Hey, hey, hey! Here we go! The much anticipated Bike Week & Bike Fest is here and I can see the shiny bikes pulling into the Steer Inn as I write this on Thurs. (my office is next to the Steer). There’s so much goin’ on everywhere for our visiting road warriors that I know they’re gonna have a blast here.
    I’ve sure been havin’ a blast; starting last Wed. with Bryan Clark at Jive. Wow, what a performer. This man has moves that Michael Jackson would be stealing. And what a voice! His audience stands in awe of his incredible talent. You can hear him two more Wednesdays in Sept. at Jive. And don’t miss that beautiful songstress Dawn performing Sat.
    Thurs. I went to the Purple Moose to hear The Rising (Bruce Springsteen tribute) and I was captivated by the performance given by Tom Vitorino (as The Boss) and his group of E Street players. They did a wonderfully entertaining show combining Springsteen originals with party tune medleys for two and a half hours of non-stop amazing music. And I went back over the weekend to hear another amazing talent, Paul Lewis, and his resurrected band YNOT rock out. Lewis has lost none of his theatrical flair and his voice is powerful as ever.
    This weekend Surreal returns, perhaps my favorite long-hair ‘80s megahits band. Walt still surpasses every other singer I’ve heard this summer doing, for instance, Journey songs. His voice is absolutely top of the charts in my book. I know audiences this weekend will be crazy on the dance floor. And then, a now almost rare appearance of Kashmir. Talk about voices - Jean (as Robert Plant) hits all those incredible notes with not a wink of effort; just so beautiful. And the rest of the band is terrific, too, playing one after another Led Zeppelin tune for a concert you won’t forget. Three full sets of pure Zeppelin. Heaven!
    Opening day of Football was fun at 707 Sports Bar & Grille with Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Salt Water Cowboys playing early for the tailgate party. As always, Randy made the anniversary of 9/11 even more poignant as he sang the National Anthem before the game. Alas, the Steelers did not win that day but as a Redskins fan, I wasn’t crushed; I took off for Waterman’s at half time where the Ravens fans were whoopin’ it up victorious. And ... later on my team did win while I was listening to the fabulous music of Tommy Edward & Melissa Rose w/ Harry on congas. Wow, these guys can really keep a party goin’. The party at M.R. Ducks keeps rollin’ this weekend with an incredible lineup starting with 6 Beers Deep. Curious about this one because it reminds me of friends Brad & Ols (Eric) who had 3 Beers Deep a few years back (before Brad married and moved to Baltimore). Could it be the same but with a few more beers? LOL! We’ll have to see. Then Johnny Bling brings the house down yet again on Sat., and that funky blues group Nothin’ But Trouble brings it on Sun. Nate Clendenen will begin the Sunfest weekend when he plays on Thur.
    I want to remind you that  Mike Short Jr. & Statewide will return to 707 Sports Bar & Grille on Friday, playing early at 1pm. That’s right ... the backyard at 707 will be roaring with bikes and great music during the day (vendors, too, such as our friends from Ancient Arts). Then at night Fuzzbox Piranha will be inside both Fri. and Sat. nights. Saturday’s daytime party will feature Tranzfusion at 1pm. If you haven’t heard these guys ‘cause you’re not a late night person, this is your big chance to hear, and see, them in action. You’ve never heard album cover music done any better than they do it - perfectly amazing!
    And, bonus ... for the late nighters, they will be performing at Fager’s Island tonight, Friday. That’s right. I always enjoy hearing them on the Fager’s stage. The sound system and fancy lighting just turns their performance into  even more of a concert feel. Where tribute bands have done amazing shows all summer long, Tranzfusion is a perfection of tributes to dozens of popular artists.
    Speaking of perfection ... my gosh, we heard Shaun Hopper again last night (Wed.) at Fager’s Island and I’m happy to report a full house to hear this amazing young artist. I wrote a bit about him last week, so I don’t want to repeat myself, but I have to say it’s like hearing a band from only one person. He does many popular songs in his own arrangements in his fingering style (no electronic looping involved) and has added more vocals to his performance. We were mesmerized ... a show that makes listeners shush those talking. You just want to catch every note and every story he tells. I’m happy to report that he will return Wed. Sept 28. Can’t wait to hear him again.
    The Michael Tracey White Day at Coconuts was another special day of friends and fellow musicians playing in remembrance of an accomplished entertainer who is still sorely missed. Check out the article by Tish Michel for more on this. Eric and his group Gravy will perform at Coconuts this Sat. and Crowded Outhouse does the ususal Sun. party. Can’t believe it ... Sun. the 24th is the closing party. BooHoo!
    High Stakes will present the lovely Melissa Alesi on Sat. night. It’s not often we hear such an accomplished singer/songwriter who is great on guitar too. Look for a group called Black Birds & Northernmost playing at Matteo’s Sat.; plus Phantom Limbs Thur.
    Just heard there was a tornado in Ocean City. Good Grief! Get out there and enjoy those magnificent chromed machines and party safe!