Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

Tonight (Fri) is our first ever appearance at the Cambridge Jubilee Days celebration. Cambridge is between Ankeny and Ames, a few miles east of I-35. We play 8-mid. Bring CAKE because we'll also be celebrating the Blue Band's 28th Birthday (day before yesterday-first gig, at The Cooper Wagon Works in Dubuque, June 10, 1981.) Happy Birthday to us!...

Saturday we play a private anniversary party in rural Maquoketa for a couple that had us play their wedding TWENTY FIVE years ago!...

Next Friday (June 19) We are the parking lot entertainment at a national race at the Iowa Speedway Pit Stop Weekend in Newton. 30,000 people are expected for this Indie series race! This IS the bigtime for us! Please come out and help us make that good first impression! We play 8:30-11:30 p.m...

I signed the papers to accept the University of Northern Iowa's early retirement offer. Literally FOUR administrators have to sign off on this, my Supervisor, Department Head, Dean of the College and Vice President of the University. After that, I get seven days to back out of the deal. Otherwise, Dec. 31 will be my end date. New Year's Eve should be quite the celebration!...

Iowa Public Radio says they're interested in trying to work out an arrangement that would allow me to continue to produce the Backtracks Rock'n'Roll history show and the new blues show (we still have not decided on a name for that program) that I'll be hosting starting July 12. Most of you know that I already record most of those Backtracks shows in my garage at home, so it'd be easy for me to continue making the programs. I think the deal is really contingent on IPR being able to find the funding. Coincidentally, this Saturday will be a fundraising edition of Backtracks, (7-10pm) if you have a few extra bucks, 800-882-6427 will be the pledge number, or pledge on line at www.iowapublicradio.org. If the show is successful raising money, I'm confident IPR will buy the program after I retire from UNI. Which brings me to note that I am NOT retiring from the band or music or radio production businesses. I am too young and don't have the kind of money that would allow me to retire from working. I am simply retiring from UNI's Broadcasting Services Department. As a matter of fact, I'm already looking for odd jobs! The odder the better!...

See yas on the Blue Highway, rub yer washboard to the tune of the Happy Birthday Blues, bring CHOCOLATE CAKE for the birthday party, my friend Paul wants me to remind you to USE YER DAMN TURN SIGNALS (an oldie but a goodie) and always remember we love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

OK, so I told you that there probably wouldn't be a Blue Note this week. Frankly, I've become addicted to writing these notes. Bear with me (or is that bare with me?) while I get a handle on this addiction. For goodness sake, I've got the hippy hippy shake...

Primarily, I wanted to let you know that there are only 36 more tickets available for the Iowa Public Radio Blues Cruise Riverboat Boat Ride fundraiser this Friday night. Ride the Spirit of Dubuque Riverboat from 7:30-10:30p, dance on the deck to the music of the Blue Band and meet other Iowa Public Radio junkies (there's that addiction thing again) all while helping to raise money to support the production costs of homegrown Iowa shows like the programs I produce. Fun and funds. Great combination. You can still order advance tickets by calling 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Don't miss the boat!...

Also, the t-shirt printers have promised to have the 2009 Tour shirts finished by Thursday night, so the boat will be your first chance to get this year's collectors apparel...

After playing a wedding dance on Saturday, we're off to the Mt. Horeb WI Summer Frolic. We play the beer tent 5-8pm. I'm hoping to stop at the Mustard Museum on the way there so I can purchase and proudly wear a Poupon U t-shirt at the gig!...

Next week, Friday (6/12) finds us at the Cambridge IA (off of I-35 between Ankeny and Ames) (finally, a short drive for Lucinda!) Jubilee Days celebration, 8-mid. Saturday (6/13) we play a 25th wedding anniversary for a couple in Maquoketa. We played their wedding a quarter century ago! YIKES!...

It's the webmistress' birthday weekend so wish her a happy birthday, encourage her to dance on the bar, challenge her to put her foot behind her ear (I saw her do that back in her 30s!) and BRING CAKE!...

I have decided that I am too young to pass up the offer of early retirement from the University of Northern Iowa. I'm one of the youngest people eligible for this program and I've GOT to do it. It looks like my end date will be Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve will be my retirement party! Book your room at the Hilton Garden Inn NOW!) I have made an offer to Iowa Public Radio to continue to produce some of the shows I currently produce in my garage as an "independent producer/contractor." They are interested, but have to find the money first. I'd love to remain a part of the IPR programming staff. I hope it works out, but if it doesn't, it's a been a fabulous run. (it all works out in the end, if it's not working out, it's not the end)...

And speaking of radio show production, IPR is still planning on going ahead with letting me have a 90 minute blues show Sunday evenings 5-6:30p, starting Sun. July 12. That's 38 days from today. We still don't have a name for that show. Do you have any suggestions?...

Many, many, many people on this list have written to give their take and encouragement regarding the decision to take the early retirement. Thank you for taking the time to help me make the best decision. If it goes totally bust, can I live in your basement?! See yas on the Blue Highway, play yer washboard tie at the Poupon U graduation ceremony, bring CAKE for the webmistress b-day party and always remember we love you! Bob Dorr & The Blue Band