar and vocals

Jamie Allen Vance-Guitar and vocals

Kat Blue-Vocals (Further Up the Road, Call Me The Breeze)

Tim Canfield-Bass

Terry McDowell-Drums and main host

Tommy Bruner-Sat this one out

Fab Five Freddy Jones-Harmonica

R. Smith-featured drummer on these songs.

Kat Blue is Kimberly Trevellion Sphr and from this moment on will be known as Kat Blue.

Stone City Crowd Included: Bill Lasker,  Barb Francisco, Greg Francisco and Carl Meiners, Karl Hudson, Bill Schlatter, Mike Fredericks, Dave Bonham with Rocky Smith and Tiffany Malanaphy in attendance 

Rumors had a big crowd as well.  Lorie Parker and Donna Jo was there, Steve Black Wolf was there as well as Richard Edward Butler and Sir Bob Miller.   And Al Hendricks, George Madilon, Skeeter Lewis and Brenda Snow, who true to form, sneaked out during my appearance.  I think Joe Hutchcroft is better off anyway.

No Tim Kauffman to speak of and Herm Sarduy was already done and Bob Miller was backing up Lorie and Donna Jo and Kat Blue on their song set.  Terry managed to let me finish the jam with a hour  ten minute set of songs. I remember at least 11 songs of note, with Tara singing the obvious two female lead offs.  I think Jaime plays in a country band judging by the three country songs he sang.   Somehow, I managed to get people dancing on the songs that I played.  George Madion always says I got the beat to make him dance.  It's a good feeling when I find the right swing of beat to get them dancing, which means the bartenders are happy since dancing makes people dancing.

Working 10 hour days the past two weeks has made me pretty tired over the weekend.  Still I managed to hit both open mics and jams.  I was surprised I did 13 songs from Stone City; Karl Hudson has been more than generous of granting me a half hour playing songs.  With my place of employment being very busy I have not picked up the guitar and played all that much. At least this time I didn't fuck up Fox On The Run but I did use the cheat sheet for Rainbow In The Dark.  I think the performance was a little bit rusty as they say and I couldn't remember the words to Jet Airliner, to which went to being overworked at work and not paying attention to the lyrics at the open mic.  Karl granted me an extra song to which I did a blues medley before going into Cinnamon Girl.  Ring Of Fire ended this set list and I don't usually end it with Ring Of Fire but my voice was giving out and I needed a drink.  Afterwards I chatted with my opposite brother Rocky Smith for a while and was surprised to see Tiffany in the audience.  I'm surprised she knew me from my hat n glasses.  Her band played North Liberty and was with friends so had to say hi and chat with her for a minute.  Bill Lester came from Manchester and told me about some Wednesday open mics up in Dubuque, to which I may check out once spring processing comes to an end.

Barb Francisco came down to Stone City and her hubby Greg played a couple of Bag Pipes number, which were quite loud.   I left when Dave and Mikey started to play and made my way to Rumors.

For being tired and worn out from the 10 hour days, it was fun to play a lot of songs this time out. You have to put up with the adversaries' hanging around.  Whatever the case, a lot of folk are beginning to come out of their houses and home to have fun with.  We'll see if this will continue.  

And if you read this far, Eugene Levy won the battle of the bands over the weekend.  No relation to the famed SCTV actor.