Encore Ovation

As promised Adam Turbiner of Ovation Guitars Showed up with half a dozen acoustic electric beauties (seven, counting the lovely Christina who was totally electric). He let everyone play his guitars and captured the moments on video. Go to Adam's Facebook wall to see great vids of Jazzy Jan, Mike, Carrie, Bob, Jeff & Michelle.

Adam has threatened to return tomorrow night.

Michael Reitman will be at Montclair Public Library on Tuesday

Studio 12 mainstay Michael Reitman will be performing at Takeo Shugihara's open mic at MPL this Tuesday eve. For the full scoop check out Shelley Emling's Montclair Patch

Maiden Post Redux

This pic is a veritable who's who of the local open mic scene... Pete (runs the Fine Grind OM), Meg (ran the Church Street OM), Laura (longtime local favorite) & Ilsa (runs Tierney's OM). I wanna be just like them someday. Historical note: also pictured is the PA from the late lamented Montclair Center Stage.

When I put my first post up, galactic yenta Alma immediately tagged me back and quoth "Where's the pic, dummy?" (I paraphrase). So, I put up the only pic I had at the time, i.e., that above.

A couple of nights ago when I was waxing particularly blogulous, I took stock of previous posts and edited my first effort to include the top paragraph above. Upon reflection, I could not have come up with a more propitious first pic to post... Unthinkingly, I wrapped Studio 12 in the mantle of a bunch of open mic heroes.

Glen Campbell & Roy Clark Will Not be at Studio 12

But Ovation Guitars will be.

Adam Turbiner of Ovation Guitars will be joining us this week with a few of his guitars. I am told that any interested guitarist will be able to perform with one of these babies.

Maybe we can get Bob Cannon to reprise his cover of Wichita Lineman...

Doors open at 7:45

Off to Camp

The best week of the year is upon me.... Boy Scout camp - no cell, no computer, no TV, no radio, no newspaper. Crummy food, but as much of it as you can eat!

This year, in deference to my new job (more on this later), I only get a half a week at camp and will return to the garden spot of the Garden State just in time to open the doors to Studio 12 on Wednesday night.

Last week was completely off the hook... 4 or 5 acts that were born after the first Farm Aid concert.... A drummer/flautist who finally showed up after 6 years of invitations... an incredibly talented 17 year old who used to play here in '07 & '08.... a drop dead gorgeous Indian woman who performed Hindu chants a cappela from Kali to Visnu... Charlie with his accordion....

The pic is Meg Beattie Patrick, John Burke & yours truly.

Anyhow, you get the picture. See you Wednesday.

Peace.

Summertime

Wednesday night's open mic is on (as always) this week. Cheryl showed up with her camera last week and snapped a few.


Brett











Meg & Yossi




















John Kennedy













Tyler, Meg, Michael & Greg

Here We Go Again

Since last I posted, the second floor at 12 Church has hosted 2 networking events, the local Kiwanis and weekend bookend of a rehearsal dinner on Friday and a 25th anniversary on Sunday.

So now it's back to our half-fortnightly Studio 12 Brigadoon. The instruments, amps, Ed Carine & Tim Tansey have all crept out of their hiding places and are ready to sing & dance back to life.

Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:30

Open Mic with a Stack of Pancakes

Studio 12 opens the stage tomorrow at 8:00 as we enjoy the first Open Mic of the Summer.

Last week Montclair's Finest joined us for a while and registered a very gentle noise complaint... looks like I'll have to break down & run the AC with the windows closed. The fellas hung around and enjoyed a killer Elmore James number performed by Michael R, Ed C, Brett V, Roy, Tim & Pancakes.

Speaking of Pancakes, James O'Malley aka Pancakes (pictured) shows up to play on a regular basis, typically meandering in around 10. This guy can play and play he does. Sometimes Pancakes takes a set, sometimes he's content to be one of the pit musicians. I can honestly say that I can't remember ever hearing a more accomplished guitarist, period. His homemade guitar is part cigar box, part jackhammer & part stiletto. Ya really gotta see it (& hear Pancakes).

I'm feeling pasta (both bolognese & pomodoro) and who knows what else on the menu.

This week's birthdays include Todd Rundgren, Jeff Beck, Mick Fleetwood & Cindy Lauper.

Open Mic Wednesday Night

Studio 12 open mic is every Wednesday night and this week is no exception. Food & drinks open at 7:30. Sign-up starts at 8:00.

This week's big news is that Alma S has been relentlessly busting my chops to create a Studio 12 blog.... Well, here it is..... Kudos to Alma for dragging me kicking & screaming into the 21st century.

The big turnout at the geezer reunion two weeks ago must have really blistered a few fingers as last week's turnout was light... Actually turned out to be more of a jam. Brett, Michael, Yossi, John K, Pancakes, Tim & I had a blast. The audience seemed to enjoy himself.

The pic above is a veritable who's who of the local open mic scene... Pete (runs the Fine Grind OM), Meg (ran the Church Street OM last year), Jan (runs Jiggs's OM) & Ilsa (runs Tierney's OM). I'm wanna be just like them someday. Historical note: also pictured is the PA from the late lamented Montclair Center Stage.

This week's musical birthdays include Nilsson, Wilson (Brian, that is) and Ray Davies.

Arugula, Chicken Marsala, Boneless Short Ribs, Farfalle, Panna Cotta & whatever else (and whatever preparation) the spirit moves me will be on the menu.

Peace,
Greg