So, I am looking over the contract for our Beach Bum Band show in Oak Park for the address and I couldn't believe my eyes... really? It's August? Kids are going to be back in school... the summer fest... and the... what? No way? Only a month?

It can't be... It feels like only yesterday we were kicking off this Don't Drink The Water Summer Tour in support of the Sunny Place for Shady People CD and it's August already? With my tail between my legs I packed up the car and headed off to the show...

What an amazing place! Huge park with a huge stage. And the summer sun was beating right on down on us. Tyler is not a fan of playing in the sun. I, however, think my fat looks better tan so I enjoy the sun.

We start our jungle drums and I was glad to see that Oak park was up and dancing from the get go. The show was great.

Do you ever wonder what goes through a musicians mind when they are onstage? Well, the Beach Bum Band is guilty of a lot of funny onstage banter between each other and that makes it a lot of fun to be on stage with each other.

Well, in this case the very front of the stage was a little loose and would make the mics bounce if a curly haired 200+ lber was jumping on the stage. So, we were all trying to get the Mic to bounce on Tyler. That was fun and funny.

But as I was jumping I realized that I was not wearing a belt. How did I realize this? Because my shorts started falling off. With only Derek on the drums behind me to see that yes... crack kills. So, yes, my hope was that my shorts would stay around my waist and thankfully they did. At least during the show...

So, thank you Oak Park... we had a blast and can't wait to do it again next year.

So, tonight, with a belt firmly dripping my shorts, we headed out to Glencoe. Nice little burb on IL's North Shore. It was a beautiful night out there.

We debuted our new Palm Trees thanks to Lisa. Bringing the stage back to life and I love it.

This park was filled with dancers and finners and we had a blast. Thank you Glencoe! Wooouuup!

Since it is a Taco Tuesday, we decided it would be best if we took a shot in the dark and tried a new Taco/Burrito joint. I already forgot the name but the place is good and is open till 5am on the weekends. Proving that once again... everyone love a Big Burrito! or in the case of tonight... tacos!

Cheese Please,
Johnny

Yes.... it is 2am and I am writing this blog. If I don't do it now I will never remember the things that happened.

It has been a strange summer up here in the Midwest. It hasn't been super warm and the dog days of summer have not kicked in yet. Oddly enough it is only 59 right now. The reason I bring this up is because outdoor shows can really rely on the weather.

So, I wake up early at 9am to make it to the radio station and do Big Burrito Radio. When I left the sun was shining and things were looking. I lock myself and Mad Marty into a studio with no windows for 2 hrs and when I come out... It's raining and cool. Again...

My friend and owner of my favorite bar, Marlene, was planning a boat outing before our show at the Big Fish Grill @ Harborside Marina. I get a text that says they are headed to the boat like true troopers of the party. I opted for some fish for lunch and then a nap (I did wake up at 9a so a nap was called for)

I woke from my nap with just enough time to shower and grab a taco, tamale and quesadillia and to cruise to Big Fish.

As I was driving there I saw the big Beach Bum Band sign on the road. Always cool to see something like that. I heard about it from a few people but to see our band name written in marker on the side of a main road is just cool. And it told me I was on the right road.

I pull up and Ian is already there with his new amp setting up so we all do the setting up ritual because, no, after 8 years playing, 4 shows backing Jimmy Buffett, and openings at Wrigley, Tweeter, Alpine Valley and the Target Center, we still do not have a road crew. So, the set up and tear down is still done by the band. At this point I don't think I would know what to do with a road crew.

So, we start the show and as the weather clears more people are piling in, from cars, from boats and even.motorcycles. The Corona was flowing very well and we celebrated birthdays and there was even a wedding party right there with us who just got married early in the day.

Corona even sent out a few Corona girls who I tried to compete in the hot legs contest against to no avail. I still think it had nothing to do with them having more legs then a bucket of chicken and was a fix.

Also, my wife was sitting with her friends near the bar and away from the tent and I saw an officer patrolling the area and a light bulb popped up in my head....

I had the officer cuff me and take me out in the middle of a song. The look on my wife's friends face was priceless... the holy S*^t what did he do. As we walked by the officer yelled "It's going to cost you about $350 to get him out" and everyone's face at that table was stunned. All the way from the back I could see the guys in the band laughing. I never thought it would be funny to be cuffed and removed from a bar but that was funny.

The night continued on from there, beer and shots were pouring and the party kept on going. Even a little funk at the very for the pole dancing that was going. Even had some folks down Bloomington, IL way stop in and jam the show.

So, thank you everyone at Big Fish Grill- we had a freaking blast and can't wait to do it again next year!

Flipper loves hash-browns,
Johnny

I can't ask for more... another beautiful summer night and another kickin' show! I am happy as a clam. Although, I never asked a clam why it was happy but I think that clam might tell me.... beach music in the summer!

We got there early to set up and do a sound check and man, do I love when we do it like that. No last minute rushing, just nice and eased back and stokes me out when show time comes.

So, we started cranking the jungle drum and immediately saw the masses start shaking to the beat. Then came the Beach Ball toss and all the Beach Bum Band Beach Balls were in the air.

As we moved into our South Pacific region of music we passed out the leighs and it's always good to get Leighed at Beach Bum Band show!

So, we have a private show Friday and then we will see you on the Wilmington waterfront for one helluva show...

Keep your toes on the board,
Johnny

All I can say is THANK YOU!! What an awesome crowd on a Tuesday night. We had to play Jimmy Bufffett's "Coconut Telegraph" because of the verse "Its Tuesday on the Isalnd...." It only seemed right. Plus with all the Beach Bums and Parrot Heads out there how could we pass that up?

All day, as I was busy drinking my mojito, golfing and working on my tan, I was worried that it would rain, then on the way to the show I was attacked by a storm cloud but as I neared Downers Grove the dark clouds we in my review mirror and it was a nice, hot summer night and just right for the sound of skanking guitar and steel pan.

We started with the jungle drums and whistles blearing to announce that it's time to party with the beach bum stylee. Right into the music and people dancing to the beat right fromt he start.

Thank you Downers, the Chicago Parrothead Club and EVERYONE that came out to make this one rocking Thursday. We still have a few FREE Celebration posters left. So, drop us a line if you want one while we have them.

Burritos Save the World,
Johnny

OK... once again I remeber why I love summer in the city so much.: street fests! This was the Beach Bum Band's first time play Jeff Fest and I loved it. It was a nice 85 dergree day with a wind blowing off our saltless sea- aka: Lake Michigan- and it set the tone for a festival size stage.

When we hit the stage a few Parrot Heads came out and jammed in the sun with us. Also, our one time steel pan player and his lovely wife, Mark and Cheryl stopped in. Mark is officially beating me in the summer beard growing contest. So, thank you everyone for coming out to Jeff Fest and making that fun as ever.

What would the summer be like without at least one double header... play ball... er.. guitar...

So, we headed down to Cheeseburger in Paradise and set up to see a whole new round of Parrotheads... and no show in complete without the appearance of Tiki and a Tropical Homie... thank you so much for coming. Next time your in there make sure you have the blueberry mojito... ask Leon... MMmmmmm Good!

After a little bit of sleep we were up and running to Deerfeild, IL for an evening that could not have turned out better. The weather was just great, sun was shining and a park full of people singing and dancing and Beach Bumming it up- you just can't wrong. It reminded me of a mini Ravenia with the Beach Bum Band.

The Beach Bum Trio is playing the 16th at the one and only Tropical Oasis in Joliet, Just One More and then we don't have another public show until July 28th... hope to see you there!!

Also, I know this is the Summer where we have released Sunny Place for Shady People and I am supposed to be promoting that (so grab a copy if you don't have it yet) but I just demoed a new and very Trop Rock song "Spring Break" and have been working on others.. I may have to record them and put an EP out soon. I'll keep you posted.

Live Up,

Johnny