Saying Our Goodbyes to the DeKalb Footstompers

In just a short time, Liz and I are going to leave to go to the After the Fox bar and grill in McHenry, Illinois,  to see one of our all-time favorite bands, the DeKalb Footstompers, play one of their last shows.  They announced a few weeks ago that they had three more shows and then it was all over.

They started in DeKalb, Illinois, back in 1973 and we have seen them many, many times since then.  They especially have played at NIU's homecomings all these years since 1973, first at Andy's and of late at Lord Stanley's.

We sure are going to miss them.

Plus, this is the last year for two other favorites of ours, Pat Dailey and New Odyssey.

In addition, another favorite of ours, Terry Spizzirri, died last summer.

Sure Gonna Miss Them.  --RoadDog

A Long Hard Road for the Cubs, But, 2016 World Series Champions

I must first say that I am a Cubs fan...unless they play the White Sox.  Buy, I have always liked the Cubs and have probably even seen them play more games than my Sox.

I wasn't writing about the playoffs, but believe me, I was closely following them. Liz and I went out to area bars for just about every game, both NLDS, NLCS and the World Series.  I was even wearing my Cubs hat (the only article of Cubs clothing I have as compared to a real lot of Sox stuff.  I mean, a REAL LOT!!)

I didn't write about it in any blog because of superstition.  Whenever I write about one of my teams before the end of the season or game, they lose and I wasn't taking any chances.

Yesterday, I took the Cubs "W" (Win) car flag off before the game as bad luck, you know.  We left the Cubs car flag up, though.  We drove to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg for the game.  We have gone here for many of the playoff games.  A good-sized crowd, but not too crowded and most were into the game.  Lots of cheering as we went on an emotional roller coaster.  This just HAD to be THE YEAR.

When the Indians tied it in the 8th, we left.  It was getting late, 10 p.m.

Saw the rest of the game at home in the downstairs Margaritaville bar and enjoyed the Ultimate Jukebox.  Then, in the 10th, with the final out I started really playing winning kind of songs and even a couple from Ohio's Pat Dailey in honor of that great Cleveland Indians team that gave us all we could handle.  "Put-In-Bay" and "Get Your Ass to Cleveland."

That went on until 2:30 this morning.

"If You Like Irish Whiskey and Drinking Ice Cold Beer."  --RoadDog

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's-- Part 4: Belly Up in the Bay

As one critic says, the instrument that Pat Dailey plays the best is the crowd.  We've never been anywhere Pat was playing that he didn't get the crowd involved.  Many are yelling at him or singing along.  You can start singing along even if you're hearing him for the first time.

Travelin' Guitar Man

Sing Me Away--

A Doobie and a Brew and Some Poontang Too

Raw Bars--  Which he dedicated to Skeeters.  Pat's beloved dive bars.  And Skeeter's definitely fits the definition.

What the Hell You Got Against Fish?--  Where's the thrill of ramming your hook into a salmon?

Great Lakes Song--  Many teachers use this song to teach their students the Great Lakes.  I used it as part of my Great Lakes geography unit.

You're There--  a love song.

Here in the North--

Legend of the Lake

Belly Up in the Bay--  About a big ol' carp who died, but lived a long life because he never got hooked by fish, fowl or man.  This one can go several ways.

He probably would have played longer, but the cold drizzle was starting to increase and everyone was outside.

--RoadDog

COUNTER PROVERBS:  Look before you leap.  -or-  He who hesitates is lost.

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's-- Part 3: Resident Rapper of a Summer Resort

Continued from October 7th.  These were the songs Pat Dailey played at Skeeter's Saloon in Carpentersville, Illinois, on October 3rd.

The Great Dog Convention--  (The real reason dogs always sniff each other's behinds.)

Rich Dumb Young Nymphomaniac  (Is there such a thing a the perfect woman?)

Slap My Ass  (And send me down the road.)

I Might Be Your Daddy  (Only you and your mom know for sure.)

Ugly Face  (You can jazzercize, exercise, but you can't do anything about that ugly face.)

How Big Is It?  (And the problems that accompany it.)

Resident Rapper  (Who says Pat can't rap?)

A Good Time Being Had By All.  More to Come.  --RoadDog

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's October 3, 2015-- Part 2: The Songs

Pat Dailey was supposed to start at 4, but didn't take the stage until 4:51

As usual, he would say all sorts of preposterous things evoking choruses of "B-S, B-S, B-S."  And, he pretty much had a story to go with every song.  Pat performs alone. But his six-string covers the whole band sound.  Like one reviewer of a Pat Dailey show said that the instrument Pat plays best is the crowd.  It is constant interaction.

His set list:

It's Gonna Be Alright  (This is his usual first song.)

Out Drinking With Me  (Imagine going out drinking with Pat.  You could get in trouble.)

My Father's Last Words  (Never turn down a chance to get laid.)

I Got to be Drunk to Do That  (Written by Pat Dailey and Shel Silverstein)  (Some things he just won't do.)

You Don't Have to Be Drunk to be an A-Hole  (Written by Pat Dailey & Shel Silverstein)  (And, Pat sure proves it.)

Body Parts  (Beer bellies, broad butts and hearts.)

We'll All be Together  (One that I'd never heard.  He said that Waylon Jennings sang with him on it.)

More to Come.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  90% of the game (baseball) is half mental.

Pat Dailey at Skeeter's in Carpentersville, Illinois, October 3, 2015-- Part 1

We drove the miles to Carpentersville, hitting most every one of the many, many stoplights along Illinois Highway 31 and 22 on red, so it took considerably longer to get there than we had planned.  But, fortunately, we had left in plenty of time, expecting a huge crowd there, especially since we knew parking would be very limited.

Plenty of parking when we arrived, an hour before Pat Dailey was to start at 4 p.m..  Tickets cost $10 each with part of the proceeds going to breast cancer research.  This was not a nice day to have an outside concert.  Overcast, threatening rain and a bit cool.  We waited in the adjacent Tiki Bar for the start of the concert.

Skeeter's Saloon used to be a house and a bar was built in the garage, so it is very small.  It is primarily a biker bar.

I was impressed with the juke box in the Tiki Bar as it was one that played CDs, something you don't much see anymore.  Even better was 2 plays for $1 or 5 for $2. The new ones you see these days have a much larger selection, but most songs are $1 for one except a small number of 2 for $1 ones.

Another guy in there was playing lots of John Denver and Beach Boys.  I had him put on the "Rodeo Song" and the "I-95 Song" which got a lot of others to singing.  And, of course, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name."

--RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  Half the lies they tell you about me aren't true.

Thanks A Lot Pat Dailey: My Cold Came Back

As I sit here coughing my fool head off and typing away with my two lil' fingers, I remember that Pat Dailey, the singer, has a lot to do with it.  Had he not been playing outside in the cool temperature and light mist at Skeeter's Saloon in Carpentersville, Illinois, on Saturday afternoon, I probably would have been feeling much better right now.

So, thanks a lot, Pat.

Well, it is almost worth it because Liz and I sure had a good time after not seeing "The Coolest SOB in the World" for around ten years.  This was one of the few times he ventures this far west from home base out at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, or north from the Keys.

And, it was just like we hadn't had that long of a break from him.  We were singing right along and enjoying the expressions of those who'd never seen him before.

I'll be writing down the songs Pat played tomorrow.

If You Ever Get a Chance to See Him, Do So.  --RoadFanDog

Deaths: Stompin Tom-- "The Hockey Song"

STOMPIN' TOM CONNORS, 77

Died March 6th.  Dubbed "Stompin' Tom" for habit of pounding floor with his left foot during performances.  Wide commercial success eluded him during his four year career, but, "His songs are regarded as veritable national anthems thanks to their unabashed embrace of all things Canadiana."

I had never heard of him before and sure wish I had.  Just the nickname would have caused me to give him a listen.  I just got off another extended time on You Tube listening to his music and I know for a fact I would have liked him.  I'll have to yell at buddy Canadian Al the next time I see him as he should have mentioned Stompin' Tom.

This guy is another Pat Dailey who has huge regional success around Ohio, the Great Lakes and Key West.

Three of his songs:Sudbury Saturday Night," "Bud the Spud" and "The Hockey Song" are played at every Toronto Maple Leaf home games.  Others that I especially liked were "Zakuska Polka," "The Bug Song," "She Don't Speak English" and "Cross Country" which could easily serve as a Canadian National Anthem.

I'll sure be back to listen to more of his songs and believe I'll have to order some of his CDs.

From the Snow to the Joe's: Mad Dog and Pat Dailey at Sloppy Joe's

I just got back in from another assault on this mean little snow storm we're having here in Northern Illinois.  I'm figuring at least 8 inches of the stuff on the ground, and worst of all on my driveway.  And the village snow truck was of no use, coming by and depositing all that heavy stiff at the foot of the driveway.  And, mind you, not one single snowmobiler came by to offer their services...again!!

Neighbor Dan came over and helped with the snow by the street.  Then we did two other neighbors driveways.

It made it all worthwhile when I came back in and Liz said that Mike "Mad Dog" Adams was playing on the stage at Sloppy Joe's down in Key West, Florida.  And they have a live cam so got to watch him for awhile.  We haven't seen him for quite some time.

Sloppy Joe's is having their annual Put-In-Bay Days and have several regular performers from that place on South Bass Island in Lake Erie.  Pat Dailey starts in thirty minutes, at 7 PM Eastern Time.  I'll be tuned in to that as well.

You can catch it yourselves at the Sloppy Joe's website.

"We're Down in Key West and Don't Care If You're (well, not happy about it!)--  RoadDog