Hi, guys! Whatcha been up to? I’ve been listening to lots of great music (imagine that) and last night (Wed.) enjoyed myself guest bartending with Mark & Faith at Jive. Thanks to friends who came out to cheer me on - or in some cases, challenge my bartending days memories on the difference between a Madras, a Sea Breeze and a Bay Breeze. It’s all in the fruit, Sis. I’m going to let sister Amy tell you about her visit up to the Rio Grande Tiki Bar where she loves to hear the music of Chris Button & Joe Mama, Kevin Poole or The Stims. Take it away, Amy.  
    If you haven't heard a couple of young guys out of Salisbury calling themselves The Stims then you'd better get up to the Rio Grande Tiki Bar - but get there early cuz this duo is packin' the house! And it's no wonder with their unique and fresh style to lots of new tunes and great rock oldies! With just a six-string and a set of bongos, less is definitely more with this tight twosome! On bongos Zach Coffman is right on with the cool rhythms and his gritty, earthy vocals are a perfect compliment to the smooth voicings and nimble fingers of his partner on six-string, Brian Mahoney. And they do everything from folk-rock to alternative to reggae with a sound that's full and energetic but with that relax-in-the-islands touch. Yeah, there's just something about bongos. I just loved 'em and so did the crowd with standing room only! The Stims are weekend regulars at the Rio Grande but call first or check them out at  www.myspace.com/thestims to find out which day they play, 6-9 pm, and then, like I told ya before, get there early and get ready for some awesome entertainment!
    Thank you, Amy. Awesome entertainment for me last week was listening to Jim Long at Seacrets with the Party Bar Gang. I hadn’t seen them in awhile and let me tell ya, Jim is just as crazy as ever. And you better believe there are no better musicians anywhere than Mark (guitar) & Gene (bass) - love Gene’s vocals too. Then it was off to Fager’s Island for some Kevin Poole on the deck and No Pets For Noah on the main stage. Those guys continue to rock an audience proving music is timeless. A trip up to the Ocean Club was further evidence of that listening to New Censation. Cindy & Roy and the rest of their talented group keep the dance floor jumpin’ with their excellent and very versatile performances. Saturday the promise of another fine show lured me back to the Steer Inn to hear Full Circle. The vocals from Kathy, Michelle and David are just incredible; everyone is blown away every time we hear them. It’s fun to watch someone’s face who hasn’t heard them before. The look of amazement is precious to watch. Catch Full Circle this week at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club Sat. A trip to the Greene Turtle West was fun, too, listening to “Funky Star Child” Rob Perna play funky spunky guitar with his group The New Kings of Rhythm. I didn’t think he would bring the horn section but he did; great trumpet and sax sounds added sweetly to the mix. And bigger surprise, vocals from hot chick Kennedy. Wow, could she wail! Sunday morning Jazz Brunch at Fager’s Island was also a pleasure listening to Everett Spells on the sax. There were a slew of familiar faces testifying to the fact that the locals know where to go.
    So, come Monday, I was a little tired, but I couldn’t miss the SOJA concert so off I went to Seacrets. Reggae is definitely alive and well at Jamaica USA. The place was bustling even for the first act, The Unity Reggae Band, who I must say was very hip with their rockin’ reggae sounds. SOJA entered the stage to a roar from the crowd and from that moment on, everyone was in perpetual motion - I mean everyone! It was obvious that SOJA has built a real fan base in OC from their previous appearances here because so many were singing along to their original material. They played with searing energy and the audience responded with a deafening roar after each number. We heard many of the songs from their latest work, Born In Babylon - due out next week. Now they’re off working their way across the country in support of this new release.
    Last night after my stint behind the bar at Jive, I hustled in to the Purple Moose and caught Fuzzbox Piranha. I’ve heard these guys a number of times at The Steer Inn or 707 and I know they were thrilled to play the big stage at the Moose. Fuzzbox Piranha may be only a three-piece band but their sound filled the stage and the entire room. Audience approval was strong for these three players, Scott (guitar), Dale (bass) and Rich (drums). They play everything from Led Zeppelin to AC/DC to Van Halen and the Beatles - and everything in between. Dale does most of the singing but they all pitch in. He has one of the strongest and most pleasant voices I’ve ever heard - a pleasure to listen to and a nice guy as well. They’ll play up at Ponzetti’s tonight (Fri.), several dates at the Turtle West, and hopefully again at the Purple Moose. Good job!
    I’ve been hearing a lot of locals’ originals played on the radio lately and one of my favorites is Wes Davis. Whether solo or with a band, Wes delivers the goods playing both keyboards and guitar. But here are a few things we didn’t know about this renaissance man. Davis is a former Methodist minister who now teaches Communication Arts at Salisbury Univ. He still does public speaking and has written speeches for others; and he has helped plan, and performed for, events featuring world leaders such as Lech Walesa and Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Wes’ first love, however, as he would be quick to tell you, is songwriting. He has performed his own compositions across the US and did two brief musical tours in South Asia. We’ll get to hear many of his tunes from his newest CD Fire at the Water’s Edge (produced with another OC favorite, Chris Button) when Wes brings together many of Ocean City’s finest at The Globe on Nov. 8th - OC Originals. I heartily applaud the promotion of original music and will tell you more as the date draws near. Meanwhile, you can hear Wes Davis every Thursday on the deck at Fager’s Island and watch for him to appear with his band at other area venues.
    It’s gonna be a big weekend at M.R. Ducks (please, no more rain!) starting on Fri. with Dr. Harmonica & Rocket 88; if you can’t make that one, you can hear them on Sat. at the Steer Inn. Sun. let’s hope that Tranzfusion will get to play; always a huge party. The big news, however, is the group coming in on Sat. We only get to hear them once during the summer ‘cause they are so busy in the Balt. area and several of their members stand in with other bands as well. I’m talking about The Klassix.
    The Klassix have been wowing audiences for years; and had popular gigs before this lineup in such bands as the Ravyns, Paper Cup and The Pedestrians. David Bell is the usual guitarist who will be off playing with Never Never this weekend, so Dale Coleman will be standing in for him. David is most well known for his Daytime Emmy Award nomination for “Best Original Song,” and his single “Raised On The Radio,” on the “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” soundtrack. We will hear David playing with bass man Steve Ports next Fri. (21st) at Fager’s Island. Hopefully Viki Childs will be on hand to add her dynamic vocals to those of the very affable Ports. I’m praying hard for good weather - gotta hear them, and hope you’ll all join me.
    Looks like I’m out of room. Party safe!