Open Mic and Live Music

It's been a great fall, we've been playing lots of music.  Mike and I are going to be playing some Saturday Morning gigs at Janey's 6602 E Cave Creek Rd Cave Creek, AZ.

Our open Mic at The Hideaway is really turning into musician venue.  Each week we see more great players coming out to jam.  And a new thing is happening, we are seeing these players get together and work on new projects.
                     
This is one such project, "The Hemptones," we are doing four part harmonies… great fun!  These guys are all working musicians with their own gigs but when we get together... wow!

The guys that I've played with for several years, Mike Assad and Kevin Brennan under the name The Rennesance Rednecks, along with new addition Jack Horan on bass, are doing weekend gigs, where we invite local talent to play on our breaks. Above we are with 12 year old Madison Holmes, who is making quite a name for herself around the north valley.

            
Mike and I are also working on a rock project, "Rooster," with my old highschool friends Steve Purcell on Drums and monster lead guitar player Scott "The Pin" Maish!  These three guys and I have been playing together on and off for four decades.  I love this band!

Open Mic at The Hideaway!

Calling all Singer/Songwriters or just acoustic musicians. Come on out to our Monday night open mic, at The Hideaway in beautiful Cave Creek from 7-11. The list goes out at 6:45. It's a great room that really has the Cave Creek feel. Come hang out on the patio and tap your toes while sipping a cold one in the cool evening air!

Open Mic at The Hideaway in Cave Creek

Come on out to our weekly open mic at the Hideaway in beautiful Cave Creek.  we are about 5 degrees cooler in the daytime and over 10 degrees cooler at night.  The heat just rolls back into the valley and the air feels like velvet!  We are at the Hideaway every Monday night from 7-11 and would love to hear you play and/or sing.  We have other musicians that can support you, if you like.  It's a night of cold drinks, good food, friendly people and great music!  Hope to see you soon!

Open Mic Excitement and Danger!

Open Mic Excitement and Danger!

Easter Open Mic was very interesting.  Only a few dropped by to listen, but around three, an arm fell of a Saguaro and just missed a patron.  Jeff the manager and I went outside to take a look.

Thirty minutes after Jeff posed for this picture, the table to his left was smashed by another arm falling!

Good thing Jeff was out of the way.  The table and the spot where Jeff was standing was buried under the massive Saguaro, it would have crushed him!

Emilys and Rick Strole

 Emilys

I went out to hear my friend Rick Strole playing tonight at a place that just opened on the north west corner of Pinnacle Peak and Pima in north Scottsdale.  I try to go see people that I know when they have a gig, to support Acoustic Music here in the valley and Rick is a real treat.  He has the rare ability to play a very complex rhythm while singing a totally different melody line.  His timing is fantastic and he has a great feel for the music.  He focuses on the early 60’s and tosses in a few hits from the 70’s.  The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Buffalo Springfield, Neil young and the lovin Spoonful to name a few are covered with dedication and taste. 

As I sat listening to Rick I noticed these beautiful plates coming by.  So I asked for a menu.  This is, perfectly executed, light and fresh Café dining, with a French twist.

The salads are just the right size and the baked goods and pasta are made fresh daily.  I had eaten before going out, but called my wife Chef Kathy and told her we need to drop by for breakfast in the next couple of days.  

Husband and wife team, Kathy and Adam Wenda, are the proprietors and they have really done their homework.  As they call it, “Feel good food,” is what you get and in a beautiful setting.  They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

Trust me you don’t want to miss this new little gem at 8700 e Pinnacle Peak Rd. Ste 107 in north Scottsdale.  480 513-2000.

Horny Toad Open Mic!

Another great open mic Sunday at the Horny Toad, in Cave Creek.  We want to thank Greg, it's been far too long since we've heard his amazing voice,  Glade's daughter Alissa, nine year sold who sang for her first time in front of an audience and a whole host of other talent and the great crowd for supporting music in Cave Creek and Arizona.  Don't forget that Pandy and Mike will have their Wednesday night open mic as usual which is a real fun way to spend an evening and Hatman Dan will be playing Friday and Saturday night all at Cave Creek's own Horny Toad Restaurant… See you soon!