Winter In New England

* 12/15/07 Bruce Mandsaro Band featuring Scott Hall

Greendale's Worcester, MA

* 12/21/07 Church Boston. MA

Mike Flood opens.

* 12/27/07 Stuntman Steve and Zip Cody

Sierra Grill Northampton, MA

*12/28/07 Narrows Center for the Arts

Two Full Sets! Fall River, MA

*12/29/07 Piccolo's Westfield, MA

Acoustic set opens the show. Bring the Kids.

*12/30/07 Silver and Gold Soft Rock & Tim Miner

The Basement Northampton, MA

*12/31/07 Rt 63 Roadhouse Millers Falls, MA

Ah...New England. It is a pretty fortunate situation that Cape Cod was the shortest distance between point A and point B for the settlers of Plymouth Colony. They landed in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Looking out the back window, the yard has quickly been enveloped with a blanket of fine white powder. The wild turkeys were milling around but seem to be heading for the shelter in the densely wooded pines. Wild Turkey and white powder sounds like I'm describing a party at Owl Farm, the estate of our dearly departed Dr. H.S. Thompson, but no. I am luxuriating in the serenity of a lazy snowy day off. The beauty of Winter in New England. The brief romantic period where everything is so peaceful, surrounded by creature comforts like your family ( my kid got out at Noon) a mug of your favorite warm beverage a familiar blanket that you share with your dog or cat. On days like today they are content to share because they know there is something different about the day, something special that allows them to lower their guards and dissolves those territorial instincts.

Watching the snow fall can be a hypnotizing event where it is so easy to drift away and think about all you are thankful for, the fact that there is a wall and a window between you and what is happening outside. You can be thankful for all the comforts described above. Thankful that there is a six string waiting for you in the corner of the room when you are inspired by the moment...inspired by the fact that the snow has a certain rhythm as it falls as it shifts from falling down straight to coming in at an angle.

Winter in New England. It is not all romance. The serenity is short lived as you have to deal with the shoveling, the scraping, the slushy messy dog walking, not to mention those soot and exhaust blackened razor sharp frozen ice bergs dividing the streets and sidewalks of our great cities. Moving your car from one side of the street to the next to avoid a trip down to the city impound lot in sub zero weather, or worse, arguing to gain access to the parking space you shoveled out that morning now occupied by the slovenly college student who lives upstairs.

But for now, I'll take it as it comes. I hope you all do the same.

Freddy called from France. He is absolutely loving France. He and Steve went downtown today and bought each other Christmas presents. I think one of them got a vest made out of a gorilla's chest. Freddy got a dress shirt that doesn't have any buttons on the cuffs. See what happens when you leave the good old USA. And the things you take for granted like Walmart where all of the shirts not only have buttons on the sleeve but have extra buttons sewn into the bottom. Who needs to eat roasted guinea fowl and parmesean risotto when you can go to Olive Garden and get all of the bread sticks you can eat. You can go to any corner store and get a pack of Little Debbie Cakes instead of having to listen to a vulgar street vendor curse "merde" under her breath as she has to remake a crepe that she ripped before slathering it with Nutella and candied almonds.

Okay enough of the sarcasm. We miss you guys and hope you bring back a healthy dose of culture and some good stories with you.

Okay - Stuntopia - Vote Early and Vote often. Bow Bow started a thread on the message board asking for votes on which cover should ring in the New Year at the Rt 63 Roadhouse Gig. I'm guessing the voting is going to end soon since they only have two weeks to prepare for this show....Right now the front runners are War Pigs, The Rain Song and Cortez the Killer. Respond to the thread titled "Okay Folks" And be mindful of the rules. You have to be present at the show for your vote to be counted. (We do know who you are) and It has to be a cover not previously played by the Drunk Stuntmen.

The next show is at Church in Boston. The Stuntmen will be playing at the former Linwood Grill on December 21. It is the Boston area Release party for the Back To Back DVD featuring the Drunk Stuntmen and the Young At Heart Chorus show at the Academy of Music on 2004. Mike Flood opens the show.

Soft Rock Scott Hall is playing this weekend with the Bruce Mandaro Band at Greendale's in Worcester. Scott is filling in for great Mark Mercier the regular keyboard player for this Jam, Dead, Max Creek inspired outfit. It was at a Max Creek show when he was 19 years old that Soft Rock said to himself. "I can do this for a living" while watching Mark Mercier roll his way through the set. The show is on Saturday the 15th at 9:30 PM.

For More information on what can happen to you if you choose a career in music, please refer to Joe's Garage by Frank Zappa. Bow Bow put up a couple of cool Zappa videos on the message board, reminding us that Frank's Birthday is December 21.

Check out the upcoming tour dates. Part of the New Year's run involves a show on December 29th at Piccolo's in Westfield, MA. This is an all ages show. The first set is going to be acoustic and the second set electric. Take advantage of this situation and bring out the family for some good food and good music. Show time is 8 PM.

Do Your Own Stunts!