randissimo

I'm usually rehearsing, gigging, or recording with Organissimo, or I'm teaching drum lessons 3 days a week @ a music store, and hustling gigs..

Ya gotta love those shitfaced loudmouths who are obnoxious and pushy enough when they're sober and bullying co-workers or employees! They like to come up to the bandstand about 10 minutes into the pack up and offer stupid money for the band to set back up and play another set and almost always with an abrasive and insultive demeanor..

Yum Yum! Merry Xmas Yall.. And those of you living in the northlands, watch the booze if you're going to be driving home from a party..

Most of the booking agents I have encountered who claim to be musicians are typically weekend lightweights with very little talent but lots of bullshit..

I met Frank once in Detroit in the late 70's/early 80's .. I since had wondered what ever happened to him.. Here's a funny Frank Izola story. There was a fundraiser I attended at I believe Cafe Detroit, organized by some local musicians to help Frank pay off a rather large debt of unpaid traffic tickets.. Frank is no doubt probably up there somewhere hangin' out with the likes of Barett Deems, Guy Viverose, Davey Tough, J C Heard, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich, Art Mardigan, and a long list of many other great jazz drummers of lesser and greater notoriety who continue to inspire many.. They have left us with a rich legacy of rhythmic innovations.. May they all along with Frank Izola, rest in peace and never be forgotten.

I'll be seeing you tomorrow but thought maybe some of the concerned members following this thread might like to know if there is any new news since Dec 8th..

I really enjoy mixing it up with all the different people I play with.... It sure keeps me on my toes... And thanks again Lazaro. That was a fun show and I really enjoyed all the other selections you mixed into your program.. You da man! B-)

Wow!! I'm on the "Jazz Retrospective" tonight? ... B-) ,,,

This is Margaret, writing under Randy's user name. He's been keeping me updated on what's been going on. My thoughts are with you, I hope they find out soon what is going on so you can be yourself again. Stay strong, and give Zora a kiss for me. Margaret

Started out at around 11:30 am on icy country roads, on my way to my girl friend Margaret's mother's for an early afternoon dinner complete with Asti, Balderdash, & Scrabble with coffee, homemade pumpkin pie, and cheese cake ... At 7pm I went to my 2nd Thanksgiving feast at the palace of "Count Fiisher", a legendary drummer/club owner, originally from Indianapolis and just turned 80 and still gigs with his vocalist/wife, Miss Eve Renee.. They had gumbo, cornbread, bean pies, sweet potato pie, potato salad, yams, and of course turkey & pumpkin pie.. Last stop was around 10:00 pm. Stopped by my sister Sandy's place and watched the Seinfeld special, and my brother Bill, who lives next door to my sister came by for a 'chat and what have ya'.. Now it's 1:10am and I'm listening to Joey D and enjoying a nice glass of "Dancing Bull" Zinfandel .... B-) Have a great weekend ya'll...

Margaret and I as well... Keep me posted...

Wasn't me was it? I get enough bad press here. B-) BUT you do look kinda square. No, it wasn't you, Chuck (breathe easy!) It was a drunk guy at the Green Door Lounge here in Lansing. What can I do to cure my square appearance? Shall I grow the obligatory soul patch or goatee? Or should I go this route: You could change your name to Ahbetcha Adolla...

U R 1 out dude !! B-)

Very cool... We've been doing "Peaches En Regalia" & "Blessed Relief" with the organ trio... B-)

well, there's always the Kerrytown Concert House.... Kerrytown Concert House is actually a very hip place to play...

I'm wondering if you perhaps played there once or twice..

They were however contributing factors nonetheless to the room's demise... As I'm sure you recall, Ron was often calling around for musicians and acts at the very last minute.

A lot of it had to do with Ron Brooks and the fact that most of the local musicians as well as many employees did not like the way they were treated and exploited by Ron Brooks. He took advantage of a lot of people and burned a lot of bridges.. ....... Like firing Paul Keller's band which had become an institution on Monday nights @ the Bird.. It pissed Paul off enough to change the name of his band & record label from "Bird Of Paradise" orchestra to the "Paul Keller Orchestra" & "PKO" records...

A lot of it had to do with Ron Brooks and the fact that most of the local musicians as well as many employees did not like the way they were treated and exploited by Ron Brooks. He took advantage of a lot of people and burned a lot of bridges..

The problem we have is that very few of these type of venues are willing to take a chance on an unknown act without a reputable agent or agency.. We need to focus as well on getting an agency to rep for us.. It's often futile for the musician(s) of a band to try and do the booking & networking biz themselves. Too often the people we're dealing with assume that we must not be very together if we're doing our own legwork. The reality is that many in this biz won't even return a call or an e-mail to a band or artist without representation.