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New Year's With Halestorm

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So here we are its now two days into the year 2012. I have decided that I am NOT going to make any New Years resolutions. Its bad enough that the world tends to set us up to fail so why would I want to set myself up to fail. I'm just going to continue doing what I have always done which is to give everything I do my personal best every chance I get. If I wake up alive and healthy then I have yet another day to get it right and I will give it my best shot. If I fall short then I will try again tomorrow. 

I do so many things and am involved in so many projects that I rarely have the time or the platform to really share all the cool stuff. So, now that my web site it starting to take shape I think I will make a concentrated effort to blog regularly. So I have a few things to share today. I want to tell you how I celebrated New Years Eve, I also have a way cool new internet radio show and I will be doing regular Saturday shows at a venue in Quakertown but first I want to mention the local music scenes recent loss of Danny “Rio” DeGennaro. 

Danny was a popular and renowned musician. He founded the 70's phenomenon, Danny D and the Torpedoes. Danny was part of a touring band known as Kingfish, a Grateful Dead Family band with New Riders bassist/vocalist Dave Torert and Danny's long time pals guitarists Steve Kimock and drummer Steve Shive. 

DeGennaro has performed or recorded with a wealth of entertainers throughout his divers career including; Billy Squier Band, Clarence Clemmons, Bob Weir, Joma Kaukonen, Steve Kimock Vassar Clements, Jack Casady, Bo Didley, James Montgomery Band as well as several Rock and Roll “Hall of Famers.” Dan eventually found his way back to the Kingfish clan and as recently as march of 2010, was on tour. 

Although Danny is gone his music will live on enchanting us with his soulful inspiring way for many years to come. That is the beauty of music. It lives on long after we are gone. Leaving an indelible mark on the world. Tell the people in your life how precious they are to you. The truth is, you never know if today will be your last chance to do it. 

I spent the New Year with my main squeeze at the Halestorm show at Crocodile Rock Cafe. Chris had to work but I got to hang out all day and be a part of the hoopla. It was super cool. I stood in line for a while with some nice folks from South Carolina and Tennasee that came all the way up here to be frisked by Allentown's finest, wait in line for 8 hours and ultimately see the Halestorm show from the front row. For the one guy from TN it was his 50^th Halestorm show. Now that is either a truly dedicated fan or possibly a stalker but really where is the line anyway? 

Being at Croc behind the scenes from when they crew go there at noon to when the show ended was extremely interesting. It reminded me of our family reunions of years ago. I come from a super huge family and as with our reunions at Croc there was lots hussle and bussle, people yelling at each other, pranks, practical jokes, good Natured ribbing, finding something broke but no body did it and so on. Everybody there had a job to do, they knew what it was and they got it done. 

Lots of local garage bands are no stranger to the basement (Elite Room) at Crocodile Rock Cafe and neither is Halestorm. Ten years ago when nobody had ever heard of Halestorm they paid their dues and performed in the basement at Croc. In the last Ten years they have come a long way. Now they sell out the main stage and take up all the VIP rooms and the green room. I'm not sure why they took up all that space when they spent most of their time in the same hustle and bustle I was watching. 

It was something to see I assure you. This hugely successful band remembering their roots, hanging out with and helping the team get the show ready, laughing and joking about the old days and talking shop with the opening bands. 

As if all that was not cool enough, the Coup de grâce was the show. It was awesome. The did two 45 minute sets one before midnight and one after. They counted down to midnight, released balloons and confetti into the crowd and shouted Happy New Year. Joe Clark came up on stage right before they began the second set with a bottle and did a shot with the whole band. Lzzy told the crowd that they have been playing Croc since before they were old enough to do shots. 

I cover a lot of shows, talk to a log of bands but this was THE FIRST time I ever saw a band NOT leave the stage when the show was over. The song ended, the lights came on and the band members went up to the rail and talked to fans, signed autographs and stayed there till every last fan left. Not only is this a group of fine outstanding musicians but they are wonderful people as well. I wish them much love and prosperity in their lives and I am anxiously awaiting their new CD. 

Lastly I am very excited about putting some shows together at a venue in Quakertown. I can't give a whole lot of details just yet but it looks like it will be Saturday's and could begin as early as February. I am hammering out the details with the venue owner and management. Bands interested in performing should contact me and as soon as I can go pubic with full disclosure I will. 

My new internet radio show is called “All Things Music and More” with Mary Pierce. Tune in to Proflifick Radio every Wednesday from noon to 1 and if you miss it, it airs again on Friday's from 2pm till 3pm. I'm looking for local bands to send me MP3's to so I can showcase local music. You will be hearing great live interviews with Greg Smith the bass player for Ted Nugent, newest Grammy nominee Seth Glier, Frank Stallone, Jim McCarty, Paul Barrare and so many more. 

Happy New Year people, ITS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC!!!

PA Caged Combat

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PA Caged Combat is a young promotion company started to allow local fighters in the Lehigh Valley to compete against others from all over the country. In only 2 events PCC has a highlight reel full of stunning KOs, impressive submissions and dazzling 3 round wars. On June 11, 2011, PCC hosted Valley Fight Series 1 in front of a sold out crowd at the Rodeway Conference Center. Former PCC lightweight champ, James Watts, won the title by a lightning fast spinning back fist in a minute in the first round. The next fight was a 3 round battle for the PCC Heavyweight Title between Jeremy Shiflett (7-2) and Jason Heflin (3-0). Jeremy won the fight by a close decision. Now at 185lbs, Jeremy looks to return to PCC and go after the Middleweight Title. All 3 pro fights that night ended in the first round. Andrew Osborne upset local favorite by flying knee and "The Truth and The Show" Zed Mitchell only needed 18 secs to finish his pro debut.

Five months later PCC returned to the Rodeway Inn Conference Center in Allentown, PA on November 11, 2011 in front of another sold out crowd. This night highlighted many 3 round battles that all ended in close decisions, close title fights won by Travis Creamer (new Lightweight Champ) and Jose Rodriguez (new Welterweight Champ). What most people talked about after the fight was the shocking 13 sec KO by undefeated prospect Ricky "El Numero Uno" Nuno. PA Caged Combat will be returning on January 14, 2012, kicking off the new year with a star studded card. For more info about Pa Caged Combat, upcoming events, champs or to purchase tickets, go to www.pacagedcombat.com