"All the time I'd been playing in tune, but...see the tempo is the whole thing in music. The whole goddam thing."
- Miles Davis
THE RANGER REPORT - MAY 2025 - The Official Newsletter of The Mighty Manatees Medicine Show - "Celebrating 39 Years of Survival Against Overwhelming Odds"
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!
CAFE @ MAIN STREET - Come and sit beside a creek and watch a waterfall while herons and eagles fly above you. This is what awaits when you see us play outside every other Thursday at Cafe @ Main Street in Sellersville, PA. The acoustic trio of Randy, Ras Mykl, and myself, will perform a free, all ages, pet friendly show from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursdays, May 8th and May 22nd (Lisa Woodstock's b-day). Good food, good music, good people. NOTE: If it rains, it's cancelled.
http://www.cafeatbucksmill.com
THE RIBBY WILL ROCK! - The Mighty Manatees electric 6-piece band will return to The Mighty Ribby in Bridgeport, PA, on Saturday night, May 10. I will be playing my melodica and there will be musical guests, as usual. Showtime is 9:00 to 1:00 AM. Special thanks to Sweet Melissa. http://www.theribby.com
MOTHER'S DAY! - If she's still alive, remember to call your mom. Here's me playing a free Mother's Day concert in Winnipeg way back in 1983: https://youtu.be/dvDiJzeRuTE?si=pIgtieD2bMcYacGT
CHAMBERS 19 - On Friday, May 16, Randy Wagner and I will join Bob T. & Co. (Robert Raynor - electric guitar, David Rizzo - electric congas) onstage at Chambers 19 in Doylestown, PA. Showtime is 7:30 - 11:30 PM.
SLY FOX AFTERNOON - We LOVE playing outside! The Mighty Manatees five man band rocks The Sly Fox, in Pottstown, PA, on Saturday afternoon, May 17. Showtime is 2:00 - 5:00 PM. This is a free, outdoor, all ages, pet friendly event. http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/pottstown
FARACOS - Your friendly neighborhood pizzeria! Randy, Tom Mussleman, and I, will play Faracos in Quakertown, PA, on Friday, May 23, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Tomato pie. Special thanks to Andrea.
ANNUAL BOB DYLAN BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE! - Yes, it's that time of year again! On Saturday, May 24, Bob Dylan will turn 84 (!) and we'll be playing our annual Bob Dylan birthday tribute at Dharma Bums in New Hope, PA. We will be playing two 75-minute sets of Dylan's words and music. An acoustic set will be followed by an electric set. Showtime is 8:00 - 11:00 PM. http://www.dbums.com
GREAT AMERICAN PUB - Another free, outdoor, all ages show on Sunday afternoon, May 25, when our quintet (featuring John RB on sax) will perform outside at The Great American Pub in downtown Phoenixville, PA. Showtime is 4:00 -7:00 PM. http://www.thegreatamericanpub.com
PANACHE - Randy and I join Bob T. & Co. If it's nice out, we'll be playing outside on the patio at Panache in Blue Bell, PA, on Friday, May 30. Showtime is 6:00 - 9:00 PM. If it's not nice out, we'll play inside.
VIDEO OF THE MONTH - This month's clip is a tribute to our fallen comrade Karl "K-Jo" Frick who passed away suddenly last summer. This video was put together by Ted The Fiddler and it features Karl playing three songs with us at a show at The Fitzwater Station. On the last song Karl sings lead. https://youtu.be/gxeQOYUCdFU?si=IstnW-5Moh1Dhn2B
Well, that's about all our band news for now. Enjoy the season and don't forget your sun screen.
And be kind,
Ranger Will
MAY 2025 -
8 - Thurs - Cafe @ Main St., Sellersville 5 - 8
10 - Sat - The Ribby, Bridgeport 9 - 1
11 - Sun - MOTHER'S DAY
16 - Fri - Chambers 19, Doylestown 7:30 - 11;30 PM
17 - Sat - Sly Fox, Pottstown 2 - 5
22 - Thurs - Cafe @ Main St., Sellersville 5 - 8
23 - Fri - Faracos, Quakertown 6 - 9
24 - Sat - BOB DYLAN 84TH BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE, Dharma Bums, New Hope 8 - 11
25 - Sun - Great American Pub, Phoenixville 4 - 7
30 - Fri - Panache, Blue Bell 6 - 9
http://www.themightymanatees.com
http://www.bandcamp.com/mightymanatees
http://www.launchgood.com/TDRPalestine
IN PASSING -
Ruth Buzzi...Lulu Roman...Jill Sobule...Chuck Connelly...David Briggs...Rubby Perez...Stan Love...Stanley Palitz...Robert Stuchell...Wink Martindale...Betty Webb...Alice Tan Ridley...Clem Burke...Andy Bey...Nancy Bea Hefley...Cora Sue Collins...Mike Peters...Jay North...Donna Jordan...Val Kilmer...Jed The Fish...Johnny Tillotson...Christopher Camp...Andrew Scott Campo...Roy Prosterman...Ted Kotcheff...Virginia Giuffre...Roy Thomas Baker