Some highlights certainly include:

- Release of the 3rd CD on Shady Lady Records… “Cold Silence” by (kaj)…

Wasn’t easy by any means, but this CD is something to be proud of, and certainly sets a very high standard in the Western PA music scene. The songwriting, performance, production and recording quality are nothing short of stellar. Billy Rossi, of Billy Rossi Recording, recorded, mixed, engineered and co-produced the CD, along with supplying some supporting performances. If you haven’t heard this CD or purchased your own copy yet, I stronly encourage you to do so.

- Turning the National Booking corner…

It has been a goal for a while now to start booking some National acts, and in 2010 we did it. I’m fortunte that I have the trust and working relationship that I have with a great venue, Peter B’s in Sarver. This is an awesome place for live music, with a great staff and a lot of character. Make sure you get out to The Rockin’ Red Barn to see a show in 2011.

I also made a new friend over the last year+ in Brian Drusky, who has been nothing short of kind in his assistance, advice, and support. I had reached out to many in the music community here in Western PA to try and work together and get around that corner, only to be totally ignored or taken advantage of. Drusky was the complete opposite. Go see one of his shows, you’ll love it. www.druskyentertainment.com

Anyways, we couldn’t have started things off any better than we did with Shannon Curfman. Not only an incredibly gifted musician, but a genuine soul. From there we just kept rolling… Tantric, the Coal Men, Paul Thorn, FLAW, Texas Hippie Coalition, Gary Hoey, and more.

Paul Thorn was definately my favorite, and I found him to be as real and down to earth as his music. I have been a fan of his for a decade now, so to have him come to Sarver PA was just huge for me.

My favorite surprise was the Coal Men. Can these guys play and write great music! I probably listened to their CD “Beauty Is A Moment” more than any other CD in 2010. Don’t miss them (or any of the bands above!) if they come back to see us.

I have to throw in a special mention for Gary Hoey also, and his Ho Ho Hoey Christmas Show. Fantastic!

In parting on this subject, I do have to give a huge and heartfelt thanks to Jeff Knabb of Knabb Sound. Without his knowledge, wisdom, experience and quirky jokes, there is no way we could have gotten Peter B’s off and running in the National music scene.

- Mellon Square Summer Concert Series

It has been a real honor and a thrill to get to be associated with this event the last 3 years, put on by BOB FM, Q92 and The City Paper. The bands, all from the Pittsburgh area, are nothing short of tremendous. One band in particular last year that really caught my attention was Gramsci Melodic. Aside of “Cold Silence” by (kaj), probably the local CD I listened to the most in 2010. In fact I’m still listening to it a couple times a week when I’m running around. Great melodies, great hooks, killer bass playing. This is just a fun CD.

- Dude, I’m putting the band back together

As much as I wish I could say BUM was getting back together, that sadly isn’t the case, however the next best thing is up and running. The acoustic duo The Bluegrassholes are back! I’ve joined forces with a good friend and ex vocalist of many prominent AK Valley bands to resurrect a fun little pasttime. Playing somewhere near you in 2011, keep an eye out for us.

- Continuing to work with and meet such great local bands

This probably is my favorite part of doing this. The really cool thing about it too is that I have met very few jerks in the scene. It’s like 90% of all the musicians I meet and work with locally and regionally are really just cool, down to earth, honest and hard working musicians. How many people can say that about the people they work with? I’m sitting here tempted to start giving shout-outs to everyone, but I know I’ll forget someone and at the risk of them thinking they might be the other 10%, I will refrain. I think all the bands and musicians I’ve worked with over the years knows where we stand. Support Local Music people… there is a lot of it out there, and it is really damn good stuff!

So, those are some of the Shady Lady highlights for the year I guess. I’m not going to bring up the bad, it really isn’t worth discussing. I learned some valuable lessons and learned what type of person to watch out for in this business. Hopefully the lesson sticks.

So on to the random stuff now…

I’m bummed Freudian Hips and Knucklehead broke up.
I miss Rockabilly Junction.
I love Lovebettie.
I have witnessed true DIY from the guys in XFactor1.
It was awesome seeing people wearing my shirts and jackets all around town.
Raymond the Amish Comic is freakin’ hilarious!
As promised in my emails to them, I have not watched CNN or listened to NPR since I notified them of my stance.

Local CD releases of note:

Cold Silence – (kaj)
Travel Lightly – Rising Regina
Under The Peach Tree – Ben Valasek

New CD in 2011 expected from the following bands:

Big House Pete
Brewer’s Row
The Hitchcock Curse

I mentioned it above briefly and will say it again… Support Local Music. In fact, Support Local in general. That was definately a theme I tried not to just preach, but live by last year as well, working directly with local businesses in regard to the events we do (and I want to thank all of the local businesses that open their doors to us). I didn’t buy any music gear online last year either, instead making all my purchases at my local music stores- Apollo Music Outlet, Drums N More, Pianos N Stuff, and Smail’s Custom Drum Shop. About 70% of the music I listen to anymore is local/regional music. It’s as good if not better than anything you will hear anywhere else.

As for live music… there is nothing like it. You can listen to a stripped down mp3 anywhere (in the shower, on your way to work, at work, etc). Why on earth would you go out for a night on the town to listen to someone play an mp3 you can listen to anywhere/anytime, when you can hear, see, and be a part of the real deal! Get out and see a band in 2011.

With that I guess I’ll close out my review of 2010. I’m sure there is much more I intended to put in here or make note of, but for now this is going to have to be good enough. I want to thank all my great friends and supporters of the local music scene who continue to come out and support live music, the great musicians I’ve gotten to work with, and those who really got behind Shady Lady in 2010:

LaRusse Distributing
Goin’ Postal
Twisted Draggin’ Designs
Peter B’s
Knabb Sound
Drusky Entertainment
Steel City Media
Butler Media Group
Valley News Dispatch

Go Packers, Go Jazz, RIP Ronnie James Dio…

-Utah

Peter B’s is locatad at 111 Rock N Roll Lane in Sarver, right off of Route 228 by the BP 4-Way. Brought to you by Shady Lady Productions. See you there.

St. Patricks Day BREWtality at Peter B's

Despite the weather (anyone else sick of it yet?) the turnout was pretty decent. The place was already filling up pretty good when the party bus, sponsored by Needles Of Fury Tattoo in Natrona Heights, showed up. The thing was packed with headbangers from all over the AK Valley area, from Kittanning to Apollo, Vandergrift, Leechburg. It was just awesome. Unfortunately I get so busy at these shows that I forgot to take a damn picture of the people filing off the bus. It was really cool.

Anyways, Die Smylin’ got things go right on time and did not hesitate kicking the Ball into gear. A good mix of solid Hard Rock songs and some of their own had people approaching the stage and headbanging in the 9 0′clocl hour. That’s pretty damn cool in my book.

After the Fall took the stage next and the already present crowd swelled some more. Playing most of their own songs, they also did a hip-hop/rock medley of some cover tunes, further charging the crowd up.

Next it was Kaj (pronounced “cage”), also playing a good bit of their own material, some from their last release titled “Bombs”, and many new ones from their upcoming CD release “Cold Silence”.  The crowd was fully energized by now, and many a bucket of Bud and Bud Light was littering the floor and the stage. Watching the crowd pump their fists to the bands new song “Rise Up” was pretty cool.

To cap things off, it was the one and the only… Skell. BAM! That’s pretty much what happens when these guys take the stage. Ripping through many of their own songs, they transitioned to cover tunes towards the end and kept the crowd active and headbanging until close. You can always count on Bones, their singer, to say some pretty interesting things in between songs as well. A collection of some of his comments would be a cd in itself.

All in all, it was a great show. Turnaround times were so quick you didn’t even know the music stopped. That’s a big kudos to the bands themselves for helping make that happen. Kaj provided backline, which was also a big help. The staff at Peter B’s is simply the best. If you can’t get a beer in that place, then either you have no money or there is something else wrong with you.

For pics of the show, make sure you visit the Heartbreakers Ball 2010 gallery. Official HBB shirts are still availabe also if you didn’t get one. Only $10. Hit me up and I’ll get it to you. Until next year, which will be our 5th anniversary, make sure you check these great bands out a venue near you. None of this would be possible without the great talent, the dedicated fans, an awesome venue, and all of the other people who help with all of this.

-Utah / Shady Lady Productions

Hearbreakers Ball 2010

From 8-11 pm we are featuring The Infamous Dicks, Scott, Rob and Greg from the band The Clarks. Admission is required for the concert. $10 in advance/$15 day of show. Tickets available at Peter B’s or any Ticketmaster location or outlet.

The party will keep going after The Infamous Dicks with Terry Lee Spencer, fresh into town from Nashville. Stick around and enjoy great live entertainment All Night Long! Visit www.shadyladyproductions.com for more info.

Rock For Tots

Friday it was the debut show of Freudian Hips, who we had out as an opener for Rising Regina a couple of months ago.  The show started with an acoustic opener named Amanda Noah, who had a beautiful voice, and did some interesting versions of cover songs. Once the band took the stage though, the energy changed immediately. The entire room was up and dancing in no time. You could hardly move on the dance floor at times. The cool think about the band is that they play a wide variety of cover songs, but as they say themselves, not the overplayed ones. The crowd was treated to everything from Rusted Root to Megadeth. Band members at times would switch around on instruments, and everyone was banging, hitting, or playing some kind of music through the night. We can’t wait to have them back onMarch 5.

Saturday it was the return of my favorite new cover band to come through the venue: Mia Mania. When these guys first came through last April they were known as Mia Mafia, but had to drop the Mafia part so that they could start playing the Casino circuit in New Jersey. Guess those guys are serious. Anyways, apart from being about the coolest and easiest band I’ve ever worked with, these guys are on 11 with their energy the minute they hit the stage. Their show is so intense and non-stop, you get tired sometimes just watching them. Add to the fact that they are excellent musicians, all of them, and it’s just a complete package show. Great harmonies, great tones, great song selection… This band truly is a breathe of fresh air for the Rockin’ Red Barn. We are looking forward to having them back again in 2010. Make sure you come and see these guys, you will not be disappointed.

One thing that was noticeable about both bands as well was the reasonable breaks that they took. It was apparent that both bands were there to play and entertain the paying crowd, not sit and bs and take 30-45 minutes breaks. I can’t tell you how much both I and the venue value and appreciate that level of professinalism.

See you next weekend for Rock For Tots and another great new band just arriving… The Killer Boots.

Saturday night it is the return of Mia Mania (formerly Mia Mafia). These guys are one of the best cover bands I’ve ever seen, and are a real breathe of fresh air for the venue. These guys are very crowd interactive, and the energy is high and constant. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/miamafiarocks

The Shady Lady Crew will be out both nights, so come party!!! Both of these bands will totally be up for it. Check out http://www.shadyladyproductions.com or http://www.peterbonline.com for more information.