Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

The combination of the time flies and the coming of the snow flies always has me a little depressed about this time of year. The end of the busy summer festival season, combined with the reality of the challenges to find inside work for a 29 year old band that doesn't do many bar gigs for the 20 year old bar crowd always has me thinking too much. (think about it, our band is older than the general bar crowd these days!) And now, this week, I see, in the celebrities birthday section of the paper, that Brigitte Bardot is 76 years old and Anita Ekberg is 79. WHAT?? And Jerry Lee Lewis is 75. (honestly, 50 years ago, who would have ever thought that out of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee, that Jerry Lee would be the last one standing?) The time flies are swarming and the snow flies are heading our way. Ya bug me, baby...
Fortunately, we have one of my favorite inside gigs and the last outdoor gig of the season to raise the spirits this weekend. Today (Fri.) starts the First Friday of the month series at The Hub, 4th & Main, in my hometown, Sparkle City USA (Cedar Falls) Geezers my age (ok, probably a little younger) gather for pizza by the slice, adult beverages, washboard tie rubbing, and dancing, starting at 6pm and going until 9:30p (or later if you want to) admission is only $5 and a splendid time is guaranteed for all. What's not to like, right Avis??? Especially if Avis' husband Bob brings his green guitar and plays that cool rhythm part on Good Legs!! And, as an added treat, Eddie McKinley, one time sideman in Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials and current sax player in the Diplomats of Solid Sound will join us on tenor sax! All this and some stoooopid songs too! It could only get better if you brought CAKE!...
And Saturday, bring the kids and grandkids to Windsor Heights Octoberfest, Colby Park (about 69th and School St. in suburban Des Moines) There are activities all day long including a pumpkin carving contest, a pet costume contest (some of these dogs dress better than I do) and a Chili Cookoff. Traditional German food will be available all day (sauerkraut CAKE?) and we play 4-7pm, followed by fireworks. For more info on the day try www.windsorheights.org...
Next Sat., Oct. 9 is a bitter sweet gig, playing at Blues On Grand, 15th and Grand Ave. in Des Moines. It's always an honor to play this storied place, but it will be the last time for us, as the club is closing on Oct. 23. Sam is gonna bring his big organ and Heath will join us in the horn section for this Last Waltz at BOG. (remember, BOG is a Mustang Sally Free Zone) We play 9:30p-1:30. Need more info on the last few weeks of this very influential club in our state? try http://www.bluesongrand.com/...
Also, this Saturday night (10/2) on my Backtracks Rock 'n' Roll history show on Iowa Public Radio, by popular demand, another hour of My Wife's Records! The show runs 7-10pm (woohoo, I get to listen to myself on the drive home from Windsor Heights!) with Carolyn's vinyl 9-10p. And another bit of radio news, IPR is going to let me start doing some of those shows LIVE again! Can you say REQUESTFEST??!! The first live show in over 10 months is tentatively scheduled for Sat. Oct. 23...
See ya on the Blue Highway. Rub yer washboard to the tune of The Beer Barrel Polka, (poke 'er? YOU poke 'er) Watch out for those flies, don't let 'em near yer CAKE and always remember that we love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band