Hey, everybody. How ya doin’? Much better here, thank you very much. Seems I made a big mistake last week - blame it on my excitement when I saw that Bruce In The USA was coming back to perform at Seacrets. Well, it’s not this week, but Thursday, July 9. I’m sure I got some other folks excited who are big Springsteen fans like me but hopefully you caught the correct info in the Seacrets ad. So, we can still look forward to this outstanding show. Coming up sooner will be the very popular contemporary reggae group SOJA who will play a special Monday concert along with The Movement at Seacrets. This week’s entertainment has been extended to welcome our firefighters who will be in town next week. The Jim Long Band will play Fri., Sat. and Mon., and Jim will be on hand to keep the Sun. party rollin’ with Power Play. The Kelly Bell Band is making a special appearance at 7pm on Tuesday for the Maryland State Police Memorial and at 6pm the DCFD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums will play. This should be a great night of entertainment and appreciation for our men and women in blue.
    Jeannie at M.R. Ducks is excited to invite you all out to the Talbot St. Dock for an expanded musical lineup there, too, beginning with a special Friday date to hear Roadies. I’ve been hearing really good things about this band and hope to go hear them for myself. Johnny Bling returns on Sat. for another most excellent blow-out party. Then Sunday we hope everyone will join in the musical fun with Bird Dog & The Road Kings. M.R. Ducks has always been a favorite hang-out for our visiting firefighters so in their honor there will be two great bands: Nothin’ But Trouble on Mon. and the Jim Long Band on Tues. Wow!! Five straight days of music from the best bands around. You just can’t beat it.
    A great time was had by all at Macky’s on Wed. where the competition continued for the Fastest Bartender Contest. Joining last week’s winners in the finals next Wed. will be Danny Mehm (Macky’s), Gringo (Sunset Grille), John Wulff (Party Block), Lindsay Miller (2nd St. Caribbean Pool Bar) and Branden Hemp (Fish Tales). Two alternates will also get a chance at the big $1500 first place prize: Nathan Topp (Seacrets) and Paula Driscoll (J.C.’s Northside Pub). You cannot imagine the enthusiasm and energy of this event without experiencing it for yourself; so come on out next week and cheer on your favorite bartender. Meanwhile, Macky’s is always a fun place to party with DJ Casper on Fridays and Thursdays, DJ Cowboy on Sat., DJ Yummy (yes, she’s back) on Tues., and a live band, Crooked Finger, on Sun. Don’t forget the awesome theme parties too; check out their ad for more.
    Micky Fins has been off the hook with excellent entertainment, and equally excellent food, I might add. DJ Paulo starts off the weekend tonight and Landers, Heinz & Piccirilli will return on Sat. Tim Landers has reinvented his long-time solo act with the addition of violinist John Heinz (you have heard him with the Lauren Glick Band). John adds such depth of harmony, and melodic phrasing on his beautiful instrument as well as vocals. Added to the duo is Mike Piccirilli who plays both keyboards and guitar (and sings, too) bringing out a full-bodied sound as a trio. Join them right on the dock at Micky Fins where you can also catch the weigh-in action from the anglers. On Sunday check in to hear the Nation - Woodstok Nation that is. We’ve been hearing Woodstok perform solo but he (Mark Stewart) has assembled a cast of players to form a musical Nation - and they’re playing at Micky Fins on Sun., 2-6 Here’s the lineup of players: Ken (drums), Rusty (bass), Harry (pedal steel guitar), Loral (lead guitar), Judy (vocals) & Woodstok (guitar/vocals). Ask for an original off his CD titled Splitting Image. Check ‘em out. Then that veteran of rockin’, swaggering blues, Tom Larsen, will be on the dock Wed. playing all our long-time favorites as well as new tunes from his latest CD My Paper’s Low.
    The Purple Moose will be rockin’ for sure this weekend with the return of long-hair rockers Surreal. I’ve said it many times - if you want to hear stunning vocals, action-packed instrumentals and your favorite ‘80s-early ‘90s rock, you won’t find a better band than Surreal. The world famous home of rock ‘n roll is always a blast - just ask the partiers who flocked in from the 25th Annual Cindy Beatty Bike Crawl last Sun. We had such a good time dancing to the music being played by DJ Skip Dixxon. The whole Bike Crawl was tons of fun; I cheated and waited for them at M.R. Ducks so I could hear Tranzfusion. I thought the hats and especially ‘super heroes’ costumes were super great this year.
    Hey, speaking of Tranzfusion, they’ll be playing tonight at 707 Sports Bar & Grill. This is a great venue for live rock with an old wooden floor perfect for dancing. I always say that Tranzfusion plays the most note-perfect classic album rock of any band I’ve ever heard. If you’ve never had the pleasure, what are you waiting for? And if you like to sing yourself, join Hey, Mick! every Sat. for Karaoke fun.
    Smitty McGee’s will be celebrating their 20th anniversary next Thurs. with lots of extra entertainment and food & drink specials. Check it out: DJ Wax comes in at 1pm to get the party started; then Randy Lee Ashcraft & Jimmy Rowbottom will play at 4 (and who knows who else may show up to jam). Then at 8pm the Lauren Glick Band will entertain with their own special brand of rock, folk and modern country sounds, featuring Kathy on vocals with Lauren, and John on violin. It’s gonna be a party indeed! Their Sat. band this week will be the incredible blues trio of lower case blues.
    Fager’s Island Jazz Brunch was most enjoyable last Sun. with music by Sonny Sings Sinatra, sitting in for Everett Spells who will be back this week. Bands this weekend include JunkFood on Fri. and Lima Bean Riot on Sat. Save some energy for Mon. night after the Deck Party to come out and hear the Michael LeCompt Band.  It’s always a treat to hear this band based out of Philadelphia (and Jersey) as they bring a varied set list of music and a whole lot of talent to the stage. Michael plays keyboards and guitar and is the lead singer with loads of charisma and a mischievous smile. I guarantee you’ll love them. Fager’s Island Sunday Summer Concert Series is just around the corner featuring the return of Mary Lou & The Untouchables on Sun., June 28.
    Coins is happy to present live music for you this weekend with Full Circle (featuring the vocals of Michelle, Kathy & Dave) on Fri. and Walter Jay and the Texas Flood on Sat. If you’re a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan-style rock, you’ll love Walter. He puts on an incredible show.
    The Ocean Pines Yacht Club is steppin’ up the entertainment with bands all weekend including Two’s Company on Fri., Zion Reggae Band on Sat., and Tommy Edward on Sun. They’ll be featuring their summer concerts soon.
    Happy a great week and party safe!