Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Shhh! It Happens

Thanks to Forrest Gump for that enduring meme and its persistent evocation of the tension between the seemingly random activity of all the bits in our universe and the persistent insistence on the part of some semi-sentient fellow creatures that everything happens for a reason (talkin’ predestination).


For instance, just when we were expecting the post-summer slowdown in musical activities, whadaya know? Not only did The Birddog Blues Band luck into a fun car show/fundraiser for UW Children’s Hospital event in picturesque Argyle last week, Mel and Tom got a late call to sit in with the acclaimed Cashbox Kings this weekend, not to mention a last-minute Labor Day afternoon booking for the above-mentioned Birddog Blues Band. See below, then pack up and go.


The McMusical Calendar


Friday, September 2
Birddog Blues Band boogies at Wisconsin Brewing, 1079 American Parkway, Verona WI. Spacious indoor and outdoor spaces for roaming around or imbibing brews. 6 to 9 pm

Sunday September 4
The Cashbox Kings plays a special Sunday afternoon (4 to 7 pm) gig at Tyranena Brewing in Lake Mills, WI. Chicago-style Blues and Wisconsin-style beer.

Monday, September 5
The Birddog Blues Band plays Labor Day afternoon (2 to 5 pm at Club LaMark (on Hwy 51 just half a block north of E. Washington Ave. in Madison.

Saturday, September 17
Mel Ford & the Fairlane, PRIVATE PARTY*, Madison, WI.
*(WAIT! Why are we telling you about a party if you’re not invited? Just to remind you that Mr. McMusic and associates are happy to bring live music to your neighborhood hall or your very own home, at surprisingly reasonable rates.)

Saturday, October 8
Birddog Blues Band at Full Mile Brewing in Sun Prairie, WI.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Because It’s True

Let’s get serious for a minute. About elections.

I know people who work the polls at election time. In fact, I am one of them. And I have always been impressed with how seriously the people around me take their tasks, how careful and conscientious they are about getting it right, and how the system is set up so that even if someone makes a mistake, or if someone tries to cheat or game the system, there is a paper trail that is clear and will always lead to the simple, numerical truth of who got more votes and who got fewer.

In the 2020 Presidential election, in Wisconsin, Biden got 20,682 more votes than Trump. Two piles of paper ballots and the Biden pile is higher by 20,682. Counted and recounted. Biden won. Trump lost.

Anyone who says there is voter fraud in my state is either ignorant or a liar. If you are ignorant, then you owe it to yourself and your fellow citizens to educate yourself. If you are a liar, you should be ashamed and you should knock that shit off.

Now, let’s make a little music.

The McMusical Calendar




































Friday, August 19
Birddog Blues Band warms up the stage for some band called The Jimmys (never heard of ‘em) at Mineral Point Blues and Roots Fest. Enjoy the surroundings at “Orchard Lawn” and the grounds of The Gundry House at Church and Pine in historic, picturesque Mineral Point.

Thursday, August 25
Birddog Blues Band at Lone Girl Brewing Company, Waunakee, WI. Blues that’s fresh and sweet, up on the roof (weather permitting). 6 to 9 pm

Saturday, August 27
The Birddog Blues Band entertains at Goodfellows in Argyle WI. Car show and fun fundraiser for a great cause. 3:30 to 7

Friday, September 2
The Birddog Blues Band plays the Blues (what else) at Wisconsin Brewing, 1079 American Parkway, Verona WI. Spacious indoor and outdoor spaces for roaming around or imbibing brews. 6 to 9 pm

Sunday, September 4
The Cashbox Kings play Chicago-style Blues at Tyranena Brewing in Lake Mills WI. Special event.

Saturday, September 17
Mel Ford & the Fairlane, PRIVATE PARTY*, Madison, WI.
*(WAIT! Why are we telling you about a party if you’re not invited? Just to remind you that Mr. McMusic and associates are happy to bring live music to your neighborhood hall or your very own home, at surprisingly reasonable rates.)

Saturday, October 8
The Birddog Blues Band returns to Full Mile Brewing in Sun Prairie, WI.

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Red Alert

RED ALERT! This coming Friday (August 12) is your last chance to hear Tom on bass with The Sparks Band. It’s also a great chance to enjoy a guest appearance by the incomparable Ena M? Will there be swinging and swaying and 60s music (including Motown) playing? Fer sure. 7 to 10pm

Good thing you checked in here, huh? (You can always check the Music Calendar at Isthmus.com. Isthmus is still the go-to source for arts and entertainment goings-on in the greater Madison area.)

It's summertime and, sure, there’s lots of stuff going on (see Calendar below) and, yeah, we all want to get going. But, there’s also lots of stuff still going around. Keep your mask handy for crowds and crowded rooms and keep up the good hygiene habits. Wash your hands frequently and stop diggin' around in your skivvies. Let’s help each other stay healthy. Being sick sucks.

The McMusical Calendar

Friday, August 12

The Sparks Band w/Ena M. plays the stuff out of 60s stuff at Chiefs Tavern, Cottage Grove Rd. Madison WI. 7 to 10

Saturday, August 13
Birddog Blues Band plays from 4 to 5:15 at the Waukesha Rotary BluesFest (held at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield (half a mile north of I-94 on Hwy 83). The rest of the Saturday lineup includes The Spectaculars, Tonic Roots, Altered Five Blues Band, The Blues Disciples, and headliner Sue Foley. Get advance tickets at www.waukeshabluesfest.com.

Friday, August 19
Birddog Blues Band warms up the stage for some band called The Jimmys at the Mineral Point Blues and Roots Fest. Enjoy the surroundings at “Orchard Lawn” and the grounds of The Gundry House at Church and Pine in historic, picturesque Mineral Point.

Thursday, August 25
Birddog Blues Band gets down on the roof at Lone Girl Brewery, Waunakee, WI. 6 to 9 pm

Friday, September 2
Birddog Blues Band boogies at Wisconsin Brewing, 1079 American Parkway, Verona WI. Spacious indoor and outdoor spaces for roaming around or imbibing brews. 6 to 9 pm

Saturday August 27
Birddog Blues Band plays at Goodfellows in Argyle WI. Come for the car show, stay for the brews and blues. 4 to 8 pm (ish).

Saturday, September 17
Mel Ford & the Fairlane, PRIVATE PARTY*, Madison, WI.
*(WAIT! Why are we telling you about a party if you’re not invited? Just to remind you that Mr. McMusic and associates are happy to bring live music to your neighborhood hall or your very own home, at surprisingly reasonable rates.)

Saturday, October 8
Birddog Blues Band at Full Mile Brewing in Sun Prairie, WI.