The Real Memphis Mike (don't settle for imitations)

Oh Pittsburgh....you've done it again. Week after week, people ask me when 'this act' or 'that act' is coming to town. Simple answer: they're not . Want to know why? Sure...I'll tell you why... I heard from a friend today. This friend is an amazing singer/songwriter/performer...who tours for a living. Nice work if you can get it, right? Right! Well, this friend had booked a show in Pittsburgh at a nice venue (I'm not mentioning names or pointing fingers...we're all to blame). My friend heard today, from the venue, that the show was being cancelled. The reason given (I won't go into detail) was pretty stupid and showed more about how little this venue trusts it's own employees to handle things, than it says about my friend (who most likely would have packed the joint). In short, what it shows is a total lack of professionalism on the part of Pittsburgh's venues, "promoters", musicians, and event staff. My friend and I discu...

"You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.” - C.G. Jung Pretty powerful words, if you think about them. Consider them a pragmatic approach to life. Say you want to be a dancer. The best damned dancer of all time! But...you work on a pig farm. You work on that pig farm for 30 years. Guess what? You're a pig farmer. In this day and age, people are often misled by bullshit promises by talk show goons, authors of pathetic self-help books, and the like. "You can do it!" "You can be whatever you want to be!" "You too can be happy!" Hogmuffins. What all of these types often fail to mention is that it takes work. LOTS of work. Hell...not just work...DEDICATION! Is your dream , your goal something that you're willing to dedicate your life to...even if it means failure? If you're content to just dream...be a dreamer. It's not a bad thing to be. But if you want something bad enough, don't expect someone else to make i...

It's that time of year again kids! Will the jolly aging fat man with the white beard and incredibly cool hat visit YOUR house this year? Better put out those donuts and beer...JUST IN CASE!!!!!!!!!! And while you're waiting for the magic of Mikesmas...here's everyone's fave Mikemas classic...TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE MIKESMAS! "Twas the night before Mikesmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even the cats; The beercans were flung on the floor without care, In hopes that a french maid soon would be there; The cats were nestled all snug in the couch, While each had visions of fricassied mouse; some bimbo in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, were each taking turns giving the other the clap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen rain Gave the lustre of Y...

As you may or may not know, I'm currently in the midst of having to sue a club owner for breach of contract. Long story short, we lived up to our end of the deal. I have no idea just what he expected...but he had people in his NEW, mostly unknown venue, with more walking in the door, when he decided it was in everyone's best interests to not let us perform...or to pay us. This is one of the many reasons why contracts are a must. If a venue refuses to sign a contract, that tells you everything you need to know about them. It screams "DON'T TRUST ME! I WILL HAPPILY SCREW YOU OVER!" I'm not saying that every venue will do this. But there are lots that will. If the venue's representative is honest, they'll work out the details with you (even if it's a door gig) and happily sign a contract. It makes things easier for everyone. If the band shows up, deluding themselves that they're going to be treated to a gourmet buffet...but only find cold pizza....

Fred Phelps Sr. is, apparently, dying. And many of you are reveling in this. My question for you is, are you any different from him? Sure, I think Fred Phelps' teaching of hate is awful. It doesn't jibe with the Gospels. That said, this is America and he has a right to say what he wants and has the right to believe what he wants and the right to pray how he wants. But because his views are unpopular (by today's standards) many of you feel it's OK to laugh at his current misery. What many of you probably missed, in the many articles on his impending demise, is that he was excommunicated from his own church in August of 2013 . Could it be that he saw the error of his ways? No one is saying...but the Westboro Baptist Church picketers are still out and about...and he's not. Do the math. While done so in a twisted way, Phelps & Co. did a lot to bring to attention the plight of homosexuals in this country. They gave a face to the hatred and vitriol the LGBT comm...

As I was the guy working the door, I know that the majority of you missed a GREAT show last night by J.B. Beverly (of The Wayward Drifters fame), newcomer Rory Kelly, and a solo set by Danny Kay (of The Nightlifers). Oh yeah...and a special guest. Monday night gigs are rough. For starters...they're on Mondays. No one likes Mondays. Trying to get a crowd out on a Monday practically takes legislation from Congress. Everyone has an excuse. Last night was particularly tough as there was a hockey game. Was I gigging? Nope. I won't do a Monday show without a decent guarantee. I don't like Mondays any more or less than you do. But...some musicians are so hardcore that they'll gig 7 nights a week...especially when they're on tour. Sometimes, this is a matter of economics. The band knows they aren't gonna make a ton of money...but A) It's on the way to the next show and B) They might make gas money. I'll call last night's show a Gas Money Gig. Sadly, ...

WOW! What a great night! As my contemporaries will understand, life takes us all down our own paths. Back in the 80s, while going to Kent State, I was befriended by a fellow musician from Cleveland named David Loy. I wound up joining his band, The Ramrods, on bass. Through my friendship with Dave, I met Jeff Pollock, who I dubbed "The Elvis From Hell". Jeff soon introduced me to the one and only Alan Leatherwood *. Back in the day, Al was this mysterious rockabilly legend. No, he wasn't one of the SUN guys...but he'd been playing rockabilly (and folk and country) since the late 50s. He'd had national releases, had written for some well-known singers, and had his own label. Jeff essentially introduced Al to many of the musicians who have played on his records since the 80s, self included. Last night at the Beachland Tavern, Al celebrated his 50th anniversary...albeit off by a few years. LOL Al does everything his own way...and that's one of the reasons he's...