Hello all and Happy 4th of July!! I just love fireworks, don’t you? I’m getting a double dose this week - it was a fantastic display for Seacrets’ 21st anniversary on Monday. What a party! I’m planning on watching this year’s Independence celebration from Tony’s Pizza and/or the Purple Moose (Stiff Richard will play at 10pm). The festivities begin at 8pm with a beach concert from Rick K and the Allnighters, a favorite at Springfest. Northside Park will also have entertainment prior to fireworks at 9:30 - Dr. K’s Motown Review at 8pm. So you have several choices. I’m told the racetrack will shoot off fireworks on Friday night; so maybe you’ll check that out and you can have a double dose, too (or triple if you were at Seacrets like me). Then you can hurry over to the Steer Inn Tavern where Tranzfusion will be rockin’ the house with the best of the best classic rock - always a hit. Sat. at the Steer come out to hear a new band for us - The Winchesters. Michael, also guitarist with Rocket 88, heads this group who play a great mix of roots rock, rockabilly. Whatever you want to call it, it’s upbeat.
    The first Summer Concert Series at Fager’s Island was a huge success thanks to the incredible talent of Mary Lou & The Untouchables. Her many fans were on hand to welcome her back to Fager’s Island where she played often until about 2003, the best we could remember. Mary Lou always gives 110 percent but I think she topped that. There was an absolute roar from the audience after every song and the dance floor was rockin’ right up ‘til closing. The whole band, including the awesome horn section, was just thrilling. And we even had a performance from our own Delegate Jim Mathias. I sure hope we have them back again - it was a super fun night.
    Fun is definitely the word for the next band to play the Sunday series - Parrotbeach. This group is a Jimmy Buffett tribute band and we all know Jimmy’s music is all about fun. Break out your island gear, funny hats allowed, and join Remy and the boys for an exciting night this Sunday. And if you come early, you can enjoy the music of Landers & Heinz out on the deck.
    The Ocean Pines Yacht Club begins their Thursday Summer Concert Series with the return of David Stone: The Johnny Cash Experience this coming Thur., July 9. David delivers Cash songs with the same style as the late ‘man in black’ and also share some background facts about the songs he sings. Mia Johnson joins him onstage as June Carter Cash to perform many of the duets for which they are remembered. It’s a show well worth seeing - again and again. Upcoming shows are Sir Rod on July 23 and Mario Rocco on Aug. 13. This weekend is packed with great entertainment as well from Overtime Band on Fri., to the Zion Reggae Band on Sat., and Tommy Edward on Sun. Remember, the Yacht Club is open to the public.
    Okay, I had egg on my face a few weeks back when I raved about Bruce In The USA; well, this coming Thur. (July 9), they will be performing in the Morely Hall at Seacrets (special time 8pm) and I can’t wait. Guess I’ll repeat myself with his info, but in case you didn’t read it before, here it is.  Matt Ryan, from the World Famous “Legends In Concert” cast, played the Springsteen character for eight years in their “full scale” Las Vegas show. The great success with “Legends” evolved his character into the Bruce In The USA show. His amazing portrayal of “The Boss” (not to mention his jaw-dropping resemblance) is as close as you can get to seeing the real thing in concert. Matt pours every ounce of energy he has into each and every performance, recreating the high-energy musical experience of an E. St. Band show.  Backed by a strong, powerful Clarence “The Big Man” Clemence ... and a smokin’-handed “Little Steve,” Bruce In The USA takes this genre of performance art to a whole new level, making it the world’s #1 tribute to the E. St. Band’s legacy. You’ve gotta see this show, Thursday at Seacrets.
    If you didn’t catch the Jimmie’s Chicken Shack show last Mon. at Seacrets, shame on you. I’m definitely a new fan; boy did they rock it out. Morely Hall was packed and the floor was pumping up and down with the excitement of hundreds of avid fans singing along to their favorite tunes. And the opening act, The Cheaters, were excellent too. Maybe we’ll see them again at Seacrets.
    I had the best dinner at Horizons last week (read all about it on page 7) with hubby Ron. We got to hear the first hour of New Censations who are indeed a sensational band playing all genres of music to the delight of the dance crowd. This weekend will be crowded with First Class fans who can catch them in the afternoon as well on the deck at Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grill (also the Clarion). Remember in addition to their fabulous menu, they have the best buffet in town that has absolutely everything you could want.
    I stopped in last week to hear Bryan Russo at Galaxy 66 (every Wed.) where he hosts an open Jam. You never know what talent will show up such as the young man from Pittsburgh, Tracy Smith, who was amazing playing lead and accompaniment riffs to complement Bryan’s piano. Then another fella played harmonica and was quite good, too. Sorry I didn’t get his name. So stop in and jam with Bryan. A new addition to the entertainment at Galaxy 66 is The Zion Reggae Band on Thur. coinciding with their Girls Night Out. The Skye Bar atop the restaurant is a beautiful place to enjoy OC nighttime lights and cool ocean breezes; during the day you can see both bay and ocean - a perfect place to meet your friends and shake off the cares of the world.
    Speaking of perfect places - Jive visitors just revel in the breathtaking sunsets on the bay and now Sundays are even more special with Batman playing romantic music during this gorgeous time of sunshine to dusk to moonlight and sparkling stars. Join him for a magical experience. DJ Beshko spins the tunes Mon.-Fri., Wed. is Guest Bartending night and Tuesday and Thursdays are special Happy Hours with Beatles & Rolling Stones music and giveaways. Stop in Thurs. and sign up for the Punta Cana all-inclusive trip to be awarded at the end of summer. Live music this weekend includes the dynamic Philly George Band on Sat. and a special Sunday performance from Dawn & The Williams Project. Both groups play a wide variety of music and always establish a great rapport with their audiences, promoting dancing and lots of fun.
    A quick note to say that Rock Bottom lived up to the hype last night at the Paddock. Their performance was perfect, the costumes outrageous (KISS) and the excitement contagious. Great job, guys. Then I took off for the Purple Moose to hear a new band there called The State Of You. This is a side project for drummer Jen who plays with Stiff Richard, the group on tap for this weekend at the Moose. TSOY features lead vocals by newcomer Bobbie. I’m told she’s only been singing professionally for a year but her sound and stage personna belie that brief experience. In other words - she’s a natural! Get ready for the return of fantastic Led Zeppelin tribute band Kashmir playing both Sun. and Mon. These guys put on a rock-solid performance every time out - well worth seeing again.
    That’s it for now. Have a great 4th!!