Music Makes Life Better

Rock and Roll Diary

I have occasionally been playing at a nursing and rehabilitation center.  It has been very rewarding for me to play there because I can see that my music is making life better for the folks under care there.  I haven't written much about these performances because they are not open to the public.  I wanted to write this post to share some pics.  Playing these performances reminds me that if you are able to walk and talk without someone's help you have a lot to be thankful for.  Also, no matter what your circumstance, music makes life better!

JP Ryan's Weds Night July 2016

Rock and Roll Diary

The mid July Wednesday night show at J.P. Ryan's was a great night for a few reasons.  Always the biggest reason for a great night is the friends who show up and the other folks who had a good time enjoying the tunes.

Another great reason is when someone joins in to help make the music.  At this show my friend Maryann played a couple songs with me on the Irish instrument the tin whistle.  She plays great and its always a good thing to play a jig or reel in an Irish pub.  Finally when you see someone you haven't seen in a long time its a wonderful thing.  Back at JP Ryan's August 24th!

Mid July Summer Shows

Rock and Roll Diary

Mid July I played two fun shows at two awesome summer venues Daddy's Beach Club and The Sand Dollar Bar And Grill.

Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. -Henry James

Daddy's Beach Club

On Saturday July 16, 2016 the new band I am playing with Spyglass played an afternoon show at Daddy's Beach Club.  Daddy's is on beautiful Nantasket Beach.

Sand Dollar Bar and Grill

On Sunday July 17th I played my weekly summer Sunday Funday show at the Sand Dollar Bar.

This show was extra special because I was joined for a couple songs by an accordion player, Amy.

Great weekend of music!

Red Stone Grill July 2016

Rock and Roll Diary

Last Thursday evening I played music at the Red Stone Grill in North Attleboro, MA.

The "Red Stone Grill is a family friendly restaurant and bar featuring a menu of comfort food dishes presented with a modern twist."  

The Red Stone has a nice outdoor patio setting but I played inside because of the weather.  

Someone at the Red Stone took a short video clip of the the performance.

It was a fun night and I am looking forward to returning to the Red Stone Thursday August 11th!

Summer 2016 Return To Hillside Country Club

Rock and Roll Diary

Last Wednesday evening I was so happy to return for a Summer 2016 performance at Hillside Country Club in Rehobeth, MA.

                                         Photo:Robert Price

The Hillside Country Club has a Tikibar that Jimmy Buffet would be proud of.  I had a performance scheduled last Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.  It was a beautiful summer evening and there was a really nice crowd of folks there.  I was especially happy to see some friends there, some old (I have known for years) and some new.

There were a couple birthdays in the house and it was a fun night.

The staff at Hillside Country Club is top notch!

   
Check out Hillside Country Club! I have another performance scheduled for Wednesday, August 17th 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM!

Fill In Show For Ken Snow July 2016

Rock and Roll Diary

Every once in a while an opportunity presents itself and I get a chance to fill in for another performer.  I was very honored to fill in for my friend Ken Snow last Tuesday for the weekly Tuesday Is The New Friday show at JP Ryan's Tavern in Abington, MA.

While it was a small group in the audience it was a fun group and the night was really enjoyable.  JP Ryan's is very much like a Cheer's where everyone knows your name and they are always glad you came.

My friends Ross and Kate Merrill were there and they agreed to play a couple songs.  We arranged for me to make a guest appearance at their next performance which will be on August 20th at Crow's Landing in Hingham, Mass.

Visit JP Ryan's Tavern some evening.  You will be glad you did!

As a post script Ken apparently is enjoying vacation...

Summer Shows And Good Times

Rock and Roll Diary

The summer shows this year are in full swing and last weekend there were some phenomenally fun times thanks to the people at the shows.  If people know how to have fun and they want to have fun and you bring them some fun live music then they are going to have fun.

Daddy's Beach Club With Spyglass

The first show of the weekend was a full band show at Daddy's Beach Club at Nantasket Beach.

I think this was the best show to date for the new band.  

It was wonderful to see friends at the show and be able to enjoy a Saturday afternoon together with live music.

T.K.O. Malley's Sports Bar in Scituate Mass

The show at TKO Malley's was definitely the best I have ever had there.  There was a great group of people and I think there was dancing for a straight hour and a half when I played the tunes that night. Totally awesome night and I am especially grateful for my friends Sue and Judy who each brought a crew with them and helped make the night a total blast.  My friend Emily got up to sing and my friend Bob brought two friends who each sang a song and then they sang back up at the end of the night on CSN's Love The One Your With.  It was great.

The Sand Dollar Bar in Dennisport on Cape Cod

I had a feeling the show at The Sand Dollar Bar was going to be epic last weekend and it was!  Here is a link to a video showing where the Sand Dollar is and it has a clip of a song.

Come out for a show this summer!  Time passes quickly, let some of yours include live music and fun times!

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner July 2016

Tonight I had the honor to play music for a wedding rehearsal dinner.  It was at a beautiful location in Bolton Mass called The International. The people who were working the event were very kind.  I had this event booked over a year ago.  It was a very nice evening.  I met the bride and groom while playing at The Half Door in Quincy Mass,  The groom told me the reason they booked me was because of the pen I gave them.  "We woke up in the morning and saw the pen and said 'that guy was good, we should book him for our wedding.'"  The story put a smile on my face.  The moral of the story is that every performance is an audition and it is time to order more pens. :-)

Tinker's Son In Norwell July 2016

Thursday evening I played at a venue I had not played at it quite a while The Tinker's Son in Norwell. It was an early show 8-10 PM.  It was a nice night because friends came out to see the show.

Back at Tinker's in December!

Fourth Of July Weekend 2016

The Fourth of July weekend this year had spectacular weather and live music by the beach.

Daddy's Beach Club

Saturday afternoon I played from 3 to 7 PM at Daddy's Beach Club.  It was a great day to be at Nantasket Beach and it was a really fun show,

Wedding Reception

Saturday evening I was the entertainment for a wedding reception in Plymouth Mass.  My childhood friend's son who is in the US Navy was married and they had a local reception to celebrate.  I played some tunes and DJ'ed part of the evening.  The nicest part of the evening for me was when the bride and groom ended the evening singing Have I Told You Lately That I Love You to each other while I played.

Beach Cookout/Private Party

Sunday evening July 3rd I played a private beach party cookout in the  Houghs Neck section of Quincy.  This was the sixth year in a row that I have played this yearly event for the family and every year it is just an awesome celebration of Independence Day.