Tuesday, February 26, 2019

A Reputation for Repetition


We’ve said it before (in so many words), so why not again?

Our wacky wintry weather (topic of conversation numero uno), just keeps comin’. Don’t succumb to SAD.* Take advantage of a predicted Friday break in the pervasive precipitation to toast the end of the week with Big Wes Turner’s Trio at the High Noon Saloon. Doors open at 4:30, so punch out early. The "biggest little band in Madland" starts up their "Rockin’ RHYTHM & Swingin’ BLUES" at 5 and goes through to 7 pm.

Many Madisonians depend on the official heralding of “The Weekend” that is heard without fail every Friday (mostly) at 2 pm on WORT’s long-running, highly acclaimed, somewhat notorious giggle-and-snort fest, The Mel & Floyd Show. See that you segue yourselves from there to the High Noon Saloon.

Note: Despite the recent listing in Maximum Ink indicating that this High Noon “Happy Friday” gig was “SOLD OUT”, such is not the case. More on this here.

*Seasonal Affective Disorder; aka “Shit. Another Day.”

The McMusical Calendar.

Wednesday February 27
The Sparks Band slathers on the sounds of the 60s at Me&Julio on Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg. 6 to 9 pm.

Friday, March 1
Turner returns! Big Wes Turner’s Trio (the biggest little band in Madland) plays Rockin’ RHYTHMN & Swingin’ BLUES for “Happy Friday” at the High Noon Saloon. Can you say, “It’s Madison time!” 5 to 7 pm. No cover. Lotsa beer.

Friday, March 8
The Sparks Band energetically wallows in danceable 60s nostalgia at The Hody Bar & Grill in Middleton. 9 to 1

Saturday, March 9
The Cashbox Kings hit the Rothschild Pavilion at 5 pm to help celebrate 20 years of Wausau’s Blues Café. Other performers: The Mark Cameron Band, Ivy Ford, Danielle Nicole Band, and Ronnie Baker Brooks.

(Mr. McMusic takes time off to search for Big Wes Turner. Where he at?)

Friday, March 29
The Birddog Blues Band proves that combining Blues with “Happy Friday” booze is perfectly safe. Responsibly. High Noon Saloon 5 to 7

Saturday, March 30
The Cashbox Kings bring Chicago Blues to the North Street Cabaret The groove starts to move around 8 pm.

Check back for April dates and late-breaking McMusical news.

NoteBig Wes Turner’s Newsletter has an amazing new option: POSTCARDS! Whaaaaa? Yeah, you heard right. Most well-informed Turnerites receive their sporadic action updates via email, but now they can alternately (or additionally) get a scrap of cheap cardboard with information scribbled thereupon... FOR FREE!!! Just ask.

'Nother Note
: BWTN postcards are redeemable for a drink wherever Big Wes Turner’s Trio is found.

Saturday, February 2, 2019

SRO or SOL?

They said it was impossible. “You can’t sell out a show if there’s no cover charge.” Right?

Well, theoretically, Yes. Which is to say, No, you can’t. But theory and practice have been confounded before where the legacy of mythic musical mentor Big Wes Turner is involved.

Thus this listing from the recent edition of Maximum Ink (Madison’s Music Magazine) for the upcoming March 1 early evening “Happy Friday” gig at the High Noon Saloon.

Be it known! Big Wes Turner’s Trio’s 3/1 performance is NOT sold out, because there’s nothing out of which to sell. Except cocktails and cold beer at happy-hour prices.

Perhaps the show later the same evening with some Led Zeppelin cover band actually IS sold out. Who cares? Come early ‘cause the Big Wes Turner’s Trio “Happy Friday” show is 100% cheaper and heaps higher on the happyometer. Crowding the High Noon Saloon to capacity for Friday happy hour is a goal to which we can all aspire. Hoist a few, then hit the dance floor, courtesy of the Rockin’ RHYTHM & Swingin’ BLUES sounds of Big Wes Turner’s Trio. 5 to 7 pm. (“It’s Madison time!”)

Mister McMusic Recommends
If you are ready to rock and roll on Wednesday, February 6, consider the High Noon Saloon and SIMO, guitarist/singer J.D. Simo’s band, three musicians who can power-trio in the best traditions of such. It’s been nearly two years since the trio handily passed the acid test of taste and chops by performing with high intensity at low volume for a special lunchtime Isthmus Live Sessions performance. You can find them all over Youtube, but here’s your chance to bypass the digital algorithmic overlords and strike a blow for live music resistance.

The McMusical Calendar

Friday, February 8
The Sparks Band, mostly masters of 60s nostalgia, rock out early at The Atwood (on Atwood Avenue) starting at 8 pm.

Thursday, February 14
Again, with The Sparks Band, plectruming playfully whilst the beer taps pour at Vintage Brewing in Sauk City. (On the shores of the mighty Wisconsin river.)  Early evening pm.

Saturday, February 16
The brewery tour continues as The Sparks Band rips riffs nostalgically at The Great Dane Hilldale on Madison’s fashionable near-west side. 8 to 11 pm.

Tuesday, February 19
The Cashbox Kings help Porchlight raise funds. Sample delicious dishes from great Madison restaurants while listening to Chess-era Chicago Blues sounds on the University Of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Contact Porchlight to get tickets for this delicious event.

Friday, February 22
Madison’s musical A-Team, The Maintainers (featuring Frankie Lee on harmonica and Mel Ford on guitar) play for keeps at Chief’s (right across from Buck’s Pizza on Cottage Grove Road). 6:30 to 9:30.

Saturday, February 23
The Cashbox Kings bring authentic Chi-Town Blues sounds back to that most venerable of east-side dives, The Crystal Corner Bar. 9 pm.

Sunday, February 24
Calling all Parrotheads! That other venerable east-side eatery/drinkery, The Harmony Bar & Grill, hosts a fundraiser for WORT Backporch Radio. Waste away to the Jimmy Buffett-esque sounds of Chuck Bayuk & the Drunken Sailors. (Tom on bass, but drunken responsibly).
3 to 7 pm.

Wednesday February 28
The Sparks Band slathers on the sounds of the 60s at Me&Julio on Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg. 6 to 9 pm.


Friday, March 1
Turner returns! Big Wes Turner’s Trio (the biggest little band in Madland) plays Rockin’ RHYTHM & Swingin’ BLUES for “Happy Friday” at the High Noon Saloon. Can you say, “It’s Madison time!” 5 to 7
Not sold out. No cover. Lotsa beer.

Friday, March 8
The Sparks Band energetically wallows in danceable 60s nostalgia at the Hody Bar & Grill in Middleton. 9 to 1

Saturday, March 9
The Cashbox Kings hit the Rothschild Pavilion at 5 pm to help celebrate 20 years of Wausau’s Blues Café. Other performers on the bill: The Mark Cameron Band, Ivy Ford, Danielle Nicole Band, and Ronnie Baker Brooks.

Sunday, March 10
The northern tour continues as The Cashbox Kings hit some joint in Stevens Point. Details will follow.

Friday, March 29
The Birddog Blues Band proves that combining Blues with “Happy Friday” booze is perfectly safe. Responsibly. High Noon Saloon 5 to 7

Saturday, March 30
The Cashbox Kings bring Chicago Blues north to the North Street Cabaret. The groove starts to move around 8 pm.

Check back for April dates and late-breaking McMusical news.

NoteBig Wes Turner’s Newsletter has an amazing new option: POSTCARDS! Whaaaaa? Yeah, you heard right. Most well-informed Turnerites receive their sporadic action updates via email, but now they can alternately (or additionally) get a scrap of cheap cardboard with information scribbled thereupon... FOR FREE!!! Just ask.

'Nother Note
: BWTN postcards are redeemable for a drink wherever Big Wes Turner’s Trio is found.