Post by jptheprofessor on Nov 27, 2006 17:09:34 GMT -5
On Veterans Day, Burgi’s Roundhouse hosted its first ever Burgi’s Bluesfest and Q94 Appreciation Day. It was an exceptional evening.
First, a big thanks to Burgi's staff and management for the hospitality; we had a great time!
The musical portion of the night began on an uplifting note with the return of the Tony Mollick Project. Group namesake Tony Mollick was making his official return to action this night. Tony was seriously injured in a June car-motorcycle crash similar to the one that befell Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger; his accident happened a week before Ben's. Tony broke both shoulders, his right humorus, clavicle and 9 ribs, and collapsed his right lung. Although still not able to play his guitar on stage yet, Tony was able to sing this night alongside bandmates Fuzzy McGirk on bass and David Blake on drums, with friends Fred Smith of Loyalhanna Southern and Felix Kos of The Hurricanes taking care of guitar duties. This special edition of the Tony Mollick Project and friends set the bar high with their set of original blues-rock numbers, plus select classics from ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Next was Johnstown’s Totem, who took the party higher with their smoking set of classic rock and blues. Singer/guitarist Perry Sheesley, keyboardist Gene Suto, bassist Paul Lanzendorfer and drummer Tom Gajewski displayed excellent musicianship, and filled the dance floor with numbers from B.B. King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the Allman Brothers, Jonny Lang and more. Perry's guitarwork was incredible, and Gene's keyboard nicely filled in and fleshed out the sound, giving Totem a distinct flavor. Totem’s set reached a climactic high with their rendition of Gary Moore’s “Still Got the Blues,” with Perry delivering an unforgettable display on both voice and guitar!
Felix & the Hurricanes then kept Burgi’s dance floor busy, mixing original numbers with classics from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ted Nugent, Johnny Cash and more; Tony Mollick returned to the stage late in the set to front the group on renditions of Skynyrd’s “I Know A Little” and Jonny Lang’s “Rack ‘Em Up.” It was another reliably strong Hurricanes performance, that continued to keep the evening riding high.
Capping the evening was Pittsburgh legend Norman Nardini and his band, conducting another service in the ‘Church of Rock’n’Roll’ with their original brand of rock, soul and blues. Norman showcased original song favorites such as "Rock'n'Roll City," "Sick and Tired," "Heat of the Night," "Reddy Freddy" and more. Midway through the set, Norman, drummer/singer Whitey Cooper and bassist Harry Bottoms opened the stage to an all-star jam session featuring Tony Mollick, Fred Smith, Perry Sheesley and Felix Kos. The musical fireworks here were amazing, as the musicians matched licks and jammed out on renditions of Elmore James’ “Shake Your Moneymaker,” “Shake Rattle & Roll” and more.
What a night! With plentiful musical highlights and a large crowd in attendance, it’s a safe assumption that this first Burgi’s Bluesfest won’t be the last one. As Felix Kos remarked during the jam session, “Hey guys, can we all get together and do this again next weekend?”
Thanks to all the Q94 listeners who came out and helped make this a very special and memorable evening!
Here are some pictures from this magical evening:
Opening the evening's festivities, the Tony Mollick Project. Helping out on guitar are Felix Kos of the Hurricanes and Fred Smith of Loyalhanna Southern.
Back in action after being seriously hurt in an early summer motorcycle-car accident, Tony Mollick.
Altoona native Fuzz McGirk of the Tony Mollick Project.
Dave Hopkins of the Central PA Humane Society and Q94's Rose discuss the upcoming Humane Society Chilifest at Burgi's.
Johnstown's Totem triggers the evening's first dance floor activity.
Perry Sheesley of Totem.
Working his guitar magic, Perry Sheesley of Totem.
Totem's talented keyboard player, Gene Suto.
Felix & the Hurricanes continue a hot night of blues at Burgi's.
Jeff Clapper of Felix & the Hurricanes.
Bob Watters and Felix Kos of the Hurricanes.
Tony Mollick steps up and sings lead with the Hurricanes.
Felix & the Hurricanes keep the crowd dancing at Burgi's.
Hollidaysburg native Whitey "Clyde" Cooper, keeping the beat for Pittsburgh legend Norman Nardini.
Headlining Burgi's Bluesfest, Norman Nardini and his band.
Norman Nardini.
Midway through Norman Nardini's set, the "All-Star Jam" begins, with Tony Mollick and Fred Smith of Tony's band, Perry Sheesley from Totem and Felix Kos of the Hurricanes joining in for some unforgettable musical fireworks!
The All-Star Jam continues.
Two local guitar greats having fun - Perry Sheesley of Totem and Felix Kos of the Hurricanes.
Once again, Perry and Felix.
Adding their voices to the jam session, Tony Mollick and Fred Smith.
Perry and Felix have fun with the dance floor.
Norman Nardini and friends, having fun.
Hurricane Felix, playing Norman Nardini's trademark oragne tiger-striped guitar.
Once again, Norman Nardini.
First, a big thanks to Burgi's staff and management for the hospitality; we had a great time!
The musical portion of the night began on an uplifting note with the return of the Tony Mollick Project. Group namesake Tony Mollick was making his official return to action this night. Tony was seriously injured in a June car-motorcycle crash similar to the one that befell Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger; his accident happened a week before Ben's. Tony broke both shoulders, his right humorus, clavicle and 9 ribs, and collapsed his right lung. Although still not able to play his guitar on stage yet, Tony was able to sing this night alongside bandmates Fuzzy McGirk on bass and David Blake on drums, with friends Fred Smith of Loyalhanna Southern and Felix Kos of The Hurricanes taking care of guitar duties. This special edition of the Tony Mollick Project and friends set the bar high with their set of original blues-rock numbers, plus select classics from ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Next was Johnstown’s Totem, who took the party higher with their smoking set of classic rock and blues. Singer/guitarist Perry Sheesley, keyboardist Gene Suto, bassist Paul Lanzendorfer and drummer Tom Gajewski displayed excellent musicianship, and filled the dance floor with numbers from B.B. King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the Allman Brothers, Jonny Lang and more. Perry's guitarwork was incredible, and Gene's keyboard nicely filled in and fleshed out the sound, giving Totem a distinct flavor. Totem’s set reached a climactic high with their rendition of Gary Moore’s “Still Got the Blues,” with Perry delivering an unforgettable display on both voice and guitar!
Felix & the Hurricanes then kept Burgi’s dance floor busy, mixing original numbers with classics from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ted Nugent, Johnny Cash and more; Tony Mollick returned to the stage late in the set to front the group on renditions of Skynyrd’s “I Know A Little” and Jonny Lang’s “Rack ‘Em Up.” It was another reliably strong Hurricanes performance, that continued to keep the evening riding high.
Capping the evening was Pittsburgh legend Norman Nardini and his band, conducting another service in the ‘Church of Rock’n’Roll’ with their original brand of rock, soul and blues. Norman showcased original song favorites such as "Rock'n'Roll City," "Sick and Tired," "Heat of the Night," "Reddy Freddy" and more. Midway through the set, Norman, drummer/singer Whitey Cooper and bassist Harry Bottoms opened the stage to an all-star jam session featuring Tony Mollick, Fred Smith, Perry Sheesley and Felix Kos. The musical fireworks here were amazing, as the musicians matched licks and jammed out on renditions of Elmore James’ “Shake Your Moneymaker,” “Shake Rattle & Roll” and more.
What a night! With plentiful musical highlights and a large crowd in attendance, it’s a safe assumption that this first Burgi’s Bluesfest won’t be the last one. As Felix Kos remarked during the jam session, “Hey guys, can we all get together and do this again next weekend?”
Thanks to all the Q94 listeners who came out and helped make this a very special and memorable evening!
Here are some pictures from this magical evening:
Opening the evening's festivities, the Tony Mollick Project. Helping out on guitar are Felix Kos of the Hurricanes and Fred Smith of Loyalhanna Southern.
Back in action after being seriously hurt in an early summer motorcycle-car accident, Tony Mollick.
Altoona native Fuzz McGirk of the Tony Mollick Project.
Dave Hopkins of the Central PA Humane Society and Q94's Rose discuss the upcoming Humane Society Chilifest at Burgi's.
Johnstown's Totem triggers the evening's first dance floor activity.
Perry Sheesley of Totem.
Working his guitar magic, Perry Sheesley of Totem.
Totem's talented keyboard player, Gene Suto.
Felix & the Hurricanes continue a hot night of blues at Burgi's.
Jeff Clapper of Felix & the Hurricanes.
Bob Watters and Felix Kos of the Hurricanes.
Tony Mollick steps up and sings lead with the Hurricanes.
Felix & the Hurricanes keep the crowd dancing at Burgi's.
Hollidaysburg native Whitey "Clyde" Cooper, keeping the beat for Pittsburgh legend Norman Nardini.
Headlining Burgi's Bluesfest, Norman Nardini and his band.
Norman Nardini.
Midway through Norman Nardini's set, the "All-Star Jam" begins, with Tony Mollick and Fred Smith of Tony's band, Perry Sheesley from Totem and Felix Kos of the Hurricanes joining in for some unforgettable musical fireworks!
The All-Star Jam continues.
Two local guitar greats having fun - Perry Sheesley of Totem and Felix Kos of the Hurricanes.
Once again, Perry and Felix.
Adding their voices to the jam session, Tony Mollick and Fred Smith.
Perry and Felix have fun with the dance floor.
Norman Nardini and friends, having fun.
Hurricane Felix, playing Norman Nardini's trademark oragne tiger-striped guitar.
Once again, Norman Nardini.