Zappa plays Zappa

Ahhh FRANK. To say that Frank was a great musician, is like saying that an eagle is a bird. Frank was so far ahead of his time, surrounded himself with world class musicians, and took on the role of teacher of music from the beginning. And following in his fathers footsteps, Dweezil does not disappoint. From the time I saw him on USA network with his brother Ahmet, I new what a fantastic guitarist he was. Does his father proud he does. The Zappa plays Zappa show has been in the Phila area before, but I could never get to it. Then as luck would have it, it came to the Keswick, and I was lucky enough to work the show. First let me state that the choice of Ben Thomas as lead singer is a stroke of genius. He does, from a distance, look like Frank, but also has a similar vocal sound as Frank that is errie. The band is as talanted as any that Frank himself would be in, with most members being multi-instrumentlists. Then there is Dweezil. In my opinion, an underrated guitarist. The band played the entire Apostrophe album and Yellow Snow brought me back to the old days. After the show was over, I managed to get Ben, Saxophonist Scheila Gonzalez and Dweezil to sign a set list. I highly recommend seeing this show as it is a testement to the genius of Frank

Jimi tribute

Sat nite Dawn and I attended the Jimi Hendrix Tribute in Atlantic City. WOW what a show. Guests included, Brad Whitford, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wanye Shepard, Billy Cox, Eric Johnson, Mato Nanji, Members of Double Trouble (SRV band) and more. It was truely an experienced event. Being a parttime guitarist, I could appreciate the talent on stage perhaps a bit more than the non musician. The ability to do some of the things I witnessed, would have made Jimi proud. Of course, Jonny is Dawns favorite guitarist but after witnessing KW Sheppard, she could possibly be correct in the statement that he is better than Jonny. I would tend to agree, but i have to take into account the differences in their playing styles, and that point alone makes me wonder who would win in a play off. But I digress/. The show was infused with both charted hits and back room rarities from the Holy One himself, which was great to hear. The diveristy and the genius of the Legend of Jimi Hendrix was not forgotten for one moment during the show. Some talked of his company, while others commented on his influence. It was good to see all players get their chance to showcase their affection thru their solo's, which for the most part, were spot on to the originial, while some were, as strange as it may sound, BETTER. A new found respect for both KW Sheppard, and Eric Johnson and their talant. All in all a great night where after the show, we got to meet Billy and have the pleasure of getting to chat with him, an autograph and a picture. And to think, Dawn didn't really want to go when I first got the tickets. Now its one of the many great shows we have seen, that will not be forgotten very soon.

Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

Today I had my singing debut on WMGK in Phila, in a contest to win a weekend at the PHILA Rock and ROll Fantasy Camp weekend at the end of Oct 2010. The day started out good with me getting up and working from home before going to the radio station. Then I hit traffic on the way to the station, and the shows producer must have called me 10 times in 15 min. I was being told I was risking being disqualified for not showing up on time. I did finally make it to the station with seconds to spare. You can hear DeBella mention that on the clip. I was the first contestant for the contest. I had no time for any rehersal with the intern drummer, or to go over the song. Good thing I practiced yesterday. Any, as heard on the clip, I get introduced, asked if we rehearsed, then its off to the song. Please text MGKMGK and cast a vote for Rick Sutcliffe to win. Im am attempting to attach a clip of the song to this post.

Rock Con

Well its my birthday and as a gift to myself, Dawn and I attended the Rock Con in the Meadowlands in New Jersey. We started the day off in Dorney Park with our friends from WMGK and then headed up to the Rock Con. It was billed as the place to go to hang out with your favorite Rock stars, chat, get autographs, screen movies, listen to jamsessions and visit the worlds largest rock and rock memoriabila flea market. Well, since we all know that I collect autographs, you know I was in heaven. Friday show was to start at 5, (we got the VIP package with 1 hr advance for all sessions), but since I forgot the damn tickets, I didnt get in till close to 6 the normal time. I took a guitar into the meet and greet room, and the first person I see is Billy Hiche from Dino, Desi, and Billy. We chat for a min, and I ask for an autograph to which Billy replies, Sure, $10. WHAT THE $&*)????? I had no clue that there was going to be a charge for autographs, and had I known, I would not have brought so many guitars (7 total). With a supposed 100 artists in attendance, that comes to $1000. Then I asked if I could take a picture to which Billy replies, Sure $10. WTF???? I am using my own camera and he wants me to pay him. Well, all this money has put an instant damper on my fun for the weekend.

Devon Allman and Honeytribe

Another great evening was had at The North Star in Fairmont section of Philly, when Devon was in town to perform. His band is tight and although now down to a trio, still has the roughness and brute force of days gone by with 5 members(as when he played the Kewsick opening for Dad). He did 4 new songs on the forcoming album, and a few others. He covered Dad's Midnight Rider which is always a thrill to hear. For an encore, he teased the crowd with snippets of 15 classic rock songs, before settleing in on another cover from Dad. The gamet of choices were from Led Zepplin Stairway to Heaven to Iron Butterfly InAGaddadeVida.

Ringo Starr All Star Band

Had the please of seeing our second Ringo All Star show this year at lancaster American Music Theater a mere day before his birthday. I must say that seeiing this show always amazes me in that these are just like seeing 8 concerts in one. This year the inclusion of Rick Derringer along with Gary Wright, and the rest, was a welcome sight indeed. Edgar Winter once again did not fail as the musical director, and his talent as a musician was again clearly evident and unparralled. Rick Derringer graced the crowd with the lost verse of Hang on Sloopy, which was a real treat. Edgar of course was great on Frankenstein. This year also there were Richard Page from Mister Mister who sang Broken Wings and Kyrie. Such an amazing voice, it sent chills up my spine. Then there was Wally Palmer from the Romantics singing What I like about You. A great performance with the talanted back up band. Rick Derringer's guitar solo at the end of Rock and Roll Hootiche Koo was electrifying and all of 3 min long if not longer. Gary Wright of course did Dream Weaver which I love, and then there were several Beatles songs. Rounding out the night was the man himself, Ringo, doing some of his classics along with some off his new CD. All in all another stellar performance by the "funny one", and another memorable evening to be enjoyed in future reflections.

The Doors in Atlantic City review on Ticketmaster.com

Here is a copy of my reivew as posted on Ticketmaster.com


Ray and Robby do the DoorsAtlantic City Hilton @ - Atlantic City @ , NJ @ - Sat, Jun 5, 2010 @ Opening act(s): none @ Posted 06/06/2010 by ric568 This Fan's ReviewsLocation: willow grove paFirst let me say that The Doors are one of Dawns most favorite bands. Jim Morrison was instrumental in the popularity of the band, and we both had our doubts as to the way the music would sound without his powerful vocals. Also the fact that John was not with them (and will probably never be again) all led us to be very nervous as to the quality of the sound we were going to hear.When we got to the Hilton, we noticed that the first row of seating was reserved for the big casino cardholders. We did manage to snag third row seating and it was looking up. But then the reality of the mosh pit standing section in front of the seated area led us to be a bit concerned for viewing ability once the show started. This was due in part to the fact that Dawn is short in statue and if taller individuals sat in front of us, she would have to stand on her seat to get a good view. I asked one of the security people about the possibility of us moving up to the first row if they were not filled with card holders and we were lucky enough to be able to move up before the show started. So far the visibility factor has been resolved. Then the lights dimmed, and the show began.Out came Ray and Robby, along with Milijenko Matijevic dressed as we would imagine Jim would have been, black leather pants and an open buttoned white shirt. Along with them were Ty Dennis on Drums and Phil Chen on Bass. Collectively these five musicians managed to recreate the original sound of the Doors from the 60's in a most surreal fashion. Mili (as he is called) seemed all night to be a perfect reincarnation of Jim for the entire show. His mannerisms, and posture/gestures were reminiscent of seeing Jim with Ray and Robby. Mili's vocals were dead on duplications of the homage to Jim in one of the most true to the original replacements I have ever seen. Ty and Phil are class act musicians, and complimented the two Doors members as if they were there in the 60's. All the songs were done with perfection, and brought back all the memories we had hoped of in wanting to recreate seeing a band that neither Dawn nor I had seen in our youth. The show was nothing short of spectular, and I would highly recommend this show to anyone who loves the sound and the music of the Doors. To miss this show, especially with Mili doing the vocals, is to miss Jim Morrison reincarnated for a killer 2-hour show.Atlantic City Hilton @ - Atlantic City @ , NJ @ - Sat, Jun 5, 2010 @ Opening act(s): none @

Ray and Robby do the DoorsAtlantic City

Ray and Robby do the DoorsAtlantic City Hilton @ - Atlantic City @ , NJ @ - Sat, Jun 5, 2010 @ Opening act(s): none @ Posted 06/06/2010 by ric568

THIS REVIEW WAS POSTED ON TICKETMASTER

First let me say that The Doors are one of Dawns most favorite bands. Jim Morrison was instrumental in the popularity of the band, and we both had our doubts as to the way the music would sound without his powerful vocals. Also the fact that John was not with them (and will probably never be again) all led us to be very nervous as to the quality of the sound we were going to hear.When we got to the Hilton, we noticed that the first row of seating was reserved for the big casino cardholders. We did manage to snag third row seating and it was looking up. But then the reality of the mosh pit standing section in front of the seated area led us to be a bit concerned for viewing ability once the show started. This was due in part to the fact that Dawn is short in statue and if taller individuals sat in front of us, she would have to stand on her seat to get a good view. I asked one of the security people about the possibility of us moving up to the first row if they were not filled with card holders and we were lucky enough to be able to move up before the show started. So far the visibility factor has been resolved. Then the lights dimmed, and the show began.Out came Ray and Robby, along with Milijenko Matijevic dressed as we would imagine Jim would have been, black leather pants and an open buttoned white shirt. Along with them were Ty Dennis on Drums and Phil Chen on Bass. Collectively these five musicians managed to recreate the original sound of the Doors from the 60's in a most surreal fashion. Mili (as he is called) seemed all night to be a perfect reincarnation of Jim for the entire show. His mannerisms, and posture/gestures were reminiscent of seeing Jim with Ray and Robby. Mili's vocals were dead on duplications of the homage to Jim in one of the most true to the original replacements I have ever seen. Ty and Phil are class act musicians, and complimented the two Doors members as if they were there in the 60's. All the songs were done with perfection, and brought back all the memories we had hoped of in wanting to recreate seeing a band that neither Dawn nor I had seen in our youth. The show was nothing short of spectular, and I would highly recommend this show to anyone who loves the sound and the music of the Doors. To miss this show, especially with Mili doing the vocals, is to miss Jim Morrison reincarnated for a killer 2-hour show.