Fantasy Band continues...

Ok we closed out the Bass Player competition recently. We heard from Dusty Hill fans, Chris Squire, Roger Glover, Stanley Clarke and one Geddy Lee nomination. All excellent choices, but the reasons they were nominated were even better. We got some great stories, not too many we can print...but we got stories.

Here is a reprint of an entry I wrote over two years ago about my main man Joe Bouchard. I know it's being lazy, but nothing has changed in the story :) LOL So here is my entry into the fantasy band and why.

REPRINT from Feb. 11, 2009

So for my fantasy Bass Player...Joe Bouchard, a founding member of Blue Oyster Cult. I had the opportunity to meet Joe, his brother Albert and Eric Bloom back in 1978 at Discount Records the afternoon of their show in Lansing. Joe and I immediately hit it off and had a great conversation. Now I'm not going to try and tell you that Joe and I are best buds thereby making him my favorite Bass Player, but I was impressed with the genuine warmth he shared with me in our time together. Albert and Eric seemed preoccupied with the mob of fans at the store but Joe's eyes and mine met and he greeted me with a smile and asked me how I was doing. Asked ME how I was doing! This from someone who didn't have to give me the time of day. Naturally I got his autograph but the thing that I remember most is that we had a conversation! Now this STILL isn't the reason he is my favorite Bass Player. The reason is this...by the time I first saw B.O.C. later that evening I had already been to 30-40 rock shows and Joe was the first Bass Player I ever saw do a solo---and it blew me away! Since then, I have seen others attempt this feat, but none have succeeded to the level Joe did. Joe's bass playing was an integral part of the B.O.C. sound and something that (and please no offense to Eric, Don and Allan) was sadly missed when he left the band. His brother Albert left the band first, replaced by Rick Downey, but when Joe left the soul of the band left with it in my incredibly bias opinion. Again my apologies to the surviving members of B.O.C. and the individuals who replaced the Bouchard brothers, but if you want to get the "feel" of the B.O.C. check out albums up to, but not past "Fire of an Unknown Origin". Would I still see B.O.C. when they come to town even without the Bouchards---yes, just like I would still go to see Pete and Roger from the Who, but I think even they would agree they're not the same with out Keith and John.

Remember, Right Turn Only rocks at Performances @ The Well this Saturday at 8pm! Until later keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned.

Performances @ The Well, May 2011

This Saturday night is our monthly fundraising show and we're raising funds for the Well's Mission Trip to Mexico. Performing will be Right Turn Only, doors open at 7, show will begin at 8.

We're pleased to say that we have some great "bucket raffle" items to help raise money. Karen Huckabone the photographer has given us a coupon as has Sue Stevenson, the Pilate instructor at Hamburg Fitness. Then, Karla Griscom from LaFontaine came through with TWQ free oil changes. More to come on this event in the following days, so stay tuned.

No Right Turn & more...

Our friends Right Turn Only will be performing at the Well on Saturday, May 21st at 8pm. This May performance in our series will be helping raise funds for a mission trip to Mexico later this summer.

My name sake Alan Smith has formed a new group and sends this message:

Greetings music lovers,

Ron Boyd (guitarist extraordinaire) and Christina Miller (uke & sweet vocalist) and I have formed a band, "New Tattoo," that will be giving a special performance this Thursday, May 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Kahuna Coffee in Hartland. We will be performing a mix of original tunes and familiar folk, rock, country, and blues songs. This is a preview of our scheduled performance this summer in downtown Milford. Admission is free so come on down and check it out.

Kahuna coffee has a great food menu in addition to their coffee, tea, and smoothies, and is fast becoming a popular music venue. They are located in the strip mall on the southeast corner of M59 and Old 23. Their address is 1836 North Old US 23 and phone number: 810-632-9681. You can get further details on their website: www.kahunacoffee.com.

If you can't attend this performance, check out the "Schedule" tab on my website: www.alansmithmusic.com for other upcoming concerts.

I hope to see you there,

Alan

In addition to this, the Stray Dogs will be howling this Wednesday in Highland. Start time is 7pm but if you can't be there by then please contact Alan so he can expect you.

The Michigan Musicians Collectives first festival is in the planning stages. If you're a musician and you have not registered on this site yet...what are you waiting for? Holding out until the give away free insurance with memberships :) Seriously, you owe it to yourself or anyone you know who's into music to check it out. Go to http://michigan-musicians.ning.com/

Next Saturday the 14th, from 11pm to midnight, KayLyn Pace will be performing in downtown Dexter for Relay for Life. They are attempting to have music downtown for 24 hours to support the participants. If you have ever been to Dexter you know it's a charming little town with a great park right in the center of town, great for music. We shall be there supporting KayLyn and the other performers, hope to see you there as well.

Oh and we got a nomination for all time bass player from Dave Gibbons, and it is Dusty Hill from ZZ Top. Dave gave some great semi finalists but gave his reason for settling on Dusty was because "he just likes the blues". And Dave, that.s good enough for us. We at Lamocu salute Dusty Hill of ZZ Top.



It's been a great weekend for sports around here, Justin got a second no-no and the Wings (sigh) are still alive. To add to that the weather in this state seems to have FINALLY broke. Honestly I thought we were going to see summer before we saw spring. Until next time keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned.

Contest Update!

Someone mentioned that this really wasn't a contest because there is no prize. I thought about it, ran it through some people and came to the conclusion that Yes, there is no prize! Now that has been said (lol) I wanted to address something that I am sure has been on everyone's mind..."what do we do for Lead Singer?" Good question. Some bands the lead singer is also the Lead Guitarist or play some other instrument and that puts them in two catagories. In cases like that you may end up with more than one playing that particular instrument or two singers. The crossover is unavoidable, don't lose sleep over it. Actually if you think about it for more that 30 seconds blood will come out your nose. But the bigger question we have gotten is "Can we have a male and female lead singer in our band?" Of course you can! That's what makes it your all-time fantasy band.

The Picture of Linda here is because we were "thinking" of female lead singers and, well this image from 1978 came up. So stay tuned for more on the horizon.

Contest begins...

Ok we can't wait any longer. The debates and discussions MUST begin now. Your all time band and why. Starting with Bass Players, my all time favorite, Joe Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult. Now I know what some of you are saying "hey, he's he same guy you had last year" and I will say "yeah, he is. Thanks for paying attention" lol But I'll leave you with that for today, see if anyone remembers "why" Joe made my list, since "it's the same as last year" :) But awaiting your comments and input, let's have some fun.