bisbee 2021
Bisbee-Ites!
Yow! 2017 was the best Rio Bisbee year yet! We may not have played a lot of gigs, but those we did play we took to heights not seen in decades. Mid-summer Molly replied to my “sketchy” ad for a bold female vocalist, and boy! Was she! In spades! I said for years (decades really) If we could get a red-hot lady singer, Rio Bisbee Band would be headed for the big time. And we were! Briefly. Then she had to go. We used to say They’re either married, crazy or leaving the state in a week. Oh well! I guess two out of three ain’t bad.. Anyway, hearing Rio Bisbee classics belted out by Good Golly Molly was a thrill I shall never forget, and I know Molly will never forget the Bisbees as she heads for the big time on her own.
We met Jai a year ago at Little A’s Tuesday night open mic. At the last minute he stepped in on drums for Harvest Fest when Caleb couldn’t make it. Jai graciously hosted our practice sessions all summer as we struggled to schedule enough time together to teach Molly Rio Bisbee songs. Jai’s drumming was the solid foundation of our power trio format.
Harrison, now a two-year Rio Bisbee veteran, familiarized himself with the Rio Bisbee book, leading songs and fronting the band. His novel interpretation of Rio Bisbee numbers keeps them fresh, unlike listening to 30 year-old recordings. He wrings unexpected tones from a variety of guitars, and his incendiary rave-ups in the finale are a marvel to behold. He says he is Bisbee to his soul. Well, that’s where it hits!
Steve was an interim Bisbee, sitting in on drums for Heads in Harmony when Jai couldn’t make it, and joining us as a special guest at Chummies. Thank you!
Our Maine Vocals gigs in Harmony were cool, if tiring. It’s a long way to go for one set of rock ‘n roll, but it is always fun to see the other bands and hang out with our friends around the campfire. I led the entire list at Freedom Fest in June, something I force-trained myself to do when there is no one else to sing. In September it was a relief to have Molly sing Cold Chillum, House Upon A Rock, and Informer, which are difficult for me to lead, and therefore had not been on the list. I love her version of Quick Stop, and she really cuts loose on our new number Be Thankful There’s Rock ‘n Roll, neither of which had been recorded. I still sang Kahuna, Reefer Leave Me, Tribal Man, Funky Rockland, I Remember Quaaludes, and of course (Ode to) Barbara Jo. Harrison sang Hit The Road, with an impression of Elvis’ Mississippi accent. Thanks to Don and Bob, and all the Maine Vocals for your work producing the Freedom Field events.
The house party in Bernard, hosted by our friend and supporter Karin Marchetti, was a great success. Finally, we had an opportunity to play Rio Bisbee songs for our island friends who can’t schedule a trip upstate. We managed to get a live recording, and we enjoyed the fine company, and great food everyone brought. Thank you Karin!
The Rio Bisbee.Band Harvest Costume Ball at Chummies was a blow-out that equaled or surpassed our fabulous shows at Shoestring Theatre in Portland, Flag Day at the Snow Bowl, Ugbuggery in Funky Rockland, New Years at Harry Cabot’s United Nations rooftop lounge, or Valentine’s Day at the Blue Goose back before 9/11. Molly was in fine form, wailing and wiggling wonderfully with the music. Mr, Bowen as troubador satyr kept the crowd amused in the break so they didn’t turn on the jukebox, and Andrew from Barn Arts as MC was amazing! He really knows how to control a crowd. Chummies’ Gabe is a true band-aide – anomalous club owner who actually loves the music and supports the bands!?! Unbecredible! Thanks for your support, all you guys!
Alas, we were unable to get into the recording studio before Molly left on her round-the-whirled tour, but we did get recordings of our live performances, and even some video. Thanks to Nick, and Peter for the tech help, and thank you to Susan for painting the lovely Rio Bisbee Band directional signage.
None of this would have happened if not for the incubator, or crucible at times, of the open mic sessions produced by Russell Snyder at Little A’s sports bar on Cottage Street in Bar Harbor. It was Harrison who introduced me to the rock ‘n roll open mic (I always thought open mic was for folkies, not rockers), and it was there we met Jai. The weekly music emporium provided a substrate for us to polish the Bisbee tunes with Molly, and to jam it up with our neighbor musicians. Thank you Russell for all the hard work and late nights you put in making it happen, and for sitting in on drums with Rio Bisbee.Band.
Thanks also to volunteers and staff at WERU Community Radio for keeping the Rio Bisbee.Band name, and Rio Bisbee music on the air for all to enjoy, or whatever. Thank you to Phineas, Tim and Tim, and all the guys at Buckdancer’s Choice for keeping our old Fender amps working, and Mike at Portland Percussion for drums and sticks. Thanks to Skip’s Auto for the brake job on the Bismobile.
Last and best of all, a thousand thanks to you wonderful Bisbee-Ites for listening, requesting and singing along with our Rio Bisbee songs. As much fun as we have playing our music, we really do it for you. We can listen to the music playing in our heads any time we want, but what we want in our hearts is to share with you. Thank you!
Okay. Last gigs are always a hoot, but they beg the question – now what? The Bisbees have all returned to civilian life, moving on, or hunkering in. I hope we can go into the studio sometime during the winter to record new songs for airplay, and of course I shall put up more “sketchy” ads for bold female vocalist. Who knows? Though I do know there will be no replacement for Molly, only a substitute.
Next year? Probly more open mic, Maine Vocals, hopefully more house parties, perhaps a real concert in a dance hall or theatre. Have us come and play in your town! If you have a roof, and 120V power, Rio Bisbee.Band will put on a program of original rock pointillism for you!
Op-hoy!
Yobassman
