Purple Raindrops

Another Saturday Night. It just so happened I was free to play another one of those surprise events that have happened in the past few months, I was asked by a friend if I could join their band for a song at the Luthier's Co-op, and play the solo to "Purple Rain" by Prince.

I reached for my Squier Sonic Esquire and started breaking down the solo. I had a blast ripping it up for the crowd. 

 few weeks later at a nearby club on the same street was hosting a band some more friends are in, and they managed to play three sets until 1:00AM

Amy and I both took turns singing with the band, and then proceeded to boogie with crowd as they closed the night furiously!

All Together Now

 On a cold Saturday Night, Amy and I played a show in Turners Falls and we had a blast. Out friends Anne and Mike have a duo of their own called ZYN and they play synthesizer-driven '80s classics. We decided to play a set of our own '80s covers, and by the end of the night we were all singing and playing together.

Things went by quickly, and the whole event was like a blur.

A large group of friends showed up and filled the small bar/restaurant and cheered us on with every song. We managed to fit nearly 20 of them in a 60 minute set (you do the math)

Tracks

 

2026 began with the usual 3 sets at the Aqua Turf with the Savage Brothers Band in Southington. One of those events I have done yearly since I joined the band over 8 years ago.

Most everything went as usual, except after the show was over. A couple of inches of snow had fallen, and the roads were not that great. On top of the fact that it's New Year's Eve, and I live 90 minutes away.

I booked a hotel in town (Holiday Inn) and watched the snow plows from my window.

 

Looking Back on '25

The year started off with me buying a copy of an old Gibson L-6 (more on that later) as Amy and I spent our winter performing every Wednesday at our favorite Open Mic event in the town where we first met. Occasionally we co-host it, but mostly we just like being around our friends and listening to everyone else play.

JJ's Tavern. Florence, MA

and one of our many friends

I had my own events with the Savage Berothers Band, which contoniues to keep me busy for over 8 years now. The Truck Bar in Berlin, CT, The Rocking Horse Tavern in Vernon, CT, The Hungry Tiger in Manchester, The Cajun Boil in Torrington and many others.

The Rose Ball. Hartford Marriott

with winter winding down, I resumed my walking routine and try my best to cover a mile or more. I will go out two or three times on a nice day, and other times, I'll stay in and watch the snow. 

By the time March comes along, I'm back outside singing with some of my friends at a Saint Patrick's Day event in Holyoke. 

The guys in Brass Attack have been my "second band" for over 10 years now, and I still get the occasional call to either sing or play (sometimes both)

By April and May, I'm getting back into full swing, playing weddings, private parties, special events, and even a solo gig here and there.

Saint Clements Castle, Portland, CT

Look Park. Florence, MA

Abandoned Building Brewery. Easthampton, MA

Wine Haus and Vinyard. Granby, MA

Enfield 4th of July Festival

Whalley Park. Southwick, MA

The Pavillion. Olde Lyme, CT

Hawk Rock Country Club. Southington, CT

American Mural Project. Winsted, CT

But summer would not be complete without another installment of Transformance at the Pines Theater, where Amy was Shania Twain, and I was Keith Urban.

Fall arives, and I play more events that always take place yearly.

The Big E

Connecticut Valley Brewing Company. South Windsor

Italian Festivsl. Avon, CT

Bristol Mum Festival

I was so busy, I barely had the chance to see any big concerts, but I did manage one.

Outlaw Music Festival. Saratoga Springs, NY with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Wiliams and Wilco

Wilco & Willie

The Hotel

Amy and I managed to sneak in a few gigs with Bigger Stars, which is always a treat.

JJ's Tavern with Trash Panda, and others

Then we had a sweet acoustic gig at Foxwoods, and secured the rebook for next year!

with winter nipping at our heels, Halloween comes around and we ended up hosting the open Mic for a few weeks, and I also had a costume ball event to play. 

JJ's

Almost Famous Brewing Company. East Granby

and guitars! Can't forget those!

2015 Gretsch Brian Setzer Tribute

2011 Gibson SG '60s tribute

2023 Squier Sonic Esquire HH and

2023 Squier Paranormal Nashville Stratocaster

So after buing a few guitars, I ended up selling the first one I bought at the start of the year, as well as a Burns reissue that I had owned for about 12 years. The Squires were dirt cheap (as was the Gretsch, shockingly) and the SG is a player grade Gibson that is about as simple and raw as they get! I intend on using the Squires at the open mic events and local bar gigs where they could get knocked over or stolen!

and so the sun sets on another season and the year wraps up with my usual holiday caroling gigs, some more club events and private parties, and then it's back to the Aqua Turf for New Years Eve, where it always starts and ends.

Miss Connecticut at the Amy's Angels fundraiser. Aqua Turf Southington, CT