Things of Interest

Safe to say, it's been an interesting year thus far. That said, "interesting" isn't always a good thing. Maybe a little more "balance" would be in order. If we don't want things to get too far out of whack, maybe ease up on the whacking? And the wackos? (You know who you are.)

Just some food for thought. You're welcome. Commence mastication. And while you're at it, peruse the updated event lineup below.

The McMusical Calendar

In addition to the BirdDogBlues summer gigs listed below, Mr. McMusic will be participating in several other noteworthy performances. 

Saturday, July 26
The Gentlemen 60th Reunion. Back when The Beatles and other British Invasion bands were rewiring young brains across our fair land, nobody recreated those sounds better than The Gentlemen. Comprised of UW Madison students Dave and Bob Kenison, Chuck Scalia, and Brewster Shaw, the band rocked the Midwest hard during the last half of the 60s. After graduation they went their separate ways, but also made a tradition of regrouping in Madison for an annual reunion. Don't miss this one. The Bur Oak on Winnebago St. in Madison. 7 to 10 pm.

Sunday, July 27
Gerry Does Jerry at Toffler's in New Glarus. Gerry Burns is longtime musical resident of Austin, TX, but he returns to Wisconsin for an annual visit with family and friends, and brings along his ongoing celebration of the music of Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead. Along with Gerry on guitar, musical friends include Jimmy Voegeli (The Jimmys) on keys, Gary Hendrickson on guitar, Tom McCarty on bass, and drummers (Yes! two drummers!) Mauro Magellan (of The Georgia Satellites, etc.) and Bun E. Carlos (of Cheap Trick, etc.) Tie-dye me down! It WILL BE a BLAST. 2:30 pm 'til whenever, Man.

Sunday, August 10
The Sparks Band plays the big hits and fun obscurities from the 60s at The Dirty Dog Taphaus (101 6th Ave., New Glarus). 2 to 5 pm

Friday, September 5
The Sparks Band plays the same 60s schtick at Chief's Tavern in Madison (right across from Buck's Pizza). 7 to 10.

Thursday, September 18
Faux Fawn plays the historic McFarland House Cafe (in McFarland, duh!). Fun folkers Paul Otteson and company serve up a set of inspired acoustic originals in a nifty backyard setting. 6 to 8.

Up and At 'em

Spring has sprung, as we like to say here in Wisconsin. April showers? We've had a few. Plus clouds of pollen (gesundheit!). Buds are budding and before you know it ticks and skeeters will be out for blood. 

Do not be deterred. Summer fun awaits all. Check the schedule below for musical performances by the BirdDogBlues band. And there's more!

Purveyors of 60s sounds the Sparks Band will bring their energetic, and barely geriatric, rock and roll repertoire to Vintage Brewing (in Sauk City) on June 5 (6 to 8 pm). Catch them again at the Dirty Dog Tap House in New Glarus on August 10, and again at Chief's Bar & Grill in Madison on September 10.

Celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Gentlemen, the band that put British Invasion music on the Wisconsin map back in the late 60s. This rare event takes place at The Bur Oak in Madison on July 26.

Scratch My Back

Slim Harpo (the Great) never made the top of the pop charts, but in 1966 he hit Number One on the R&B charts with Baby Scratch My Back. It lives on as a standard of the Blues/Rhythm & Blues repertoire (and you're likely to hear it performed when the BirdDogBlues band plays: see below).

Slim's big hit also lives on as good advice. Make someone happy and give 'em a little back scratch. If it's a canine friend, a belly rub might be good, too.

The McMusical Calendar

Saturday, March 15
BirdDogBlues plays swinging tunes at Loxley, a new event space on Madison's west side where once stood the hoppin' Dry Bean Saloon. (5364 Verona Road). Doors open at 6 pm. Music starts at 8 pm. Dancers welcome.

Check back soon as we fill in more dates for spring and summer music.