Sometimes I sit down to write and nothing comes to mind, partly because I’ve not been out much; but now, since it’s been three weeks, I think it’s more than that.  Usually I begin with a “Hi, friends” or “Hi, y’all;” but sometimes I don’t know what to say next. Is this truly ‘writer’s block’?  I guess so.  The only word that has come to mind for the past few weeks is ‘sometimes.’  And so I begin.

Okay, I’m staring at the screen again.  You know what?  I think I’ve been watching too much TV where I stare at the screen and I’m not required to say anything.  I’m going to break out of that right now.  I recently had a conversation with lovely songbird Sarah Robins of Endless Ember about how her summer has been.  Yeah, can’t believe it’s Labor Day Weekend already ... now there’s where I would normally have begun to write.  Anyway, she has performed at many venues with many different duo partners, including Chris Sajadi who is the regular lead guitarist with Doug Balch in The Mercury Agenda and has been playing as a duo with his girlfriend Allyson Morris who is also a talented musician playing keyboard and french horn.  Sarah had a Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill job some days ago and had to scramble to find a replacement for a partner who couldn’t make it.  She called John Cardo, a singer/guitarist from Pittsburgh who has relocated to Ocean City.  She tells me they really clicked and the job went well.  Sarah is also a musician on flute and she says playing with different musicians has made her even better and has vastly increased her musical catalogue.  Go Sarah!

What else is the multi-talented Chris Sajadi up to?  I just learned from Chris that he has accepted a music teaching position in the Wicomico school system for which he is most excited.  He assures me that he will continue to collaborate with all his musical friends  for which I am most happy to hear.  I heard The Mercury Agenda twice last week: first at the Shaka Pool Bar where Ally joined the group on keyboards (which was a cool addition, I might add), and again at Fast Eddie’s.  I love this group and I love it when Chris breaks out his fiddle.  Their music spans decades, they play extremely creative medleys or mash-ups you may call them, and Doug’s vocals are powerful and entertaining.  In case you’ve forgotten, Doug is also a wrestler who has a match in Philadelphia this weekend.  Good luck, Doug the Rockstar!

It was a memorable night for me when I made it to Sunset Park to hear Teenage Rust.  What a beautiful venue watching the sunset over the bay.  Talk about playing crowd favorites; these guys are the best.  It always feels like a family reunion when we hear them play, right?  Gotta keep the spirit of BJ’s alive.  I hope to see you all on Monday at Coins at 4 pm to party again with this good-time band.  For you newcomers, here’s the lineup:  Billy Carder on guitar, Maddy Carder the Dancing Queen on backup vocals, Howard Wimbrow on lead guitar, Paul Grandel on bass, Chrystal Grandel on keyboards and Tommy Lutz on drums.

The party rolls on at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill.  You can’t beat the ambience there.  Round stone tables with big umbrellas dot the dune-side patio and the music is top-notch.  There’s always a cool breeze off the ocean.  I heard the Bilenki Duo last week, one of my favorites, in between breathtaking views and heart-pounding sonic booms from the Air Show.  Check out the Who’s Where When list to see the complete lineup for Coconuts that includes, still, two acts a day.  The annual Tipsy Turtle party is scheduled for Sunday September 22nd, after which the incredible 33 RPM will take the stage.  This is one of the biggest parties of the year at which one lucky person will win a Caribbean vacation to Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina.  Coconuts will remain open even later this year with the closing party being on Sunday, October 20 featuring Monkee Paw.

Well, okay, then, I’ve done it; I cracked the silence.  I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday weekend enjoying all the best that Ocean City has to offer.