Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

Here is the latests from Bob Dorr and The Blue Band

Yeah, I know I told you that there probably wouldn't be a Blue Note this week, but a bunch of "stuff" has come up that I wanted to make you aware of, SO...

Please don't take any of the following as "whining". The Blue Band is WAY better off than hundreds of small businesses that have been effected by the devastating floods here in Ioway. We are all physically safe and sound. All of our equipment and tools of the trade are functional and ready to do the next job, putting us in far better shape than many, but(t) here's the scene jellybean...

Last night (Tuesday) was the 3rd job in the last scheduled 4 that we lost to the floods. We were scheduled to play a national conference in Des Moines. National exposure and good money on a Tuesday? Cool! It was canceled because of the raging Raccoon River (no, under the circumstances, we don't get paid. How can I morally ask for money in a situation like that? Maybe you can, I can't) and now, the same raging rivers in Des Moines have canceled the annual 4th of July celebration in Windsor Heights. Fortunately, this date has been rescheduled to August 2. Unfortunately, I had to ask the Riverside Casino to let us out of our agreement to play there on Aug. 2 in order to be part of the Windsor Heights celebration. Riverside does not have another opening until the second week of November, so anyway you look at it, we've lost another gig. If you've ever wanted The Blue Band to play a deck party at your mansion on the hill for the 4th of July, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!! (seriously, call me-319-277-4007, we need the work) I have not heard what will happen with our appearance at Sturgis Falls Days here in Sparkle City, which is scheduled for next weekend. I walked down to Tourist Park last night. There's still LOTS of water. On the other hand, the park next to The Ice House Museum, where the Jazz Festival is held (which was under 8 feet of water last week at this time) is drying out quickly and could probably be used. I'm hoping Tourist Park can dry out in the next 8 days, so we can play that date...

Dennis, our road manager has not been as lucky as the rest of us. The city of Cedar Rapids allowed him access to his house for the first time on Tuesday. He called saying that the good news is that the water never totally submerged his house. The bad news is that the water got to within ONE FOOT of totally submerging his house. His beloved garage, with all his gearhead tools and specialty items is totaled. He's hoping to rebuild the place himself. I hope he'll let us help him. (he can be a little "independent" sometimes. Must be that Marine training!)...

So, Bob, tell me something good. OK, try this: Terry at the Main St. Waterloo office worked her magic on the Waterloo City Council and has been able to reschedule the flooded out Fridayloo/Blue Birthday celebration for THIS FRIDAY!! (6/20) Lincoln Park already had a scheduled event, so she got the council to go along with the idea of blocking off Lafayette St. and having the party in the street. The specific location has not been determined, but it'll be somewhere between 4th and 5th Street on Lafayette. Just go to the Screaming Eagle (4th and Lafayette) and follow the music. We play 5:30-9:30. Come on out and help us do it in the road! There's even a possibility that we'll have the 2008 Tour shirts by then! BRING CAKE!...

Amazingly, my attitude has not sunken to the point of giving up. I am taking inspiration from those who have lost everything to tornadoes and floods and insist that they will persevere. I have no idea how these folks are carrying on. I am inspired by their resolve...

Speaking of tornado relief, I got this email that you might be interested in:

Please Help Spread the Word.... Sunday June 22nd 4pm The Hub, located at 406 Main Street Cedar Falls, Ia., will be hosting a Benefit Fundraising Auction for the Aplington-Parkersburg Athletic Department. I am sure most of you have heard about the tornadoes that ripped through the A-P area on May 25th. In addition to the homes and businesses that were destroyed, the tornado took the high school. The event will feature a Silent Auction and a regular Auction. The 4 NFL players from A-P (Aaron Kampman-Packers, Casey Wiegman-Broncos, Brad Meester-Jaguars, Jared DeVries-Lions) will be in attendance and will be available for autographs and pictures. Some of the items up for auction: Autographed Brett Favre Jersey, Autographed Eli Manning Jersey, Super Bowl Football signed by Eli Manning and NY Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, MILEY CYRUS SIGNED GUITAR, Signed Basketball from National Champion Kansas Jayhawks, Signed Jerseys from the 4 A-P NFL Players, Aaron Kampman Pro Bowl Jersey, and much more. Commemorative t-shirts will also be available for purchase. There will be a silent auction from 4-7pm and a traditional-guy talking-really-fast auction at 7pm. Live Music will follow the Auction action. Cover charge is $5 and the event is Family Friendly. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an e-mail. Thanks. David Kelly Owner/Operator The Hub 406 Main Street Cedar Falls, IOWA 50613 (319) 266-2360

The 8 o'clock hour of my Saturday night Rock 'n' Roll history show on Iowa Public Radio will be full of Flood/Storm/Rain songs. It was kind of cathartic for me to put this hour together. Maybe it can help you through this also. And don't forget that I start my once a week hosting of IPR's morning talk show The Exchange July 1 and every Tuesday in July. When's the last time you saw/heard me do ANYTHING at 10 in the morning?! Find out more/listen on line at www.iowapublicradio.org...

Speaking of cathartic (yes, I had to look that one up) this note has done me a world of good. Thanks for letting me vent. I needed that. See yas on the mudcaked, debris strewn, Iowa Blue Highways, keep rubbin' that zydeco tie so it won't get rusty, remember CAKE is always consoling, and don't forget we love you very much...Bob Dorr & The Blue Band