You know you live in Wisconsin when.....

[CharlieO]

I went to high school with the guitar player in Sweetbottom (post-Daryl) and the first time I saw them was the Summer after we graduated. Walked into the club and they were playing Inner Mounting Flame. I saw that band a lot because it was right at the beginning of me getting into Fusion and they really scratched that particular itch. I saw Duane at a club in Brookfield where he was doing some gigs with Warren and when I walked up to him during a break, he said "Wow! I haven't seen you in years!".

Short Stuff still gets together occasionally, Jim Liban sits in with Greg Koch, Steve Cohen (Leroy Airmaster), Junior Brantley and others get together and it's great. I still see Steve Cohen, Daryl Stuermer and others at various grocery stores- that's one of the cool things about them being from here- they don't act like movie stars.

Did yu ever hear about The Has Beens? They were originally called The Washed Up Has beens' and played on Sunday nights because they were all gigging and couldn't do it during the rest of the week. It was Sig, Pat McCurdy, Pete Balestreri on sax, Victor DeLorenzo on drums, Mike Seiger on bass with others filling in on drums and bass, like Joe Steil (Gypsy and other Scott Finch projects), Brian Ritchie, members of Bo Deans and many others. Lots of other sat in when they were in town, like Jon Paris & Jerry Harrison.

Of course I was aware of the Has Beens. I booked all of those players except Joe Steil, Jon Paris and Jerry Harrison in their other projects.

 

[CharlieO]

Maybe in some places, but in MKE, live music is on life support. Fortunately, Pete B is still booking as many shows as possible, but that was rough during COVID because of the isolation and people couldn't assemble in larger groups.

Is it time for a Suds reunion?

I have 650+ Facebook friends, and probably 500+ of them are Wisconsin musicians, booking agents, nightclub owners, concert promoters, current and former disc jockeys and radio program directors,festival executives and music fans. I don't believe that any one of them would tell you that live music is on life support in Milwaukee. Several of these musicians are working multiple projects as solo performers and in bands, and some are making a decent living with their music. Yes, things are much different than they were in the late '70s and early '80s when it was not unusual for me to book local and regional bands who could make $1500 - $3000 in a nightclub. My Facebook feed is full of posts from Wisconsin musicians who are promoting their gigs, and more than a few of them are working four or five nights a week. Yes, it takes a lot of ambition to make that happen, and it usually is necessary to perform in various configurations. Live music in Milwaukee is never going to be like it was in the "good old days," but that is true everywhere in the world. Milwaukee and Wisconsin have the advantage of a music scene that has been strong for decades because we all worked together even while we competed against each other. For decades, musicians have supported and promoted each other, even across musical genres. The WAMI organization is still very active after 40+ years, and from its beginning it has played a part in bringing the music community together.

It is long past time for a Suds reunion. There should have been one each decade since 1990 or so. When I see George DeJong this weekend I'll tell him to get on it ASAP. Maybe I'll even fly up with him.

 

[58Bassman]

Of course I was aware of the Has Beens. I booked all of those players except Joe Steil, Jon Paris and Jerry Harrison in their other projects.

Well, I don't know when you were here, etc. We probably met, at some point.

 

[58Bassman]

I have 650+ Facebook friends, and probably 500+ of them are Wisconsin musicians, booking agents, nightclub owners, concert promoters, current and former disc jockeys and radio program directors,festival executives and music fans. I don't believe that any one of them would tell you that live music is on life support in Milwaukee. Several of these musicians are working multiple projects as solo performers and in bands, and some are making a decent living with their music. Yes, things are much different than they were in the late '70s and early '80s when it was not unusual for me to book local and regional bands who could make $1500 - $3000 in a nightclub. My Facebook feed is full of posts from Wisconsin musicians who are promoting their gigs, and more than a few of them are working four or five nights a week. Yes, it takes a lot of ambition to make that happen, and it usually is necessary to perform in various configurations. Live music in Milwaukee is never going to be like it was in the "good old days," but that is true everywhere in the world. Milwaukee and Wisconsin have the advantage of a music scene that has been strong for decades because we all worked together even while we competed against each other. For decades, musicians have supported and promoted each other, even across musical genres. The WAMI organization is still very active after 40+ years, and from its beginning it has played a part in bringing the music community together.

It is long past time for a Suds reunion. There should have been one each decade since 1990 or so. When I see George DeJong this weekend I'll tell him to get on it ASAP. Maybe I'll even fly up with him.

MKE lost a whole lotta clubs.

I used to see Suds at Fantasy's, a lot- got a kick out of George when he sang 'Shattered', wearing his leather pants and open vest.

The number of great musicians who came from MKE is amazing- as they say, it must be in the water. Which was used to brew beer......

Did you know that Jason Klagstadt is the Pres of WAMI?

Let me know if you bring him- been a looong time.

I just saw you on FB- I see your posts frequently.

 

[getbent]

this thread makes me miss @studio1087 he was one of my favorite wisconsinites. I love wisconsin because even in the smallest town, you can find 4 cool little bars and at least one place that has family style food and polka dancing.

 

[58Bassman]

this thread makes me miss @studio1087 he was one of my favorite wisconsinites. I love wisconsin because even in the smallest town, you can find 4 cool little bars and at least one place that has family style food and polka dancing.

I went camping with some friends near Cadot, WI- we went into town to check it out and they were having a parade for a couple who were marrying later that afternoon. Each was on their own flatbed trailer with their brides maids/groomsmen, she was in her wedding dress, he was wearing bibs, a plaid shirt & work boots. As they moved, the others in the wedding party tossed candy to kids along the street. Their names were Hoss and Gloria. We ended up being invited to the reception.....

That place is trapped in time but it was pretty cool.

 

[CharlieO]

this thread makes me miss @studio1087 he was one of my favorite wisconsinites. I love wisconsin because even in the smallest town, you can find 4 cool little bars and at least one place that has family style food and polka dancing.

That is absolutely true, in every single one of Wisconsin's 72 counties. I bet that it will still be the same 100 years from now.

 

[CharlieO]

MKE lost a whole lotta clubs.

I used to see Suds at Fantasy's, a lot- got a kick out of George when he sang 'Shattered', wearing his leather pants and open vest.

The number of great musicians who came from MKE is amazing- as they say, it must be in the water. Which was used to brew beer......

Did you know that Jason Klagstadt is the Pres of WAMI?

Let me know if you bring him- been a looong time.

I just saw you on FB- I see your posts frequently.

The thought of George wearing leather pants and open vest at his private country club gigs today made me laugh. And yes, I am in contact with Jason frequently. We have been good friends for 45+ years. As you can see, while I moved away, I have not left the Wisconsin music community.

 

[58Bassman]

The thought of George wearing leather pants and open vest at his private country club gigs today made me laugh. And yes, I am in contact with Jason frequently. We have been good friends for 45+ years. As you can see, while I moved away, I have not left the Wisconsin music community.

I worked at Metropolitan Music from '72 to about '76, if that helps. That's where I met Dan Lloyd. We know a lot of the same people.