"G-L-O-R-I-A Gloria!!!" As performed by birthday girl Patti Smith and written by Van Morrison

Have You Heard---

This week in history: January 2

In 1879, Thomas Edison first demonstrated the Incandescent bulb. Ironically, just this week, it became illegal to manufacture them in the US.

In 1979, Soviets invaded Afghanistan in an attempt to wrest control of the country from the mujahedeen insurgents. The Soviets pulled out after 9 years of losses. Maybe we could have learned from that?

In 1985, Rick Nelson and 6 others were killed when a fire aboard their DC-3 caused the plane to crash, on the way to a NYE party. Thanks to my older sisters, I was an early fan of “Ricky” Nelson

Birthdays: 

Sandy Koufax 78, Sir Anthony Hopkins (one of the best) 76, Michael Nesmith (Hey Hey, we’re the Monkeys) 71, Jack Hannah 67, Patti Smith 67, Edgar Winter 67, Karla Bonoff 62, David Knopfler 61, Tracy Ullman 54, Tia Carrera 47, Tiger Woods 38, LeBron James 29, Trombone Shorty 28.

Local notables celebrating birthdays this week: Ingrid Lord and Pamela Gray. Just 2 of our local, lovelies celebrating birthday’s this week? Happy Birthday Ladies!!!!

“This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.”

Will Rogers

Weather from atop Mt Washington. This was recorded last night at 7PM: Dense fog, visibility 1/16 mile, wind west at 70MPH, high/low temp  -11/-14 degrees, snow depth 16”  Looks like we’ve got some weather coming too.

Here we go---   

Brodies Seaport  

Friday – No info available 9PM

Saturday – No info available 9PM 

SUNDAY/FUNDAY - Special guests – No info available 4:30PM

Grapevine

Sunday –  No info available 11:30AM

Monday – No info available 6PM

Tuesday – No info available 6PM

Gulu Gulu

Thursday – Mosey Greams 8PM

Friday – DJ Andrew Galante 8PM 

Saturday – Eric French 8PM

Howling Wolf

Friday – Ross Livermore 10PM

Saturday - Adria Smith Trio 10PM

Sunday - Steve Spungin 10PM

In a Pigs Eye

Thursday - Pocket Money Orchestra 9PM

Friday – Blues Jam 4:15, Ali Manion and Friends 9PM

Saturday – Tearin' Up Jake 9PM

Sunday – Henley Douglas 8PM

Monday – Open Mic 9PM

Tuesday - TWO for TWOsdays with Erinn Brown and Steve Peabody 8PM

Wednesday – Thrift Store Roots Project 9PM

The Lobster Shanty

Friday – Vein 8PM

Murphy’s

Saturday – Britannica 5PM  

O’Neill’s

Sunday – Irish Session 4PM

Opus, O_Underground

Thursday – Reggae  9PM

Friday – Unplugged 9PM

Saturday – One Night Only 9PM

Monday – Jazz 9PM

Rockafellas

Friday – Lucky 13 9PM

Saturday – Spike The Punch 9PM

Vic’s Boathouse

Saturday – The Jackleg Preachers 9PM

The Village Tavern

Friday – 73 Duster 9PM

Saturday – The Juice Brothers 4PM, Close2Home 9PM

Last week---

Friday found me out and about where I attended the weekly jam down at In a Pigs Eye. WOW. That was one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen in a while. I’m guessing it’s cus it was vacation week for lots of folk. Great show, as per usual. After, I went down to Brodies to catch a bit of Lois Lane and the Dailey Planets, who you know I love. I’ll tell you, those early starts get to me and I have a hard time finishing so I called an early night. I wanted to get over to Howling Wolf to hear a bit of my good friend, Joe Mack, but NOOOOO!

It’s been a busy few weeks and the weather has been less than tropical. It was easy to talk myself out of venturing out for Sunday/Funday cus it was FECKIN FREEZING out. You know I almost always dismount and fight on foot and it was just too tempting to stay in.

NYE was another night Pam and I chose to stay in. Yes, there were a couple of fab shows but there is always great music in our little town. So, yup. We skipped amateur night this year and did a LOST marathon instead. Besides, what could be better than a night in with such a lovely lady? I would have loved to catch MERJ at Brodies and Big Ol Dirty Bucket at OPUS but it’s a new year and a fresh start. I didn’t watch Lost when it was on regularly and I can’t stop watching it now on streaming vid. Looks like I might have an opportunity to stay in again tonight (Thursday) cus of the blizzard outside, but truthfully, I feel a need to show up at the Lobster Shanty (I LOVE THIS PLACE) tonight in my Abominable Snowman outfit. Last time I did that, Vein was playing and it was Lee, Heather and the band and no one else there. I remember Lee telling the guys they didn’t have to continue cus “It’s only Bob” at the bar. So the 6 of us proceeded to try and finish some of the stock behind the bar. Yeah, tonight will be good for that. If you want to join us, either walk or take a taxi because there will be nowhere to park in town tonight. BRING IT ON Mother Nature!!!

My picks in the coming week:

Well I told you where I will be tonight. I may even break out the cross country skis for this. I’m hoping Monkey is on the bar tonight but she may not be able to make it from Lynnfield. Someone will be there for me.

As is usually the case, it’s the beginning of the month and a few venues haven’t posted their entertainment schedules yet. I give you what I can.

In a few weeks I’ll be headed south for a few weeks, visiting friends and family from Charlotte NC to Ft Lauderdale where I’m meeting Keith and MAM for the Riverwalk Blues Festival and staying at the world renowned Bahia Cabana, my favorite, one star motel in all of Florida. What a fun place. I’ll try and get some info out before I leave on the 31st, but you’re on your own the following 2 weeks. I”LL BE BACK!!!

Don’t forget that you are running out of time to git your BUTT down to the Shanty before they close for the season, January 15. Vein play this week and next, then that’s it. And see if you can get yourself on Flooze’s “Wall of Shame”, where she’ll put your name only if you finish their last bottle of your particular poison.

Saturday, we have Britannica playing Murphy’s at 5PM. This will be a great way to relax after all the fun you’ve been having with the snow. I’ll be there. You?

You know Sunday/Funday is happening but I just can’t find who the special guest(s) will be this week. But fear not cus Henley Douglas and Friends close out your Christmas vacation, Sunday night down at the Pig.

Tuesday it’s TWOForTWOsday with Erinn Brown and that fave of all of us, Steve Peabody (PBD!!!!) back at In a Pigs Eye. I may be out and about for this special night so maybe see ya there.

Judy Rudd (Hey Jude) and her new band Thrift Store Roots Project return to In a Pigs Eye Wednesday night. Well, it looks like a busy week for this lad. That’s good cus when you’re retired, the Eagle Fly’s on the first of the month, so I may have a bit of cash left by Wednesday.

Also, on Wednesday and , “hardly out of the way”, The DEJAS and Friends have their weekly, open mic at OPUS Underground.

Well, Happy New Year, one and all and hope to see you out there this week.

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. But sometimes I make up words too, CORDWANGERS!!!

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

And tip your bartenders and servers.  

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

Peace, Love and Zydeco.