eddie from ohio journal December, 2005

CHRISTMAS AT WAYNE MANOR
December 2005

Holy Hole in a Donut, It's Batman!

That's right, straight from Gotham, the caped crusader wades through a sea of ankle biters and gobsmacked on-lookers to bid Happy Birthday to his biggest fan: four-year-old Corey Wells. What a birthday -- Julie & Greg out-do themselves hosting a party of 18 kids for their youngest boy. As much as I begged to be the one to wear the crime fighter costume, the nod went to a younger, more virile, more statuesque teenager who fleshed out the molded, prosthetic chiseled bodice, mask and cape with the greatest of ease. McLean's Moorenko's Ice Cream Parlour is the safest place on Earth. Hey wait a minute -- Batman's wearing TRAINERS!!

As I looked on with envy, while these pre-schoolers gathered round the garment hem of my favorite super hero, I began to reflect on the year 2005, and immediately became clinically depressed. Our nation is still at war, natural disaster ravaged our country's SouthEast destroying one of its greatest cities, and our lead singer got breast cancer. How was your year? Good? Really?.... then screw you.

I begin to just focus on December, and start to feel a little better:

With bald and beautiful Julie kickin' cancer in the rear, we embarked on a most rewarding tour of the Carolinas and Georgia. The guys drove Hazel to Asheville, and Julie flew down to meet us... a good move, too, as Julie preserved every ounce of energy for the stage. 'Twas quite a spirited show at the Grey Eagle. Not only was the crowd enthusiastic, cooperative and willing to participate on cue, they also corrected our bad grammar and fact-checked all our claims from the stage (not after the show, but during -- somehow, on this night, it worked). The Eagle had new owners who seem to have really given a face-lift to the place, and we wish them continued success. We look forward to getting back.

On all three dates, we had opening act Philadelphia's Jim Boggia. The city actually owns him, along with the Liberty Bell and bragging rights to the Cheese Steak sandwich. Flashback to October: in all our time off, I had the thrill of playing bass with our friends Lowen & Navarro in Baltimore. On that evening, this kooky Boggia character opened up the show. Nice fella, I thought, but does he have game. Does he ever! When he did a solo version of "Live & Let Die" that evening, I was sold. He gave me a copy of his 2001 CD "Fidelity is the Enemy" and I was blown away. As I wrote him in an email, and will impart to you now, he takes Beatle-esquenessness to such a high plain, that the Fab Four now stand accused of tripping Boggian. He also prays at the altar of Brian Wilson, and has amazing pop sensibilities oozing out of every pore. While most audio-files like him can sound contrived when attempting their own songcraft -- he's unapologetically contrived and kicks ass in the process. When his management approached us about opening, I gave my big thumbs up. After my bandmates heard him, we're happy to say that he'll be opening our three Birchmere shows in January. He's the kind of act you just can't wait to show off, take credit for his discovery, and claim 15% of his income for the remainder of his career.

Jim does a great job every night, and on the last evening in Charlotte, following a post-show backstage jam in Atlanta the night before, I get to play harp with him on a bluesy number he had just composed - it was the song's actual debut. Okay, enough about Jim, back to us. Atlanta's show at the Variety was dandy. Robbie and I got to dine with Vern, our old high school chum before the show (no shortage of great bistros in that town). After the show, our dear college friend, Meesh and her newlywed hubby Greg put us up at their palatial estate north of town. Vern picked up the tab at the restaurant. Meesh & Greg fed us our weight in carbohydrates..... what we would do without these great pals on the road, I tell ya. Thanks, all!

Charlotte had to be a tour highlight, if not for the fab show at the McGlohan Theater in the City Center (I believe I wrote about this spot in Nov/Dec 04's journal -- read back on that, and all the details will perfectly describe this night), but for the day after the show. For years, our good friend from college, Kyle, has been trying to get us to sing the National Anthem for a home Charlotte NFL game. Kyle is quite high in the Panther's organization (I think he flies the blimp), and he could pull all the strings to make it happen --- we just needed to find a date to work. The Panthers are one class organization. They put us up in the downtown Holiday Inn, picked us up with a limo service, gave us complimentary jerseys and shopping vouchers, and gave us the Jumbotron- rock star treatment we always knew we deserved. As a real game of consequence versus the Atlanta Falcons, the stadium was packed. We stood atop a platform at the 35 yard line facing Old Glory at the opposite end above the scoreboard, and sang our hearts out. When we got the "O Say does that Star Spangled..." ending part, the overcast skies opened up, and sunshine filled the stadium - the crowd let out a roar. Good times, good times. Down on the sidelines, we can tell you that NFL players are huge. Circus huge. The home team won, and it was all because of us. You're welcome, Charlotte. Any time.

Our final show of the year was this past Friday in Ashland, Virginia. It's nice to wrap things up back in our home Commonwealth. Great crowd, great staff..... and ya know what else? Great band. There, I said it. Merry Christmas, ya old Buildings & Loan!

Maybe 2005 wasn't all that bad. Seems to be finishing pretty strong. Major League Baseball finally returned to Washington. The Redskins have spanked the Cowboys twice this season. My car is finally paid off. After six years of being single, I may have finally met someone who I want to wear my letterman's jacket (I was Varsity Debate), and to top everything, my son sang a solo rendition of "Santa Claus Got Stuck in the Chimney" to a whole Christmas Pageant assembly of parents, teachers and students (I'm getting choked up just typing it -- I feel like Santa Claus got stuck in my throat. My backspace key isn't working too well, so just forgot I wrote that last part -- that's a little too disturbing an image - even for me).

2006 looks promising. Perhaps even bright. I should wear a welder's helmet. We've got dates on the books. I may finally see Les Mis (all my bandmates have -- yes, even Eddie). Speaking of Eddie, I raise my wassail high in his honor as he did me the ultimate solid. He produced my very first solo CD in his fine home studio. He took great care of me, the songs, the sounds, and I can't wait to share it with the tens and tens of Michaelheads in the Edhead Nation. You can read more about the CD and release date at my new homespun website, http://www.michaelclem.com. A special thanks to Michael Clem, not me, but Michael Clem the clairvoyant clam shucker from Maine who sold me the domain rights to michaelclem.com for a fair undisclosed amount, as well as a date with Julie. Julie, if you're reading this, there's something I need to tell you. Give me a call.

Speaking of Julie, after me, she's the next to turn 40 (April 24). Her life lessons of recent months have taught us all how to cherish every birthday, or as the great Warren Zevon said, "Enjoy every sandwich".

Speaking of Robbie, well, technically we weren't speaking of Robbie, but I've never been known for my segues. His 4-0 is in May, though he turned forty yeeears ago. He's got some exciting things on the horizon, in the solo world -- for adults AND their dependents - Be sure to keep tabs with his website, http://www.robbieschaefer.com. Hopefully, we'll have a chance to join forces some in 2006 in a duo/double bill capacity. We'll let you know. Anybody going to his NYE show at Jammin Java in Vienna? First dibs on kissing him at midnight, and should you see Robbie wearing my letterman's jacket after the show - try not to judge.

If you're nearby, try to join us in January for a three night run at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA (Jan 13, 14, 15). The Saturday is already sold out, but Friday and Sunday are still available. I may even wear the Batman costume.

Same Bat time. Same Bat Channel.
God Bless Us, Everyone,
MC MC