Boy Howdy Music Fans!.After browsing over the calendar, it suddenly dawns on me that we’ve all but reached the ‘swan song’ of July ‘04. Where the month of July went I still can’t figure out. As August approaches in all of its hot, hot, hot, glory, I realize so many bands, so little time!

The focus this week in Sonic Notes takes us uptown to the place Ocean City legends are made of, The Greene Turtle on 116th St. The bones of the now statewide phenomenon of Maryland’s sports bar were made in the pre-expansion days in this small college bar, beginning in the late 1970s. The Turtle now boasts five locations statewide including stores in West Ocean City, Edgewater, Fells Pt. (Balt.), Laurel and two new additions, Salisbury and Towsend, Md., scheduled to open their doors very shortly. Add a full compliment of dinner and pub food items, a Greene Turtle Boutique, their own weekly television spot, “Turtle Talk,” and these new franchise opportunities and we’re not talking just beer and peanuts anymore!

One of the Turtle’s links to its past is none other than troubadour extraordinaire Harry Traynham, a mainstay performer around the Mid Atlantic region for more than 30 years. Harry maintains a no-nonsense crowd friendly, approach to rock and roll. His wide spectrum of songs can be called upon any time from a patron with a request and as I sit here, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him stumped.

Now a resident of York, Pa., Harry Traynham’s busy schedule has him doing about 250 shows a year. His resume reveals him sharing the stage with some industry heavies like the Allman Bros., the late Roy Buchanan, the Little River Band and Dickey Betts with Great Southern. In 1964, Harry was largely influenced, like many of his generation, by the appearance of The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. The Fab Four and other bands of the era inspired he and his friends into a life of musicianship and performance. This soon led the boys to form Johnny and the Contenders, a sock hop and high school dance band; clubs and bars would come later as he and his boys were only 15! After a three-year stint in the Marines, during a particularly hairy time (1968-1971), Harry enrolled at Frostberg St. studying psychology. Then it was off to D.C. where he later formed Harry Traynham and Pylot in 1980. This five member group enjoyed huge popularity in the ‘80s, especially in O.C.!

Look for Harry this Tuesday night at the Greene Turtle (Aug. 3) for a profoundly entertaining time out and about.

Every Wednesday, it’s DJ Batman, Thursdays DJ Wax, Fridays and Saturdays belong to DJ Lucky, Sunday DJ Wave, and Mondays DJ Bull takes the stage.

Last weekend we had a blast seeing bluesman Tom Larsen at Turtle West. Sunday took us out downtown to hear No Byscuyts and Dr. Harmonica w/Rockett 88. The Doc was in rare form, treating us to unusual renditions of “Walk Right In, Walk Right Out,” “Tear It Up,” and Root Boy Slim’s “Boogie Till You Puke.” After over 20 years of seeing him, probably three or 400 times by now, I still hold him high on the list of my favorites. Look for the Doc at M.R. Ducks later on this month!

Afer a short vacation, Pompous Pie takes the stage at the Greene Turtle West this Sat., July 31, at 9pm. After White Marlin Week, we have a couple of dates in the big city and Aug. 14 we’ll return to the Harborside at 10pm. Next week we’ll focus on one of Ocean City’s great traditions, our White Marlin Open. Till Then, all you Coco-nuts play it safe. Tah!! - Marco Ink