COCO NIGHTS 062824

Hey, everybody out there in fun city - how ya doin’?  I must confess the heat made me kinda lazy, often preferring to stay in my lovely air-conditioned living room in my lovely lift recliner chair and let the incredible variety of choices on TV entertain me.  Yeah, that sounds like the proverbial ‘couch potato’ doesn’t it - minus the couch.  That’s not to say I have been a total hermit; no way, Jose, gotta hear some live music ... and I did!

Wednesday I visited The Angler knowing a breeze would be cool off the water ... and it was.  What a treat to hear the String Buzzards playing on this beautiful bayside dock bar.  Darin on banjo/guitar, Sean on guitar and Wilson on bass played song after song of music straight out of the American Songbook in Blue Grass style.  Such a pleasure.  The dock bar soon began to fill up when the crew of 85 n’ Sunny beach umbrellas showed up for a company party, courtesy of their boss Pat McLaughlin.  Cudos to that hard-working and friendly bunch of young people.  Many of the group were from Romania, Lithuania and closer to home, from Salisbury.  It was an added pleasure of the night to watch this beautiful group of young men and women having fun; creating memories of OC for a lifetime.  And then ... the sky began to darken; a wind suddenly lifted napkins off the tables and all we saw of daylight was a small window to the west where the sun struggled to shine its rays upon the waters.  Then there were rumblings and lightning filling the air as the rain poured down.  It felt like an old-fashioned ‘hurricane party.’  Anyway, it was an awesome sight, wasn’t it?  And an awesome night meeting new friends.

Have you been to see Jim Long yet?  It was a fun time watching him in action last Saturday at Coins.  Long has been a musical fixture in Ocean City since the early ‘90s; I remember watching his solo act on keyboard and conga at the Princess Royale; then with various groups until he landed the Seacrets contract that made him a household name for all the visitors from near and far who went to his shows.  For the last few years Jim has taken a different approach with his one-man show being performed at several different locations including Beach Barrels on Thursdays and Coins on Saturdays.  His loyal fans follow him wherever he goes ‘cause you’re guaranteed a good time with Jim; he has a special first-name rapport with so many.  All the swagger, irreverence, humor and sheer talent are still in abundance with this born-to-be entertainer.  His voice is stronger than ever as is his ability on the conga.  After singing so many iconic and classic tunes, he ended by parodying Elvis complete with pelvic gyrations and lip sneer.  You’re one in a million, Jim Long.  Say, “Hell Yeah!”

I’m kinda glad I waited ‘til today to ‘talk’ with you ‘cause now I can praise last night’s band some.  I’m referring to the Mercury Agenda who played Friday night at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill.  I continue to be impressed with the level of expertise exhibited by the young men in this band.  After talking with guitarist Chris Sajadi a while, I began to understand that not only are they all so good, but are totally in sync with each other as well.  As singer Doug commented, “they certainly bring out the best in me.”  Chris told me he’s been close friends with drummer David Waters since they were 12 years old.  I could see the connection between these two when at the end of their incredible medley - Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Blue on Black,” slipping back in time to segue into the Doors’ “Five to One,” the Beatles’ “Come Together” and Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love!”  - David looked up from his amazing drumming, made eye contact with Chris and gave him a smile of pure joy  Now, that’s musical heaven to me.  

There’s so much more I could say about all these wonderful musicians; but if you’re heard them, you know what I’m talking about.  Do yourself a favor and get out to hear live music - so good for the soul.  Our outdoor venues are in full swing; this town is just bursting with talent and wonderful music.  Be kind to one another and party safe!