WHO: Presented by Mark DeCarlo and Ivan Kane’s CAFE WAS

WHAT: ODD WEDNESDAYS at Café Was: A bi-monthly comedy & music show featuring established A-List performers and artists, together with a select up-and-coming singer/songwriters, providing Hollywood with a unique show every month. The March 31^st event will feature performances by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Horns, Mark DeCarlo, Brad Sherwood, John Ernst, Jimmy & Joey, Hempstead Nursery, Erin Ragland, Roxanne Ferrara, and the house band Old Blues Eyes.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 31^st, 2010 at 9:30PM (and continuing EVERY Third WEDNESDAY of every month (4/21, 5/19 etc.), following a Jam Session EVERY First WEDNESDAY of every month (4/7, 5/5 etc.)

WHERE: Ivan Kane’s CAFÉ WAS 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA (323) 466-5400

TICKETS:              No Cover Charge – Free

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Mark DeCarlo and Old Blues Eyes (www.markdecarlo.com)

When “Studs” took TV by storm, host MARK DECARLO took to the road. A Chicago native, DeCarlo used the popularity from his television series (Big Deal, Good Night America, the X Show and most recently Taste of America) to play the blues all over the US. Finally after years sitting in with the likes of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cowboy Mouth, Meatloaf, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, and the Queen of the Blues Ms. Koko Taylor, Mark knew it was time to transform into his musical alter-ego, TORNADO JOHNSON, put together a band and hit the road.  The result, OLD BLUES EYES, features players from LA, Toronto and Chicago – the hottest session guys and composers cold beer and good BBQ can buy. The band is a high energy, at times hilarious, audience blues explosion.  No two shows are ever the same. Sometimes Mark will bring up singers up out of the audience, some nights he’ll become part of the audience himself.  That’s what happens when Tornado Johnson and his five piece musical marauders get up and play. Old Blues Eyes has headlined for CBS Studios & the Deal or No Deal Celebrity Golf Event, rocked the Jimmy Kimmel stage at the Hollywood San Gennaro Festival, and jammed in joints too small to change their pants. No matter where they play, the results are always the same: BIG BAD BLUES.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy HORNS – Since their arrival on the music scene in 1993 in a legendary residency at Los Angeles’ Brown Derby nightclub, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s irresistible live show and aggressive, musically perceptive approach has proven them over time to be the singular standout among the numerous bands that launched the Nineties swing revival. The seven-man group forged a massively successful fusion of classic American sounds from jazz, swing, Dixieland and big-band music, building their own songbook of original dance tunes, and, sixteen years later, BBVD is a veteran force that to this day adds new fans by the roomful every time they play. BBVD’s originals rocketed the group into its first phase of stardom, when “You & Me and the Bottle Makes Three (Tonight)” and “Go Daddy-O” were featured in the 1996 indie film landmark Swingers. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, named famously after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins, sold more than two million copies of the albums Americana Deluxe and This Beautiful Life, and received national critical acclaim while the band’s music has appeared in over sixty movies and television shows. The band’s career milestones have included appearances in the Super Bowl half-time show, writing theme music for ESPN and network television, and performing for three American presidents. They have appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brian and Live with Regis & Kelly, and wrote, performed and recorded the current theme song for the Carson Daly show after appearing multiple times as the show’s house band. And now, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s songs have passed into the classic American songbook, playing alongside pop standard songs in film and television, and even on reality competitions like Dancing With the Stars. (bbvd.com)

Brad Sherwood is a regular cast member on ABC’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? and was a regular on the British version on Comedy Central as well.  His credits include The Drew Carey Show, The Green Screen Show, The Smartest Guy In Town, VH-1’s I Love The 70s, 80s & 90s and over 100 appearances in sketches on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Brad’s other past credits include a season on LA Law, To Tell The Truth, The Newz, guest hosting Talk Soup and hosting The New Dating Game. Brad is currently touring North America with Colin Mochrie in the very successful and critically-acclaimed, two-man improv show appropriately titled An Evening With Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood. (www.bradsherwood.com

Jon Ernst is a much sought-after L.A.-based composer and music supervisor. An accomplished singer-songwriter, Jon’s television career began as “Pianoboy,” the on-camera musical director of the classic MTV game show “Singled Out.” Jon is Music Supervisor on MTV’s mega-hits “The Hills” and “The City”, and has worked in that capacity on many other shows, including “Celebrity Circus” (NBC), “Nashville” (Fox) and “Laguna Beach” (MTV). As a composer, Jon scored most episodes of VH1’s legendary “Behind the Music,” as well as the syndicated hit “Ex- Treme Dating” and several original shows for TV Land. A native of Chicago, Jon studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and is a graduate of the University of Florida. (www.jonernst.com)

Jimmy & Joey are everybody’s favorite Italian comedy team. They’ve appeared in some of today’s top television shows like America’s Got Talent, Minding the Store, Last Comic Standing. “Should have been on the Sopranos but they couldn’t meet our price….” explains the funny duo.  “Should have also been in Goodfellas, Godfather 1, Godfather 2, Godfather 3, Casino and My Cousin Vinny.”  Jimmy & Joey can also be seen every Sunday at Jon Lovitz Comedy Club. (www.myspace.com/jimmyandjoey) (www.myspace.com/themeatballsofcomedy)

Hempstead Nursery is fronted by Lead Singer/Songwriter David Floyd.  This Detroit, Michigan native blends his Mid-Western roots and West Coast attitude into a stunning pop-rock mix of melody and lyrics.  On lead guitar is the Motor City’s own Harvey Salter, combining inner city angst with surf punk abandon.  On drums is Indiana export, Todd Torok, providing the beat that moves your feet. Completing the rhythm section is Bassist Jon Newkirk.  Born on the California beach between high tides, Jon’s laid-back style introduces the “tude” you can groove to. Hempstead’s sound is a dynamic mix of hum-till-you-drop pop tunes, haunting melodic ballads, and good old hard-edged, hard driving, rock & roll.The band has been featured on KLOS 95.5 FM’s “Local Licks” program as well as Westwood One’s syndicated “Loveline.” They have also kept busy performing at several Los Angeles area venues including The Roxy and Whiskey A Go-Go. “Soul searching lyrics, sensitive singing, and tasteful arrangements.” – BAM Magazine.“Recommended”-LA Weekly. (www.myspace.com/hempsteadnursery)

Singing is something Erin Ragland just decided to do.  She woke up one day at age 5 and just felt like she could, so she did.  “I didn’t look for influences, but was always drawn to songs that were passionate, songs that made your guts come out of your mouth when you sang them,” says Erin.  “Singers like Janis Joplin and Pat Benatar taught me how to feel a song, and I learned how to riff from Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.”  Today it’s Glen Hansard, Susan Tedeschi, Patty Griffin, Toots and the Maytals, Gavin DeGraw, and Amy Winehouse that meld her sound. Odd Wednesdays discovered Erin, or “Rags” as she calls herself, on their opening Jam Session at Café Was, March of 2010. “My first show here in the city, my introduction to Los Angeles, and hopefully it’s just the start.”

ABOUT IVAN KANE AND CAFÉ WAS

With the phenomenal success of Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce in both the Hollywood club and at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and his newest venture, Ivan Kane’s Café Was, a bistro, bar and live music venue, the entrepreneur has added his own unique blend of excitement and edge to going out, turning “nightlife into a more theatrical experience.” Unique materials, salvaged bars, balusters and doors along with distressed plaster walls, antique mirrors and velvet curtains make up the mystical space. The revolving 1924 Mason and Hamlin grand piano offers optimal views and can be removed for other performances. Ivan Kane’s been called an impresario and a nightlife guru, but most of all Ivan Kane is an innovator. “I’m constantly looking to redefine nightlife,” he concludes, “by doing the unexpected.”  Reservations or Information: 323.466.5400 www.cafewas.com

For media inquiries, or to set up an interview with any of the artists, please contact Yeni Alvarez @ oddwednesdayshow@gmail.com or call 213.840.3158.

Chicago – like any great city – has to be enjoyed in small bites. I recently revisited my former hometown, where you can sample at one time only a small slice of the great confection that is this beautiful lakeside city. However, there are attractions that are unique or stunningly significant that should be on any traveler’s short list. This is a sort of “Best of”…Some favorite things include: tour of the magnificent Lake Michigan waterfront museum campus of parks; Art Institute’s Impressionist paintings and Thorne Miniature Rooms; Cultural Center’s magnificent Tiffany Dome ceiling, largest in world; Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex, Field Museum of Natural History; Museum of Science and Industry, 1893 Colombian Exposition building; Lincoln memorabilia/death bed, Chicago History Museum; Chicago’s 38 bascule (meaning see-saw) bridges, including Michigan Avenue Bridge Museum; Sears Tower (tallest building in Western Hemisphere) and Hancock Center observatories; and Chicago Water Tower on Michigan Avenue, a remnant of the Great Chicago Fire, 1871.Yes, I know Sears Tower has been renamed, as has Marshall Field’s, but Chicagoan are loath to let go, hence the names Sears and Marshall Fields reverberate.

On my recent trip, my plan was to sample two Marriott properties, one in the suburbs, Residence Inn Chicago Oak Brook and one on Michigan Avenue, Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, do the Chicago museums, have tea in a fabulous location, such as the Peninsula Hotel, gorge on Chicago’s uniquely delicious deep dish pizza and see the Softball Hall of Fame, Forest Park and Italian Cultural Center, Stone Park. I’ll deal with the suburban attractions in a separate article.

With Chicago a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to see it all. A taste of Chicago could include many other attractions such as Wrigley Field and the Cubs; Lyric Opera House; El train ride; Buckingham Fountain; Navy Pier; Architectural boat and lake cruises; Tribune Tower visit; deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno or Due or Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. The best way to peruse the vast panoply of Chicago delights is to access the tourism information at www.cityofchicago/tourism; phone 312-567-8500.Or www.explorechicago.org/tourism. For now we’ll go with llama-like leaps among some favorites everyone should know about.

First off, if you plan to pack up and leave soon, include plenty of warm clothing, boots and heavy coat. You can Ice skate downtown and enjoy waterscapes along Lake Michigan’s shoreline that are breathtaking, but you need proper clothing. So don’t let the weather keep you home; Chicago knows how to handle cold and snowy weather. Life goes on – excitingly.

It’s too bad Chicago wasn’t lucky enough to be founded by the Romans, as were London, Paris, Cologne and a long list of other European cities. Then it might have had instant world-class recognition instead of having to scramble to introduce itself. But then London (Londinium) is 2,000 years old and the city of Chicago not even 200 years – it was christened as a city in 1837, was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire, 1871, and was almost instantly rebuilt with echoes of the urban Parisian parks and boulevards of that era. Astonishingly, it opened the Art Institute of Chicago in 1889, just eight years after cleaning up the ashes.

At that time, the city was fortunate in its wealthier citizens and architects, such as architect and city planner Daniel Burnham, who determined to make the city as beautiful, elegant, and cultural as any European city. Burnham ensured the lakefront remain open park space. However, when developers sought to foil Burnham’s grand design, retail tycoon Montgomery Ward sued and won the protection of Chicago’s Lakefront. People like this, who loved Chicago, kept it beautiful for future generations.

The tycoons of the era, such as Marshall Field, Potter Palmer and others, had enormous civic pride and gave generously to establish Chicago’s great cultural institutions. Bertha Honore Palmer, wife of millionaire businessman Potter Palmer, (Palmer House Hotel) was an intelligent and avid Impressionist painting collector, under the guidance of American painter Mary Cassatt, who was part of the artist Impressionist cohort of the era. Palmer amassed a large collection of the best of the time. A fascinating Palmer exhibit at the Chicago History Museum includes gorgeous gowns, jewels and other artifacts, along with biographical details of Palmer’s life. It is said she traveled with her favorite Impressionist painting, Renoir’s “Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando,” which keeps company with “On the Terrace” at the AI. Mrs. Palmer’s Impressionist bequest in 1922 and the 1926 donation by Helen Birch Bartlett ensured the Art Institute of Chicago as the preeminent Impressionist collection.

The Impressionist collection at the Paris Musee d’Orsey, situated in a former train station – love those ginormous clocks – has the reputation, perhaps because of its location, but most agree it is Chicago’s collection that shines.

Chicago’s Impressionists includes Renoir’s “On the Terrace”, Monet’s “Hay Stacks”, El Greco’s “Assumption of the Virgin”, Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte,” Gustave Caillebotte’s “ Paris Street, Rainy Day,” Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” as well as works by Mary Cassatt, Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, and so many more.

Imagine – 2,000 acres of the city’s core burned in 1871, and eight years later there’s an art museum amid the new buildings. The city’s energy enabled it to host the 1893 World’s Colombian Exposition with its magical “White City.” The Fine Arts Building survives today as the Museum of Science and Industry, with its superb colonnade of caryatids (female support columns). It’s working coalmine and German submarine are major attractions.

Chicago spreads out in three directions – with Lake Michigan on the east. Therefore, to easily reach favorites, I selected the Marriott on Michigan Avenue for its convenience, luxury and excellent service. Settling into the newly transformed Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave., 312-245-4728, ChicagoMarriottDowntown.com, was easy. With this hotel you are near a huge array of restaurants, shopping, museums, attractions, summer boat rides and foot-cruising the Magnificent Mile Michigan Avenue with its world-class retail shops.

The hotel has recently been beautifully redone and features a lobby Great Room, which brings to mind the “Wizard of Oz.” Perhaps the designers took their cue from Chicagoan L. Frank Baum’s famous “Wizard of Oz” books, the first published in 1900. The classic movie came out in 1939, forging indelible images in Americans’ minds of tornados, Dorothy Gale and her three charming friends. The Marriott’s Great Room lobby features a gigantic architectural column, which for the entire world looks like a tornado funnel cloud. The horseshoe bar curves around it – visually riveting. The bank of TVs and beer taps equals after-hours relaxing.

I loved the bed in the comfortable guestroom. Wondering if I could buy one like it, I learned the beds are for sale on the hotel’s website. Though large – 1,173 rooms, including suites – the hotel’s service is boutique-style. The staff took pains to banish feathers from this allergy sufferer’s room: A health-saving service. There are all amenities one desires – location, fitness center, pool and steam room.

The auto entrance is at the back on Rush St., both valet and self-park are available for slightly under $50 per day. Room rates depend on season and dates, so best to contact the hotel directly for the best rates. Phone: 312-245-4728; ChicagoMarriottDowntown.com.

After settling into the Marriott we took a $5 short cab ride to see “my” Impressionist collection and Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute. Alas, Renoir’s “On the Terrace” has been moved; I liked it in the center of the left wall – it anchored that gallery perfectly. After searching I learned the Wedgwood Portland Vase, a copy of a magnificent 2,000year old Roman glass vase (Roman original, British Museum) was not currently on display. As this is a great favorite I missed seeing it. But the museum has more than a quarter million objects, not everything can be on display.

If time is limited it’s best to take a bus tour to get a taste of the city’s charm as you glide around the beautiful lakefront – unique for an American industrial city – and take a peek at its new Millennium Park and other major cultural attractions. Be sure to make note of the entrance to Grant Park, at Congress Plaza Gardens, for the two magnificent Ivan Mestrovic 1928 bronze equestrian statues of Native Americans – the Bowman and the Spearman. Though not specified, the warriors’ obvious superb horsemanship and imposing power suggest they may represent the great horsemen of the plains, the Cheyenne. The sculptor purposely did not include the weapons – leaving that to the viewers’ imagination.

After a tour of the Thorne Rooms, splendidly recreated miniature period rooms that feature setting from the 9th century to 1930s, exquisitely furnished with authentic materials of exotic woods, stained glass, silver, gold, stone, terrazzo, Wedgwood plaques, and sculptures, we headed to the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea. There’s something soul-satisfying in such a day. The Thorne Rooms, 68 finely tuned replica room settings commissioned by Mrs. James Ward Thorne between 1932 and 1940 are favorites of adults and children alike. My then-three year old granddaughter, Michelle, when viewing them for the first time, uttered an awed “They’re so cute.” Don’t miss them.

So much beauty over-awes and afternoon tea is just the thing to revive the soul. So after the art we cabbed it to the splendid Peninsula Hotel, off Michigan Avenue at Superior. Afternoon tea is something I enjoy in every city visited. All are distinctive, but share a predictability that is relaxing and soothing. Everything is bite-sized, no cutting required and everything is slightly sweet. In fact, this is my favorite meal – well, maybe Chicago pizza ties the score. In any case, afternoon tea usually has three courses: scones, pastries and sandwiches, along with the tea, of course.

The Peninsula boosts a gorgeous space called The Lobby, with Murano glass chandeliers, custom carpets and octagonal-backed padded armchairs. The impression is of sun-kissed splendor even on a rainy day. Murano glass has a long history, from the 9th century to the present. The manufacturing center is located near Venice, Italy, on a tiny island in the Adriatic Sea. The Peninsula’s ceiling fixtures are delicate cascading droplets of sparkling light that draws the eye in a room full of beautiful accouterments.

The table is set with Wedgwood china set on cream-colored linen placemats. Two string musicians on an upper balcony serenade the guests below. My anticipation was well rewarded when the small chocolate chip scones arrived with cream and strawberry preserves; the combination is scrumptious. Green tea was served in a small plain white pot, along with sealed envelopes of sweeteners– so long to the darling sugar cubes long associated with tea service.

All the food is brought to the table at once on a three-tired silver server. Among the delectable treats were the scones, chocolate mini-cupcakes; pink macaroon cookies and perfect chicken salad sandwiches. However, guests need not order the entire tea service.

“My wife and I always celebrate our birthdays at tea, “ says guest, Dr. Michael Mercer, an industrial psychologist and author of several books, including “Hire the Best – Avoid the Rest.” He and his wife, Mary, admitted to sampling tea service in all the fine Chicago hotels.

“We like the Peninsula best because we can order only what we like,” he continued. “Mary likes scones and finger sandwiches, but not pastries. I don’t care for the finger sandwiches. So we order a la carte and each is happy. And we love the charming, very airy and open feel of the room. And the music is wonderful.”

They were the kind of people one thinks might be on their way to the Lyric Opera to catch Puccini’s “Tosca.” The Lyric lists 77 performances for the 2009-2010 season, with “Tosca” playing again in January 2010. If it’s the Zefferelli production I’m tempted to fly back for a matinee, if only to erase the memory of the Metropolitan Opera’s recent screwy “Tosca” production. The 1927-’29 Civic Opera House is a beautiful auditorium that enhances the stage experience. Many modern facilities resemble padded shoeboxes with no place of beauty to rest the eye.

There were some shoppers at tea, not surprising, as the Peninsula is convenient to Water Tower Place and other premier Chicago retail centers. If weather permits, a stroll the length of Michigan Avenue from the river north to the Drake Hotel, is worth the shoe-leather: the Michigan Avenue bridge, Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, new Trump building, American Girl Place, Marina Towers and upscale retailers line the boulevard. Anyone with a little girl will relish AG Place – a virtual harem of girlie-ness. As the mother of three sons, I found it rather exotic and somewhat bewildering, especially the beauty salon for dolls. Nonetheless, it was the realization of my heartfelt dream to surprise my granddaughter with an American Girl look-alike doll of green eyes and auburn hair. Adorable.

It is impossible to be in Chicago and not eat deep-dish pizza. My husband and I have been diners of the originals since our dating years as teens. Lou Malnati’s, a descendent of the original Pizzeria Uno and Due (Italian; one and two) is a favorite. We usually load up on a dozen frozen Malnati pizzas in a special bag, which was forgotten. Result: no Chicago pizza in California, truly a sorry state.

In any case, there are dozens of Malnati outlets all over Chicago and one on Wells St. However, the night we wanted pizza we were walking and it was raining so we landed in Pizzeria Due on Rush. It’s the place we went to as college-age kids. The pizza was nearly as we remember it.

It’s nice to be able to go back “home.” Especially when the city is Chicago.

Angela Rocco DeCarlo, copyright 2009

Angela Rocco DeCarlo, former Chicago journalist, covers travel, entertainment, and culture for www.travelingdiva.com, www.angelaroccodecarlo.blogspot.com, and www.heralddeparis.com. She lives in exile in Southern California.

One of the best bands my ears have had the pleasure of listening to is Cowboy Mouth, and during this upcoming Jazz Fest, that’s the tune this diva will be dancing to…

Following content taken from their website:  www.cowboymouth.com

The term ‘Cowboy Mouth’ has been used in the poetry of Shakespeare and Bob Dylan as well as a play by Patti Smith and Sam Shepard. Usually meaning one with a loud and raucous voice, it describes the band well. With over 2000 concerts under their belt and many years of reviews lauding their live show, there is still one quote which best captures their show…..
“…on a bad night they’ll tear the roof off the joint and on a good night, they’ll save your soul.” — Cake Magazine
Cowboy Mouth is New Orleans rock n’ roll. Annually presenting roughly 200 shows per year, releasing nearly a dozen records, and featured on TV shows and radio stations everywhere, Cowboy Mouth has been seen and heard by millions of fans worldwide. For more than 15 years, the members of Cowboy Mouth have preached and shouted at the top of their lungs the joys of being alive and the joys of being in and from New Orleans, sharing a slice of Mardi Gras heaven with fans around the world. As frontman Fred LeBlanc has said,”If The Neville Brothers and The Clash had a baby, it would be Cowboy Mouth.”
The band’s 11 album releases include two records on MCA, one on Atlantic and several on their own Cowboy Mouth Records label. So far, the band has enjoyed domestic sales of over 450,000 units. But the album sales pale in comparison to the number of tickets the band sells to their live events. Cowboy Mouth shows are legendary, and have been witnessed by more than 8 million fans to date.
Always on the road, they’ve toured several times with their friends in Hootie and the Blowfish, BareNaked Ladies, Sister Hazel and Better Then Ezra.
Crowd participation is a must at a Cowboy Mouth show. Led by Fred’s larger-than-life presence, the band’s performances are high energy and extraordinarily intense, usually leaving audiences as drenched and spent as the band. Cowboy Mouth fans range from ages five to age eighty-five, but they have one thing in common – as Fred confides to the audience, “Cowboy Mouth is about pretending that you’re five years old, naked as a jaybird and about to turn the hose on your parents, and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it.”
A Cowboy Mouth show is always full of surprises, and have included guest appearances from Steve Van Zandt, Rob Thomas , John Popper, Art Neville, Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry’s piano player), Kyle Turley, Tom Arnold (Best Damn Sports Show), and Harmonica brilliance by Mark DeCarlo, to name a few. Their audience stretches from the festivals and colleges to the clubs and theaters they headline around the country. The band has also made several film and television appearances, including the Steven Soderburgh film “The Underneath,” MTV and VH1, Live with Regis and Kelly, Ellen DeGeneres Show, and The Late Show with Craig Kilborn.

The band is led by Fred LeBlanc, Cowboy Mouth’s maniacal drummer/lead singer (think the Tasmanian Devil playing drums like Keith Moon with a voice like Bo Diddley) and John Thomas Griffith on lead vocals and lead guitar.
Fred came to Cowboy Mouth after four years with the southern punk band Dash Rip Rock. Also an accomplished producer, Fred mixed the band’s first two studio recordings and also earned a gold record for producing Deadeye Dick hit song from the movie Dumb And Dumber, “New Age Girl.”
Griffith, (the Griff) had been friends with Fred for years before the two talked about forming Cowboy Mouth together along with two local New Orleans musicians. As the lead singer of ’80s band The Red Rockers, Griff had a top-selling album on Columbia Records. Their hit song “China” was one of the first hits on MTV, and is still played on the radio today. Griff has opened on tour with bands like The Go-Gos and U2, and was recently inducted into the Texas Guitar Players’ Hall of Fame.
The band’s rhythm guitarist Jonathan “JP” Pretus cut his musical teeth in clubs and bars in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge for the better part of the last 10 years.
Bassist Regina Zernay, formerly of Dreamworks/Megatronic band Halfcocked, was fronting her own band, Méchant, when she met Cowboy Mouth. She’s played and recorded with over a half dozen local Southern California bands, including Big Violin (whose music was featured on The Real World), Red Delicious, and Jam Balaya (musical guests on two episodes of the TV show Half & Half).
Cowboy Mouth has just released a brand new live DVD, called “The Name of the Band is Cowboy Mouth.” Shot at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, it’s one of Cowboy Mouth’s finest performances, capturing the excitement, energy, and top-notch musicianship of their live show in front of a thousand screaming fans. The band has also started recording material for their next CD, due out early next year.
TOUR DATES
3/1-3/14/09      Iraq/Kuwait       U.S. military bases       tbd
03/27/09      Charenton,La      Cypress Bayou      tbd      $15.00      21+      http://www.cypressbayou.com/site5.php
4/03/09      Tempe, Az      Tempe Music Fest      many      $35      all       http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/403902/
4/08/09      Tulsa, Ok      Flytrap      one      $15.00      21+      flytrapmusichall.com
4/09/09      Murfreesboro, Tn      527 Main      tbd      $12.00      18+
4/10/09      Louisville, Ky      Phoenix Hill Tavern      tbd      $15.00      21+      www.phoenixhill.com/
4/11/09       Memphis      Newby’s      tbd      $15.00     18+       www.newbysmemphis.com/
4/16/09      Knoxville, Tn      Sundown in the City Festival      some      free      all      Concert in Market Square
4/17/09      Oxford, Ms      Library      tbd
4/18/09      Houston      Crawfish Festival      some     $8.00      all      http://www.texascrawfishfestival.com/information.htm
4/19/09      Baton Rouge      Earth Day      tbd            all
4/29/09      Ruston, La     Rabb’s      tbd      $15.00            http://www.rabbssteakhouse.com/events.htm
5/01/09      Pensacola,Fl      Seville Quarter      tbd      $12.00            www.rosies.com
5/02/09      New Orleans      Jazz & Heritage Festival      many            all ages
5/08/09      Kansas City      Knuckleheads      some      $18.00      21+      www.knuckleheadskc.com
5/09/09      Council Bluffs, Iowa

Whiskey Roadhouse

Horsehoe Casino
none      free      21+      www.whiskeyroadhouse.com/
5/10/09      Denver      Bluebird      tbd      $21.00      16+      www.bluebirdtheater.net
5/11/09      Boulder      Fox Theater      tbd      $20.00      21+      www.foxtheatre.com
5/13/09      Salt Lake City      Urban Lounge      one      $15.00     21+       www.24tix.com
5/14/09      Boise      Neurolux      tbd      $12.00      21+      www.neurolux.com/
5/15/09      Seattle      The Tractor      one      $18.00      21+      www.tractortavern.com
5/16/09      Portland, Or      Doug Fir Lounge      tbd      $15.00      21+      www.dougfirlounge.com
5/17/09      Petaluma, Ca      Mystic Theater      tbd      $15.00      21+      www.mystictheatre.com/
5/19/09      Sacramento      Marilyn’s      tbd      $12.00            www.marilynsonk.com
5/20/09      San Francisco      Slims      tbd      $19.00      all ages      www.slims-sf.com
5/21/09      Los Angeles      House of Blues      tbd      $20.00      18+       www.hob.com
5/22/09      San Diego      House of Blues      tbd      $17.00      21+       www.hob.com
5/23/09      Phoenix       Martini Ranch      tbd                  www.martiniranchaz.net/
5/24/09      St. Louis      Rib America Festival (Soldiers’s Memorial)      many      $5.00      all      ribamerica.com
05/30/09      College Station, Tx      Wolf Penn Amphitheater      tbd            all      www.cstx.gov/home/index.asp?page=669
6/05/09      Gulfport, Ms      The Dock      tbd      $15.00      all      www.thedockgulfport.com/
6/06/09      Atlanta, Ga      Highlands Music Festival      many      free      all
6/11/09      New York      The Highline Ballroom      one      tbd             www.highlineballroom.com/
6/12/09      Dewey Beach, De      Bottle and Cork      Virginia Coalition      $12.00      21+      tickets.deweybeachlife.com
6/13/09      Washington DC      930 Club      tbd                  www.930.com
6/19/09      Isle of Palms      Windjammer            $20.00      18+
6/20/09      Isle of Palms      Windjammer            $20.00      18+
6/21/09      Isle of Palms      Windjammer            $15.00      all
6/25/09      Oshkosh, Wi      Waterfest      many      $5.00      all
6/27/09     Milwaukee, Wi      Summerfest      many      free      all
7/16/09      Des Moines      Rib America Festival  Iowa Events Center      many      $5.00      all      ribamerica.com
9/05/09     Indianapolis      Rib America Festival (Military Park)      many      $5.00      all      ribamerica.com
9/12/09       Black Swamp Festival      Bowling Green, Oh       many      free      all

Content taken from www.cowboymouth.com

As heard on Mad Dog’s radio show in Palm Springs:

The Maui Prince, Hawaii -  Filled with enchantment and romance, this Hawaiian paradise will find its way into your hearts without emptying your pockets.  Rated one of the top hotels of the island, the Maui Prince is now offering amazing rates for all their rooms, including ocean front rooms.  Their amenities range from spa to complimentary valet to wi-fi in your room, should you need it.

Take advantage of their Special Packages or let them take the worry away from planning a wedding!  That’s right, lucky divas!  They also have wedding packages, complete with every detail, including the fabulous backdrop of Black Rock and red sunsets.

Email us at diva@travelingdiva.com for more info and special rates not advertised on their website!

and….. shhhhhh… the secret to their free upgrades!!!!!!

Email us for the best secret rates imaginable!  diva@travelingdiva.com

The incredible food ranged from delicious to outrageous as tray after tray was brought out to a sea of eager foodies.  The sushi was fresh, the champagne ‘bubble-licious!’  This Diva barely had a chance to take pictures as the waiters kept filling our glasses.  Of course, we simply smiled and said, ‘Yes, please!’

As the music moved on, we looked out on the dance floor to the sea of sexy singles and not-so-singles grooving to the enticing rhythms.  In a flash, we realized, this is where they meet! The sexy single girl and the elusive great guy she’d been looking for.  Don’t bother looking on the internet.  Forget about those  excruciating blind dates.  The sexy people of LA know where to go mingle on such an important day.  No matter where you came from earlier, the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica is a surefire way to juice-up your social life. We’ll say it again, ‘Yes, Please!’

Traveling Diva’s Top 10 Things to do for New Year’s Eve:

1.    Scratch the past year’s resolutions and start a new one that includes things you’ll actually like to do.

2.    Days before buy yourself something new to wear on the 31st.  Make sure it’s something that brings you joy and not guilt, even if you just wear it that day.

3.    Wear a funky hat.

4.    Tell a stranger a secret.

5.    Kiss someone by surprise.

6.    Make a new friend.

7.    Make sure your lipstick matches your outfit.

8.    Eat and enjoy all different types of food.   Yes, including tofu.

9.    Wear red underwear.  Yes, red.  For some reason it is said to bring financial goods for those who wear red undies on NYE.   Yes, thongs count, too.

(no pictures here, this post is rated G)

10.    Find an amazing party and stay there.  No one likes to drive late that night.  Be the envy of your friends but bring them back next year to Santa Monica’s elite Viceroy Hotel NYE party 2009. 

Coming down to the South Bay I expected everything green to be a little.. well.. bland… Not so the case with the hottest nail salon there!  Mani Pedi Cutie is an eco-friendly salon, filled with amazing people that greet you with a smile, cucumber mint water, and meditation rocks (of course I picked ‘Passion’).  The beach babe pedicure is a diva’s dream!  If you’d like to celebrate your birthday there, the restaurants around will cater and you and your fabulous friends can enjoy a bottle of your favorite wine while you are being pampered.  Since I’ve found them, I will make up any excuse to go there and feel girlie again!  Mani Pedi Cutie gets this diva’s seal of approval.  ;)

PS:  I always make sure to get there around 5:30pm for my complimentary glass of wine.

MANI PEDI CUTIE
507 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
T 310-376-9988
F 310-376-9981

W www.manipedicutie.com E info@manipedicutie.com

HOURS
Tuesday thru Friday 10am-7ish
Saturday 10-7ish
Sunday 10-5
Closed on Mondays. Please book an Appointment!