Summer Update

Hey No-Star Nation,

Hope you're having a great summer. We are enjoying ourselves, both on and off stage, although it's been a little rainier than expected the last few weeks...

More live Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars action coming your way. A few items of note:

1) We are back on the Roots Report Chart for the month of July... Last week and this week on the New York State radio chart for most-played roots music-- the state charts are not "Blues-only," but include all roots genres like folk, roots rock/Americana, country, etc. We were listed with acts like Donna The Buffalo, Albert Castiglia, The Holmes Brothers, John Mayer, Popa Chubby, and Steve Earle-- heady company. So now we've been on the national/international Blues chart (back in May), as well as the New York State roots chart! Pretty cool! Keep calling those radio stations and requesting Mighty No-Star music...

2) Bruce, Joel, and I will be playing in Houghton tonight with Christian music artist and Bonnie Raitt guitar player Will McFarland. Stop by the Houghton campus if you're in the area.

3) Upcoming gigs-- St. Christopher's SummerFest (the big dance contest!), Blues in the Valley (Warsaw Blues festival with Maria Aurigema, Mick Hayes, and a bunch more cool acts), Attica (town concert), our triumphant return to the Double Diamond in Ellicottville (for the "Taste of Ellicottville" celebration), and more. Check out the schedule at the website or in your local listings, sign-up for the e-mail list, and we'll see you at an upcoming show!

4) We'll try to get the updated radio list up soon; too much to do, too little time, with more radio stations continuing to pick up "Blues Power" (we are now on the air in Italy!).

5) GC, our sax-player for the last several years, will be moving to the Carolinas (a sunnier clime), so come out and see him before September...

God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

Brief Blues Update

Hey No-Star Nation Peeps,

Just a quick "what up?" from Your Mighty No-Stars. We are on a brief gig sabbatical (but never a musical vacation!), as we are rehearsing new originals for upcoming shows and our next CD, while we are also learning some more jump blues/swing material for the big dance contest in August (visit www.MightyNoStars.com and check the schedule for details). We're also taking care of business (TCB), after the flurry of activity over the last several weeks and months-- read the last bunch of posts to catch up.

A few items of note:

* The SuperJam was a great time; we enjoyed seeing everybody, watching the other acts, and catching-up with old friends. Hopefully we'll see you there next year.

* Radio stations around the country continue to add "Blues Power" to their playlists and rotation. An upcoming, updated list will appear right here at this blog soon (we originally intended to update the list at the main website, but the blog is actually a lot easier to get to on a frequent basis, so watch this space for a current list of media additions).

* Our main website is getting another update with some hip content. Stay tuned for news, more videos, photos, downloads, etc., etc. Coming Soon!

* For those of you that have been members of the No-Star Nation for several years, you may remember Red, father-in-law to our founding drummer (and now webmaster) Bill. Red passed away recently, which saddened us, but as we celebrated his life with Dr. Bill and his family, our spirits were lifted thinking of Red (who was 88?) cutting a rug with any woman (generally at least 40 years younger, if not more) game enough to punch his dance card at one of our many gigs over the last four or five years... Red was the life of the party at many Mighty No-Star events, and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go with his family...

We'll see you soon, and please keep calling those radio stations and requesting music from Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars.

In the meantime, God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

Blues Deluxe, SuperJam, and Memorial Day...

Hey No-Star Nation,

Just a reminder that we'll be featured on "Blues Deluxe," this coming week (May 25-31) with David Fusco. Blues Deluxe is an internationally syndicated program on 106 stations worldwide, plus internet streaming/podcasting, with over 2 million listeners! Thanks David... You can find the stations that run the show at www.bluesdeluxe.com.

Also, for those of you in the WNY area, check out this month's "Blues Beat" magazine; Sharon Schneider gave us a really nice review. Thanks Sharon and Rich.

Also, check us out at the "SuperJam" event on Sunday, June 1st (details at www.wnyblues.org)... We're looking forward to good weather and great music!

Set politics aside today. If you live in the U.S., and are enjoying the freedoms that we all-too-often take for granted, Thank A Veteran!

Happy Memorial Day, God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

Spirit of Radio

"One likes to believe in the freedom of Music..."

Well, here you go. A current "On The Air" list of worldwide terrestrial and internet radio stations, podcasts, networks, and syndicated programs where you can hear (and request!) music from your favorite band and ours-- Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars.

We'll be adding this list to our home website in the very near future, and updating it there from now on.

More being added as we speak...


Gregg Juke & The Mighty No Stars: "On The Air"

* KTEP 88.5 FM, El Paso, Texas, http://www.ktep.org/

* WPKN/WPKM 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, Connecticut

* WVOF FM, Connecticut

* WRUW 91.1 FM, Cleveland, Ohio, http://www.wruw.org/

* WUCF, 89.9 FM, Orlando, Florida, http://www.smokestacklightnin.com/

* WYAV, Myrtle Beach, SC

* WNTI 91.9 FM/wnti.org, Hackettstown NJ, myspace.com/rockitscienceblues

* WKZE, NY/CT

* KMXT 100.1 FM, Kodiak, Alaska

* KMSU 89.7 FM, KMSK 91.3 FM, Mankato and Austin Minnesota, “The Maverick Radio Network,” http://www.kmsu.org/

* KMFB 92.7 FM / 96.7 FM , FM 100.5 KTDE, Willits, CA,
http://www.lestarr.com/, http://www.kmfb-fm.com/, http://www.ktde.com/

* WWCU FM Power 90.5, Cullowhee, NC, http://www.wwcufm.com/

* KZUM 89.3 FM, Lincoln, Nebraska http://www.kzum.org/, http://www.highwayblues.org/

* KHEN 106.9 FM, Salida, Colorado www.khen.org

* WICN, 90.5 FM, Worcester, Mass. www.wicn.org

* “Blues Deluxe,” http://www.bluesdeluxe.com/

* Radio ZRO, 106.2 FM, and Radio Goud, 107.7 FM, Belgium, www.hogtown.be/weblog

* WebRadio Golden Flash

* Uptown Jazz Network

* WBFO, Buffalo, NY

* WJJL AM, Niagara Falls, NY

* The Lake 107.7 FM, Buffalo, NY

* WGR 55 AM, Buffalo, NY

* WIUT FM, Canada

* “Blues & Friends, Netherlands

* Osnabruecker Radio, Germany

* “Hambone’s Blues Rumshack,” Scotland

* “A World of Blues,” Colorado

* http://www.bluepower.com/

* http://www.chicagobluesman.com/

"Have you seen the charts?"

Roots Music Report International Blues Chart: Top-50 (#36), May 2008...

Woo-Hoooo!!!!

Thanks so much to all of the radio and music press that have supported us.

God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

Blues Deluxe

Along with all of the acclaim and airplay (see entry below), we just found out that we will be featured on "Blues Deluxe"with David Fusco, an internationally syndicated radio program that is heard on 106 broadcast stations in the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and the Virgin and Mariana Islands, plus internet replay at http://www.bluesdeluxe.com/, along with other internet portals.

The combined total listenership for these stations is 2, 243, 950.

That's what I call market-share.

Thanks David, and thanks to all of the radio and press people that have gotten behind Blues Power in the last several weeks! We are overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude...

God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

April Showers Bring International Airplay...

Well, time for another update.

The long and the short of it; our CD, "Blues Power," is on a roll, and we are picking up stations all over the country and all over the world. A new media page with links will be coming soon to the home website, along with a long-promised overhaul (http://www.mightynostars.com/), but suffice it to say that we are getting airplay in Texas, Colorado, New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alaska, Minnesota, California, Florida, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Scotland. We have also been reviewed and/or played on several international Blues websites, and reviews are coming out next month in two French magazines that cover Blues and roots music-- "Blues," and "Le Cri du Coyot" ("The Cry of the Coyote").

I was blessed to be a part of a really fun gig at Buffalo's Tralfamadore Cafe last Friday, April 25th (see photo above). I was invited to sing and play some harp with Van Taylor's world-travelling jazz/funk/soul/r&b roadshow, Taylor Made Jazz. The band has toured the world several times over, and has been in existence, in one form or another, for (get this) 21 years! The show at the Tralf was both a benefit for some great charities helping inner-city youth, as well as an anniversary party to end all anniversary parties. A great cross-section of talent from the group's storied 21-year history was featured, and, thanks to my dual role as both the original drummer for the band, and the guy who actually booked the first paying gig (!), I got to sing with this dynamite outfit. Check them out sometime (when they're in town, and Your Mighty No-Stars aren't playing)...

More to come! Our promotional blitz is just gearing up, so watch for more news, media coverage, and radio additions, and please call your local stations and Blues DJ's and request music from Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars.

For an overall update on what's happening, here are a few items from our MySpace page, including a re-cap of some of this past year's major events:

* We were named one of the Top-10 independent Blues recording acts in the World by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. We also made Real Blues magazine's Top-100 new artists. We are getting a lot of "action" overseas, and have recently started a major domestic media/radio campaign, so expect to be hearing a lot more from Your Mighty No-Stars!

* We will be appearing on another WBFO compilation CD ("WBFO Gives Me The Blues, Vol. V")...

* We are starting to get into pre (pre) production for the next CD...

* Another major website overhaul is in the works...

* We are gearing-up for a great summer season of shows!

* We are now a 5-piece, with yours truly handling the keyboard duties...

* Bruce, Joel, and also Bret (our new drummer!) have endorsement deals (check out the story at our home website)...

* Our CD ("Blues Power") is now available (in physical form as well as through digital distribution) at http://www.mightynostars.com/, CDBaby.com, CD-Now, iTunes, Rhapsody, PayPlay, Napster, BuyMusic, CD-Connection, Emusic, MusicMatch, MusicNet, Amazon.com, iTunes/Yahoo Japan, and at finer record stores worldwide through Super D One-Stop Distribution...

* Bruce's (our guitarist's) new website is up and running-- check it out!! http://www.brucerounds.com/...

Anyway, that's all for now, but check back again.

God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

"WBFO Gives Me The Blues, Vol.V"...

...will feature another cut from Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars! "No Parasol," from the award-winning album Blues Power, will appear on the upcoming WBFO compilation. Call or e-mail WBFO 88.7 FM to request Mighty No-Stars' music, and listen to the Blues on WBFO or check out http://www.wbfo.org/ for information on how to get your copy of the CD.

Excelsior!

God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

Woh!

So much happening right now, it's hard to keep up!

Your Mighty No-Stars had a very successful showcase, were recently featured on WBFO's "Buffalo Avenues," are generating a lot of press and excitement overseas, are signing more endorsement deals, booking more gigs and public appearances, and are about to sign with a publicist that is going to help us crack the domestic Blues market in a major way!

By the way, we were recently named to Real Blues magazine's upcoming "Top-100 New CD's" list!!!!

We also still have a major website update and a few surprises "in store," (nudge-nudge), so stay tuned for more info soon!

GJ

Long Time No Post (Again)

Hey No-Star Nation;

Sorry it's been so long since our last update. We've had a whirlwind of activity since we made the
Top-10! (In case you haven't heard, we were listed as one of the Top-10 independent Blues recording acts for 2007/2008 by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN, at this year's International Blues Challenge).

Anyway, we'll have a proper update with all kinds of info coming soon. In the meantime, we'd love to see you at an upcoming show! Watch this site, our home website
(www.MightyNoStars.com), or our MySpace page for news and information. Call WBFO FM 88.7 and The Lake 107.7 and request music from Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars... We have been getting all kinds of action and inquiry on the band from all over the world (France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and across the U.S.), but we still need to raise awareness locally and regionally, and you can help!

Thanks for your support, God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

Top-10 in the World!!!!

Hey Yo,

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year (a little early, I know).

We in the Mighty No-Stars' organization and those of us in the Nocturnal Productions office have been blown-away by the recent news that our album, "Blues Power," is in the Top-10 independent Blues CD's in the world! (According to the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN).

Unbelievable! Lots of cool stuff happening, but if you want to follow our meteoric rise to international superstardom, here's the press release to at least get you started (see below).

God Bless, Good Blues, and Merry Christmas,

GJ

==================================================================

Musical Triple-Threat and The World Top-10:
The “Power of Three” continues for Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars

More awards, TV, and radio coverage-- The old adage that “good things come in threes” continues to ring true, as three new events involving Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars show:

After being selected as the local/regional winner of the Blues Society of WNY’s 2007 “Best Self-Produced CD” contest at this year’s “Memphis Bound” competition, Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars’ debut album, “Blues Power,” has been named one of the Top-10 independent Blues CD’s in the world by the Blues Foundation, in Memphis Tennessee, as part of this year’s International Blues Challenge. Entries from all over the U.S. as well as from France, Switzerland, and Australia were narrowed down to the Top-10. These albums will compete for the number one spot, which will be announced at the IBC Finals in Memphis in January, 2008. The IBC (International Blues Challenge) is the premier independent/unsigned Blues artist competition in the world, and features live performances and recording acts from all over the globe and across the United States. Judges for the initial round of the “Best Self-Produced CD” competition included radio personalities from across North America. The Mighty No-Stars will be representing Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, and the entire Western New York/Niagara Region in this prestigious event. Representing the WNY area in the live competition will be Rochester’s own “Blues Hounds.” Watch for more info on the IBC (held from January 31-February 2, 2008) in your local news, on the World-Wide Web, and at www.Blues.Org/IBC, the official site of the International Blues Challenge.

Upon receiving the news, Gregg commented that “Being named as having one of the Top-10 independent CD’s in the world is a great honor, not only because of the incredible competition, but also because of the great reputation that the Blues Foundation and the IBC have. This is far beyond any local or regional awards in scope, and we are truly blessed to be in such heavy company!”

Concurrently, Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars have been receiving some more media attention of late. The band will be featured on an upcoming podcast called “Hambone’s Blues Rumshack,” hosted by James Carlyle in Scotland. The radio jingle that Gregg and Bruce wrote and recorded for Bob Weaver Motorsports and Marine last year is also in rotation on local television in Buffalo, NY, for the Holiday Season.

In other No-Star News, Gregg Juke recently spent some time with one of the acknowledged elder statesmen and masters of the Blues, Charlie Musselwhite, who took time out from his busy schedule to talk with Gregg over the phone, and the contents of that interview appear in-print at the Blues Society of WNY’s website (www.WNYBlues.org), which is now averaging approximately 1,000 hits per day. A special audio version of the interview, along with music from Charlie Musselwhite’s latest major label CD, “Delta Hardware,” will be broadcast on an upcoming episode of the Saturday afternoon Blues program with host Jim Santella, on WBFO FM in Buffalo, New York. This will be followed by a podcast release of the entire interview at Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars’ official website (www.MightyNoStars.com). Check the web and listen to the radio program to hear words of wisdom and some great music from Charlie Musselwhite, brought to you by Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars and Nocturnal Productions.

Mighty No-Stars’ guitarist Bruce Rounds and bassist Joel Thomas have signed endorsement deals with First Act Guitars and Barker Basses, respectively. Listen for their new instruments on up-coming recordings by Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars. Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars are an original Blues, Roots, Soul, and R&B act from Amherst, New York. Their new album, "Blues Power," is available on Blue Buffalo Records. Visit them on the World-Wide Web at www.MightyNoStars.com, view their electronic press kit at www.Sonicbids.com/GreggJukeMightyNoStars, or contact Gregg Juke or Susan Fischer at Nocturnal Productions for more information--Gregg@MightyNoStars.com, or MightyNoStars@roadrunner.com.

Too Much Tryptophan Blues...

Happy Thanksgiving from Your Mighty No-Stars!

Lots of news since we were last in the blogosphere:

1) We hired a new drummer! His name is Bret Norvilitis, he's a prince of a guy and a great drummer. We'll be getting more info out on him in future installments here, and you can watch the www.MightyNoStars.com sight for an upcoming feature on Bret.

2) We're going to be featured on an international radio program/podcast called "Hambone's Blues Rumshack" out of Scotland. We've already heard the show, and, to borrow a phrase from its host James Carlyle, it's "crackin'." We'll let you know which program to download so you can hear this great show and Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars at the same time!

3) Well, there's so much going on right now, I guess you might as well just read the press release--

===================================================================
For Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars, “Good Things Come In Threes”

Awards, endorsement deals, and interviews with the masters-- Apparently, the old adage is true, at least in this case, as a trio of recent events involving Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars shows:

Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars’ debut album, “Blues Power,” was selected as the winner of the Blues Society of WNY’s 2007 “Best Self-Produced CD” contest at this year’s “Memphis Bound” competition. This is the first leg in the “Best Self-Produced/Independent CD” contest at the IBC held in Memphis, Tennessee each year. The IBC (International Blues Challenge) is the premier independent/unsigned Blues artist competition in the world, and features live performances and recording acts from all over the globe and across the United States. The Mighty No-Stars will be representing Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, and the entire Western New York/Niagara Region in this prestigious event. Representing the WNY area in the live competition will be Rochester’s own “Blues Hounds.” Watch for more info on the IBC (held from January 31-February 2, 2008) in your local news, on the World-Wide Web, and at www.Blues.Org/IBC, the official site of the International Blues Challenge.

Gregg Juke recently spent some time with one of the acknowledged elder statesmen and masters of the Blues, Charlie Musselwhite, who is currently on the road with the “Solid Blues” tour, featuring Charlie alongside The North Mississippi All-Stars, Mavis Staples, and Joe Krown. Mr. Musselwhite took time out from his busy schedule to talk with Gregg over the phone, and the contents of that interview will appear in-print at the Blues Society of WNY’s website (www.WNYBlues.org), which is now averaging approximately 1,000 hits per day. A special audio version of the interview, along with music from Charlie Musselwhite’s latest major label CD, “Delta Hardware,” will be broadcast on an upcoming episode of the Saturday afternoon Blues program with host Jim Santella, on WBFO FM in Buffalo, New York. This will be followed by a podcast release of the entire interview at Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars’ official website (www.MightyNoStars.com). Check the web and listen to the radio program to hear words of wisdom and some great music from Charlie Musselwhite, brought to you by Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars and Nocturnal Productions.

Mighty No-Stars’ guitarist Bruce Rounds has signed a deal with First Act to endorse their new Delia (semi-hollow body) guitar. Listen for the new axe at live shows and on future recordings by Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars.

First Act is a well-known maker of student instruments, and is now moving into the professional/high-end guitar market. Bruce joins a number of well-known First Act endorsers, including David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Larry McCray, Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), Henry and Jo Jo Garza (Los Lonely Boys), Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick, Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, Tommy Byrnes (Billy Joel), and many others.

Earlier this year, bassist Joel Thomas signed an agreement to endorse the uniquely elegant, hand-crafted, incredible-sounding Barker Vertical Bass. Check out Joel's Barker at live shows and listen for it on future recordings with Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars.

Gregg Juke uses Lee Oskar harmonicas, and Vic Firth drumsticks (through an agreement with the Vic Firth Corporation as a member of the Vic Firth Education Team).

Musicians that may be interested in either First Act guitars or the Barker Bass should see Bruce or Joel at an upcoming show; they'd be happy to discuss their new instruments and the companies that made them.

Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars are an original Blues, Roots, Soul, and R&B act from Amherst, New York. Their new album, "Blues Power," is available on Blue Buffalo Records. Visit them on the World-Wide Web at www.MightyNoStars.com, or view their electronic press kit at www.Sonicbids.com/GreggJukeMightyNoStars.

===================================================================

Have a great holiday, God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

This Town's In Tatters; We Can't Give It Away On Elmwood Avenue...

Don't forget to vote in this year's Cut & Paste Awards 2007.
http://www.bestofwny.com/.


In other news, last week was Guy Nirelli and Patti Parks' wedding celebration at the Tralf. A great time was had by all. It was great to see all of the talent and hang with the cats (Donna Rose, Wally Jederman, Guy, Patti, and band, George DeValle, Billy B, my No-Star pals, Dolly Durante, and many more)...

Coming soon (watch for details)-- An interview with blues legend Charlie Musselwhite! (For Real!)...

God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

"Nickel City Blues"--New WBFO Compilation

Hey All,

"WBFO Gives Me The Blues, Vol. IV: Nickel City Blues" is on the way... Once again, the station has decided to let you, the members of the music-consuming public, decide which local tracks will make the final cut and appear on the next CD.

Please take a few moments to stop by www.wbfo.org, and to vote for our song "Always (The Poor)." You can vote once for each e-mail address that you maintain. Also, don't forget we're on two other WBFO CD's, plus our album "Blues Power," so feel free to call your weekend blues hosts at WBFO FM (Jim Santella, Debbie Sims, Anita West) and request some Mighty No-Stars' music. Let's show Western New York why The No-Star Nation is the best group of music fans on the planet!

Cya Soon, God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

End of Summer Update

Well.

It has been a truly eventful Summer concert season for the band. We had a great time performing for audiences young and old across New York state.

We've been quite busy for quite some time; and on the personal front, we've had a few set-backs and losses-- some major events.

After this busy season, we've decided to slow down just a bit, so we'll be taking most of September and October off (although Bruce, Joel and I played a No-Stars Trio gig at the Harvest Run, and the band has a few dates in October-- Friday the 5th at Vizzi's in Kenmore, and Saturday the 27th at a private affair in Wendleville). We're going to be recuperating, soul-searching, writing, planning, recording, and rehearsing. We'll get some more shows in for you in November and December (we've got some more casino dates coming-up too), but we're getting ready to kick it up a notch for 2008...

Check back here and at the home site for more info, and we'll see you soon. THANKS for your support and for being the greatest music fans on Earth.

GJ

Blues Hospitalizations...

Still haven't heard an update on Etta James' condition.

By now, everyone probably knows that Bo Diddley had a heart attack (which he apparently suffered while in-hospital for a check-up; I suppose that was somewhat serendipitous)...

Anyone with any updates on either of these artists' condition, post a comment here, or e-mail me at Gregg@MightyNoStars.com.

GJ

It's true, and apparently, official...

See for yourself over at Yahoo News. Rock Stars die much earlier (on average) than members of the general population. An official study has been made, and we finally have an answer to a burning question...

Can you imagine? Who knew? (I wonder who spent the money to support an academic waste of time such as this?).

GJ

Endorsement deals signed by some of your favorite Mighty No-Stars!

Bruce Rounds has signed a deal with First Act to endorse their new Delia (semi-hollow body) guitar. Listen for the new axe at live shows and on future recordings.

First Act is a well-known maker of student instruments, and is now moving into the professional/high-end guitar market. Bruce joins a number of well-known First Act endorsers, including David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Larry McCray, Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), Henry and Jo Jo Garza (Los Lonely Boys), Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick, Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, Tommy Byrnes (Billy Joel), and many others.

Earlier this year, bassist Joel Thomas signed an agreement to endorse the uniquely elegant, hand-crafted, Barker Vertical Bass. The Barker Bass is a real eye-opener (it's a very unique and attractive instrument), but the live sound is incredible. Check out Joel's Barker at live shows and listen for it on future recordings with Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars.

Musicians that may be interested in either First Act guitars or the Barker Bass should see Bruce or Joel at an upcoming show; they'd be happy to tell you all about their new instruments and the companies that made them!

GJ

A Movie Review (?), Etta James Update, and more shows...

I know many of you are reading this blog, because you tell me so... But getting you to participate has been like pulling teeth, aye? So I'm trying a new tactic-- controversy. Well, maybe not too contoversial for some of you, and maybe old news for a lot of you, but here goes:

I took my oldest son to see Spider-Man 3 the other night... Yeah, I know it's a little late in the season, but we usually wait for the video release, so he was still ahead of the curve (we still haven't seen Rise of the Silver Surfer). Anyway, as an old Marvel comics and specifically Spider-Man fan, and after seeing the first two (pretty decent) movies, I was extremely underwhelmed and unimpressed. This everything-but-the-kitchen-sink waste of a good roll of film or two was truly bad cinema. The special effects were great, but that is the most positive thing I can say about it. The acting was sub-par on almost all accounts; other than Thomas Haden Church, who somehow was able to squeeze some pathos and depth out of a lifeless script in his portrayal of The Sandman. This film had no idea of what it really wanted to be-- at various turns it attempted to be a serious rendition of the ostensive story, a comedy, a relationship drama, and an epic adventure; unfortunately, none of those concepts were developed enough to be successful in any of those areas. As an additional albatross around the neck of the producers and director Sam Raimi, the movie was full of little incongruous annoyances for true Spider-Man fans (for instance, after ignoring Gwen Stacy for the first two films, using many of the newer comic book reinventions of Spidey's early years as source material, bringing her in as a two-bit sideshow character in this movie was simply wrong... What's next? The Jackal making Mary Jane clones?). For the first 40 minutes or so, I actually thought the movie might be safe for my younger children, then the obligatory "ratings-creep" content began to appear, apparently to "spice things up a bit." There is far too much back-story info that is assumed or glossed-over, too many continuity issues, and character development (beyond cartoonish stereotypes) is almost non-existent. The movie and its director over-reach, in an attempt to be "all things to all people," and we as an audience suffer for it; we suffer horribly. Perhaps even more than all of the poor people that Black Adam took his wrath out on in the very recent "World War III." Did I mention that I didn't like Spider-Man 3 much? Who knew your humble songster and blog-host was such a geeky-fanboy? (Quite a few people, actually).

The gauntlet has been thrown, bring it on...

Etta James is supposed to be back on the road on August 23rd... Thoughts and prayers are with you, darlin'...

Last Saturday's gig at St. Christopher's Summerfest was lots of fun-- Great audience, good food, and excellent weather. Paul Fadale (Bobby Millitello & RPM, Colleen Williams) subbed with us on drums. Great job, Paul! Thanks to everyone at St. Chris, and we hope to see you again next year.

Last night was a great time out in Attica. We'd like to thank the folks for a warm welcome...

A new date has been added for August-- Saturday, August 25th at Finnan's in Lockport.

Until next time, God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ

GospelFest, Etta James, and a Newsbrief...

Hey Ya'll,

Had the chance to run sound and stage-manage Gateway GospelFest 2007 in Williamsville on Thursday night. It was a great night of fun, music, and ministry, and the talent was really outtasight... Big props to Marc Scibilia (all the way from Nashville, bringing us that Bob Dylan/Mark Cohen/Billy Joel/Keith Green Gospel-thang), Tina Williams (all the way from Buffalo!), True Bethel Men's Choir, poetess extraordinaire Toni Benjamin, Carlos and Julius Spencer (ChoSon), Minister Stephen Kulu, and all of the rest of the talent that put on so much more than a show... Also, our M.C. par excellence, Mr. Al Wood of WBLK 93.7 FM.

Has anybody heard anything new on Etta James? I haven't yet...

Don't forget this weekend (Saturday night) at St. Christopher's lawn fete with Your Mighty No-Stars. Also, next week Wednesday, the 8th in Attica, N.Y., Friday the 10th of August back at Double-Diamond in Ellicottville, then the Ascension Church lawn fete in North Tonawanda (Saturday the 11th). The Lewiston Blue Monday show on the 20th, our second "Wild On The Water" SPCA cruise on Sunday, August 26th, and the Hamburg Summer Concert Series on Wednesday the 29th to finish out the month.

Can Summer be more than half over?!?!??? Awwwwww...

Stay-tuned (right here and at the home website) for some BIG news coming in about a week.

C U at the Gig, God Bless & Good Blues,

GJ