Here we are just south of Cincinnati in Kentucky staying with friends; 3 weeks on the road & 4 to go. So far, so good!
July started out with a brand new gig with a brand new baby grand piano, Caspy’s in St. Pete. Watch for our return there in the fall! Also played at Classic Wax in Sarasota with old friend/harmonica player Dan Electro, visiting from Spain!
We hit the road on July 15, played Richmond, VA on the 17th and Fredericksburg, VA on the 18th. That was a really special night for us, as our friends Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women were all in attendance!
The next day, we drove to Maryland for our son’s wedding! It was a beautiful weekend at the wedding & with family. Congratulations to Mary & Andrew!
We then headed west to Ohio & Doc’s hometown of New Philadelphia, where we played the Atwood Yacht Club (think it’s our longest running gig!) & Danny’s. We also played a concert at Sound of Blue near Kent, our fave record store- all blues!
Stayed a night at my mom’s near Beverly, OH where we jammed with my cousin Steve, then drove west to Cincinnati. On July 31, we performed at a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Benefit held at the home of the Ambassador to Switzerland! It’s the largest home I’ve ever been inside, & I played on a 9 foot Steinway Grand Piano! Wow! The next night we went to the Queen City Blues Festival to hear Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Sam Myers. It’s the first time we’d heard the band- they’re incredible- & especially liked the piano/B-3 player, of course. He’s former St. Pete Cutaway John Street. Enjoyed chatting with him backstage & catching up on news.
The next day, we checked into the Crowne Plaza right downtown and that night, we returned to the Fest to hear our fave acoustic guitarist & dear friend Roy Book Binder play an entertaining set.
He parked his bus outside our friend’s house here in KY most of the week, so in between gigs we’ve enjoyed his company immensely. After his show, we attended a piano party with all the Festival piano players (another Steinway Grand- I’m getting spoiled!) Then on Saturday, August 3, we were honored to play the Festival for the 8th year on the Arches Boogie Woogie Piano Stage. 14 pianists, all day long- paradise! The only glitches were the heat & a brief storm. The pianists included Ann Rabson, Big Joe Duskin, Mr. B and Bob Seely, and the show concluded at 10p.m. with a grand finale (4 pianists at a time on 2 pianos)- you should have been there if you weren’t!
Resting up now for the next 5 gigs this week starting tomorrow. Can’t wait to see you folks on the road & love & thanks as always to everyone for your support!
Liz Pennock
