"Ain't but one way out, Lord, I ain't goin' out that door" Sonny Boy Williamson

Have You Heard---

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

As is usually the case early in the month, some venues have not updated their entertainment calendars for January yet. But one stands out in wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. I’m not sure if they are real early or real late with the update. This is what I’ve got---

This week in History, Birthdays:  Country Joe McDonald 71, Michael Nesmith 70, Marianne Faithful 66, Patti Smith 66,  

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln presented the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves forever.

In 1985, Ricky Nelson died in a fire onboard a plane flying to a gig in Dallas.

In 2006, Saddam Hussein was hanged in a Bagdad prison.

In 2007, The New England Patriots finished their regular season with a 16-0 record. No, they didn’t win the Super Bowl that year.

Wednesday, January 2

The Village Tavern continue their Wednesday night series with Jazz and Blues Night. Take my word, this is a good take.

Rockafellas is back with the Latin Dance Party.  I haven’t been here for this in a while. I think I’ll stop in tonight.

Thursday, January 3

 Gulu Gulu has the Bright Moments Sextet

Henley Douglas Jr continues his cool jazz at Finz tonight.  

43 Church has the weekly residency of The Dejas present The Session.

And The Lobster Shanty has The Bordellos

Friday, January 4

The Weekly Blues Jam at In a Pigs Eye is at 4PM. This is some of the most fun you can have in town. It’s always good music and a great crowd.  See you there.

Alan and the Alligators are at Brodie’s Seaport Café.   

The Lobster Shanty has their house band Vein tonight. Just 2 weeks remain until the Shanty closes for the season

Rockafella’s has The Spinz  

The Tony O Trio are playing at Finz.  

Howling Wolf is featuring Megan McKenzie/Jeff Buckridge Duo. I’ve heard these guys several times and they are THE BOMB.

Gulu Gulu has Smile Makers. Tell me we don’t need that.

43 Church has Soul Review Project Featuring Qwill

Saturday, January 5

Well, look what we got going on here. Village Tavern has The Jackleg Preachers at 4PM today. Tell me that isn’t great!!!  Glad to see someone pick up this time slot. Come out and show some support for the Saturday afternoon show. Keep it going.

The Tavern follow that at 9 with TransMission, an 80’s, 90’s and 00’s cover band.

The Lobster Shanty has Lee Harvey.  

Gulu Gulu has The Doctors Fox

Rockafellas has Mugsy

The Village Tavern has Lois Lane and the Daily Planets. You will most likely find me here tonight because not only do I like this room but I Love These Guys. I’ve only seen/heard them 2 times but they’re a great, lively blues band. My kinda fun.

Glass Onion are at Brodies Seaport Café. This Beatles cover band is a lot of fun

SERIES with Quill and Michael Fiengold are playing down at Howling Wolf tonight.  

Sunday, January 6

Sunday/Funday is the weekly jam at Brodie’s Seaport Café, starting around 4:15. This weekly event, hosted by the amazing talents of Steve Peabody (PBD) and Chris Fitz is always my Pick of the Afternoon  

O’Neill’s has their weekly Irish Session starting around 4 today. Bring the kids. It’s that kind of show.  

Cap’ts has Jazz Brunch at noon. Peter Kostopolous is on the bill.

Monday, January 7

In a Pigs Eye has Julie Dougherty doing the open mic tonight.

Shows you may have missed:

Last Thursday, I wanted to check out this band I had not heard before, The Jessica Prouty Band. I got there early and saw them setting up. Very young, I’m saying to myself to not expect my kind of music. WRONGO KABONGO!!! These guys are GREAT. And Jessica has a voice that reminded me of Paula Cole, but the music was more bluesy. I won’t be missing them next time around. Great show guys.

Yeah, I went to the weekly jam down at In a Pigs Eye again last week. Big crowd. Great Music. You HAVE to check this out. I’ll be there again this week.

Unfortunately, Saturday was a washout, with several canceled shows. Come on people, we are New England here. That was nothing. So I still need to see Girls Night Out Quartet

Sunday/Funday was the usual spectacular show. Cheryl Arena and Sam Gentili were this week’s special guests.  I had not heard Sam before and he is an outstanding guitarist. Cheryl

I have seen all over the Boston area and even happened on her in Memphis, when I was there for the International Blues Challenge several years back. She blew the room away with the harmonica and vocals.

This list was put together with much help from STANSLIST. See his site here:  http://www.stanslist.com  Thanks Stan.  

Please excuse any incorrect spelling and omissions.

Go out and listen to some great LIVE music in the wonderful, strange, hip town of Salem.

And tip your bartenders and servers.  

And always check with the venue as times and schedules change. (and I sometimes mess up)

Hope to see you out there!

Today’s picture was taken at Winter Island on New Year’s Day, showing Emily O’brien and Mike Broderick after they got out of the 42 degree Balmy waters of Salem Harbor. NUTS!!!