Happy 4th of July everyone!! The fireworks will be poppin’ Sunday night but you don’t have to wait ‘til then to party party! This is the weekend we’ve been waiting for and how ironic that our June heat wave has broken, for now at least. There are so many incredibly talented bands playing for us this week that I know I can’t write about them all, nor print all their pictures. Just hang on to the Who’s Where When pages so you’ll have an easy reference when deciding where to go.
    This past week for me was all about the ladies. I started out at BJ’s to hear the one and only Lauren Glick tearin’ up the place with her searing and soaring vocals complementing the wonderful sounds of Mike, Tim & Bubba of The Mood Swingers. BJ’s features No Byscuyts tonight and Tommy Edward & Melissa Rose Sat. night - both hot!
    Then at the Steer Inn, I had a blast listening to Full Circle with more incredible vocals from Kathy Denk, Michelle Schachter and Dave Wimbrow (yeah, the guy can really sing, too. In fact, he is one very talented fellow on keyboards and guitar). Anyway, this group brings down the house no matter where they play such as Seacrets on Mondays. They braved the storm and managed to get their equipment to the Tiki stage to finish out the night, and they were great.
    We can hear Full Circle Sat. night at Dead Freddies, first time playing there. It’s gonna be packed. And speaking of Dead Freddies, it was a tremendously successful ribbon cutting and party there Mon. night. The food was excellent as many happy diners have been experiencing. I rounded a bend on the deck and suddenly it was ‘kiddy city’ at the pirate boat. They were having so much fun. Take your family for good food and fun, then you big kids come back later for great music and cool drinks.
    My other favorite lady, Mary Lou, was finally back in town to play with her incomparable Untouchables at Fager’s Island. They really had the crowd goin’ from start to finish. It was so good to have them back and I hope they return soon. This Sunday the tribute concert series begins with the return of 2U advertised as the second best U2 Band on the planet. I’ve heard them a few times, now, and that is the truth. If you haven’t been, now’s your chance.
    And that makes me think of my other favorite (well, I have many) tribute band - Bruce In The USA!!! Yey, Matt and his band are returning to Seacrets on Monday for a special show beginning at 8pm. Take note - don’t be late. Hopefully you’ll buy your tickets ahead ‘cause there’s a good chance this show will sell out. You’re gonna be blown away by this band. Of course, you all know that Seacrets has their own fireworks Sunday night - it was most enjoyable for their 22nd birthday on Tuesday. They always do a fabulous job.
    But if you’re downtown, there’s no better place to be than the Purple Moose where another favorite tribute band (told ya) will be playing a Led Zeppelin concert - that’s Kashmir. Now, they will perform this time out on both Sunday and Monday, so if you can’t get close on Sun., try again Mon. The Purple Moose continues their Tribute Thursday series with Van Halen tribute band Everybody Wants Some this Thurs. And for Fri. and Sat., our favorite long-hair band Surreal will be rockin’ it out.
    Another fine artist will be heard Friday night at the Steer Inn Tavern. Gary Brown “the Bushmaster” will perform his unique collection of blues and rock tunes, delving deeply into the archives of one his idols, the late great Jimi Hendrix. Growing up he left sports to others like his neighbor Sugar Ray Leonard ‘cause all he wanted to do was play that guitar. Years of experience are evident in his playing as you’ll find out for yourself when you meet this talented and friendly guy.
    I met another Garry this weekend who is also dynamite on guitar and in not so different a genre either. Garry Cogdell, lifelong friend of Mark Kenneally, came to M.R. Ducks last Sun. to play with Dr. Harmonica & Rockett 88. Mark introduced him as the man who taught George Thorogood how to play slide guitar. The Delaware-based musician plays regularly at the Country Store in St. Georges (at the foot of the old St. Georges Bridge), right across the street from the “The Shack” recording studio which he bought from George Thorogood and renamed “The Last Stand,” alluding to The Alamo. His latest CD Over The Years, as the name would imply, is a compilation of tracks laid down from 1993 forward, recorded at various studios. Mark (aka Dr. Harmonica) plays harp on the second track, “Jimmy Reed,” recorded in 1995. To paraphrase from the liner notes: He was directly inspired by veteran blues legend Sleepy John Estes, and many musicians with whom he collaborates are members of George Thorogood and The Destroyers, the act chosen to represent the blues at the global (and now also legendary) Live Aid concert. Cogdell can turn in a mean Delta blues or recreate and adapt the sound of British blues-rock; and also recorded a song called “Native American” with Shannon Hale, bringing to mind the currently very popular, driving, deep Mississippi hill-country sound. Thanks to him for sharing his music with me and I hope more of you will have the opportunity to hear him.
    Well, that’s all she wrote this week, my friends. Happy 4th and please, party safe!