BERKSHIRES MUSIC BEAT USA ! 26

With Gene Christy & Rod MacDow

episode twenty-six . . .

Berkshire County USA – – blessed with bands you can dance to!

And one of the best is Champagne Jam,

our Featured Artist of the Week here at

BERKSHIRES MUSIC BEAT USA !

But before we get to Tracy, Dave and Jim – –

We got news to catch up on!

First of all – – Florida was fabulous! Visited with favorite cousin growing up, TJ, down in redneck country, in Homestead, FLA, next door to the beach (and the canal with the gators and pythons!) hard by the Everglades west of Miami—and what a time we had! Here’s a big hello to all the gang at Loly’s down on Krome Avenue—to Tommy

GOOD-LOOKIN’ TOMMY !!

and Freddy, and good-buddy Sidney!

(We sat down with Sidney at Tom’s house and played and sang us some of that good ole reggae the likes of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff!)

SIDNEY !!

And then we got back home to the Berkshires, and had a spectacular good-time at our old stand, Tuesday night’s at Portsmitt’s, when none other that Robin O’Herin herself dropped by to sit in and sing us some Delta blues, and play us some bottle-blues guitar

ROBIN O’HERIN

—and here’s what Rick Marquis, my partner in the Dossers, had to say about that—

“Got to play with blues/gospel singer, songwriter, known as Robin O’Herin last night at Port-Smitts! What an honor!!! Probably one of the top five musicians that I’ve ever played with. WOW!!! Faux T ”

So, all I can say is – -the name of that tune is –MUSIC! – – the universal language!— – speaks to –and for – everybody!

And now for a special treat – – CHAMPAGNE JAM !! – -known all over the Berkshires and western Massachusetts, Vermont, New York and Connecticut, for the last 20 years and more—

from 1958!–the Dell Vikings’ COME GO WITH ME!

CHAMPAGNE JAM___ is a versatile musical trio comprised of . . . .

Tracy Kittler: female lead vocalist, keyboard and guitar player
Jim Sauve: lead guitar and vocalist
David Kittler: bass guitar, vocalist and percussion

REMEMBER WHEN?

As for versatility?–check out this CHAMPAGNE rendition of Santana’s “Smm-mm-oooo-th!”

SMOOTH

Their repertoire of selections includes big band and commercial numbers,
classic and modern, country and western, golden oldies from the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s and more–ballroom dance numbers–and timeless rock and roll favorites!

Country and western? How about George Strait’s “dance-able” 1998 hit “I Just Wanna Dance with You!”

I JUST WANNA DANCE WITH YOU

Over the decades, CHAMPAGNE JAM has entertained the Berskhires with professional performances at community events such as . . . .
LaFesta, Heritage Park,
Windsor Lake Concert Series
and The Downtown Celebration in N.Adams.
Town Common Concerts, Street Fair and Cruise Night in Adams.
Concerts on the Common and The First Night
Celebration in Pittsfield.
Under the Tent Concert Series in Bennington, Vermont
Tri State Singles, Middlefield Fair and Pownal Tri State Fair—all in Vermont

Let’s have another Champagne bubbly !!

PRETTY WOMAN

1964 – ROY THE BOY! How I remember that one! Used to do it every single show back in the day when I did that ten-year stretch with Boston’s BLACK VELVET BAND — 1985 to 95 !! – – drummer Paul McDonald useta sing the lead, and that number had such power–you felt like you were standing not on a stage–but the deck of an aircraft carrier–and here we go, takin’ off!!!

Countless VFW, American Legion, and Shriner dinner dances, weddings,
anniversaries, benefits, parties and club engagements–over the last 20 years–
have given Champagne Jam the experience of seasoned veterans.

Please feel free to contact CHAMPAGNE JAM at 413-743-3282 or 413-743-3358 for more information regarding rates and availability.

You can also reach them via email . . . . CONTACT THE BAND at

champagnejam.org

BERKSHIRES MUSIC BEAT USA !

It’s the place to be!

I’m happy to say that right after this, I’m leaving for a night of good, live music from Berkshires Music Beat faves Norm Schaffer, playing tonight at the Marketplace Café in Pittsfield, and Patrick Gray, booked at the Adams Ale House, 1st Set, 9 pm tonight! And tomorrow night—our long-anticipated trip to North Adams to see the JP Murphy Band at the Freightyard Pub & Restaurant. WHAT A WEEKEND !!

So don’t forget us, and remember, when we come back next week we’re going to move on to upcoming features on such outstanding, notable, listenable bands as The 3D’s and County Line—as well as Tom Gardner, Dave Healey, and the Gypsy Jazz Ambassadors–

Thank you!

BERKSHIRES MUSIC BEAT USA !

@ genechristy.com

visit our friends:

Bobby Sweet at http://bobbysweet.com/
Rakish Paddy at http://www.rakishpaddyband.com/

Eddie Dillon at http://clancybrothersandtommymakem.com/ed_01.htm

EDDIE DILLON WILL BE COMING TO THE BERSKHIRES THIS FALL! THAT’S IN THE AUTUMN OF THE YEAR! ALL YOU DEVOTEES OF THE CELTIC SCENE OUT THERE – WHO KNOW EDDIE AS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL TOURING CAST OF THE CLANCYS -STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DETAILS, TO BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS AVAILABLE, HERE ON

BERKSHIRES MUSIC BEAT USA !

AND NOT LEAST OF ALL – –

BILL McELANEY, OF COUNTY DONEGAL, AT http://www.reverbnation.com/billmcelaney/song/19620248-home-to-donegal

And don’t forget
Jessica Roemischer at http://pianobeautiful.com/
And

Robin O’Herin at http://www.robinoherin.com/

You can also follow all the doings at Tara’s Tipperary Tavern at

http://www.tarasfamilypub.com/