2012 has been a good and hectic year so far, with new steady gigs including 8th AVENUE PUB in Safety Harbor, ON THE ROCKS in Indian Rocks Beach, and the first club in years with a grand piano- SEMERARO’S ITALIAN CAFE & PIANO BAR in St. Pete.
In addition to many shows in March & April, we were busy working behind the scenes on this new website. We’re thrilled to have MIKE CONATY of Brunswick Media Services in New Jersey as our new webmaster. Mike is a longtime fan, friend, radio DJ & drummer who contributed handclaps on our BLUE ILLUSION album, and also gave me the stage name of “DR. BLUES” way back in the 1980’s. Mike has worked tirelessly and patiently with us in redesigning these pages. Many thanks to our original webmaster, PETER FLEMING, and also BILL BOIS, for their expertise over the years.
After returning from our Summer Tour, we played the BOOGIE WOOGIE PIANO FESTIVAL at Satchmo in Ft. Lauderdale September 11th, hosted by PIANO BOB. What fun to share the bill with the likes of DAVID MAXWELL, VICTOR WAINWRIGHT, BARRY CUDA and SHRIMP CITY SLIM. On September 25th, we performed at SKIPPER’S in Tampa with ST. PETE BLUES ALLSTARS and others for a tribute to our friend & harmonica great ROCK BOTTOM, marking the 10th anniversary of his passing.
We appeared live on WMNF 88.5FM radio in Tampa September 23rd on Bill Dudley’s “Live Music Showcase” with Rock’s colleagues KIM HARPO, TOMMY BELL, and TBONE HAMILTON. We returned to WMNF on January 23rd, 2012 to chat with LARRY LISK on his “Mo Blues Monday” show about our upcoming boogie woogie concert.
Our 3rd annual BOOGIE WOOGIE/BLUES PIANO STOMP at the PALLADIUM THEATRE in St. Pete on January 28th was another huge success & magical evening! Liz & I started out the show, followed by Detroit’s boogie woogie master BOB SEELEY, Indiana’s piano favorite CRAIG BRENNER, and Canada’s 35-year-old sensation MICHAEL KAESHAMMER. Each set included a duet with another pianist, and the night finished with an incendiary finale by all the players together on the 2 grand pianos.
Liz’s song “The Same For You” from our SIX FINGERS BOOGIE CD was #11 song of 2011 on MUSICTAMPABAY internet radio. Her piano playing was featured on RANDY HOCK’S #1 song of 2011, “OK Just Ain’t Good Enough.” Thanks to everyone who voted for these songs!
Congrats and thanks to all our Frequent Fan winners of 2011: #1 Judy R. (40+ gigs attended!); #2 Dan H.; followed by Terry G., Judi L., Barry S., Linda M., Wayne K., Priscilla H., Diann F., Art O., Hildegarde & Ralph N., Barry H., Jim I., Marlie & Rick, Lisa B., Teresa W., and Marlyn. Please join these music lovers at a gig soon!
Check our SHOWS page for Summer Tour dates booked so far. If you’d like us to play your town, let us know of any good gigs or festivals nearby, and refer the venue to this website. We also do house concerts and private parties- please email us for info.
Thanks for listening & we’ll be looking for you in the crowd soon,
Dr. Blues
