KayLyn is Merchandising & 3DaddyO is class!

This was the fifth time I have seen KayLyn since the Brighton Summerfest and each time she amazes me. Last Friday at the Pierson Fundraiser we actually had to put out a concessions table for her stuff. She had 8x10's and posters for sale and she was autographing them, trying to build her following and it was great.

I don't know which I get a kick out of more, the older, more mature patrons who are just in amazement over KayLyn, or the little girls who just idolize her. Both are excellent to watch her interact with. Autographing her own likeness is a new step for KayLyn and she handled it with the same style and grace she has handled every other challenge in her career. She also does something real classy that a lot of older, more experienced performers could take a lesson from---she stays to see the other acts. I don't see that enough really, but she shows respect and treats others with dignity. Something that is appreciated and noted by the acts that see her there for them.

Now continuing with class let's talk 3DaddyO. By the time 3DaddyO hit the stage, the raffled items had finished and the place was clearing out. Now here's where I see a lot of performers (of all ages and experience) fall short. When there is a small crowd certain performers start to whine or hold back from their performance. They prefer to wait until the crowd is bigger etc. etc. Well I have had to tell many a band that if you're getting paid, the customer doesn't want to hear excuses. I MC and I know it is tough to put on an act for a small crowd, but I have to do it because I have been contracted to do a "show". Now here is where 3DaddyO excelled, they played a full set and everyone there loved it! When I complimented them on it they said they just get caught up in playing. If you love to play, things like audience size don't matter---how brilliant! For those of us who remained, we appreciated them and they appreciated us, it was magical. A valuable lesson for the wannabe performers out there.

Well that's all for now. I do want to thank Kelly Fielding for introducing me to Anne Marie Scrivens and I wish to thanks Anne Marie for putting so much trust in me. Got to run, more later, so remember, stay tuned.

Pierson Family Fundraiser first entry

The Pierson Family Fundraiser was a great success last Friday evening. Largely in part to the "heart and soul" that was behind it from the start, Anne Marie Scrivens!. Over 3800 dollars was raised for the survivors of this terrible tragedy. Channel Six from Lansing was there, interviewed several members of the family and got them on t.v.

There were so many great parts of last Friday I'm going to have to break this down into several entries. In this first one I want to give kudos out to all the great people that volunteered their time to help Anne Marie and this cause. Right now I want to thank all my friends from the BBB (Building Brighton Business) who devoted some of their time.

To Susan Dorbeck and her husband and Lou LaFrate and his charming wife it probably didn't seem like you did much, but the expression "many hands make light work" is very true. You said you didn't seem like you did much but, knowing that I, and especially Anne Marie didn't have to worry about the presentation of food and beverage, knowing we had people devoted to that very important function was priceless. Likewise with Kelly Fielding handling the 50/50 and Jen Berger & Jill Moore making vital food pickups---you guys are the best. I'm so proud to be associated with you all.

Now going back to the subject of "food", a future BBB member is Dale Lockwood of Hickory BBQ and Grill, he fed us and it was delicious. Since Dale is not officially a BBB member he gets his own paragraph you see. Now when Dale does become a BBB member, Susan Dorbeck and Lou LaFrate are going to be very educated sales people for him and his BBQ because they dined on his cuisine and loved it. Almost like the ultimate "learn and earn" there.

Anyways there are more entries coming on this event, but I need to say one more thing about food...cornbread? I have never understood the excitement over corn bread---until Friday night. Every piece of corn bread I have EVER had was dry, some less dry than others, thought that was the way it was supposed to be. But Cajun Joe's cornbread was AWESOME! Moist, tasty, man I'm salivating just thinking about it. That's all I'll say now, there's an entry coming on food :)

Until then, keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned!

My namesake, Alan Smith...gosh he even spells it the right way, performed at the Ark in Ann Arbor last weekend. Way to go my man!

Here are a couple of shots of Alan's performance that night in front of an audience of 125. For those of you who are performers, you know what Alan was feeling that night.

We are very proud to claim Alan as one of our friends---because he's going to make it big and we want to smooch off of him :) I mean the identify theft angle is there...just kidding. We're very proud of our association with Alan because he is so talented and so giving. We recommend Alan to clients and always look like geniuses----which granted is hard to do and we need to take advantage of those times whenever possible---this time I'm not kidding. lol But another reason we're glad to be associated with Alan is that for years now he has been running the Stray Dog's open mic night on Wednesday's just off M-59 in Highland, Michigan. For more information about the Stray Dogs on Wednesdays and to get on Alan's newsletter you can contact him at alansmith65@comcast.net

There's lots to write about this week with the success of the Pierson fundraiser last Friday and other cool stuff coming up, but for now let's let Alan bask in the spotlight. Yes Alan, this blog entry is for you.

More coming so make sure you stay tuned! Rock on Al !

Today's The Day!

Pierson Family Fundraiser is tonight at Howell's Highlander Way Middle School from 5-9pm. The activity the last two days around this event has been phenomenal so the list of people to thank and mention just keeps getting longer. It's so sad that a reason for such a fundraiser HAS to happen, but seeing human beings of all walks of life coming together for a common goal is inspiring.

The rumor still is that Channel 6 from Lansing will be there, there was a great article about the show in yesterdays paper and you will be hearing Anne Marie's interview throughout the day on WHMI.

Well, we've got to run now, lots of loose ends for tonight. Hope to see you all there, until later keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned.

Auction Items Keep Coming In!

Four Red Wing tickets for a suite that overlooks center ice have been added to the auction items. Thank you to our friends at Data Pak! And this is just one of the great items that will be auctioned off on Friday at the Pierson Family Fundraiser, 5-9pm @ Highlander Way Middle School in Howell. Add this to the great food and great music you will be experiencing...why would you be anywhere else?

Another item just in, KayLyn Pace (our opening act, the 15 year old phenom from Dexter) will have 8x10's and posters for sale---her first real endeavor into merchandising! Well she has had cd's for sale before :) but these are items you can get autographed and have to cherish when this young lady makes it big! Can you tell we're some of her biggest supporters? LOL

Now our love for KayLyn is not to take anything away from 3DaddyO, these guys have a pretty serious resume. 3DaddyO has opened for some national acts and been featured at Ford Field for a Lions game. So there will be no drop off in entertainment there :) So if you haven't bought your tickets yet...I have to ask WHY? Let's get together to help this family and have a good time doing it. Until next time, stay tuned.

Pierson Family Fundraiser this Friday!

Just a reminder that this Friday at Howell's Highlander Way Middle School is the fundraiser for the Pierson family from 5-9pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and a family package of $40 for two or more children. Tickets are available at the school or office or through the force behind all this, Anne Marie Scrivens @ 1-517-219-3086. Listen for the WHMI interview with Anne Marie throughout the week on 93.5 FM! She thinks she talks too fast but I think she's passionate and excited and I think you'll feel the same when you hear her too.

Two fantastic acts have pooled their resources for this show AND there is going to a ton of great food there! Donations have come in from Pepsi, Cajun Joe's, Buffalo Wild Wings of Howell, The Brighton House, Chili's and Hickory BBQ & Grill. So good jams, good eats, all for a good cause.

There will be some great items to be auctioned off as well and if you've forgotten, KayLyn Pace and 3DaddyO will be performing so you're $15 is going to get you a lot! Plus the good feeling you'll have by helping this family.

As if all this wasn't enough...Channel 6 from Lansing will be covering the event so the awareness of this cause CAN continue past Friday evening. If you cannot attend but still would like to help...

checks can be made out to:
Friends of the Pierson Family
and mailed to:
120 N. State St.
Howell, MI 48843

We at Lamocu, though saddened by the "need" for this fundraiser, are proud to be part of it. One thing that keeps us going through thick and thin is seeing our fellow man in action, joining and coming together for a cause. The Human Spirit will live on and is awesome in action. That's all for now, but look for more updates as the week progresses. Until later, keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned!

A Reminder.

This Saturday, February 19th, our series continues with a fundraiser for the Faith Medical Clinic.
Doors open at 7pm with showtime at 8pm!

Dates & Things...

Last minute details arise as we speak/type/formulate thoughts. Due to illnesses, untimely accidents and other things ranging from flat tires to computer viruses, there have been serious changes on our crew for this Saturday. We have to remind ourselves that we are just human and humans can break down. As the personnel situation irons itself out we plug along our course.

At this time let us review the coming events...
Right Turn Only is playing this Saturday at Performances @ The Well for Faith Medical Clinic Fundraiser, doors open @ 7, show begins at 8. Then on the 25th, 3DaddyO and KayLyn Pace will be entertaining at the Pierson Family Fundraiser at Howell Highlander Way Middle School, dinner is at 5 with KayLyn taking the stage approximately 6. Good tickets still available for both shows.

Sometime between these two shows, the "interactive" Create Your Own Classic Band will return to this site. For those of you who played along last year, be ready to be challenged more this time around. For those of you new to this site, you will be asked your opinion on the best musician for each catagory. You will be asked who your favorite lead guitar is and then the important thing---why. Why is this performer, in your opinion the very best at his position. It was a lot of fun and we're looking forward to it. The never ending debate in the editing room of Clapton versus Page heats up a bit more when we do this but that's okay, at least those two are forced to think :)

Well got to go now. Until next time keep your stick on the ice and "stay tuned".

Fundraiser for Faith Medical Clinic

Today more than ever the health care situation is crucial to our society because more and more Americans cannot afford health care coverage. If it wasn't for the Faith Medical Clinic, the only free clinic in Livingston county, thousands would be without the health care they so desperately need. On February 19th at the Well, we have a chance to help with this predicament. Come show your support on that Saturday evening by enjoying some great music, sharing some fellowship and walking away knowing you did your part to help. This isn't just any fundraiser, this one's for all of us! Until next time, keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned!

Performances @ The Well Series, February 2011

Performances @ The Well series for Feb. 2011

We love all the excitement that the Pierson family fundraiser is getting, but we would be remiss if we didn't remind people of the Feb. 19 performance at the Well. We'll be raising money for the Faith Medical Clinic and our featured act will be Right Turn Only! Tickets are available through this office, Brighton Tropi Tan, BT's Guitar store in South Lyon and also on EventBrite.

More to come!

I'm sure you all know the story of the Pierson family, a tragedy that has hit most of us emotionally. If you have ever thought about hugging your children, do it now and do it often. Life is too short and one can never predict the changes that can be thrown at us.

It has been our honor to assist in the Friends of the Pierson Family Fund Raiser set for Feb. 25th at Highlander Way Middle School in Howell. Anne-Marie Scrivens, a realtor in Howell, has done an amazing amount of work in putting this event together and she has come to us to fine tune some details. We appreciate the opportunity to serve and want to send out a big thank you to the community of performers who have responded to the call and wished to be part of this. When we put this out there for help we were overwhelmed with responses. To the artists of all genres, God bless you all---we are proud to be associated and work with you. With a deadline approaching, it really came down to a first come, first serve basis. That said, let us give kudos to those who will be working with Anne-Marie on the 25th.

Let me first send a shout out to Bob Clark and Kees Oosthoek that manage possibly the greatest web site any musician could know, the Michigan Musicians Collective. If you a performer you need to be connected with these guys and get on this site. If you're not a performer, go there and check out a really cool site and you will see constant updates of Open Mics and Open Jams all over the area that you can go to and enjoy great local performers. Anyways this site, http://michigan-musicians.ning.com/ was instrumental with the numbers for response and feedback we got for this show. So kudos to Bob and Kees---you guys rock!

Our first act on the 25th will be KayLyn Pace from Dexter. Some of you may remember KayLyn from the Cystic Fibrosis show we did and she is a phenom in the making. Our main performer is the great rock/blues band 3DaddyO. Call Anne-Marie @ 517-219-3086 for more details.

Upcoming Shows/Events!

Performances @ The Well series for Feb. 2011 features a fundraiser for the Faith Medical Clinic, Pinckney, the only free clinic in Livingston county. The show will feature Right Turn Only! Performances @ The Well for February is on Saturday, February 19th at 8pm. Tickets are $10 and available at Brighton Tropi Tan, BT's Guitar Shop in South Lyon, here at the Lamocu office and through Event Brite.

The Excitement Builds!

Actually in retrospectiveness (is that a word) "excitement" can't do much else but build...when it stops building and reaches a climax...it turns into something totally different doesn't it? You've been there, done that, finished the experience so you may have satisfaction or disappointment...but the Excitement part of the equation is definitely done. Even if the experience in question does not happen, excitement immediately ceases to be excitement and turns into disappointment. So you see, excitement in it's most "purest" sense, can only build.

Now that we've established that little bit of trivia, there is indeed a lot of excitement around here these days...too much for us to cram into this session before the party starts. Way too much, I mean if we told you some of it now, it could take the place of this rant that you're reading right now...but then it wouldn't be a surprise you see. And what are we trying to build around here??? That's right excitement! So tune in tomorrow loyal followers to read about all the Great things that are happening and be prepared to be very very excited! Thanks to our loyal followers, now let the game/party/commercials begin!

Life Goes On...

It's funny how the day to day can become so monotonous, almost a blur really. At the end of the day you look retrospectively at what has transpired and some changes stand out, but not enough to change the trend. In the blur you see people, not always recognizing the change in them and that can be dangerous...some people intend to change, cheat and lie their way to the top. Those people have to live with themselves, but we do not have to live with them. The more you reflect on what "these" people did, the more you see their deceit and lack of character. It saddens one to think that people exist in this world just to prey. But they do.

End of the day you ponder whether some of these individuals are worth the time of day...at first you say "no"...then you realize in your pain/anger/confusion, you have slipped to the very level of humanity you so despise. You forgive, but the pain lingers. By forgiving you can move on, by forgiving you can take solace that you're NOT one of them.

To all the "predators" out there, enjoy it while you can...your day will come!

Until next time stay cool, keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned!