Hi, everyone! Miss me? Well, I missed you ... of course, I see many of you readers making my rounds of all our great venues for live music. Awesome, right? I’ve really enjoyed my R&R time and looking forward to some more; plus the Christmas holiday, of course. My living room looks like Santa has already paid a visit. Ho! Ho! Ho!
    I hope you all enjoy the many pictures of my travels this past month beginning with the beautiful bi-annual affair of the Winterfest Gala. It’s always fun to see everyone dressed in their beautiful finery. One of the highlights of the month was hearing Shaun Hopper again. He played at Fager’s Island and I heard him again at The Globe. What a phenomenal talent he is. Another phenom just heard last week is Gregg Karukas, one of the top jazz pianists in the world - a Bowie, Md., boy but now in L.A. Amazing vocalist Shelby Flint also performed at the concert held at Seacrets to benefit the Ocean City Cultural Arts Advisory Board. I first heard Karukas years ago at Mellow Beach and have been a fan ever since. Thanks to Patty & Peck Miller for keeping in touch with him and bringing him back to Ocean City. I’ve also been getting my fill of the great old standards and Motown classics from Bryan Clark at Fager’s Island and Mio Fratello where he plays every Tues. He is also at The Cultured Pearl every Sun.
    It was a blast at The Ocean Club last week with On The Edge featuring Smitty who is the consummate entertainer - great voice and terrific stage charisma. Drummer Brad Kines you would remember from Mary Lou’s Untouchables. Also, her former guitarist, Sean O’Brien, was there on smokin’ guitar. Speaking of Mary Lou, you will all be happy to hear that she is well and playing a gig at The Jetty this Friday.
    The rounds of Christmas parties have been exhausting but so much fun. As always, it was great fun singing a song with Teenage Rust & The Fabulous Rustettes for their party. Tammy & Roger at Galaxy 66 threw a cosmic party and featured architect drawings of their Skye bar expansion project, due to be finished in April, 2012. It’s gonna be amazing!
    I’m having an adventure this week, soaking in some Christmas atmosphere - Colonial Williamsburg and D.C. Then I’m gonna hit as many New Year’s Eve celebrations as I can. Whoohooo! Let the fun continue and let’s ring in 2012 with all the hope for a brighter year that we can muster. Begin by being kind to one another. Love is the greatest gift. ‘See’ you February 17th. Party safe!