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Hi all from The Big Sky region. I am honored and thrilled to participate in this exciting new on-line zine put together by Dean and Andrew. Although this report is a little short on content, I anticipate having additional contributors from other parts of the region for the upcoming issues. A special thanks to Paul "Pro" Pearson from Nebraska for his contributions for this issue.In terms of what is happening in St. Louis?.well, the last few days of September going into October looms to be an exciting few days. Within a weeks time we are going to be visited by String Cheese Incident, moe., Bela Fleck (same night as SCI), as well as a Victor Wooten show (separate of Bela's show).
The big news here however is non-music related, but it would not be prudent for me not to mention it. Yes, our own Mark McGwire has put on a "jam" of his own, with a totally improvisational 3 home runs in a 5 game run at Busch Stadium!! The highlight of the "jam" was home run number 62 on 9-8-98. During the 4th set?.uhh..make that 4th inning?McGwire smashed a 341 foot shot that will be remembered by the world for years to come. What followed was total bedlam both inside and outside the stadium. We are anxious to see how many home runs he will finish with by years end, which will of course be a record that might stand for years to come. Congratulations Mr. McGwire. One more baseball note?.upon reading my St. Louis Cardinal media guide, it appears as though we have a jam band fan. Matt Morris, one of the Cardinals starting pitchers lists his favorite band as "Phish" in his profile.
And from Nebraska we have this report from Paul:
May 21, 1998-The N Party, Aksarben Coliseum, Omaha NE
Bands: Brown Paper Bags, Nomadic Fiesta (drum circle during changes), Leroy and Gypsy Eyes, S.O.U.P. (aka Grateful Dudes), Radio King, Nelson and Nickel (acoustic), Strange Pleasures and Meandering Blue
Billed as 'the party of the century' and sponsored by the University of Nebraska Alumni Association and Heisman Trophy winner/Nebraska football legend Johnny Rodgers, the "N Party" kicked off around 4 PM. Despite a crowd that would have fit in two of the six large rooms dedicated to the party, there was plenty of groove to go around. When I settled down behind the board during the Dudes' set, I knew we were in for a good night. The Dudes played their time-tested mix of Dead and original jams to a tie-dyed crowd, capped by a 12 minute "Playing In the Band" that left the Heads wanting more. Radio King played an energetic set of psychobilly that kept the crowd moving until the majority bailed to check out the ladies in the fashion show. When Strange Pleasures took the stage at 1 AM, the dyes were back and spinning. Pleasures ripped through an all cover set highlighted by a "Franklin's Tower" guitar solo by Erik Blomenkamp that left the atmosphere. They ended with an all-star jam featuring Brad Hayes (harmonica and vocals) and Matt Richardson (guitar) of the Alleycats on "But Anyway" and "Red House." At 2:45 AM, Meandering Blue took the stage to finish out the night and were on from note one. Guitarists Matt Loewski and Terry Kishiyama jammed ala Haynes and Betts and wandered the groove through their original set, keeping the small but enthusiastic crowd entranced. When the 4:00 AM bell ended the show, the hippies and ravers were the only ones left in the building. Setlists and more information on upcoming shows can be found at the Strange Pleasures website at http://www.strangepleasures.com.
Those in the Lincoln area should be sure to check out the open jam hosted by the Alleycats every Monday night at Bodega's Alley (14th & O). You can generally see the boys from Meandering Blue, Strange Pleasures and other local bands, as well as some occasional surprises like blues guitarist Coco Montoya who tore it up on a recent trip to town. Chicago Blues legend Magic Slim got up for one with Strange Pleasures at their debut at the legendary Zoo Bar (14th&P) on August 19th. If you find yourself cruising I-80 through Nebraska, stop by and check out the scene. Upcoming Strange Pleasures shows include a street party in Wahoo, NE with the Salamanders on September 19th and Bodega's Alley on September 23rd.
David Shulman, 38, married, 3 children. V.P/Director of TeleServices for Sterliing Direct Inc. Born in Salem, Ma, currently living in St. Louis, Mo. Music interests include: Phish, Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, MMW, ARU, and all other jam bands not mentioned.
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