"I wandered out in the world for years While you just stayed in your room I saw the crescent You saw the whole of the moon" The Waterboys

"There are good ships,

and there are wood ships,

The ships that sail the sea.

But the best ships, are friendships,

And may they always be."

Irish Toast.

Have You Heard---

This week in history: March 13

In 1874, the 13th president of the US, Millard Fillmore, passed away. My aunt, born Doris Fillmore, investigated our heritage and discovered we are directly related. Millard Fillmore, the most ineffective president ever. Figures. And we share the same birth day, thou he’s a bit older.

In 1964, Cassius Clay, the World Heavy Weight Boxing champ, changed his name to Muhummad Ali.

In 1971, in the Fight of the Century, Undefeated Muhammad Ali vs Undefeated Joe Frasier, went the full 15 rounds at Madison Square Garden. Joe Frasier won by decision after knocking Ali down in the 11th round, the first time he was ever knocked down.

Birthdays: 

Barbara (I dream of Genie) Feldon 81, Micky (hey, hey we’re the Monkeys) Dolenz 69, Peter Wolf 68, Bobby (Don’t worry. Be happy) McFerrin 64, William H. Macy 64, Ronnie Earl 61, Sharon Stone (SEXY) 56

Local notables celebrating birthdays this week:   Jen Reardon, Lindsay Meyer, Tim LeVangia. Happy Birthday, kids.

Today’s Weather in St John USVI, 82 degrees and sunny. It’s the same every fookin day. How boring.

It was 24 degrees out and snowing in Salem when I woke this morning. WTF!!!! ENOUGH!!!!

Here we go---   

Brodies Seaport  

Friday – The Transisters 9PM

Saturday – The Merj 9PM 

SUNDAY/FUNDAY - Special guests – Mr. Nick 4:30PM

Grapevine

Thursday - Julie Dougherty is hosting open mic. Tonight’s special guest. Robin Lane, of The Chartbusters fame 7PM

Gulu Gulu

Thursday – Don Hammontree Art & Music 8PM

Friday – Radio Scotvoid 8PM 

Saturday – Groan Uppets AKA Groan Up Puppets 8PM and also The Found Objects 9PM

Howling Wolf

Friday – Nick Consone 10PM

Saturday – Paws Up - Unclawed 10PM

Sunday - Steve Spungin 10PM

In a Pigs Eye

Thursday - Bro Bri and George Hall 9PM

Friday – Blues Jam 4:15, 73 Duster 9PM

Saturday – Juke Joint 5 9PM

Sunday – Diane Blue and Ricky King Russell Duo 8PM

Monday – Open Mic 9PM

Wednesday – Countdown 9PM

O’Neill’s

Sunday – Irish Session 4PM

Opus, O_Underground

Thursday – Reggae 9PM

Friday – Unplugged with DJ Tone 9PM

Saturday – Grits and Groceries Orchestra 9PM

Wednesday – The Dejas Mix 9PM

Rockafellas

Friday – Barflyz 9PM

Saturday – Lucky 13 9PM

Vic’s Boathouse

Saturday – Onset 9PM

The Village Tavern

No info available. They have changed their website and I can’t find music listings.

Last week---

After nearly a month on the road, I returned home to find the best live music in the world right here in Salem. Really, why would you go anywhere else.

Wednesday found me at the Pig where I caught my favorite duo, The MERJ with Jim and Rose. What a great welcome home. I love these guys.

Thursday found me at the Pig (AGAIN) where the best Rock and Roll around were playing, in the form of Dave Bailin and the Bailouts. Really, if you like good, old 60’s kick a$$ R&R, these are your guys. And they have the hard working Steve Peabody (PBD!!!!) on drums. It’s always worth going out just to see how much he enjoys his craft.

I missed the jam Friday cus I had been playing hard all week and needed a break.

Saturday was a beautiful day and Keith called, wanting to go for a bike ride and a bite to drink. After traveling around town, we found ourselfs at Village Tavern, where Ditto were playing. A nice way to while away a Saturday afternoon. Good stuff. I’m guessing they have to make adjustments on their new web site and they really do have music this weekend.

Sunday/Funday. Oh YEAH!!! In addition to the usual superstars (Including the hard working PBD and Chris Fitz) we had Tony Soul as special guest. As always, a great afternoon. AND--- unannounced special guest Elle Gallo got up and belted out a couple of songs. Love that girl. And, lest we forget, John Devine provided backup on several songs on the Mississippi Saxophone (AKA harmonica)

Last night, it was raining but I knew Judy Rudd and Thrift Store Roots Project were playing down the Pig. So I dressed like I was headed out for a night on the water and did the long march down. Judy made it all worthwhile, even singing a song just for me.

I just went upstairs to refill my coffee and it’s SNOWING LIKE CRAZY. And the temp is now 23. STOP!!!!

My picks in the coming week:

Big Big, Bigger than Big weekend coming up. Check it out.

Whoever I may have told that Big Ol Dirty Bucket is playing at the PEM tonight, I am WRONG. It’s NEXT Thursday, the 20th.

I had missed it, what with being away for a while, but Julie Dougherty is now hosting an open mic every Thursday at The Grapevine. Tonight’s special guest is Robin Lane.

Also tonight, Thursday, it’s Bro Bri and George Hall down at In a Pigs Eye. Brian O’Connor is a regular at the Friday jam and he will just amaze you with his voice. You’d never know it to look at him.

The Friday Jam at In a Pigs Eye. What’s more to say? 4:30ish

Friday, another of my favorites are down at Brodies Seaport. The Transisters will have you dancing your pants off. (HMMM. There’s a visual) Get ready to get down to some great 50’s and 60’s rock and roll.

Saturday, its back to Brodies for my favorite duo, The MERJ. I’m guessing there will be some Irish tunes mixed in tonight, seeing the national holiday is right around the corner. Show starts around 9.

Lookout!!! It’s back to “hardly out of the way” Saturday, with another favorite, Juke Joint 5 playing at In a Pigs Eye at 9ish. See y’all there too. Don’t put those dancing shoes away just yet.

Opus’s website doesn’t say it in announcing Grits and Grocery’s Orchestra is playing Saturday, but that is Barrence Whitfield’s band. WOWZA!!!

Sunday/Funday at Brodies Seaport. This week with Mr. Nick. Be there.

After, In a Pigs Eye has a special guest that I haven’t seen on the North Shore in a long time. Ricky King Russell, who is a regular at the annual Heatherfest in September, is in town. The lineup is Diane Blue and Ricky King Russell Duo. Should be a great show cus both these peeps are superstars in their own right. Oh, me liver.

So last year on St Paddys Day, I was in my favorite town in the world, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland. You all know what Monday is so git out there and join St Paddy in driving dem snakes out of town. Happy St Paddy’s day people.

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.