Hey, y’all. Wow, what a weekend. Having the world at our doorstep was kinda cool, wasn’t it? But much more cool were the athletes who put on an unbelievable show in one of the toughest competitions in the sports world. According to press releases it was the highest attendance in the history of the Dew Tour. Despite the iffy weather on Sun., all events were completed including the Skate Mega 2.0TM that finished under the lights around 10 pm, I’m told. These high-flying stunts were so risky that a safety net was in place. Young Tom Schaar (12) impressed with a frontside lien 180 and landed a 1080 to lead the field, with Elliot Sloan in 2nd and Bob Burnquist in third place. Congratulations to all the winners who not only gave their all on the ramp and bowl but also partied with us at night. Almost hometown boy Bucky Lasek had the crowd in an uproar singing with the band, Surreal, from the stage at the World Famous Purple Moose. And I ran into PLG, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, enjoying dinner at our favorite sushi spot, OC Wasabi. He was excited to go for his second Skate Vert win here in Ocean City before moving on to South Africa for the next contest - and he did win! We’re all hoping that we have this great bunch of athletes back again next year.
    The talk of this weekend is the first Uptown Beach Bash beginning today with a Paddleboard Regatta at BJ’s at 1pm. Join in and come cheer on your favorite in this new sport that is all the rage in Ocean City. Stick around or come back later for the great classic rock music of Tranzfusion. And while I’m writing of BJ’s, let me wish owner Billy Carder a very happy birthday with many more to come.
    Have you signed up for the event that is bringing the Guinness World Record people to Ocean City? Get your mom, your daughter, your sister, your friend to join in the Bikini Parade beginning at the Princess Royale at 1pm. This is gonna be a real hoot. And several charities will benefit as well: Relay For Live Surfrider Foundation and Diakonia. Head up to the Blue Ox where Chaz and crew are throwing a huge Luau party authentic Hawaiian style with roast pig and the whole works. DJ Jeremy will provide the music with Colossal Fossil Sauce coming in at 9pm.
    The Beach Bash concludes on Sun. with Local Palooza featuring Monster Energy BMX stunts for the kids and continuous music starting at noon from our area’s top bands, to include: Hot Sauce Sandwich, Blake Haley, Monkee Paw, Aaron Howell Band, Full circle, Electric Company, Fallen Down 20, and finishing with Mary Lou & The Untouchables.  Here’s your chance to hear bands I’ve been talking about from the comfort of your own lawn chair during the day. So come on out and enjoy the last party of the summer at Northside Park. People ask me all the time when is Mary Lou coming back so I’m happy to say she will be performing with her group Sat. at M.R. Ducks as well. We all know it’s a total blast when she hits the dock and what better way to close out the summer (hate saying that; we’ll keep partying, right?).
    Meanwhile, lots of other good stuff is going down all around town. Did you know that our latest Hooters, in West Ocean City right on Rt. 50, has been having live music? That’s right. I live right down the street and Wed. Night Bike Week was off the hook. What a sight, all those beautiful machines parked out front. This coming Wed. Old School will be in the house providing the rockin’ fun music. Stop in on Sun. to hear the feel-good music of Randy Lee Ashcraft and one or more of his Salt Water Cowboys. You never know what kind of a jam Randy Lee might be having.
    We had a blast last week at Fager’s Island tribute Sun. show with Captain Fantastic doing Elton John. The show started with a Billy Joel tribute from 52nd St. that was most entertaining but it was the flashy entrance of “Elton” in his blazing gold sequined tails, top hat and guitar glasses that we were all waiting for. He played a tricked-out piano covered in a mosaic of mirrored glass that slowly opened revealing whirling colored lights flashing in the smoke. After singing the Beatles’ “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” wearing dayglo glasses that spelled out ELTON, he changed into a silver sequined suit with a white fur-trimmed cape and launched into “Benny & The Jets,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” and the Oscar winning “Circle Of Life” wearing a Micky Mouse sorcerer’s hat. It was fabulous! I noticed most of the guys in the audience couldn’t take their eyes off the beautiful gal pounding the clear drum set with long blond hair whipping as she played. Her name is Kylie, guys, and she and the rest of the band are from Akron, Ohio, and they travel all over the country doing several different tribute shows such as Boogie Fever, Big 80’s and Wise Guys Power Duo. The mastermind behind this mega entertainment power house is Walt Wise who has a tremendous voice and great energy. Cudos to Walt and the band who came back for a three-song encore including “Island Girl,” “Tiny Dancer” and “Yellow Brick Road.”
    Stop in this Sun. for Fager’s Island’s final tribute Sunday with our own ‘80s power group the Chest Pains. We love them everywhere they play but there’s something about the Fager’s stage that just brings out the very best in our music folk. Could be the lights; maybe ... but I give cudos to sound man Greg up there in the sound loft keeping everything perfectly balanced. Come on out for that and check out our list to see all the other fab music going on there.
    Our friends in One Night Stand will be rockin’ the Johnny’s Pizza Pub crowd tonight (Fri) with Mark on guitar, Eric on bass & Frank on drums. Good solid rock here. And more solid fun rock from Old School playing Smitty McGee’s on Sat. and Hooters on Wed.
    Can’t wait to get out to the Purple Moose tonight to hear the ZZ Top tribute called ZZ Pop featuring our favorite guitar guru Will McIntyre. Next Thur. check into the Moose for double tribute of Journey & Mellencamp with the Idol Kings. Party safe!