Hi, everyone and Happy Cinco de Mayo! Looking forward to getting out tonight for a margarita and great music from The Mercury Agenda at Coins and Doc Marten & The Flannels at The Purple Moose.  We’re all reeling from the news this week of the passing of local legend Joe “Smooth” Jacinto, sax man extraordinaire.  While I want to say so much more about Joe, I’m going to finish talking to those who knew him best for their insights into this wonderful human being we all loved and will miss so much.  I’ll be sharing those stories with you soon; but for now, I want to talk about the new generation who are rockin’ our socks off.  I’m referring, of course, to the Gavin Evick Band.

Last Saturday at Harborside was epic from Evick (is that a thing? Now it is).  This young band opened for Cecilia’s Fall.  Most of you already know that Jeremy Brink and his band Side Project had been playing there for years; so when Jeremy’s son Gavin Hades and his band were ready, he invited them to open for his new band that has now morphed into Cecilia’s Fall.  The stage is set: Logan Blake on guitar, Gavin Evick on vocals, Gavin Hades on guitar, Jacob Gsell on bass/keyboards and Steven Hudgins on drums.  I was sitting in the dining area and couldn’t see the stage area (which was killing me; I like to be right up front, LOL!) but I sure could hear them.  My friends all went up front to get a look at what they were hearing and I just remember suddenly being hit by a blast of a sound wave that sent my arms flying into the air and pushing me back in my chair as I hollered “Whoooo!”.  These guys have been playing at a few places now, including the Salisbury Center, the Tally Ho Theater (Leesburg, Va.) and Ocean 13, and I can tell you, they’re ready to headline their own show.  I’ll be there!  Gavin Evick’s dad, Pete Evick (guitarist with the Brett Michaels Band), came out in support of his son and played a few songs with them.  I could tell by the cheers from the packed-to-the-walls crowd he was there but didn’t see him.  No matter - the young guys were amazing; and I really really mean that.  They have original material but pay homage to classic rock with authentic covers - I mean rock your face off good.  One of their originals caught my hear as the keyboard part was so beautiful: “Favorite Things.”  Good job, Jacob, who Jeremy tells me also plays keys on Bon Jovi’s “Dead or Alive” but plays bass otherwise.  So much talent in this fledgling group.  All sing and have so much energy and musical camaraderie on stage that I can see from the pictures that all I can say is, they’ve got what it takes.  Don’t let any petty stuff stand in your way, guys.  Keep on rockin’ - you’ve got this.  Thanks to friends Nancy Jenkins and Steve Anis for getting photos for me (so I could ‘view’ vicariously) and thanks to the group for coming to my table to say hi.  View Fun Fotos for more. 

Now to Jeremy Brink and his new collaboration, Cecilia’s Fall.  We reported over the winter that Mike and Brian needed to step back from the every-other week in Side Project gigs (although they will have some dates this summer).  Gavin Hades had already been sitting in on guitar for most gigs; so it was only natural that they continue to play with a few changes in the lineup.  Michael Rogers, who had already been sitting in and has been playing with several different bands since he came to Ocean City, was the perfect choice for bass.  I’ve said of him, “Have bass, will travel.”  That’s what he’s doing Sunday when he will join the Jimmy Charles Band in Baltimore.  For the drums, they recruited Mike Hughes, who’s been around awhile, most recently playing duo with Kevin Compher.  Then they were lucky enough to find the amazing Tess Koller to ramp up the vocals.  This gal has the whole package:  statuesque, long-haired beauty with the vocal chops to sing any and all songs they throw at her from classic rock to ballads.  I totally admire the talent of this young woman.  So, there you have it - yet another fabulous band in our musical community.  I know that Tonight’s Crush did a few songs, too, but I couldn’t get/see much for that.  I can tell you Madame Dutchess played guitar with vocals by Megan Elizabeth.  Hope to hear more of them in the future.

Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill has reopened and I was there to hear The Chris Diller Duo.  As many times as he has played there, I’m embarrassed to say I had never heard him.  I really enjoyed his choices of song as did the appreciative audience filling the ocean-side patio at this beautiful venue.  Chris had his buddy Korey playing kongas and other percussion but Chris himself had too little drums, bass and snare, that he played with his feet.  That’s how he fills in the sounds for his solo gigs.  Pretty impressive, right?  Anyway, I plan to hear him again and you should too.  For this Cinco de Mayo, Darin Engh is just finishing up his noon slot and Monkee Paw is about to take the stage.  Tomorrow look for Heather Vidal to play at noon.  I can try to get up in time to hear her - LOL!  The Big Laird Band follows at 4p.  So much more, of course.  Check out the “Who’s Where When” or their ad in View Advertisers for all the good stuff.

Gotta run!  I’ve been so chatty I just realized the time and I’m anxious for music and a margarita.  Have fun and party safe!