CONCERT FOR HAITI @ JFK AUDITORIUM, ST. FRANCIS UNIVERSITY, LORETTO 1/25/10
The reason for this concert having to be staged was, of course, sad. The earthquake nearly two weeks ago in Haiti had (by this point) claimed over 150,000 lives according to the Haitian Health Ministry, and several international health organizations predict that death toll will exceed 200,000 when all is said and done. Haiti was a poor country before the quake, with people struggling to survive with the bare essentials from day to day. The earthquake decimated what little infrastructure the country had, and has sent thousands of people into the streets without roofs over their heads, food, medical supplies or clean water.
Rusted Root drummer and founding member Jim Donovan, a faculty member at Saint Francis University, decided to do something to help. He organized Concert For Haiti 2010 for this night at the university’s JFK Auditorium, with his two percussion-based groups – Drum The Ecstatic International and the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble – joining forces to perform. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from this concert would go to Haitian relief through the university’s Voice Of Haiti outreach, which is constructing a new orphanage outside of the Haitian capitol, Port Au Prince.
I arrived early and procured a good vantage point three rows back from the stage. In nearly every seat in the auditorium was some sort of percussion-based instrument; either a shaker or a ‘boomwhacker,’ a hollow plastic tube of a certain color, length and tone. No doubt the audience would be helping to make the music along with the bands this night!
The auditorium continued to fill up with students, other members of the St. Francis community, and the general public. At 8 PM, the festivities began. Directed by Jim Donovan, the seated percussionists began to beat on their hand percussion instruments in unison, and Jim encouraged the audience to join them by clapping or banging their boomwhackers on hands, knees or seats. Jim directed the cacophony of beats to intensify and lighten, as he encouraged all of the assembled to devote a moment to concentrate on thoughts of hope and positive energy toward Haiti’s people and their plight. From there, Jim and his groups embarked on an hour journey of togetherness through rhythm, as he directed the musicians and audience to make music together on a variety of African dance songs and some Caribbean numbers. Among the song selection during the hour-long performance were “Fanga” from Liberia, “Mutwashi” from the Congo, “Kpanlogo” from Ghana, and “Ajaja” from Nigeria. The groups also did the Jamaican song “Write My Name,” and Saint Francis’ African dance troupe stepped up to perform during the Guinea-based song “Kakilambe.” The performance concluded with the uplifting Bob Marley song “3 Little Birds.”
This was a fun and uplifting concert, as Jim Donovan, the musicians and audience – from little kids to senior citizens – became one unified drumming community for this hour. Jim kept everybody inspired and focused, as he constantly addressed and interacted with the audience to keep them involved. This hour rode at a hopeful, emotional high for the duration.
The only downer of this event – other than the Haitian earthquake itself – was that I later accidentally deleted all the photos I took of this concert. Thanks to James Gerraughty and Kim McElhatten, though, I have at least a few shots to share with you from the festivities:
The combined forces of the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble and Drum The Ecstatic International. (Photo: James Gerraughty)
Half of the World Drumming Ensemble. (Photo: James Gerraughty)
The other half of the World Drumming Ensemble. (Photo: James Gerraughty)
Jim Donovan (behind the drum kit) and Drum The Ecstatic International. (Photo: James Gerraughty)
These two young ladies were having a good time making music with their boomwhackers as the concert took place. (Photo: Kim McElhatten)
Once again, the World Drumming Ensemble and Drum The Ecstatic International. (Photo: Kim McElhatten)
ADAM D, BAD DAZE ROB & JESS P @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 1/25/10
Following the Concert for Haiti, I hung out with a few members of the World Drumming Ensemble (including Kent “grimmbass” Tonkin and Missy Bailey) at the Loretto Pub & Grille for a little while (that Mike dude “squeal-nealing” on air guitar was insane!), before retreating back down the hill to Altoona for my regularly-scheduled round of Monday wing consumption at Pellegrine’s.
Upon spotting the marquee out in front of Pelly’s, I suspected it could be an interesting night, as it advertised “Jumbo Wings and Gamber Gone Wild,” in deference to Jerry “Gambino” Gamber’s highjinks in recent weeks. I happened to follow Jerry in the door, and a cacophony of uproarious applause sounded throughout the room when “Gamber Gone Wild” arrived in the house!
Adam D and Bad Daze Rob were under way and performing as I procured my table vantage point and awaited my weekly wing fix. Tunes from Prince, Kenny Loggins, Poison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tool, Billy Idol and Journey carried the Pelly’s audience up to the arrival of Jess P, who then strummed her guitar and sang tunes from J. Frank Wilson, Social Distortion, John Denver, Beatles and KT Tunstall.
Adam and Rob then returned for another round. The pair kicked off with their take on Kix’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes, and continued with their assortment of favorites from 3 Doors Down, Bon Jovi, Men At Work, Rick Springfield, Green Day and more. Interesting was the pair’s version of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” immediately followed by Englebert Humperdinck’s “After the Lovin,’” and as always, the group’s signature take on Styx’s “Mr. Roboto.”
And during this portion of the show, as advertised, Gamber Gone Wild, with Jerry doing his weekly performance of Looking Glass' 1972 hit "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)." Dude was feeling it this night, strutting out in front of the musicians and showing some "stage presents!"
Jess P again stepped in to perform. A special guest joined Jess for the first two songs, as Locked Inside frontman Grant Matthews sang lead on versions of James’ “Laid” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Jess then performed tunes from Sublime, Janis Joplin and Counting Crows; before Adam rejoined her for tunes by Poison, Billy Joel and Peter Paul & Mary. Adam then closed out the night with a singalong rendition of Don McLean’s “American Pie.”
It was again fun tunes and delicious wings…and Gamber Gone Wild, too!
Pellegrine’s marquee says it all!
Adam D and Bad Daze Rob.
Guest percussionist Shawn and Jess P.
Adam D and Gamber Gone Wild.
Again, Gamber Gone Wild...Jerry’s feeling it!
Jess P with special guest Grant Matthews.
Again, Jess and Grant.
Shawn, Jess and Grant.
One more time, Jess P.
JAM NIGHT @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 1/27/10
This was the jam night that almost didn’t happen.
As I arrived at Pellegrine’s just shy of the scheduled jam night start time of 9 PM, just two musicians, Adam D and Big Jim, were present. Don Osborn soon showed up with guitar in hand. However, President Obama’s State Of The Union Address was being shown on Pellegrine’s television, and no new musicians were showing up during the course of the address. Eventually, with no new musicians arriving, Adam and Big Jim decided to call it a night, and Jim departed. But shortly afterward, Matt Burns arrived with guitar in hand. Still, it didn’t appear that a jam night would ensue, and I started to make my exit from Pellegrine’s for the night. But as I opened the door to head outside, who was approaching the door but another musician, Rick Ramsey, along with friend Wally – both with guitars in hand. With Rick’s arrival, Adam decided to go ahead and set up some gear for at least an abbreviated jam night, and I decided to stick around to see what music transpired.
Armed with harmonica and guitar, Rick kicked off the music with the Beatles’ “Hide Your Love Away,” before breaking out his Man In Black groan for Johnny’s “Ring of Fire,” and did CCR’s “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.” Wally plugged in his guitar and joined Rick for versions of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall,” David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy.”
It was then Matt’s turn. Matt also started off with a Beatles tune, “Ticket to Ride,” and broke out a wide assortment of tunes and surprises; including Ides Of March’s “Vehicle,” the Free Credit Report.com jingle and an acoustic take on Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years.” Adam D joined Matt to sing on Pearl Jam’s “Black,” and Matt finished with Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues.”
Rick and Wally then returned to finish things out, doing numbers from CCR, Tom Petty and Men At Work; before Adam joined them for the night-ending version of Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You.”
It was what it was, and a short jam night was better than none at all. Hopefully for future jam nights, musicians will opt to get there early rather than late, to avoid near-miss scenarios like this night.
Jam Night is on! Wally and Rick Ramsey get things off to a late start.
Matt Burns continues the tunes.
Rick Ramsey and Matt Burns.
Rick, Adam D and Matt.
ROCK & DUSTIN @ BELMAR HOTEL, ALTOONA 1/28/10
My initial game plan was to head up the hill to Cresson to check out the newly re-instituted final-Thursday-of-the-month jam night at Gregg’s Inn (formerly Trackside). However, brisk, howling winds, wind chills near absolute zero and sporadic snow showers made me rethink that option, and I instead decided to remain in the ‘Toona, and head to the Belmar Hotel to see if anybody was performing. As I discovered upon arriving, the father-and-son tandem of Greg “Rock” Burley and Dustin Burley – Rock & Dustin – was slated to perform.
After enjoying dinner fare of a delicious Belmar steak salad and cup of spicy sausage minestrone, I was set for some after-dinner music from the duo. Greg and Dustin did an interesting selection of classics from the ‘60s through ‘90s, offering their own distinctive slant on much of it. The two alternated lead singing duties, and varied their styles of attack on the song material, keeping the presentation fresh throughout the two sets I witnessed.
Some of the more noteworthy highlights along the way included Dustin singing lead on the pair’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s “The Mighty Quinn,” Greg’s convincing Johnny Cash growl on “Cocaine Blues” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” the Dustin-fronted unique calypso-flavored read of “Sweet Home Alabama,” and the duo’s distinct treatments of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil,” Dave Mason/Grand Funk Railroad’s “Feelin’ Alright,” The Band’s “The Weight” and more.
The Belmar audience enjoyed the pair’s efforts. And some ladies who arrived during the second set populated the dance floor space in front of the musicians, elevating the spirit of the evening.
For the two sets I saw, a good time.
Father and son: Rock and Dustin at the Belmar.
Dustin Burley.
Greg “Rock” Burley.
Again, Rock and Dustin.
THE FRONT @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 1/29/10
It was 27 years ago, in April of 1983, that The Front made their onstage debut in the Altoona area. It happened at the Coaches Inn in Greenwood in front of a packed house. The Front’s single “Girl Like You” hit the Altoona area AM radio airwaves earlier in the year and was an instant hit, resulting in the huge attendance for their first live show.
This night, The Front returned to the room where it all began. Of course, it is no longer the Coaches Inn. Since that night in 1983, this room has transformed through incarnations as a Chinese restaurant, New Sebastiano’s, City Limits, and now 30 Something. The stage The Front performed on this night was in the opposite end of the building from the stage they played on in 1983. But although the venue name and the stage location changed, the turnout for this show did not – a large crowd was in the house again this night!
I arrived as The Front was into their first set, and was promptly greeted with a nice 22-ounce tankard bottle of Yeungling by 30 Something main man Claudio. Niiiiiice! The Front was into their version of The Smithereens “A Girl Like You.” Singer Bob Gates, guitarist/singer John McKelvey, bassist Randy Rutherford, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Harold Hayford and drummer Clint Carothers continued the set with a mixture of classics. Deep Purple’s “Hush” spotlighted Harold’s talents on the keys, and the group kept the dance floor busy with The Fixx’s “Red Skies at Night,” The Alarm’s “Sold Me Down the River,” Iggy Pop’s “Real Wild Child,” the Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” and “Do You Wanna Dance” to close the set.
The Front continued to reprise more of their popular ‘80s cover fare during the second set, performing tunes from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Simple Minds, Honeymoon Suite, Romantics, Steppenwolf, Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, Golden Earring and John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band. The Front also broke out their hit, “Girl Like You,” with Bob commenting that some of the younger fans in the house might have been conceived to the song.
The crowd remained large and enthusiastic for The Front’s third set, quickly filling the dance floor as the group led off with Red Rider’s “Lunatic Fringe.” This set contained favorites from Wild Cherry, Prince, Billy Idol, AC/DC and more, and included another of The Front’s original song favorites, “Still the Rain.” After Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” ended the set, the fans demanded an encore; and The Front responded by keeping things in the Zeppelin vein, finishing the night with “Kashmir.”
The Front partied like it was 1983, and the crowd responded just as happily as they did in 1983. The Front sounded in good form this night, and clearly was having fun on the stage this night.
When they played their 25th anniversary reunion show at the Bavarian Hall in November 2008, The Front suggested that the show might be their swan song reunion. But this night at 30 Something, they were enjoying making music once more, and Bob told folks at night’s end to keep an eye open for more shows. Judging by the fun and enthusiasm displayed by both band and crowd, The Front aren’t finished yet...and may not be for a while to come!
The Front gets ‘em dancing at 30 Something.
Harold Hayford of The Front.
Bob Gates of The Front.
Again, The Front.
Clint Carothers of The Front.
The Front and a busy dance floor.
Randy Rutherford and John McKelvey of The Front.
Bob Gates and Randy Rutherford.
John McKelvey.
Again, John McKelvey of The Front.
Again, Randy and John.
Again, Bob Gates of The Front.
Again, Harold Hayford.
Again, Clint Carothers.
One more time, The Front.
CHAPTER 5 @ ALDO’S, ALTOONA 1/30/10
I suppose I was about due for a Saturday night like this.
My initial game plan this day was to complete my Cambria County delivery route for Pennsylvania Musician, then shoot up to Café 210 in State College to see Hounds Of Soul, and then continue to Roadhouse on 747 in Mount Union to see Smokin’ Gunnz. But sometimes, things don’t go as planned.
My magazine deliveries took longer than expected, and I didn’t finish them until well after 8 PM. The Hounds Of Soul were performing an early show, from 7 to 9:30 PM. By the time I would have driven to State College, parked and walked to Café 210, I would have seen maybe 15 to 30 minutes of the show; it wouldn’t have been worth the effort, so I scuttled that part of the plan.
So I instead headed home and took a quick 20-minute power nap, and then embarked on the other half of the roadtrip, to Roadhouse in Mount Union. But upon arriving, I immediately noted only a scant number of cars in the parking lots, and heard dance music emanating from inside the Roadhouse premises – not the southern-fried rock of Smokin’ Gunnz. I quickly realized that the band had cancelled or been canceled, and a deejay was there instead. PFFFFTTTT!!! It was already after 11 PM by this point. I hopped back into my car, headed to the Mount Union Sheetz and bought a Huntingdon Daily News newspaper to see if any other bands might be playing in Huntingdon this night. The only venue advertised was Memories, and they were running a deejay as well.
I counted my gasoline expenditure losses for this wasted roadtrip, and grudgingly drove my way back to Altoona, relegated to catching the last set of one of the later bands playing in town this night. Not knowing who was playing there, I first headed to the 4D’s. No band was listed on their marquee. (Does anybody else agree with me that the 4D’s marquee is a waste? It rotates the schedule for the week, and maybe once in ten times I drive past there I actually get to read what band is there on Saturday night. A marquee with rotating schedule listings is problematic for anybody driving past and trying to find out what is going on. I prefer the old stationary marquee instead!) With no band listing on their marquee, I first assumed they had a deejay playing downstairs. But I decided to take a peak anyway to be sure. At least at the moment when I looked in the door, no band was playing, and with a huge crowd present, I couldn’t really see the stage to see if band gear was set up. So I assumed it was a deejay, and retreated to my car. (I later learned that Green Eggs was playing there this night, but must have been on break when I peaked in the door.)
I then headed to Aldo’s. The band A Vision Within was advertised for this night, but when I arrived, Chapter 5 was on stage. (From Pittsburgh, A Vision Within had played earlier before I arrived.) But by this time, I was in the mood to hear some nail-spitting music, so Chapter 5 was just the right tonic! Singer/bassist Tim Mort, guitarist/singer Tom Noel and drummer Billy Mort hammered scathing punk/hardcore metal assaults, including favorites from their A Great Day to Die CD such as “Compromised,” “Same Old Thing” and “Stand Alone.” Former Suicide Switch frontman Cheeze joined the group to sing lead on the night-ending adrenaline-rush edition of Social Distortion’s “Ball and Chain.”
Thanks to Chapter 5 for being there and providing good nail-spitting music; after the episode I had this night, I needed it!
Tim Mort and Tom Noel of Chapter 5.
Again, Tim and Tom of Chapter 5.
Guest Cheeze sings on “Ball and Chain.”
Billy Mort of Chapter 5.
Several fans cheer on Chapter 5.
One more time, Chapter 5 and fans.
GANISTER @ 30 SOMETHING, ALTOONA 1/30/10
With Chapter 5’s performance ending just after 1, I still had time to quickly drive over the railroad bridge to 30 Something, and salvage the remainder of the night with the tail end of Ganister’s performance.
As was the case the last time I saw Ganister a couple of weeks prior at Pellegrine’s, guest Rob Sottile was again playing guitar with the group during the last set. A few fans were on the dance floor and having fun as Ganister rocked the remainder of their third set home with tunes from Velvet Revolver, Godsmack, Seether, Drowning Pool, and a new original song called “The Train.” Ganister again sounded strong, and singer Ken Gray and bassist Dan Lukens took the party to the dance floor crowd, joining the bouncing bodies hitting the floor on the night-ending rendition of Drowning Pool’s “Bodies.”
This night didn’t go quite as I had planned it, and it was what it was…I’ll make up for it coming up in three weekends at the Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, when I’ll have close to 300 different bands and performers to choose from and check out.
Ganister, into their homestretch at 30 Something.
Ken Gray of Ganister.
Randy Wilson of Ganister.
Again, Ken and Ganister.
Ganister and some dancing ladies.
BEATLEMANIACS/THE HAWKS/FELIX & THE HURRICANES @ PELLEGRINE’S, ALTOONA 1/31/10
In November, a multitude of friends, fans and fellow musicians converged at 30 Something to celebrate Felix & the Hurricanes’ two decades on area stages, and provide a send-off to the group as they headed to Memphis in January to represent western PA in the International Blues Challenge.
The Hurricanes went to Memphis earlier this month and represented; although they didn’t win, they represented well, won new fans and contacts, and made memories that will last a lifetime.
Jerry Carnicella of White Shadow and the Beatlemaniacs organized a coming home party to greet the Hurricanes after their Memphis experience. And like the “20 Years of the Hurricanes” benefit in November, this party – staged at Pellegrine’s – saw a packed house crowd as well!
I was hard-pressed to even find a parking space in or around the Pelly’s complex, but lucked out and found one remaining parking slot around the front of the building (Pleasant Valley Boulevard side). And likewise, it was slim pickings for seats inside Pelly’s, as the house was full of fans anxious to enjoy an afternoon of music, and a $3 all-you-can-eat spaghetti special. But I managed to procure a seat at the end of the main bar, and settled in to enjoy the party.
The Beatlemaniacs were under way as I arrived. With Andy Rhody briefly stepping out of retirement to play bass, freeing up Bob Helbig to handle guitar duties in the absence of regularly-scheduled guitar player Johann Von Schrenkel, the Beatlemaniacs generated early dance floor activity with their bright celebration of the music of the Fab 4. The group kept ‘em dancing with such numbers as “Help,” a Rockpager request for “Rocky Raccoon,” “Yesterday,” “Revolution,” “I Feel Fine,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Can’t Buy Me Love” and more. The Beatlemaniacs’ harmonies again shined brightly, and the group’s energy and enthusiasm was infectious. Good stuff!
The Beatlemaniacs, enjoying a hard day’s afternoon at Pellegrine’s.
Jerry Carnicella of The Beatlemaniacs.
Bob of the Beatlemaniacs gets the dance floor crowd going.
Harry Young of the Beatlemaniacs.
Again, The Beatlemaniacs.
Father and son enjoying the festive occasion: Harry Pellegrine Sr. and Jr.
Next was The Hawks, demonstrating their brand of traditional blues. Singer Brian Elliott, guitarist Colton Fouse, keyboardist Tim Bodt, bassist Pete Caccamo and drummer Bill Hocherl lit up Pelly’s with smoking blues classics from the lexicons of Willie Dixon, Albert King, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf and more. This group keeps getting stronger every time I witness them; they were dead on in their execution, Brian was howlin’ like a wolf, and Colton was generating some heated licks and solos! And after witnessing Colton playing the understudy to Hurricane Felix many times at the ‘Canes’ Sunday night Shaw’s performances, this day I got to see Felix playing behind Colton, as the teacher joined the student midway through the set. Very cool!
Tim Bodt of The Hawks.
Colton Fouse of The Hawks.
Brian Elliott of The Hawks.
The Hawks, bluesing it up at Pellegrine’s.
Colton and Brian of The Hawks.
In the heat of some hot guitarin,’ Colton of The Hawks.
With Hurricane Felix sitting in behind them, Colton and Brian of The Hawks.
Again, Brian Elliott of The Hawks.
I only got to catch a song or two from the Hurricanes before my weekly “Homegrown Rocker” duties beckoned me away from Pellegrine’s, and I had to depart the show. But by the looks of it, this continued to be a brisk celebration, and a great welcome home after the Hurricanes’ memorable Memphis sojourn.
FELIX & THE HURRICANES @ SHAW’S BAR, ALTOONA 1/31/10
Since I only caught a moment or two of the Hurricanes’ performance at the earlier welcome home party at Pellegrine’s, I decided to get my full fix of the ‘Canes during their weekly Sunday Shaw’s show to close out the weekend.
Shaw’s was in festive spirits as I arrived. Erika the bartender was celebrating a birthday, and the Hurricanes were still celebrating their arrival back on home turf, with guest Brian Cupples helping out with guitar and singing duties this night. Sunday night ‘Canes bassist Pat McGinnis was leading the group on a version of Al Green’s “I’m a Ram” as I stepped in the door. (Every time I hear this song, I can’t help but flash back to the legendary Louie Brumbaugh’s version of this tune, and his R-rated lyrics to it!) Felix spiced up the song’s ending with some spacey guitar tricks, before he launched the Hurricanes on an edition of the Grateful Dead’s “Alabama Getaway.” Brian then led the group on his own reggae-flavored original song “No Problem,” and the group followed with Zac Brown Band’s “Adios and Vaya Con Dios” to finish the set.
After a brief intermission, the party resumed a few minutes later with “Statesboro Blues,” with a new guest, Terrence, contributing some harmonica licks. Felix did Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy” in his socks, to the laughs of the rest of the band and audience. Brian then led the Hurricanes on a bluesy take of Dwight Yoakum’s “Fast As You,” with Felix accompanying him with some crafty slide guitar work. The group then returned to the Zac Brown catalog for “Sic ‘Em on a Chicken,” with Terrence accompanying the group on…a rubber chicken! (Now I’ve seen it all!) Next was Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See,” the Pat-fronted version of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother” and the Eagles’ “Already Gone,” before the spotlight shifted to Bob Watters behind the kit for a quick edition of Led Zeppelin’s “Moby Dick.” The Hurricanes then embarked on Dr. Hook’s “Cover of the Rolling Stone” and Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally,” before Pat sang lead on a request for Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” The night then finished out with a rural homestretch, as the Hurricanes closed out with versions of John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold (The Grundy County Auction),” Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues” and the Old Crow Medicine Show-popularized “Wagon Wheel.”
It was fast-firing, fun music and good times, as the Hurricanes and Shaw’s reconvened for another happy-go-lucky hoedown.
A table-angle view of Sunday night Hurricaning at Shaw’s.
The Hurricanes’ special guest for the evening, Brian Cupples.
The Hurricanes with Priscilla the Tambourine Lady.
More Hurricanes with Priscilla.
Guest Terrence chokes his chicken with Felix and the Hurricanes.
A little blurry, Hurricane Bob.
Pat McGinnis and Brian Cupples.
Having a good time, Priscilla the Tambourine Lady.
