Hi, guys. Exciting stuff for one of our own local entertainers, Marcella Peters. She and mom Gina are  making it big on an up-and-coming VH1 show, from the producers of Jersey shore, “Mama Drama.”  Hailing from Baltimore both women are seen frequently in the Ocean City area when Marcella performs as a vocalist. Mama Drama, at the time of this report, airs on VH1 July 18 at 11 PM. So get ready for some “Mama Drama” where that special relationship between mothers and daughters is exposed for the world to see. So happy for these two whose dream is finally being realized. Congrats!
    Next up – a word from our Best Bites writer Jenny Samuels – All of the locals came out of the woodwork for the Pepper concert at Seacrets on Tuesday night. The show was sold out, and the positive vibes were palpable in the Morley Hall. The crowd went absolutely berserk when Pepper took the stage. The shirtless vocalist/bassist, Bret Bollinger, jumps around the stage with a contagious high-energy stamina. Singing hits like “Wake Up” and “Give It Up,” Pepper is the perfect act to play venues like Seacrets, where rock and reggae blend together to produce sonic perfection. A notable observation about Pepper is how young the band looks, considering that they formed in 1996 and have recorded six albums. But the lead guitarist and bassist first connected in middle school, so they’re seasoned musicians and performers. Pepper’s new and longtime fans all were buzzing about the concert on Facebook during the week leading up to the event at Seacrets. Not only did the Morley Hall provide excellent light effects and ambiance for the concert, but also its radio station, 98.1 FM Irie Radio, hosted Pepper for the “Live Lixx at Six” broadcast before the concert. Imagine how much fun it must be for a touring band like Pepper to spend the day and night at Seacrets. One thing is certain. Seacrets gets mad props for bringing fresh live music to the Ocean City scene during its Summer Concert Series. Keep reading Coconut Times for the calendar of upcoming national and international recording artists that will take the stage next at Seacrets.
    I heard from old friend Mark Kenneally the other day, better known to us as Dr. Harmonica. He and the guys of Rocket 88 are coming down from Wilmington, Del., to play at M.R. Ducks today, Fri. It’s been too long, Doc. His proud news is this: on Aug. 4th he is to be inducted into the International Blues Hall of Fame. What an incredible honor and well deserved for this man who has been entertaining us four decades or more. Congratulations, Mark! See ya soon.
    The folks at Johnny’s Pizza Pub are excited to have Coman Sproles back. You may have heard him last year in the 69 Band, now going by Coman Sproles Band. They returned for a four-night run with Fri. & Sat. coming up. A national recording artist, Sproles is highly regarded as a guitarist, quite often compared to the likes of Hendrix and Vaughan. He has played with such artists as David Allen Coe, 38 Special, Molly Hatchett, Marshall Tucker, Eric Burdon, and more. On the music scene since ‘71, Sproles recorded 9 CDs with the 69 Band between ‘82 and 2010. He is currently a Touchtunes sensation and you can see and hear him live, right here, at Johnny’s Pizza Pub.
    Now, I must indulge in a little gushing. What about? The incredible Pink Floyd tribute band Set The Controls. As I sat listening with the full house at Fager’s Island, I tried to think of adjectives worthy of describing them but I’m still at a loss. Just the fact that they can recreate the studio sounds of all those great Pink Floyd albums live onstage is remarkable. The complexity of the music is beyond anything most bands could produce but with three guitars, a bass, keyboards & sax, and of course, an amazing drummer, they played every song to perfection. The key ingredient is that dynamo on the keyboards, Blair Smart. She captures every tone, nuance and special effect that you hear on the records. Plus, she plays all the sax parts and is just superb. As if that weren’t enough, in addition to her great backup vocals, she came front and center to sing on “Great Gig In The Sky” from Dark Side of the Moon. It was phenomenal - fine crystal would have shattered. Another key ingredient was the pedal steel (minus the pedals) played by guitarist Denny Presley for those cool bending notes, etc. Tod Weidner & Patrick Himes make up the triumphant trio of guitarists who were clearly having so much fun and getting into it that they laughed out loud and at one point, Denny tore off his glasses and threw them aside. Jordan Hampton on bass also contributed the most important bass lines that are so creative and sometimes unique to the Pink Floyd sound. And, of course, we can’t forget to give credit to Scott Soifer on drums for his energetic and dynamic style keeping everything together. And they played non-stop for three and a half hours! We love this group so much, definitely in my top five of tribute bands, that I think Fager’s Island hopes to have them back again before the end of the year. Fortunately for us, they like playing here as much as we like hearing them. I could go for  a reprisal!
    Meanwhile this Sun. check into Fager’s Island again for the return of another of our favorites, 2U playing the rockin’ and relevant music of U2. Gene is incredible recreating Bono and Joe is a dynamo as “The Edge.” You’re gonna love their show. Hey, I know I’m going on about stuff at Fager’s but it’s warranted. Gotta give props to Rock Bottom for the amazing show on Tues. playing all your favorite KISS tunes; and I mean they dug out some obscure songs that only real fans knew. As hot as it was in all that makeup and costume, they gamely played ‘til 1:30 am, giving their fans a show they won’t forget.
    Gosh, had more to tell about amazing FUEL and can’t wait to hear Heart tribute Kick It Out at the Purple Moose. Fans of the Bo Dickerson Band – they’re back Sat. at Smitty McGee’s, always a great time. Well, out of time and space so see ya ‘round. Party safe!