Maple Point Grill - Year in Review!

Clik (Title above) for video of the Blues Jam at Maple Point. Photos provided by patrons. Thank you for a GREAT first year!

Maple Point 2/12/07

It wasn't a huge crowd but it was a respectable one (for the most part... you know who you are...). Hosted by the other "Every Other Week Band" of Pat Boyack - guitar, Drew Allain - Bass, Kevin Schemerhorn - Drums. Jammers who stopped by were Beth and Wade (Bet and Mann) - they FINALLY got the opportunity to test drive two of their newest songs for us! I love the line "I'm low maintenance but I ain't maintenance free"... truer words have neva ever been spoken! Great song and thank you for letting us hear it here for the first time!.

Also in attendance was THE Diva herself "Mz Marcy", throwing down some of that Durrty Jazz and Blues for us. Mz Marcy was featured in the Dallas Morning Guide this past week. Her song "Sugardaddy" went on to Round two of the IBC songwriting championship, it's also being considered by a notable Blues Singer out of Canada to include in their repertoire. She's lost an
astounding 50 lbs and has her goddess shape back. What can I say... The girl has got it going on! Thank you for the pep talk too, it was more helpful than you'll ever know.

Lets see... who else... who else.... WEll none other than Gary Yeoman of the Neighbors Band! All the way from McKinney TX along with bassist BRYAN BULLARD "slappin the upright bass and workin the groove...a quiet guy with a big big bass" . I don't believe we've had anyone tote a stand up acoustic bass to the jam before... Thank you for showing up and showing us the way McKinney lays it down! Woo Woot!

And a big ol' Happy Birthday to Vaughn (Von?). I hope we helped make your birthday a special one. Out of all the juke joints in town, you walked into ours, it must have been fate. Looks like a great year ahead for you girlfriend... Keep your head up!

Special props to Qween of SWBlues, Joanna Iz for stopping by. Also to other overly sexy patrons Mz Charlene, Mz Vi (my bbq mama), Michelle, Vinnie, Sharon, Dave, the guy that snuck in the back, the dude from the Windmill club who heard us from across the street and just had to take a peek...

Popcorn Louden stopped by to slap the skins for a while. Mike Johnson played quite a few rounds on Sax and Flute (great job on Sledgehammer). Brent Rozelle stopped in for a quick visit too!

If you've been putting off joining us until something big happens... Well Big BIG BIG is going down next Monday! Our ONE YEAR Anniversary party! Food, fun, games and BLUES!
See you then!

Maple Point 2/5/07

It was 9:15pm, we started out slow, the band; Jackie Don Loe, Kevin Schemerhorn and Stan Allison and myself. We had three jammers in attendance, the husband and wife team Bet-N-Mann, Stephanie the Pretzel girl and her friend Dan, Tony along with two of his friends and the rest of the 4 people in the bar were staff or regulars there to watch sports. Looked like a solemn and slow night for sure. We did our opening set along with all the jammers in the room. I just hoped they wouldn't mind coming back up to help fill out the night...
Jump ahead 3 hours and thensome the place is packed and were exhausted! We've been seranaded by Jeff visiting from Canada on vocals, another awesome song by Bet, a soaring guitar rendition of pride and Joy from Tony. Brent Rozelle closing out the show with a killer guitar battle with Jackie Don Loe, "Popcorn" Louden on Drums, a complete horn section with Ray Vaughn and Fred Harvey, the wah-wah genius of Rodney the dangerous! Can't leave out up-and-coming drummer extraordinaire Ms Sarah Bigelow, but folks there's more! Cheryl Arena, back from representing Dallas at the IBC in Memphis, relented to do her outstanding version of "Grazing in the Grass", and everyone knows I sho-nuff love that song and with a complete horn line-up it was outstanding!
But let me tell you about who showed up to watch the show! Queen of Dallas Blues, Joanna Iz stopped by and brought with her Kathy owner of KCs bar in South Dallas! Cindy "perpetual" girlfriend of Jackie was there showing off her ENGAGEMENT ring! (me thinks your single days are just about up Jackie). How could I forget promoter to the stars - Jean McCrander! A great friend and supporter of Maple Point and a true fan of good music! Throw in several more tables of couples out for the evening and you got yourself a party folks.
Thank you to all who showed up, showed out and tipped the band generously!
Andrea D Grateful

Alexandre's 2/3/07

It was last minute call, a fill in for a cancellation... time was short to put together a band, but then the snap the pass and ... SCORE! A touchdown! What a band and what a night! Pat Boyack on guitar, Josh Hanlon on Keys, Marc Leblanc on Drums and John Echols on bass. I couldn't have thrown together a better team if I'd tried... well I did try, but you get the picture.

I have to add that this performance is as much about the patrons as the band! They were off the hook once again! Several of my fans from previous engagements showed up and showed off! We made several more fans as well. I can't remember all the names but you know who you are, you sexy beautiful thangs you! The tips were appreciated and outstanding! oh and Happy Birthday to Ken and Jan, thank you for having your party with us!

A special thank you to Mitchell T Palmer "the bluest white man in Dallas" for sitting in with the band! I hadn't seen Mitch in a long time and it was just great to lay eyes on the grey fox and hear his rich vocals once again. He was outstanding as always! Look for Mitchell T Palmer around town, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

And a HURGE shout out to Lee Daughtry for hosting blues at Alexandre's! He is a blues lover from the heart and he believes in putting his money where his heart is. He took a risk hosting blues to a crowd that adores cabaret, but its been well received by all! Luv ya sweetie!

My next date at Alexandre's is February 17th for the Mardi Gras Extravaganza! It will be on like a pot o' neckbones with many guest sitting in with the band and tons of beads and debauchery... tell all your friends!!

Till next time....

Bills Hideaway 1/27/07

The party was on at Bill's on January 27 Chilluns!! The band was Pat Boyack on Guitar, Drew Allain on Bass and H-Bomb on Drums... It was one of the best shows yet at Bills! And I say one of the best, cause there have been many at this location.

Talk about folks who know how to party and know how to be preciatin' good music! If you attended the show on Saturday and blessed the tip jar with the 5s, 10s, 20s and even the massive 1s, we THANK YOU from the bottom of our ever lovin heart, you sexy thangs you!!!

I appreciate the support of so many who showed up and showed out, First to the awesome ladies of Garland, Rosemary and Kerrie, Andra and Ellen. I love you girls like a fat kid loves cake! To Mr William McClenathan from Seattle thank you for the kind words and for getting a sister drunk off her a$$! I look forward to working with you soon!

In other news......


The Hideaway has found new owners! Well jump up and down and turn around! This means a revival to one of the cherished clubs and landmarks of the gay community! It's about time somebody recognized! This Club has a rich history of stellar musical performances and noted performers. The regulars there like Hardy and the Mayor are very proud of their club and can go on and on about the time Liza Minnelli stepped up in the club or about the clubs darling "Mz Sandra Kaye" These guys are so proud of her, they do know something about birthin' babies!!

I could go on and on about the characters and the talent that I've met in this little non-descript "hideaway" forever and I've only been there six months!

Please visit this club whether you're Gay or Straight and see if I'm lyin'

Love you Hideaway!!!

Andrea

Maple Point January 29, 2006

Well, I'm just gonna pick up right where I left off and continue blogging like ain't nothin happen in the 4 or 5 or 6 months since I blogged last!

The Maple Point is still hopping along! Some night are gooder than others, but for sure it's always something new thats for Shizzle. The latest news is that Pat Boyack is now sharing duties with Jackie Don Loe every other week. Pat brings his experience with national touring artist Marcia Ball. He has helped to bring a flair to the show along with the other addition to the lineup every other week on Bass, Drew Allain! I am one lucky girl right about now.

We've had several Blues dignitaries make regular visits to the show to try out material amongst friends and associates. Namely Mike Morgan, Joel Foy and my big brother Hash Brown. They along with the regular "awesome" talent that has supported this show all along makes for some fine music folks!

If you haven't visited in a while It's time to turn off the TV and get out and get in the thick of LIFE!

See you out and about...

Andrea

I Saw the Real Deal at Bluebird Blues Club!

Every once in a blue moon you get the opportunity to experience moments so real and powerful that you just don't want it to end. Last night we experienced 20 such minutes when THE Ray Reed took the stage at Bluebird!

I've always known of Ray Reed and Ms Kim along with the legendary Lady Pearl, but I've never experienced the Ray Reed I saw last night! His rendition of "Mr Charlie" was nothing short of magical, all I could do was shake my head hm, hmm, hmm! Ray Reed thank you, for that gift. You left something real at the Bluebird and in the hearts of everyone in attendance.

For those reading this if, you think that what I say is hyperbole or an exaggeration.... well you don't know tha half of it!!

Maple Point 8/14/06

Last nights show was off the Hizz-hook AGAIN! Thanks to some awesome talent coming out and sharing in the fun. While Jackie's been off galavantin' all over the country, Texas Slim has been setting in with the band. How dang cool is that! Thank you Slim for helping a sister out these past few weeks, it's been a real treat.

We also had a bonafide guaranteed no playin' around SINGER in the house. Just one name "SAGE" cause she don't need anything else! You see in my opinion there are singers who learn to sing and singers who try to sing and then there are Singers who are just plain gifted! If "Sage" could replicate herself all us singers would be out of business and on the street... homeless and destitute!

We also had two guests from Italy stop by. Friends of Hashbrown, all the way from Italy to hear and hang out with Hashbrown just from what they've heard on the internet and from friends who've visited Dallas. Hows that for a fan base! I thought that was all... until Danny De Stefani got up to play and knocked us all off our chair! Check out his website at www.thebluespots.com

Other Jammers adding to the mix included, Hank Black on Harmonica, Jimmy Morgan on Drums, Drew "Lover" Allain on Bass, Hashbrown on Guitar, Spike on Guitar and Blue Lisa on vocals.

The special treat of the night was Texas Slim on drums! Next time you see Slim, make sure you request that he play a rumba for ya... Awesome stuff man....

See you all next week along with the band - Jackie Don Loe, Kevin Schemerhorn, Jay Dronge and Jeff Stone!

Later...