Update - February 9, 2010

The Bluescasters "LIVE" is officially in circulation even though the "official" CD release party is still a month off. What can we say? Folks asking if we got 'em and we do so it seems to violate the spirit of the blues to hold back. Besides, we need the money. It's not cheap to produce a quality product. Capitol Records has mistakenly overlooked the potential for massive profits they could make by exploiting us. With that, our hopes for fortune and fame (or, at least, paying the bills) lie with you…the local consumer and music fan. Please do not hesitate to pick up a copy prior to the release party scheduled at Guy Hollerins on March 13th. You can always buy a second copy at the party so as not to feel left out. We won't mind.

We just played a REALLY crowded room at the Ferndale Blues Festival last Saturday. The Ferndale Blues Festival is a really great event. If you haven't been there before, keep it in mind for next year. There's a huge selection of venues and bands at a time of year when festivals don't traditionally occur in Michigan. Park wherever you can in the Woodward/Nine Mile area and you can see four or five bands within walking distance. It's a good source for a mid-winter energy boost. Here's the website URL http://www.ferndalebluesfestival.org/. We were at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Nine Mile Road. It's tough to compete with all of those giant televisions but I think we did a pretty good job of catching a little attention for ourselves.

Since the New Year's Eve party at Guy Hollerins where we shared the bill with Al Hill and George Bedard, The Bluescasters have played at Zukey Lake Tavern and at Dick O'Dow's. Both joints had big January crowds. Is it possible that the economy is on the upswing? I'd like to think it was nothing more than the irresistible magnetic vibe we have, but maybe it's time to start believing that this country is not in a never-ending death spiral. Maybe we will get yet another indicator this Saturday at Grille 23 in Hartland. One thing is for sure, even if times are rough, people need a little music in their lives. If you're due for some fun, make sure you come on out and join us. If it's too far to travel, pick a closer spot and go there, take in some cool live music, have a shot of whiskey, or a beer, or a glass of wine, and maybe even get a little dancing in. It'll be worth it!

Update to the update - February 15, 2010

In reference to my thought (above) regarding Grille 23...Yep, packed and fun! Here's a few shots of The Bluescasters jamming with our good friends Chris Canas and Angie C that evening:

Update - November 25, 2009

Alright! How's everybody doing? Here we are on verge of kicking off of another holiday season. It won't be long before the cold, white crystals blanket the land. No, that's not a drug reference! You think this is a rock & roll band or something? The blues man likes to reference booze and women, the folk singer speaks of social injustice, Motown cats are all about love...but I'm getting off into some real rambling here so let's steer this update back on course.

It's been an interesting autumn for the 'casters. We have sucessfully made the transition from the Kerry Adams era into the Brian Delaney era with a string of gigs that has shown us that the show will go on. Our thanks go out to all who have welcomed Brian into the fold. It doesn't hurt that his guitar skills are somewhere between the stratosphere and the ionosphere, but to have the great turnouts and positive reactions at O'Dow's, Guy Hollerins, Memphis Smoke, and Grille 23 have helped the bonding process quite a bit. Thanks also to the Detroit Blues Society for the nice article in Blues Notes following our hosting of the monthly jam. We REALLY enjoyed it and the crowd was great!

Kerry Adams, forever a Bluescaster in out hearts, is putting the final touches on our third CD, "Live at Guy Hollerins" this very week. He passed along a 95% mix for critical listening and I can't hide my excitment...it ROCKS! It needs a little time for production and we expect to officially release it in a month or two. Kerry says we might even have a few sanctioned "bootleg" copies available at the New Year's bash being held at Guy Hollerins in Ann Arbor. If you want to have a blues infused party supreme AND the opportunity to get a rare advance copy of BC III, click this link to see details on making reservations. The Bluescasters will start the festivities off with two sets beginning at 8:00 PM on New Year's Eve. Following that (we guarantee not to be an easy act to follow) is the great Al Hill with special guest George Bedard on guitar. Come eat, drink, and dance your way into 2010 with us. Only 200 tickets are being sold so get your order in early.

Winter is approaching so that means the music scene opens once again at Zukey Lake Tavern. We will be there this Saturday and a few more Saturdays through the winter and into late spring. You will also find us at Guy Hollerins, Dick O'Dow's, Grille 23, and an assortment of other joints. Now that we are a full quartet again and feeling pretty good about the product, there will be no stopping Harry in his quest to find "the perfect gig". It's coming. I can feel it in my bones.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. Don't do anything I wouldn't do (of course, there's not much that I wouldn't do), have a feast, enjoy your family and friends, think positive, help someone who needs it, listen to music, and don't take sports too seriously. When we all follow this simple philosophy, the sun will shine on both sides of the street.

Mmmmm.........I smell pie

Update - September 25, 2009

Yeah, yeah...I know. Where the hell are the updates and what are the Bluescasters up to? Since February, much has happened and a fair portion of that is all the same stuff that happens all the time. Plenty of gigs have taken place. There have been the usual clubs, there have been festivalss, indoor, outdoor, big crowds, small crowds, mostly Saturdays, some week days, and so on and so forth. The Band rolls on. If you have not been to show for a while, come on out. We miss you!

But wait! What about that rumor that Kerry Adams is leaving The Bluescasters?
It's true, ya'll. Kerry has slowly transitioned into the Justine Blazer Band. Justine is an up-and-coming Country and Americana music sensation. Having the VERY talented Kerry on board will only make that train run faster 'n better. Harry, Phil, and I miss him already although he has been with us part time for the past few months. When Justine's schedule overlapped ours, we were able to keep the groove rolling at gigs with the help of blues/rock front man Michigan Mick Hishon and also occasionally with Blues/R & B star Chris Canas (he of the Blues Revolution Band). Thank you Mick! Thank you Chris! I suspect we will be slinging guitars together again in the not too distant future. If any of you folks caught one of those shows you might have thought we sounded a bit different than you remembered and not even realized why. Mick and Chris are great players themselves so nobody was disappointed. When the curtain opens, The Bluescasters always deliver!

Starting in October, the band begins another slight alteration as Ann Arbor jazz superstar, Brian Delaney, begins handling main guitar duties with The Bluescasters. Brian is another life-long player who has been in rock bands and blues bands around Ann Arbor just about forever. He currently is the leader of gypsy jazz supergroup, The Royal Garden Trio. It will be challenging for Harry and Brian to coordinate the schedules of the two bands. However, we think the coordination of the musical styles will occur pretty smoothly, and that's what really counts.

Kerry and the band got together in late June at Guy Hollerins in Ann Arbor for a show that was recorded for the purpose of producing The Bluescasters' first live CD (following the two previously released studio albums). BC III will feature many songs from the first two CDs as well as some new tunes and cool instrumental work that just never seems to quite happen in a recording studio. The crowd at Hollerins was big and high energy and the band fed off of it. The CD is in the final mixing stages and will probably ship out for mastering soon. A little production time after that should make this VERY HOT collection of original songs avialable for public consumption around, say...late November, early December? Expect an invitation to a release party as soon as we know the timing.

In the meantime, please come out to Memphis Smoke or Dick O'Dow's or Guy Hollerins next month and welcome new member Brian back into the Blues world. The audience is the inspiration musicians need to grow and bands need to bond. You're just the one to provide it.

See you soon, Doug

Update - February 27, 2009

Last time I updated this page we had just come off a grand old time launching blues rockets from the stage at a monster New Year's Eve party in Ann Arbor. Looking ahead at that time was less desireable than looking back because it just seemed like the party would make the next few gigs seem dull by comparison. Not so, as it turned out! Maybe the new year, with the saturation of politics of '08 left in the dust, is just going to be a long string of good things and fresh ideas.

Since that party, to date, we have played six gigs...Dick O'Dow's, Guy Hollerin's, Grille 23 (new joint on old US 23 just south of M-59), Zukey Lake Tavern, the Ferndale Blues Festival (at Buffalo Wild Wings), and Zukey Lake again. We have been pleased beyond our wildest dreams with the numbers of people at every performance. That's both the usual suspects (family and friends as some phone company likes to say) and the random folks that just get out of the house for a good time. The crowds have been boisterous and noisy (which the band really appreciates), have been staying out a little later, and have even been hitting the dance floor...all very insirational!

I've talked enough about Dick O'Dow's, Guy Hollerins, and Zukey Lake in the past since they have been kind enough to keep us in a regular rotation. However, it's worth mentioning that Grille 23 was a pretty nice room too and could use some support, especially those of you to the north of Ann Arbor. New joints always have a rough time making a go of the live music action. Grille 23 doesn't plan to have live shows there every week like most music clubs. It will probably be more like once a month, at least for now while they see what kind of response there is. We were honored to be the first band to play there. The staff said it was the best crowd they have seen there, although they have been having a fairly decent dinner crowd prior to starting with the live music. Check out their myspace site for other music nights (especially when WE are playing there) or just drop in and try something from the menu. I didn't eat that night but it all looked really good. It's a great staff too.

Then there's Ferndale's Buffalo Wild Wings. Typically a sports bar (ya'll know those places), they pack up with hundreds of sports fans that seem to like watching TV in a bar. Myself, if I'm gonna watch a Wing's game or a Tiger's game, I would just as soon be in the comfort of my own home where the bathroom is cleaner and the booze is cheaper. But...to each their own. We do appreciate the fifty (well, maybe a hundred) or so people that paid attention to the music that evening. The other 300?...I can't complain. They helped pay our fee so we could play for the other 50 - 100.

We're looking forward to our next show at Guy Hollerins on March 7th. The Bluescasters will break out a couple new original tunes for that audience and we plan to put to work a surprise guest vocalist on a couple songs. Most of that will happen in the first set which begins at 8:00 sharp. So...

...don't be late!

The Boweevil

Update - January 2, 2009

The Bluescasters wrapped up 2008 in style playing their final two sets of the year between 10 pm and midnight at the Blues, Brews, and Barbeque New Year's Party at the Ann Arbor Holiday Inn grand ballroom. It was quite a scene! The ballroom was totally decked out with festive appointments…hundreds of balloons over the large, packed dance floor for the midnight balloon drop, large silver snowflakes hung all over, and the silver stage backdrop was bouncing the multi-colored stage lighting around the room. There were white table cloths, hats and horns and centerpieces on the tables, champagne all around… The three course dinner and open bar definitely helped put the sell-out crowd in a dance-till-you-drop mood. The stage was set, both literally and figuratively.

Jesse Sinatra sang a dinner set featuring Cole Porter, Rogers & Hart, George Gershwin, and Jerome Kern classics. Looking sharp in a herringbone suit, spats, and charcoal grey fedora, and with several slow dance tunes on his list, Jesse set a romantic tone to kick things off. Hmmm, let's hope there was some energy left after the last song of the night was played. When Mr. Sinatra starts crooning, thoughts turn to spooning. His voice is smoother than a Grey Goose martini and it was the perfect musical, mood-altering drug for getting the dance floor warmed up between dinner courses. Guests were dressed up pretty sharp themselves for the occasion and showed off some ballroom dance moves while navigating the floor during songs like "The Tender Trap", "New York, New York", and "One for My Baby". I mean, how many parties have EVER had this much talent, variety, and class!

Linda Yohn from WEMU did a fantastic job as MC and worked the crowd up without much difficulty. Thank you, Linda, as well as WEMU for your contributions to the local music scene. We were also really happy to see so many familiar faces like Lettie, Diane, Margie, Kinks, Brian, Tony, Carol and other good friends at the bash. We love you all and don't forget it! Inspired by them and the energy of the moment, The Bluescasters followed Jesse with two hours of high energy blues and dance floor boogies, most of them Bluescasters' originals such as "Santa Fe", "That's All She Left Me", and "Nothing Lasts Forever". The performance kicked off with a boogie..."Big Brother Blues" from the CD "Five Dimes". We later brought Jesse Sinatra back to the stage to sing "Jumping Jack Flash" with the band (It was huge!), and closed out our second set with the always crowd-pleasing "Sweet Home Chicago" (t minus 30 minutes and counting). Kris and the rest of the sound crew had the room sound thick and rich. We always appreciate those guys immensely and we can't thank them enough for making us sound great. We would also like to especially thank our hosts for the evening (the Holiday Inn and Guy Hollerins), Peter Andrews, and the entire crowd, for their enthusiastic response.

After a record-setting equipment changeover, Mystery Train, fronted by Detroit's living legend Jim McCarty, kicked off their musical contribution with a dual guitar rendition of "Winter Wonderland". The band featured (along with McCarty's guitar and vocal work), Rick Stel on guitar and vocals, Kenny Welk on harp and vocals, Marvin Conrad on bass, and Dylan McCarty on drums. Their air-tight playing and dance friendly shuffle rhythms kept the dance floor packed with classics ranging from Howlin Wolf's "Killing Floor" to the Peter Green rocker, "Oh Well" (a McCarty specialty)...and we thought WE had worn out the collective legs of the partiers during the PREVIOUS two hours! Three tunes into their opening set, Linda Yohn hit the stage again to lead the crowd in the big countdown. At the stroke of midnight, down came the balloons, Mystery Train broke into "Auld Lang Syne" followed by a whole lot of cheering, kissing, and balloon popping. After Mystery Train played their last song of the night (a little before 2 am) the energy level in the place was still in the stratosphere! Luckily, the revelers had rooms in the hotel where several "after-party" parties developed. By the time the hangovers were setting in, the ballroom looked as though a bomb went off in it, and 2009 had gotten underway! I, for one, think it couldn't have gotten here soon enough.

We all wish for a lot of positive things as we go forward into the new year. We also hope to see all of you again out in the local entertainment venues. Now is the time to make the American economic engine fire on all cylinders again. That doesn't happen unless people live their lives and make it happen. Maybe 2008 wasn't really so great, but 2009 is gonna be just fine! Let's make it so y'all.

Cheers!

Update - November 9, 2008

It's been the blues express train for the band recently with four gigs in nine days. Two things happen when you play more often. On the one hand, the music gets tighter, plain and simple. I certainly noticed it this past wekend at Guy Hollerins and Dick O'Dow's. The boys were locked into a groove on every song. I think the audience noticed it too. Lots of good vibe flowing at both bars. The other side of the coin is that, as musicians, you can get a little burned out. Like Alice Cooper wrote, bodies...need...rest. I don't know how we used to pull off those years of six-nights-a-week action (musta been younger or something). We saw A and Sam at O'Dow's, which always makes our evening a bit more fun and inspired. There must have been 300 people a O'Dow's and my ears are still ringing from the din of that room. The Guy Hollerin's crowd was more like 100 but almost as loud and a lot more into dancing. Although...spontaneous dancing broke out at DOD's too, to be fair. What a great evening (and early, being the happy hour show) at Hollerins! Dan K was there, as was Lettie, Diane, Jesse Sinatra, and the Six Foot Poles classic rock band (minus drummer Matt) with family and friends. Also Judi, Ralph McKee, Bob and Diane, Griff, Nancy, and on and on...too many to remember while trying to recover on a Sunday morning. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the crowd, the management, and staff at both places for having us. We love you guys.

The previous week, we returned to two old haunts for the first time since spring. Friday (Halloween) found us at Zukey Lake Tavern. It was good to see Zukey Lake and their wonderful staff again. Being Halloween was an added bonus. Even the waiters and waitresses got into the act with costumes and some pretty cool sights were there to be had. Thanks to manager Nick for remembering us and bringing us back after the summer break. During summer, the Zukey Lake action is on the rooftop Tiki Bar. Live music is a no-go up there, but it's a great place to be in the summer, with a view of the lake and a non-stop outdoor party atmosphere. You need to get out there sometime. Then on Saturday we returned to 4 Friends Bar and Grill in Canton. Mitch Housey does a great job with the room, the food, the service, and the music. We rolled out a couple new original tunes there and they went over like gangbusters. "Can't Get the Blues" is a boogie woogie tale (written by Phil Ryski) filled with every blues cliche' in the book...mojo man, Johnny Concheroo, black cat bone, the crossroads...all trying to instill the blues into the tune's protagonist. But, he still can't get the blues. He tries as hard as he can. He can't get the blues...'cause he's a boogie-woogie man. Get it? Yeah, you got it. "Going Nowhere Fast" is my blues shuffle take on the recent financial crisis, especially relative to gas prices. I got to walk. Don't want to burn no gas. Every time I drive, I'm going nowhere fast. Ain't it the truth?

For those that missed those shows and in need of a blues fix, come on out to Hector and Jimmy's on N. Milford Road this coming Saturday, the 15th. We haven't been there in a long time and I couldn't tell you exactly what the scene is like these days. H & J's does have a great menu and is a nice bar for hanging out. With The Bluescasters touching off the musical fireworks, there's only one more ingedient necessary to create the kind of action that makes a weekend something to look forward to, and look back on fondly...YOU! Come on! What? You have to check the TV guide first?

Also, keep in mind that The Bluescasters, Jesse Sinatra, and Mystery Train with Jim McCarty will all be playing the same outrageously cool New Year's Eve party at the Ann Arbor Holiday Inn's grand ballroom. Packages are all-inclusive but limited in quantity. So don't wait too long if you would like to be at THE premiere party event in Michigan to ring in new year. Click this link for details.

Happy trails...

Update - September 14, 2008

This year The Bluescasters enjoyed some real growth in support by local audiences. It's been a long time since we've played one of those dates where the view from the stage consisted of the bartenders and waitresses, along with a couple of loyal friends who are there for us all the time, plus the one drunk who doesn't remember WHERE he is. Part of the reason is that the band has narrowed it's focus on places that are popular hangouts. You might say we are not desperate. I like to think that the other half the equation is the simple fact that folks are catching on to what we do, which is to cast enormous energy from the stage. It's not always easy and even the best musicians become jaded or bored. I don't see that happening with The Bluescasters. It's the result of good camaraderie within the group coupled with a shared love of music and performance. We also really hate to suck when people are listening and watching. We would all rather be digging ditches that playing music with no passion. At least we would be digging what we do (Ow, that's painful!)

It's way cool to see people come in a joint with the idea that the live music will just be muzak background for conversation and the ever-hopeful connection with the opposite sex (well...not always opposite) get caught up in the rhythm and let the music do the talking. Everywhere we have played, the bar staffs has always dug what we do. However, THEY are working. That maybe makes the band just a pleasant diversion and passes the hours away. The patrons have different ideas when they go out. Music that's too loud, not cool, wrong style, whatever, can drive them right out the door. It's always our plan is to have sort of the reverse effect. A group grabs a table with plans to stay an hour and then just can't leave without hearing one more set. The same group just might bring their friends next time around and that's how a scene is born.

Last night was a pretty cool scene at Dick O'Dow's in Birmingham. Although he intense rain kept a few people away and kept things a bit slippery in the bar as the roof seems to have a leak right over the stage, spirits were not dampened in the least. The band and the audience seemed a little extra motivated to make it a god time. We have played O''Dow's more than any other club. It's the longest drive on our current calendar and we occasionally wonder if it's worthwhile. As soon as those thoughts creep in something always happens to compel us to keep it going. Between sets last night, a bus load of ladies filed in during a pub crawl from heaven. They said they could only stay 15 minutes and would we PLEASE play a song for them. It was during our break and we were kinda ready to sit and have a drink. When 20 pairs of long eye lashes hovering over well-exercised bodies are staring longingly and hopefully at you, how can one refuse? Just that one dance scene Kodak moment was worth the entire night. Besides, how many places have a staff, hired straight from a Victoria's Secret catalog, that request your original songs and dances at the bar while they pick up their orders? We never get that "play Brown Eyed Girl!" thing at Dick O'Dow's. I should shoot video there and put it on this site. You wouldn't be able to stay away. Just ask the Fifthcaster, Dan.

Our schedule page has links to pages showing past gigs. It's kind of interesting to look back a the road followed leading to where we are today. Check it out...Calendar

The Bluescasters have booked a very special New Year's Eve show. It's at the Holiday Inn (home of Guy Hollerins) ballroom on Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. The evening will include dinner, with dinner music provided by Jesse Sinatra. Jesse sings classic songs from past decades written by the likes of Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, the Gershwins, etc. His Smooth vocals always blow people away and conjure up images of elbow length silk gloves, long cigarette holders, and dry martinis. Also playing that night will be Jim McCarty & Mystery Train. Jesse, Marvin Conrad (Mystery Train bassist), and myself are old friends, so what a great coincidence for us! Jim McCarty, the guitar force behind Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Cactus, and the Rockets, has also played with immortals Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman. Toss in a couple of high energy sets by yours truly and the boys and you have the new Year's Eve event supreme. Other parties will pale in comparison! Once all of the details have been worked out, we will provide a link on our home page to guide you to that action.

Hasta la vista, baby

Update - August 24, 2008

Is it really possible that I haven't had an entry here since May of '07 and 63 gigs have gone by in that time? Time flies as they say, and I'm never sure whether anybody even opens this page. Well...Dan K probably does (Hi, Dan). After my last entry, we played a noon show at the U-M hospital courtyard on June 7, 2007 for the patients, their families, and hospital staff. Fifteen months later (and approximately 15 hours ago) we were at Guy Hollerins in Ann Arbor, which became a blues force in the area almost a year after the U-M show. Last night at Hollerins was a blast thanks to the fabulous folks that came to see, hear, and dance with us. Here's the scene courtesy of our good friend Taz and her camera. The cat in the hat is Jesse Sinatra pulling off a damn good Lizard King impression during an electrifying version of "Love Me Two Times".

Other joints, meanwhile, have gone by the wayside. No more blues at Hermann's in Plymouth. No more blues at Bleachers in Pinckney. No more blues at Firerock in Hartland, or Dino's in Ferndale, or The Bistro in Ann Arbor, or O'Callaghan's in Brighton, etc, etc. Yet, new clubs have risen from the ashes, and thanks to Harry, we've found our way into a few of them. Hollerins is just one example. There's also River City Slims in Grand Rapids, 4 Friends in Canton, Callahan's in Auburn Hills, and Andiamo's in Dearborn. It all adds up to the fact that a good room for music and gathering simply has a life span, and that life goes on after these rooms reinvent themselves or just plain die out. It's more about the people than it is the room.

As long as there are entertainers and a desire to be entertained, new stages will replace old stages. The lifeblood of any and all of these venues is the crowd that comes out of their houses looking to enjoy an evening, attending the nightclubs (or restaurants, theaters, museums, etc. for that matter) and being a part of something not to be taken for granted. It's a symbiotic relationship to be sure. A healthy city has a healthy nightlife. The entertainment world is a vital part of most local economies. When the crowds are bigger, the venues grow and multiply, the level of talent and variety of acts increases, on so on.

Getting back to reality, The Bluescasters are on a cycle of a few clubs including, Hollerins, 4 Friends, Dick O'Dow's, and Zukey Lake Tavern, with a smattering of appearances at private parties, summer festivals, and a couple other clubs like River City Slims and South Lyon Hotel. The bottom line is...hope to see you soon!

Update - March 11, 2007

The band is on a roll and we want to make it clear that it's all because of people like you going out and listening. We've been playing to full houses every weekend for the past couple of months. That's a great motivator. It's lifted our performance level by sheer audience energy. That said...Thanks!

Last night Zukey Lake Tavern was the place to be. Hundred's of y'all thought so, anyway. Seats were hard to find but good times were all around. Tables were shoved aside to make a dance floor, the blues had a real feeling, and the house was rockin'. Kevin from the Chris Canas Blues Revolution and his wife Tracy were on hand, so the Boweevil was able to take a break while Kevin supplied bass artillery. That cat can play, jack! The Fifthcaster, Dan Kafila, was on hand, which always keeps us on our toes. Dan knows our songs and our style so well now that we count him to let us know when we are doing it right or if we need to ratchet it up a notch. Jeff and Erin, Bill and Sherry, so many other good friends of The Bluescasters...we couldn't do it without you. At least, we probably wouldn't want to do it without you. It's like sex. You can do it alone...

The band (as you probably read on our home page) has been honored with some award nominations. The Motor City Music Foundation has got the group up for the outstanding blues and R & B artist/group and our recently released CD, "Give Yourself the Blues" CD as outstanding blues recording. The Detroit Music Awards is an annual event and people can register and vote on-line. To register, you need to go to the website www.detroitmusicawards.com and fill out just a couple bits of info. Once your registration is accepted, you can vote each year without having to register again. Not everyone is accepted as a voter. The registration process calls for you to show some affilliation to the music scene and/or the Detroit metro area. The idea is possibly to keep the competition from becoming a ballot stuffing popularity contest.

The Boweevil has been active in the Detroit music scene lately. Actively getting entertained, wining and dining, and hearing some great music by some of the very talented musicians who have also been nominated for DMA awards. On Thursday, I checked out S.G. Wood and Rachel Lynn, A.K.A. the Hummingbirds, at Connor O'Neil's in ann Arbor. They're nominated in a couple categories and are a really great act with loads of talent. They surprised me by opening the show with a way cool version of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads". I voted for them and hope some more of you do as well. On Friday, Root Doctor played at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak. Wow! This a a top flight blues outfit that also plays Motown-style R & B with the best of them. The powerful vocals of Freddie Cunninghan alone are reason enough to get off the couch...and the soul-infused, Hammond B3 centered instrumentation is the perfect backdrop. If you haven't yet had a chance to see them, and the Hummingbirds, I suggest that you click on their names (above) to open the link to their websites, take a look at their schedules, and mark a couple dates on your own calendar. You'll be glad you did!

Come out to the Zukey lake Tavern this coming Friday and catch a set or three of Thayrone and the Witch Doctors. The Boweevil was a former bass man for this group and will be reprising that role as he stands in for the venerable Todd Perkins. "Once a Witch Doctor, always a Witch Doctor", says Thayrone. It's not unlike poison ivy. Once that mojo gets on you, you gotta keep scratching that itch. If you come out early while I'm still sober, you can buy me a drink! How's that for an offer you can't refuse?

The Bluescasters next performance is on Saturday, the 24th of March, at Dick O'Dow's in Birmingham. This joint is always packed with a couple hundred partiers that are serious about having a good time. As the band is packing their stuff out the door at 2:00 A.M., the staff is yelling at the crowd to go home. I'm not sure when they finally do clear the place, but it's definitely after we're gone. The staff there is great and they work really hard at keeping the drinks fresh and the food hot. The Bluescasters supply the rest. See ya.

Update - January 16, 2007

One gig into 2007 and already things are looking pretty exciting on The Bluescasters' horizon. A new phase in the band's development has been officially unveiled as the boys took the stage at Hermann's Old Town Grill in Plymouth last Saturday. Our very own Prince of Darkness and musical jack-of-all-instruments, Phil, donned a Fender Telecaster...thus making the 'casters a classic two-guitar band for the first time. I use the word "officially" because we experimented with it at Goodnite Gracie in Ann Arbor at a December 23 show. We had a blast and so did the crowd apparently, since Hermann's back room and dance floor were packed to capacity right until closing time. Only the mandatory 1:00 A.M. curfew imposed by the city brought things to an end.

At one point, during a dual-guitar instrumental break toward the end of our "Fat Eddie's Diner", the group was overwhelmed with enthusiasm and forgot how to end the song...so we didn't! At least, not until five full minutes of high energy guitar shredding brought the dancers to the brink of exhaustion (not to mention the rhythm section). That ended the second set in style and nobody was going to miss the third set after that!

It is worth pointing out that drummer Harry grew up two blocks from there and had twenty friends stop in. Toss in a few other Bluescasters' pals (thanks Dan, Cory, Dr. Bob, Shep from Chris Canas, Tracy, Blues Owl Dr. Bob, Bill & Phillis who always are the first dancers, and others), and you might say the audience was loaded (in more ways than one!). However, two random birthday groups didn't exactly run away from the music either. Also, don't let me forget to thank the lovely ladies who stepped up on stage with us and made it feel not unlike an Ike and Tina Turner Revue complete with female chorus. Truly a night to remember, and hopefully a sign that 2007 is going to be the year that dust collects on folk's TVs while they're out taking in society and all the good feelings that go along with large gatherings for a common goal - ENTERTAINMENT.

By the way, speaking of our friend Dan, he laid a disc full of photos on me from past Bluescasters gigs that he had accumulated over many months. I'll be slowly formatting them for use on this website and everyone's browsing pleasure. Thanks, Dan. I can't tell you enough how much we appreciate your support and friendship.

Next Saturday, January 20, the band will be playing at Dick O'Dow's in downtown Birmingham. We encourage you to come out and tip a drink with us. It's tougher to get the dancers rolling at O'Dow's, but with your help, it can be done. The joint is always packed, and all it takes to send the place into full-tilt boogie is a sparkplug dance couple. Come on...it can't always be Bill & Phillis. This time it's your turn!

You can also visit The Bluescasters in our other cyber location at myspace.com/detroitbluescasters. Not that there's anything new about us there, but you can have a look at all of our cool friends from around the state, country, and even the world. I know, I know...searching around myspace seems like something for sexual predators. Truly, it can be fun. Just be careful...it's addictive kinda like TV. We still want you to leave the house on Fridays and Saturdays and burn off as many calories as you consume dancing to the compelling beat of Harry's snare drum.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by this site to have a look, keep track of what we're up to, look ahead on our schedule, browse the photos (mostly of y'all), and take interest in our music. Without you, we would be what my friend Bill Gowen calls a "waste of skin". You wouldn't want that on your conscience now, would you?

See ya soon.

Hi and Happy New Year everybody!

I've been relatively lazy for the past six weeks or so (you too? must be something in the air), but I'm compelled to put out the word. "What word?", you may be asing yourself. Why, I'm talking plain and simple Hoodang, folks. For the benefit of those who couldn't be there, all five billion of you, Dave Rossiter and Hoodang played a whale of a concert at the Ark in downtown Ann Arbor last night. For me, it just doesn't get much better. I'm not a country music kind of guy...at least, not the kind of country that puts Cosmopolitan and GQ models in expensive clothes, covered with carefully applied stage dust, simulating folks with real soul. But I am a huge fan of Hank Williams senior, Bob Dylan, and John Prine. With Hoodang, one gets a satisfactory dose of all of the above in a way no one else can deliver.

It may seem crazy to those of you who know me. My first live show was Jim Morrison and The Doors, followed by Cream and Johnny Winter in the glorious, yet hazy, '60s. However, real music is real music, whether it be Jimi Hendrix, Albert Collins, or Mozart. Hoodang is the real McCoy, and nobody who sits through a show is gonna argue with me.

This particular night was no exception, except that the show was recorded for a live CD (slightly motivational) and the band was expanded from four to seven, and rather well rehearsed, as always. Besides the normally fabulous line-up of Dave Rossiter in front on acoustic guitar and vocals, John Latini on bass and harmony vocals, Drew Howard on all things strings (steel pedal, dobro, mandolin, and Telecaster guitar), and Pat Bills on drums, you can toss in Neil Donato on piano and organ, Whit Hill on second vocal, and Rachel Nagy of the Hummingbirds just for good measure.

I can't describe all of the incredible musical nuances of the show here without wearing out a finger on both hands, so let me just say it was so cool that I'm jealous of myself for having been there. The rest of you 4,999,999,999 poor slobs will have to settle for buying the CD when it comes out. In the meantime, get your ass out to the next available Hoodang show, John Latini show, Whit Hill Show, or Hummingbirds' show so you don't miss out on the action. A good time is guaranteed by the Boweevil himself.

While you're at it (if you still have time) take in a Bluescasters' show too. They're not too bad themselves. The Bluescasters are appearing at Hermann's Old Town Grill in Plymouth this Saturday, January 13th, at 9:30. We're gonna have a little Hoodang of our own.

Hope to see ya there,

The Boweevil

Update - November 26, 2006

Although The Bluescasters took another week off, one Boweevil managed to get out on the town again and burn a little midnight oil. In my efforts to expand my awareness of the local music scene and fresh off the heels of last week's Hoodang show, I took in John Latini and friends at the Tap Room Annex in Ypsilanti. Those of you who have been there already know it's a cool room to watch and listen to live music. In additiion, it's always good to support club owners like Brian Brickley (also of the Martindales) in return for the years of support he has shown to area musicians.

On this particular night, John Latini's "friends" included a large portion of the Latini family. John's brother Jim performed several songs. Also in attendance and on stage for several songs was Maggie McCabe, of the "many bands" reputation. Two keyboard players took turns along with a fabulously talented female fiddler, who also sang a goose bump raising rendition of Willie Nelson's "Crazy", a la Patsy Cline. John played guitar to round out that duet. Please get out to the Tap Room and help keep all of this talent from moving to places like Chicago and San Francisco. Let's keep Michigan culturally active (and have a blast at the same time).

Last night, on Sunday, I took a ride to the Old Town Tavern in Ann Arbor with my pal, Jesse Sinatra, to see the Royal Garden Trio. We hooked up with friends Bill and Phillis, who had the front row table. It's good to be lucky. Luck was indeed on our side, as we were treated to some fantastic gypsy jazz and swing music. The Royal Garden Trio is a can't miss act, laden with talent, and really polished. However, on this night, it turned out to be a celebration of sorts for the band as they turned five years old right in front of us, and turned it up notch. To commemorate the event, Brian (Delaney) called on a few friends from Phil Oglivie's Rhythm Kings to come sit in with the trio. It just doesn't get any better than this...and no cover? Are you kidding me?

As the first set progressed, the crowd had no idea what was in store. Brian had mentioned the anniversary, but not the means of celebration. So what started out looking like the picture to the right, grew throughout the set until it got as large as a six piece combo.

When you add players like Paul Finkbeiner on coronet, Chris Smith playing the sousaphone, and, I think, Andrew Bishop?, on clarinet...WOW! How often do you find that combo in a corner bar anywhere?

The next thing you know, the band looks pretty darn big (below, left), and sounds ever bigger. Check out the crowd, too (below, center). Think people aren't willing to go out on a Sunday night? It was SRO. On top of everything else, when the band struck up "Under My Skin", Mr. Sinatra picked up the mike and did it his way (below, right). I saw people dancing out on the sidewalk and looking through the Old Town's windows.

Oh, yeah, man...music scenes like the one we got just don't exist everywhere. It's a good thing this bass player plays in a band. When The Bluescasters are playing, I only consume half as much whiskey as when I sit with you in the crowd, being entertained by pros who spend a lifetime working at the craft, and do it out of love for the music. Maybe I'll see you at the next one. CNN just has reruns anyway.

Adios, amigo

Update - November 15, 2006

Hi, everyone (and you, too) - It's been some kind of wild ride, the days leading up to the recent CD release party. There was a mad rush to get all of the material to the manufacturer in time (actually, the last minute) due to the bands quest for quality with anything we lay out for public consumption. With the four of us all putting our ears to the arrangement and mix grindstone, the final result was worth the extra effort. Even using overnight priority shipping in both directions, the CDs arrived no less than two days before the big event. Now, I wish we would have had another set of eyes looking over the cover art and text. It's been brought to my attention that...nowhere on the cover does our website address appear. 0-:) It's one of those deals where musicians, as is typical, are less sensitive to the visuals than they are to audio. Of course, these days you can find anything using Google or other search engines. I'm sure that those that really want to find us...will.

We did get right back to work on the live stage playing the following Saturday at Hermann's Old Town Grill in Plymouth. A nice crowd turned out and we had a great time playing without the stress of hosting a party at the same time. Keep visiting Hermann's even when we're not there. It's an excellent blues hangout and in real danger of becoming just a hangout, sans blues, or even worse...Karaoke! Ughh!!

The next week, the band set up shop in downtown Birmingham. This is a place that packs 'em in like no other. Being an irish pub, a blues band might seem out of place. However, even Birminghamites can't resist the call of Harry's snare pounding the 2 and the 4. By the time the third Guiness is consumed, the place heats up and spontaneous dancing usually breaks out. My pal, Thayrone, just booked his Witch Doctors, Tom and Todd, in the joint. Please go out and see them, if not at O'Dow's, then at your favorite blues bar. They feature the rhythm section from Hell and the poetic strains of Thayrone woven in between. You'll find Dick O'Dow's on the north side of Maple, just west of Old Woodward. The place looks something like this:

You may be asking yourself; "Where's Phil? I see Harry, Doug and Kerry, but no Phil". Hmm...Pictures don't lie.

Found him!...as usual, in his nightstalker persona, working on yet another wildass scheme filled with intrigue and skullduggery. If nothing else, he allows his fellow Bluescasters total freedom to focus on music as the ladies can't see us through his glow. I would like to know what he's thinking at this moment, captured in high resolution by the Boweevil...or at least...what his hands are doing! From the happy look on the faces of these two stunners, the imagination runs wild!

So, if you want to cash in on this kind of action at the next Bluescasters show, keep in touch with the schedule on this website. We want to see you having a good time, soaking in some premium music performed by this talented group, enjoying a drink with a friend, and taking in the ambience of the cool clubs around the area. While you're at it, you may want to pick up a copy of Give Yourself the Blues and have The Bluescasters right there in your own living room. In fact, with Christmas right around the corner, this is a real opprtunity to pick up a couple of presents for the music lovers in your life without having the stand in line at some crummy joint like Best Buy. Let's see...standing in line at Best Buy or being in a cool night club, listening to a great band, having a drink with your friends... Once again, the choice is obvious!

Out...

Update - October 21, 2006 "Give Yourself the Blues" CD release party

Let me begin with the party on Saturday evening in the 2nd floor barroom of the South Lyon Hotel. The band members were in the house early setting up shop, decorating, doing sound checks, etc. The place was already moderately crowded with dinner guests. As it turns out, most of them were there for the first World Series game as well. By the time music fans were piling in at 8:30, seats were already hard to come by. When the first notes were struck at 9:00, it was standing room only, and stayed that way throughout the night!

Understand, the SLH upstairs is a big room and holds 150 - 200 people easily, so it's not hard to imagine that it was a loud, raucous gathering. Even with the Tigers getting their tails kicked, the mood was really upbeat. Several friends and family members of the band were there (Renee, Louise, Deb, Matt, Ted, Pat, Sherry, Bill, Lettie, Margie, Diane, the other Diane, Al, Kinks, Dr. Bob, Dave, Laura, Carol, Scott, Griff, Jesse, Gary, Teri, Jennifer, and on and on...my apologies to those that I've not mentioned) giving The Bluescasters tremendous support and inspiration. The band members would like to thank all of you. If you only had half as much fun as we did, you must have still had a blast.

The band did a short 35 minute warm-up set of some old favorites and then spent some time with the partiers sharing the moment, and of course, hawking CDs. Extra thanks to Deb and Matt for working all night at the cash box. The band also sold some official "Bluescasters shades", complete with logo, from their stash of this very limited edition item. During one dance floor moment, the sunglasses came out in force, and John Belushi was doing the James Brown good-foot dance high in the sky.

I hope that everyone got a chance to spin the disc a time or two since Saturday. It will remind people of what a great party it was and, without a doubt, remind them that this band can write some catchy tunes. For those who couldn't be there, come on out and see us at Hermann's Old Town Grill in Plymouth on November 4th or Dick O'Dow's in Birmingham on November 11th. All of the new songs will be on the set list and we will have more CDs and Bluescasters sunglasses. You don't just want to own this disc...you need to own it! There's one song on it titled "Nothing Lasts Forever", but maybe these songs will come close.

Oh yeah, don't let me forget to mention that our gig at the Bayou Grill, our first one there, was the last live music they are having there. The owners made the business decision to shut it off and stop the bleeding quickly, as they were not able to be convinced that enough music fans would stop in for a drink on a Saturday night to even pay the musicians. Without your support, these places can't survive. Here's a joint with no cover charge, live entertainment, a good pour, and a nice room to boot, and they couldn't attract more than a few tables. Myself...I like being in the audience even more than I like being in the band, and you'll see me hanging out in these places listening to the likes of Bugs Beddow, Lady Sunshine, The Blues Owls, The Witch Doctors, Kinks and his Krew, Chris Canas and the Blues Revolution, and others. Are you kidding me? I can hear all of these cats for free in an intimate setting or pay to $150 to see The Eagles (yawn) in a baseball stadium? The choice is obvious! Let's keep a good thing going. I'll save a seat for you.

Thanks for visiting this site and listening to my rambling...