Faith & begorrah, flowers are bloomin’ and leprechauns are dancin’ under rainbows. Tis St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Ocean City, one of the most exciting times of the year. Certainly our parade and festival at 45th St. would rival those same events in much larger cities - we’re just a party town, right? And I mean that in the very best sense of having fun through music and camaraderie. I hear veteran and authentic Irish musician Pat O’Brennan will be playing for us at the festival this year. He’s a sweetheart and a sheer pleasure of a performer.
    Irish music will abound all over town as the holiday falls directly on Saturday this year. You’ll not find any juicier Corned Beef & Cabbage anywhere other than Coins Restaurant & Pub where you’ll also hear the real deal in Irish music from The Crather Brothers Irish Band. They’re setting up a tradition at Coins as  we heard them last year as well and fully enjoyed the experience.
    I had a ball at the Steer Inn Tavern awhile back with music from License To Chill. As I’ve told you before, drummer Vini Lopez was the original drummer for Bruce Springsteen in his early days, and after 50 years in the business, Vini still plays with unbridled gusto and skill. Vini told me he recently won a Grammy for a childrens album, All About Bullies Big & Small .com. I was most honored to do a little “Bobby McGee” with the group - a little brush with the Boss, sorta kinda. Too much fun. And fun is what you’ll have all weekend long at The Steer starting with the Roadhouse Clams Fri., Tommy Edward after the parade Sat. and ending the night with Eastern Shore legends Bird Dog & The Road Kings. Sadly, this will be the last weekend of a long lineup of most excellent entertainment at The Steer Inn. Skip & Tracey McGarry will be turning over the reigns to someone else there - not sure as yet if it will remain the same or undergo a complete change. We’ll just have to wait for that and hope for the same quality of music to be presented here. Many thanks and best wishes to Skip & Tracey for all the good times. We’ll miss you.
    Great music continues every Wed. and Fri.-Sat. at BJ’s on the Water. Just heard the new and improved Old School last night. Good to see John Remy in boisterous rock ‘n roll form on lead guitar with songbird Linda Sears at his side; and also new, Glenn Mahalik on guitar & keyboards. The addition of these two musicians to Anton & Ray give the band an incredible depth and variety of music from which to choose. The crowd loved them and so did I. Comin’ up this weekend is The Mood Swingers with Lauren Glick (one of the most incredible singers around; and that’s saying something in this town) and Mad Dog & Blues Night Out on Sat. Be sure and stop in Sat. after the parade around 3pm for the soul-stirring Chesapeake Caledonian Drums & Pipes. And best wishes to house band Teenage Rust & The Fabulous Rustettes who always play from their float in the parade. Can another trophy be in their future? Join the fun and see.
    Fager’s Island will be celebratin’ the wearin’ o’ the green in fine style as well, with delicious Corned Beef & Cabbage and music from the incomparable Opposite Directions after the parade. Save a little party spirit for night-time fun with Animal House later. But before then, you’ll find many locals and visitors alike admiring the incredible music of Tranzfusion on Fri. night. These guys are simply astounding and I understand they’ve added new tunes to the lineup so I’m looking forward to that. Next week, be sure to come out for Brew Grass II featuring Bluegrass music from Chester River Runoff, Saltwater String Band and Meryl Johnson.
    Here comes Jim Long!! Yes, the Jim Long Band will return for their annual post-parade performance at Seacrets. Can’t wait to see him - so say all his fans. Seacrets will be jumpin’ all day with Back 2 Life at the Tiki Bar followed by the amazing Jon Maurer trio; then Second Majesty will perform at the Tiki Bar with Joe Bachman & The Crew on the Morley Hall stage both Fri. and Sat. nights. Big fun!!
    St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Smitty McGee’s on Rt. 54. Don’t forget to wish owner Dawn McGee a happy birthday as well. DJ Wax will be on hand starting at 1pm, after the parade, with lots of great music and giveaways. Then party band Funk-O-Licious will play your favorite funky rock tunes at night. I wrote about this band last time after their debut performance at the Steer Inn, only they were called Groovement then. My, what a difference a month makes. Seems they had a little personnel change (as happens all too often in this business) and decided to change their name. Not to worry; the same funky singers and players will be onboard, just a different drummer. It’s all good. If you’re looking for something fun to do on Sunday afternoon, you can’t go wrong at Smitty McGee’s listening to the music of talented Chris Button & Randy Lee Ashcraft. Not only do they entertain with song (I love Randy’s original tunes) but the humorous banter and interaction with their audience is a fantastic spirit booster - lots of fun.
    I’ve been having lots of fun at the Ocean Club in the Clarion Hotel too. I enjoyed two nights of music from Full Circle last month and they’re back this weekend to do it all over again. This band features not one, not two, but three amazing singers in a group that is instrumentally tight as well. Come out and hear them in the swank comfort and class of The Ocean Club. We enjoyed the music of Sweet Trouble last week who stepped in for Power Play on short notice. They traveled 20 hours from Missouri to perform and did a great job. Front singer Karen played keyboards, trumpet and harmonica - pretty versatile, huh? Best wishes to Power Play’s Kay and her family. I hope her mother makes a speedy recovery.
    That’s about it; catch ya April 6. Welcome to our new Sonic Notes writer Jessica Stalter - another music lover. Get your green on. See you at the parade. Party safe!