Rosanne Cash

Saw Rosanne twice in one year. Once at the Free at Noon show for XPN and once at my local venue. At the free at noon show, she surprised me and sounded good, and not too country, I am not a big fan of country. She was nice outside and siged for fans. But at the Keswick, she was distant and aloof, and seemed to not want to be bothered by fans. I did get her to sign the guitar at the free show so I was not trying the second show. She does remind me of her father when she sings.

Johnny Rivers

When I heard that Johnny Rivers was to play a local venue, I had to go see him. I grew up with him and his version of Secret Agent Man was required learning in my first band. I got tickets and traveled an hour to the venue and was not disappointed in the show. Johnny looked great, sounded even better and was gracious enough to sign my guitar in the lobby after the show. I was lucky in that I am somewhat aware of when the line will form for autographs and was 3rd in line. I say that because, shortly after me, he would only sign something that was bought that night in merchandise.

Mark Hudson

Let me start by saying that Mark Hudson is an extremely entertaining and funny man. My wife and I saw him Friday night at PUCKS and are still talking about his stories. His show consists of stories and songs from his career. From the Hudson Brothers TV show to the wok with Ringo's allstar tour, he has great and funny stories. Some from when he was the band leader on the Joan Rivers show are particularlly funny.

Yes I did inquire from Mark on MySpace is he would be willing to sign my guitar and he instantly said yes, so I was looking forward to meeting him. I knew a bit about him from his myspace page plus what I already know of him. My wife on the other hand did not know him but for his TV show and was leary of going. She has had a 180 degree turn around in hew opinion of Mark and now the two of us cannot wait till he comes bck to the area again. Next time we will sit much closer and probably laugh much harder.

Kris Kristofferson

Coming into work tonight I had the pleasure of listening to Janis Joplin and "Me and Bobby Mcgee". It made me think back to the time that Kris Kristofferson played my local venue. Having enjoyed his music for over 30 yrs, and seeing him in a few movies(Blade and others), I knew I was in for a good night. He did a great job on all of his hits and a few that were more obscure, and then when I heard, "Bobby Mcgee" I of course thought of Janis. I managed to find out where Kris was staying that night and went to the hotel the next morning and waited 2 hrs for them to come out to the tour bus, but I was successful in getting his autograph, I think I was the only one that got one from him this time around. Great music from and Icon in the business.

Time Off

Well, it must be age and the 20 hrs work days, but I had to take some time off. I am back now and ready to continue this blog. I checked my MySpace page today and found that Laura Chedley has posted a pic of her signing my guitar. Well, Not to be out done I will be posting my own pic of the signing in the next few days. (Sorry, Laura, but the wife has the camera to show off at work). Then on Friday this week, Its up to Doylestown to see Mark Hudson. He and his brothers had a TV show in the 70's and the Mark went on to be successful as a writer/producer for acts such as Aerosmith and Ringo Starr. He is the next name to add to the current guitar. More on that night over the weekend.

Laura Cheadle

Well, imagine this. I received a request on MySpace several months ago for someone named Laura Cheadle to be added to my friend list. I searched her page and found that she was a local lass whose family is tied to the music business for years. I totally enjoyed her music clips on her page and decided to add her. SMART MOVE. Then I find that she is playing in the North Star this month. I told her I would like to meet her and get her to sign the guitar, and also talk with her about a proposed charity concert idea I have. Well last night, I got to meet Laura. She is a talented young lady with a great level head on her shoulders. We got the guitar signing out of the way immediately, then proceeded to talk about the concert idea. This is going to be one great ride for both of us. Not only is she willing to work on the idea with my partner and I but she is also willing to suggest some more bands that she thinks would be willing to participate in the event. More on this later, but 5 Kudos going out to Laura. We will be speaking more in the future and dont worry, I have the picture, Ill post it in a few days.

Finally met them all

Well I finally got to meet all 4 original members of Vanilla Fudge. In the past I had met Carmine, Tim and Vince, several times both at my local venue and out in Reading. But the orignial Keyboard player was never with them. But tonight, I got to finally meet Mark. When I arrived at Sellersville theater, and was shown backstage pre-show, Mark was the first one to extend his hand and say Hello. Of course, there was not a lot of time, but I said Hi to Tim and Vince, also, and then spoke to Carmine about taking some pics for the band. I was disappointed to hear that he was not aware of all the pics I took for them at the Reading show with Iron Butterfly, but Ill just include them in with this batch I took tonight when I mail them all to him next week. It was good to hear Ticket to Ride, People get Ready, Shotgun, You keep me hangin... along with their versions of some Zepplin songs off their new CD> All in all a good night. Now I gotta run and get Carmine's stuff ready for early shipment. Come back tomorrow for another update on a local girl, Laura Chedly (?)

Tomorrow Night for FUDGE

Well, Tomorrow I will be heading to Sellersville, PA for the reunion of the original 4 members of Vanilla Fudge. I have met all of them in the past save for the original Keyboard player. I hope to get along with him as well as I get along with his replacement. Carmine is always fun to be around and watch as he powers his way thru the drum set, Vince is just so soft spoken and Tim. Well, Tim is like Jeckle and Hyde, in that pre show he is just zoning for the gig, and very placid, but once on stage, he explodes into this powerhouse of energy, bouncing all over the stage. Then on thursday nite I get to see Laura Chedley at the North Star bar in Philly. Looking forward to meeting her and discussing my concert idea with her, and of course, getting her to sign a guitar. More to come.

Yellow Submarine complete

Went to see Ron Campbell on Friday at the opening of WMGK's Rock Art show and met Ron Campbell for the second time. He graced me with autographs on everything I brought to him. # of the McFarland Yellow Submarine figures, one copy of the Yellow Submarine DVD and best of all he took my animation cell of the Sea of Holes, and on the back he drew two figures of John Lennon. One from the Beatles cartoon show and one from the Yellow Submarine movie itself and dedicated it my wife Dawn. Also was lucky enough to get a concert poster of the Doors, personalized to Dawn from the artist Scott C. I love the Rock art show, as there is always such an array of art form Rock artists along with hadnwritten lyrics, signed instruments, classic posters, and more. It is always a good time and I look forward to returning for the Breakfast with the Beatles show that always takes place on a Sun before the Art show ends.

Ron Campbell Pt2

Went to the opening of WMGK's Rock Art Show and was lucky enough to get Ron Campbell to aoutgraph all the items I had brought for him. They include 3 Yellow Submarine McFarland figures, a copy of the Yellow submarine DVD in which he drew a Blue Meanine complete with machine gun, and the final one is a cell of the Sea of Holes fromt he acutal movie The Yellow Submarine where he drew both the cartoon show and the movie version of John on the back and dedicated it to my wife Dawn.

Ron Campbell

Well later this morning I will be visiting with Ron Campbell, the animator for the Beatles, Yellow Submarine movie. I met him 2 years ago at the Rock Art show and Auction in Philly, where he signed my guitar and drew a "Blue Meannie" on it for me. Nice Austrailian chap, and this time around I am hopeing that he will sign a few of the McFarland Yellow Submarine figures along with an animation cell from the actual movie, Yellow Submarine. I will also be checking out art show as I have done now for the past 7 years on Opening Day with Debbi Calton of WMGK. It is always a pleasure to see all the artwork from the various Rock Stars, and chat with Debbi. Plus you never know who is going to show up during the course of time your there. I then turn my attention to next week when it is the original 4 members of Vanilla Fudge and also Laura Cheadle. Then the following week it is Mark Hudson. BUSY BUSY BUSY. And dont forget to check back often as more new blogs will be posted on a more frequent manner, now that I see I have an interest.

Sara Bareilles

Saw Sara Bareilles this weekend and Have to say I did not know the name. However when she played Love Song and Gravity, I recognized the songs. Then it hit me, she is in a TV Commercial. Also, I had heard her on VH1. Back to the show. She was just GREAT. Her playing style is similar to that of Alicia Keys, and her music is R&B/Funk/Rock style. She tends to speak her mind inbetween songs, which was refreshing, and all in all I really enjoyed her portion of the show. She was opening for James Blount. I left after his first song. Just something about his voice bothers me. But for Sara, I strongly recommend seein her show if possible, even though she said it was the next to last gig on the current tour.