A Movie, Meal and the Civil War As Well as Wings and a Concert

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

Bob Stroud played Ten at Ten from that great college year for me, 1972, including "Ventura Highway" by America and "Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards.  Took me back.  

Drove to Woodstock and saw the movie "Minions:  the Rise of Gru."  Gotta love those little yellow guys.  Then met some Civil War buffs at 3 Brothers restaurant in Il. Highway 47 and then to The Woodstock Library for a presentation on the USS Merrimac(k)/ CSS Virginia.  I especially like presentations on anything Civil War Navy.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

Trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and had those great 50 cent wings and a good talk wih a Sox fan where we figured out that the Sox really have stunk up the place this season.  Drove to Wisconsin and got gas just over the border for $3.87 ($3.86.9) which is 45 cents cheaper than in Illinois.  A whole lot of Illinois folks near the border do this these days.

Then went to Antioch's It's Thursday concert featuring a good party band, 28 Days.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  How can a SLIM CHANCE and a FAT CHANCE  be the same, while a WISE GUY and a WISE MAN aren't.

Trivia, Food, Captain's, the Beatelles, a Fish Fry and Lake View

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

Played trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and, as usual, we had a smorgasboard to eat as folks brought food in.

THURSDAY, JULY 7

Drove to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and had their 50 cent wing special said hi to former neighbor Mel who used to live next to us and is an unbelievably good bartender there.   Then drove to Antioch, Illinois, for the It's Thursday concert series, today featuring an all female group named  Beatelles singing Beatles songs.  That was sure a different way to hear the Beatles.

FRIDAY, JULY 8

Met Kelly and Kevin, Glen and Barb at Cuda's for their fish fry then went over to Lake View Place for their $1.50 draft beer and had never seen the place so crowded.  Former neighbor Mel and a lot of the Captain's Quarters folks were there.

Fun and Games Around Here.  --RoadDog

THINGS TO PONDER:  Which letter in "Scent" is silent?  Is it the "S" or "C?"

One Great Time Last Weekend-- Part 2: Choppers, Jon Polit On Deck, Sunnyside, Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

FP (Front Porch).  Yard work.

We went to Choppers Bar and Grill on Illinois Highway 173, west of Antioch and sat outside on their deck under the huge old oak trees on an absolutely gorgeous day.  A 16 ounce draft beer is just $2 all the time.  Plus, we had one of our favorite singers, Jon Polit,  performing and we sure had a great time.  he is very interactive with the crowd while playing a wide variety of songs.

And, even better, there was a crowd but not so many that it became difficult to do things.  For years most every Sunday afternoon on the Chain of Lakes, you could find us at the outside bar of Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake, listening to their great afternoon bands.  But the place has gotten way too popular with huge crowds so we don't often go there anymore.

Choppers has crowds, but not too big.  Plus, we have boats going by on a channel.  Probably the only drawback was that we had to go inside to get our drinks.  Oh well!

We went by Sunnyside in Johnsburg before returning home where I enjoyed FP again and then adjourned to the basement and Margaritaville where I sat at the bar and enjoyed my Ultimate Jukebox which has 300 CDs.

This Was a Really Good Day.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 for January 13, 1969-- Part 1: "Abraham, Martin & John"

The Top 40 Songs in Chicago on January 13, 1969.

(D) is for debut.  The number behind the artist is the highest the song got on the Billboard Top 100.

40.  OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA--  Arthur Conley      #51   (D)  A reggae take on this Beatles song  Somebody says the lead guitarist on it was Duane Allman.  His last Top 100.  Discovered by Otis Redding in 1965.

39.  FEELIN' SO GOOD--  Archies    #53   (S.K.O.O.B.Y.-D.O.O.)    (D)  I guess this is not the TV cartoon dog.  Studio group formed by Don Kirshner.

38.  ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN--   Dion      #4   His last  top 40.   "I just looked around and he's gone."  Brings back some memories of 1968.  At this point the song was falling out of the survey.

37.  LOVE CHILD--  Diana Ross / Supremes     #1  That great Motown sound tied to a social issue.

36.  BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP--  Foundations       #3   (D)   Gets the folks up dancing at Captain's Quarters in Antioch, Illinois.    Also, a great Beach Music song.   Their biggest hit.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And Then Worst Of All (Worst Of All) You Never Call, Baby."

Answer Below.  --RoadDog



"Build Me Up Buttercup"

About Last Weekend-- Part 4: Radio, Yard and Sunnyside

JUNE 25, SUNDAY

Sat out FP (Front Porch) in the morning for coffee and breakfast.  As I usually do.

As I do every morning, I listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV, 97.1 FM in Chicago.from 7 to 10 a.m..  Since this is the first official weekend of summer 2017, he played nothing but summer-related songs.

I am also recording Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles which I will listen to later in the week.  It runs from 8 to 10 a.m. on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM.

I did a lot of yardwork afterwards and later we went to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg, Illinois, for their 3 p.m. drawing where Liz won a $25 gift certificate.  We had been planning on going over to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake to see their band (bands play 3 to 7 p.m. on Sundays during the summer), but we didn't make it, staying at Sunnyside and enjoying the camaraderie.  Sunnyside is a real "Cheers" kind of a place.

--RoadDog

Kickin' Off Our Summer 2017-- Part 4: Yard Work, Boat, Captain's

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

Few things finer than sitting FP  (Front Porch) in the morning and having coffee and breakfast.  I get as many of these days in as possible over the summer and fall (even spring on those rare days you can sit out there comfortably).

Lots of yardwork (still trimming bushes) and I went over to Rick's and paid him money for this season's pier space on a channel going to Fox Lake and then we went to Menard's and Home Depot where I bought four more hostas (now 12 of them since yesterday).

Decided this would be a great time to go to Captain's Quarters and officially kick off our summer in the Chain of Lakes area.  This has been a tradition of ours for many years.  We  used to go there quite often over the summer as they have bands from 7 to 11 p.m., on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons from 3 to 7.  Nothing like a great band (and they have real good bands) on an early evening or Sunday afternoon, drinking ice cold beer and enjoying the whole thing.

However, the place has gotten so popular and crowded, we don't go as often.

We even were able to get seats at the bar (almost impossible) and enjoyed the great soul music of R Gang, who played the R&B Soul classics from the 60s-80s.

It Must be Summer Now.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  Your only source of nutrition comes from "Sweet & Low."

Kicking Off Our Summer 2017-- Part 1: The Band At Captain's

Well, we regarded the summer as not "officially"  here until we get out to Captain's Quarters in Antioch on Fox Lake and we finally got there this past Saturday.  R Gang was playing outside on the deck from 7 to 11 p.m..

Now, if I can just get our boat in the water for our 33rd year of boating, we'll be seriously into the season.  Between the rainy and cool May weather and being gone for so many days the last two weeks, the boat has been sitting in the driveway since April 29.

Of course, with all the things going on around here June to September, why go anywhere else for vacation.

Actually, Summer 2017 would have kicked off two weeks ago, but I was at the Indy 500 from May 25-29 and June 2-7, we were along the Mississippi River in Clinton, Iowa, Dubuque, Iowa, and Galena, Illinois, so we haven't really been around here much.

Summer Is Here!!  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  The nurse needs a scientific calculator to take your pulse.

About Last Weekend: 3 Festivals, 9 Bars, 3 Bands and 1 Car Show

AUGUST 1ST, THURSDAY-- Boating. Antioch, Il.: Sequoit Lodge for wings, J.P. & the Cats playing at the bandstand, classic car show. Then, Steitz's for Chain passport stamp.

AUGUST 2ND, FRIDAY-- Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wi., with Kevin and Kelly for NTN (ten top ten rankings), Never Sink Inn and Tommy's in Spring Grove, Illinois.

AUGUST 3RD, SATURDAY-- Genoa City Days in Wisconsin. Mitch performing on the deck at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes. Fireworks at Venetian Night in Fox Lake, Illinois.

AUGUST 4TH, SUNDAY-- Bloody Mary and cocktails on the deck at Dirty Rooster overlooking Grasslake. Port o' Blarney for Chain Crawl passport stamp. Funk Libido Circus playing at Captain's on Fox Lake. Fire on the Strand (bonfire) and gazebo back home.

ALL OF THESE PLACES ARE WITHIN TEN MILES OF OUR HOUSE. Pretty Good Times. --RoadDog

Labor Day Weekend: Bands, Bars, Festivals, No Boating

Boating wasn't an option, even without the flooding. We generally stay off the Chain of Lakes on the weekends and especially holidays. We let the "weekend warriors" have their sway. Thank you very much, we'll go out on the weekdays.

SATURDAY I worked in the yard and fought mosquitoes. I planted eight tall phlox out by the deck flowerbed.

Then, we drove US-12 down to Wauconda where they were having a Main Street Festival. Old Rand Road, the original US-12 before the bypass, was blocked off and a great blues/rock band, Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners, was playing on a temporary stage.

We had some cotton candy for the first time in a long time. We had forgotten how little there is of it. The Rotary Club was selling it and the poor guy at the machine had cotton candy up to his elbows.

Lots of restaurants were offering food. I had an excellent burrito from a Mexican place for $4. Sat at a table and talked with another couple. They had been married for two years, BUT, had been married before and then divorced. They had met again at their daughter's wedding and the flame rekindled. That was a neat story. We found out they were also into the two lane roads so talked about some of our experiences.

SUNDAY I listened to Bob Stroud do his final Summer of Love installment. Today, he played the songs we were listening to on our radios back on this date in 1967. That was 40 years ago, and in Chicago, we were listening to WLS and WCFL. I'll print out the playlist later. I'm sure they will bring back some memories.

I then went to Alden Terrace in McHenry to visit with Frances.

Came home and then Liz and I drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for some of the World's Greatest Bloody Marys at Main Street. The big talk was about Wisconsin's easy victory and Appalachian State's great upset of Michigan. There are not too many Wolverine fans in Wisconsin.

Played NTN at Donovan's then drove back to the Chain of Lakes.

Passing over the Grasslake Bridge, we only saw about ten boats going no wake. Normally, on Sunday, you'd see close to a hundred and even more on a Labor Day weekend. The flooding has really put a damper on the celebration.

We went to Captain's Quarters to see Cirrus Falcon, one of out favorite bands. All those people who weren't out on boats were in here. There were no seats anywhere, so we left.

Drove Grasslake Road down to the Harbour Lounge and went outside to the tiki bar. When it comes to bands, we almost ALWAYS arrive when they're just going on break. However, this band was breaking down their equipment at 4 PM, way to early for an afternoon set. We found out that someone had complained and the police had told the owner that the band had to stop.

The owner had them move inside, but, again, we couldn't find seats so went home.

TODAY I enjoyed the deck, planted some more perennials, and caught some sun.

We went over to Alden Terrace so we could take Frances to the Labor Day celebration there. A guy was playing a piano with backing music and playing the Big Band songs this elderly group would like. He was quite an entertainer and everyone was having a great time.

Pretty Good Labor Day Weekend if You Ask Me. --RoadDog

Saturday and Sunday- Deejaying, World's Best Bloody Mary, Making a Name for Ourselves, Band at Captain's

Saturday, I did some yard work. I managed to cut down the six golden barberry bushes which had become seriously overgrown. I only sustained a few scratches. Remind me never to buy anything again that has thorns. I haven't done so for a long time, but do have one rose bush and about ten other barberry bushes.

I deejayed at the American Legion pavilion overlooking Nippersink Lake in the Chain of Lakes all afternoon. It was for their annual picnic. We had plenty of great food, including ribs, as well as drinks, and lots of raffle prizes.

World's Greatest Bloody Mary

Yesterday, Liz and I went to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, right over the border, about ten miles away. We first went to Main Street Tap, a real Northwoods type place, even though it is right at the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Lots of fishing stuff all over. Plus, the bartender makes probably the best Bloody Marys I've ever had. They come in a pint glass and are perfect for grazing. I mean, let me loose on a Bloody Mary bar, and I'll have a salad.

You get: a green onion, piece of celery, pickle speer, shrimp, cheese (Well, IT is Wisconsin), summer sausage, cherry tomato, pepper slice, cocktail onion, black olive, and green olive. Then, you get his perfect concoction, perfected after making thousands of them. And a mini-schooner chaser of beer. All this for THREE DOLLARS!!! Now, that's what I call a DEAL!!

NAME and BAND

Next, we stopped by Donovan's Reef, named after the movie of the same name starring John Wayne and Lee Marvin. Played NTN and we had four national rankings, which was seen by about 10,000 people in 400 places across the US and Canada. Unfortunately, watched both the Sox and Cubs lose.

Then, we went to a favorite Sunday afternoon place on Fox Lake, Captain's Quarters, and saw a great band, Twist of Fate, which had six members and played songs from the 60s to 80s. Nothing like sitting outside on a sunny day out on the Chain in the company of boaters, having an ice cold beverage, and partying with a good band.

Came home and enjoyed a so-so sunset from the deck.

Not a Bad Way to Spend a Weekend. --RoadDog

McHenry Fiesta Days, Taste of Antioch, and Captain's Quarters- Sunday

SUNDAY- Listened to Bob Stroud Root Salute the Summer Stones on WDRV, the Drive. He played Rolling Stones songs that were released during summers. He was doing this in honor of the Summer of Love's 40th anniversary and Mick Jagger's 64th birthday. Mick Jagger is 64!!!! Are we really getting that old? They played my all-time favorite Rolling Stones song, "Honky Tonk Woman". I love that cowbell.

We drove over to Veteran's Park in McHenry and went to the the Jaycees foodstand. We were a bit disappointed as they didn't have bbq chicken, which is fantastic. This year, they were selling hotdogs, burgers, and roast beef sandwiches. We both had the roast beef which was piled high and delicious. People were already putting chairs and blankets out to stake places for the parade which is one of the busiest in the area.

Liz had found a new way to get to Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock using some backroads through the Village of Bull Valley. I would recommend that the whole village be places on the list of really beautiful drives. It is just one great view after another. Just be extra careful of the speed limits as the police there are very quick to pull over speeders.

Frances is there having tests for pain that she had this last week. After visiting with her, we drove to Antioch for the last day of their Taste celebration. This crowd was almost as big as the one on Riverside yesterday. The Beatles tribute band American English was playing and this is a very popular act in the area. From a distance, you'd swear you were watching the real thing. Of course, not only is this the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love, but also "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", the album that essentially defines that period.

We had hoped to get there for American English's early Beatles show as that is both of our favorite period of the band, but we were too late. We did see their Sgt Pepper's show, complete with the colorful band uniforms. We stood by a fence that we thought was out of the way, but it turned out to be a major pedestrian thoroughfare as people kept walking and bumping into us as there was only 2 feet between the fence and a flower bed.

Next, we stopped at Sunday favorite summer spot, Captain's Quarters to hear another good band called Cirrus Falcon, who play all over the Chicagoland area and have been coming to Captain's for a lot of years. As usual, they put on a great show.One Busy Weekend.

You Just Can't Beat Fun Out on the Chain and This part of Illinois. --RoadDog

Boating, SCV,Captain's Quarters, The Only Sons, Free Tickets to Country Thunder

FRIDAY, I boated over to McDonald's for breakfast, did a float, visited Frances, my mother-in-law, and met up with Kora, Ed, Laura, and Gail at the Legion. I did some yard work in between. Yard work just never stops. I am of the opinion that I planted too much.

SATURDAY I went to Des Plaines for a Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting. Always have a good chat with like-minded people over breakfast. I was shocked to see my breakfast, that cost $6.80 with coffee had a 66 cents tax on it. That is 9.5%!!!!

Did some yardwork at home. Then Liz and I went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wi, and played NTN. Out of 3000 or more places playing across the US and Canada, we had three top twenties, not bad for just two people playing against about 9000 other people. They show the top twenty scores, both by site and individual. Liz had a 14,567 out of 15,000 on one game, not bad. We ranked #4 and she was #3 on that one.

Came home and had a bonfire out on the Grand Strand. The Grand Strand is the lower patio between the gazebo and the deck.

SUNDAY, I listened to some of the radio shows OD, On Deck, and worked on my retaining wall by the gazebo, part of which had fallen down.

We went to Captain's Quarters and saw The Only Sons and were lucky enough to get seats at the bar. Usually, you can't even get near it. All the bands that we've seen at Captain's (which is located on Fox Lake) are good, but The Only Sons are our favorite. As usual, they put on a great show and had the people up and dancing most of the time.

We won four free tickets from Chicago's US 99 FM radio to see Country Thunder in Twin Lakes this coming Thursday. Trick Pony, Keith Anderson, Carrie Underwood, and Dierks Bentley are playing on the main stage. Now, that causes two problems. One is that I was already planning to see Mr. Myers do their Caribbean/reggae music Thursday at Taste of Antioch. Also, Dierks doesn't start until 10:30 PM, a bit past the old guy's bedtime. I'll have to think about it. Hey, we didn't go to Waukegan's Scoop the Genesee car celebration this past weekend because the bands started at 10 PM. Friday they had Chicago's own Cryan' Shames and Saturday it was Flo and Eddie from the Turtles. It used to be called Scoop the Loop, but the name was changed this year.

Decisions, Decisions!! --RoadDog

Strange 4th of July Weekend Coming Up

This will be a strange one with the actual Fourth falling on Wednesday. Around here, some of the towns are celebrating this weekend, others will be on the Fourth, and still others on the following weekend. I'm figuring on making three of them. I love the entertainment, and then the oohs and ahhs of the pyrotechnics

I kick off tonight with a performance by ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL at Woodstock's historic Opera House, dating back to the late 1800s. It used to be the City Hall. I was late getting my tickets and probably have the worst seat in the house, but all are up close so it shouldn't be that bad. They're one of my favorite bands. As they say on their website "Western Swing Ain't Dead...It's Asleep at the Wheel."

They do what I consider to be the definitive version of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" which, as you know is MY ROAD. The band formed back in 1970 at Paw Paw, WV, moved to California, and ended up in Austin, TX, at the suggestion of Willie Nelson. Since then, they have won 9 Grammy Awards. There have been over 80 members, but Ray Benson and a couple others are in for the long run. He is the lead guitarists, vocalist, and leader of the group.

Other big hits are "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" and "The Letter that Johnny Walker Read". In 1977, Rolling Stone honored them as Country and Western Band of the Year. They're heavily influenced by the music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys who are the originators of Western Swing. To my way of thinking, Asleep at the Wheel is the best thing to listen to while cruising down this nation's great two lane roads.

TWIN LAKES, WI. -LIBERTYFEST

Saturday, it's a short drive up to Twin Lakes for their annual Libertyfest. There will be a parade at noon, which means a stop at Main Street Tap before and after where we will meet lots of friends. Then some NTN at Donovan's. That evening, the Caribbean Castaways play at Lance Park and the the Aquanuts will have their ski show. Of course, then there's the fireworks.

Sunday, we will check out some of the bands and entertainment around the Chain of Lakes. Captain's Quarters is definitely a stop with a favorite band, The Rockin' Fenderskirts, playing. They do a sixties set that is hard to beat. During the 50s set, they use an upright bass.


SPRING GROVE, IL- FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Wednesday, our town will have its celebration on the actual day as it always has. There will be a parade through downtown and then festivities all day at Horse Fair Park (a lot of horseshows take place there). At 2, it will be the Rocking Fenderskirts again. I'll double my fun with them in four days. We might watch the fireworks there, or perhaps back in our front yard, as we usually do.

Our subdivision sits high up on a bluff, one of the highest points around. We get to see fireworks from Johnsburg, McHenry, and Fox Lake from the comfort of home.


FOX LAKE, IL- CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION and MINEOLA BAY FIREWORKS

Next Saturday the Village of Fox Lake celebrates its 100th anniversary with a parade, festivities, and later, that evening, the fireworks over Mineola Bay. About 5000 boats anchor in the water to watch them as well as parties at almost all the lakefront homes. Mighty good time.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy. Three Fireworks. Practicin' my Oohs and Aahs Now. --RoadOhh

Dem Bands on the Chain

Chain of Lakes, that is. Great place to be anytime of the year, but especially during the summer when the boating season is in full swing. I've heard that the Chain of Lakes, which is about 45 miles northwest of Chicago, near the Wisconsin border, is the second busiest boating place in the US, right behind the Intercoastal Waterway.

I do my boating during the week and leave the weekends to the "weekend warriors" as we locals call them. I do go to places by car to enjoy the bands, and we have quite a few really good ones.

Saturday, I went to the American Legion which is on the shore of Nippersink Lake. It has a great old classic sign and is right across historic US Route 12 (which goes from Detroit to the Pacific Ocean at Aberdeen, Washington) from an art deco sevice station dating back to the 30s.

The MICHAEL LESCHER BAND was playing outside under the pavillion and sounding as good as ever. They are the only band I know that incorporates a lot of the Who and Styx in their shows. They were playing for the people on the poker run which, unfortunately, I was unable to do.

Michael Lescher is involved in Fox Lake politics and is a well-known real estate agent specializing in waterfront property. I was sitting with a group of people I just met, and one said she was a waitress for him when he owned the Settle Inn on Eagle Point Road. It was a great place to go back in the 80s when I used to deejay at Eagle Point Park, better known as the Puppet Bar. At one point in the show, he mentioned that he had had a band since 1978.

Unfortunately, it turned quite cool and most of the people left by 9 (they played from 5:30 to 9:30). Even with just a few people, they put on an inspired show.

The ONLY SONS at CAPTAIN"S QUARTERS- Sunday

Where else do you want to be on a fantastic Sunday afternoon than at Captain's. I met Bill, Klaus, and Kora there and sat at a picnic table enjoying Bloody Marys and Mudslides-a Captain specialty. As usual, it was hard to find a seat, even at one of the picnic tables out in the grove. The wait staff sure earn their money; they are nonstop.

I've seen the Only Sons for quite a few years with the exception of two when they didn't play at Captain's. This is probably the best band on the Chain or in the Chicagoland area where they usually play. They also play a wide variety of songs. Some that they played: Me and Julio Down at the Schoolyard, Cecilia, I'm a Believer, Brown-Eyed Girl, Mr. Jones, Footloose, Save the Horse Ride the Cowboy, Keep Your Hands to Yourself, then the owner got up and sang Midnight Train to Georgia and did quite a job on it.

Out on the Chain and Feeling No Pain. 'Fessa Parrot as I go by on the Fun on the Fox Forum.

www.funonthefox.com

Jus' Out Having Fun.  --RoaDog

On Docket for This Week

I need to get some boating in as the weather will be perfect. Also, I hope to continue the yardwork and finish off the Shasta daisies. I hope not to have as many of them next year.

Friday and Saturday the American Legion is hosting a Poker Run, where we will visit seven places on the Chain and get our cards stamped. On Saturday, on the Legion grounds overlooking Nippersink Lake, we will draw cards according to how many places we visited. Hopefully we'll get good "hands" and win "valuable" prizes and cash. One of my favorite local groups, The Michael Lescher Band, will be playing from 5:30 to 9:30.

Then, Sunday afternoon, it's The Only Sons playing at Captain's Quarters.

Nothing like being out on the Chain of Lakes on a sunny day and enjoying a live band!!!

Out On the Chain and Feeling No Pain. --RoadDog

Woodstock Music Fest-Brent Hoodenpyle, Play Doctors

No, not that one, this one was a tad smaller and this past weekend in Woodstock, Illinois, and not in New York in 1969. I digress a bit here, but back in 1969, when I heard of Woodstock and all the bands that were going to be there, including my favorite CCR (Creedance Clearwater Revival), I decided to go. I thought it was in Woodstock, Il, and drove up there looking for it. I didn't find it. Even the logo of this event evoked memories of the one back in 1969.

This was the third annual festival and billed itself as being held on the beautiful square, but this wasn't actually truth in advertising, as it was held in the parking lot next to the 1920s movie theater with that great marque outside. This was featured in the movie "Groundhog Day" when Bill Murray did his Clint Eastwood thing and pulled up in front of it in the Rolls-Royce.

Saturday was day two of the fest.

I was in town visiting with my mother-in-law, Frances, who has an assisted living place with three windows overlooking the square. I heard music while leaving and walked over to it. There weren't many people there at first, but by the time I left, the place was packed so fully, it was difficult to get out.

The first act I saw was Brent Hoodenpyle and the Loners. They would best fit the alternative country genre. If you came wanting to hear "I Love This Bar" or other big songs, you weren't going to be too happy. They played mostly their own originals. When they'd play a song from a big act, like Johnny Cash and Roger Miller, it wasn't one that you'd ever heard before.

Some of the songs were cry-in-your-beer, others historical, and some outright rockers. Brent lists influences such as Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, and Graham Parsons.

I really enjoyed the too-short, 45 minute set and intended to buy a CD from him, but didn't see him afterwards.

All acts were on the same stage, so while the next one was setting up, we avoided the awkward wait between acts when an individual performer, Brian Watson I believe, got up and played solo. He had some sort of a machine where he would play some chords and it would repeat on a loop. He was quite good.

Next up were the Play Doctors which consisted of five girls and a drummer. This was high-octane party music from a group, who, if high and tight clothing got you money, they all be rich. Most had white nursing-type uniforms with red crosses on them.

The crowd was bigger now and the girls really got them going at first with hard rock and later quite a bit of disco. They started with: We're Not Gonna Take It, Rock and Roll All Night, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Shook Me All Night Long, then to Lady Marmalade and Boogie Oogie, Oogie.

RHYTHM KINGS at CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS- Sunday

I've seen this band before. Actually I've never seen a band I didn't like at Captain's. These four guys were great, even though starting two hours late because of a truck breakdown (fortunately I arrived just as they played their first song).

This group plays a wide variety of music. During one stretch, they played "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye, "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash, and "Sweet Home Chicago".

Always great music at Captain's and this coming Sunday, The Only Sons.

NOT THIS TIME

I did miss two bands I would have liked to see this past weekend. Friday, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas were at the Music Fest in Woodstock. I've been a big fan of Zydeco, Cajun, and New Orleans music in general ever since seeing the movie "Big Easy". That soundtrack really blew me away. Nathan Williams grew up in southern Louisiana where this music originated. For those of you who don't know what zydeco is, I'd call it a mix between Cajun music and Rock and Roll, with an accordion and rub board thrown in for good measure. I regard this as the ultimate party music. You can always tell where a zydeco band is playing, just look for where the people are jumping up and down, and you've found it.

Yesterday, I didn't make it out to "A Mile from Reality". That would be the Chain of Lakes' institution better known as Blarney Island. The only way you can get there is by boat. They were having Key West Fest and Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 were performing along with their 1938 outboard Johnson engine that today mixes up huge batches of that island treat called Margaritas.

We saw them last year and it was a great show. Imagine Jimmy Buffett and you'll know what the music was like. A great show from a band that doesn't take themselves too seriously. Pretty much everything is nautical-flavored. They actually have home base down in the Keys and a lot of their songs are about places along that 100 mile stretch of good-times.

By the way, while at Woodstock Music Fest, I saw some great flyers for a concert to be held out at Galt Airport in nearby Wonder Lake on July 21st and featuring those Summer of Love and Hippiedom stalwarts Iron Butterfly and Canned Heat. The flyer would have fit right in at Haight-Asbury on this 40th anniversary of that special summer.

Anybody remember In-a-Gadda-da-Vida? Or how about that seven minute drum solo?

Still Partyin' After All These Years. --RoadDog

THIS DAY IN HISTORY- 1942- Paul McCartney was born. And the rest, as they say, is history.

A Perfect Day

In one of my favorite movies, "Groundhog Day", Bill Murray, when he became aware that he was stuck on February 2nd in cold Punxsutawny, Pa (actually Woodstock, Il), lamented that if he had to be stuck on a day, why couldn't it be that time he met the beautiful girl on a Caribbean island and had drinks and partied all day and night.

Well, boys and girls, I have to say that I had a day that would have to be classified as perfect. Now, I have many ways to have a great day, but this was definitely one.

I woke up at 6:30 AM and put on a pot of coffee while enjoying the deck (which I refer to as "OD", On Deck). The sky was a deep blue and the temp was in the 70s. I listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on the Drive, 96.9 FM, something I like to do every Sunday from 7 to 10 AM. Today he featured a Roots Salute to Paul McCartney who is turning 65 tomorrow-- 65--EGADS!!! Are we really getting that old? Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is also turning 65 this week. Like Garth Brooks ably said in his song, "Much Too Young to Be This Damn Old." He played 24 Beatles songs on which Sir Paul was the only composer.

I drank coffee, wrote in the journal, and listened to the birds.

I then watered the backyard as we haven't had much rain in the last week and a half. I have been doing a lot of planting and have to keep those little darlings living. I then planted 12 snapdragons, 12 red salvia, 2 gladidoras, a Russian sage, about 20 mum transplants, one other plant I don't know as well as a groundcover that I don't know.

I didn't get enough sleep last night, so I took a short "Bob" nap out in the gazebo, where I enjoyed the breeze and the shade.

I then went over to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and enjoyed talking with friends while listening to an excellent band, the Rhythm Kings.

Came home and am on this right now before I put in a Tombstone frozen pizza into the pizza oven (once you make one in a pizza oven like they have at bars, you'll never want another oven one-they're perfect) and then I plan on going out to "The Grand Strand" and burning some wood as it gets dark. I'll listen to my new "Big Dog Daddy" album by Toby Keith. This is a good one!!!

Sitting OD, drinking coffee, listening to music, working in the yard, enjoying the gazebo, a band at a favorite watering hole, these blogs (which I do enjoy), pizza. and a fire on the Strand. Now, that's a GOOD DAY.

Coca, Chrissy, Rusty, Frank, and ALL THOSE DOGS of Julie and family, have great days. So does old RoadDog.

Every Dog has His Day. --RoadDog

THIS DAY IN HISTORY- 1885- Our largest immigrant-ever, The Statue of Liberty, arrives as a gift from France.

Official Opening Day of Summer: Bar, Band & Beer

Yesterday was the official first day of summer for me. It was never the first day out on the boat, or first day of summer vacation.

It becomes official when we have our first Sunday afternoon party out at Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake. This is a tradition of many years, at least back to the early 90s. Every Sunday from 3 to 7, Captain's has a live band. Nothing much is better than sitting outside and enjoying some great music, friends, and drinks with the lake in view. Lots of boaters, but I wasn't one since I don't go out on the weekends. Too many Weekend Warriors.

Yesterday, I saw a new band called One Track Mind, who play nothing but One Hit Wonders, songs by groups who only had one big song. One set, they played "Back in Black" by Los Bravos, "What I Am" by Edie Brickell, and "One Toke Over the Line" by Brewer & Shipley; all back to back. These are songs I've never heard another band do and three of my favorites. The band consists of five members, mostly in their 40s and 50s.

I would have to question how One Hit Wonder Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs and Nancy Sinatra were, however. I can think of several hits for both.

Captain's Quarters has been owned by the same couple since about 1992. They have turned what once was a dump into a top Chain of Lakes destination. There is a huge new outside area including a bar, picnic tables, and large canvas-covered pavillion.

They have $3 meals Mondays through Thursdays, as well as 25 cent wings on Thursdays. Definitely a great place to go.

Summer and the Chain--That's the Ticket. --RoadDog