By Tom Badger
Special to TimeOut
08/27/2010

WAUKESHA – Fall is right around the corner but the stage managers for Freeman Friday Night Live want to remind everyone that, due to popular demand, the weekly music series runs through the end of September.

“As the weather gets a little cooler with autumn arriving, it’s the perfect weather for strolling in downtown Waukesha,” said Kathy Garcia, stage manager for the Rockin’ on Broadway site, located outside her Poppin’ on Broadway store at 264 W. Broadway. “After work and now that the kids back at school, there is no better way to start your weekend.  People really want to be a part of the action down here.  I am really looking forward for the month of September.”

Roger Igielski, president of the Downtown Waukesha Business Association, agreed.

“The seven stages of live music in downtown Waukesha run for 17 straight weeks, from June through September, so we have five weeks left of fantastic entertainment,” Igielski said.  “September is a great month to put some structure back into your life. School is in session, the vacations and picnics are over and the weather during the evenings of September is gorgeous so why not plan to come downtown every Friday night and help us finish out the season on "a high note.”

The entire season has been a ‘high note,’ a direct reflection of the hard work of the stage managers at all seven stages.  In addition to creating a comfortable environment for attendees with chairs, outdoor tables and umbrellas, the stage managers are responsible for booking the talent and making sure the night runs smoothly.

It’s not always an easy task.

"Looking at the nights, I am firmly convinced that we have the absolute best Friday night entertainment in Southeastern Wisconsin," said Kerry Mackay of The Steaming Cup. "Where else can the good people of Waukesha or any small town find seven stages of free personal music that gives you the chance to sit six feet away from the band making the music.  Personal music finds the musician sitting with you during the break after his first set. Just wait until the rest of our area finds out about this secret."

The other stage managers include Jeff Fisher at the Waukesha Antique Mall on Bank Street, Norm Bruce and Sally Shoemaker at Martha Merrell’s/Cuddles on Main Street & Gaspar, Kerry and Terry Mackay at The Steaming Cup on the corner of Main Street and Clinton, Karla Harper at Sprizzo’s Gallery Café at 463 W. Main Street, Jim Oberholtzer at Generations at Five Points and a collaborative effort between Out Post Music, Beading Heart Studio, Jess Fleur Fun and Ryan Peters of the Clinton Street Gallery.

Scheduled to appear Friday are Craig Siemsen & Patty Stevenson at Martha Merrell’s/Cuddles, Chad Witty and Buffalo Al at Sprizzo’s, Alexa Grey at Generations at Five Points, Apple Jam outside of The Steaming Cup, Working for Tips at the Sounds on South stage and Brian Olson at the Waukesha Antique Mall.

Freeman Friday Night Live is sponsored by the Downtown Waukesha Business Association, The Freeman, ProHealth Care, Waukesha Business Improvement District and Today’s TMJ4. For more information, please call (262) 544-8030 or visit gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.


A good 'Story' to tell at Freeman Friday Night Live

By Tom Badger
Special to TimeOut
08/05/2010

WAUKESHA – When Matt Story picked up the guitar for the very first time, it was his own version of Love Story.

"The guitar was love at first touch," said Story, a 28-year old Greendale resident.  "I had played musical instruments before, but the guitar gave me the opportunity to accompany my own voice and write my own songs. Within a few weeks, I was banging on my mom's old guitar and writing three-chord songs. I was hooked."

And now, his audiences are hooked.  Story has become a regular performer at Freeman Friday Night Live.  He returns to the patio garden outside of Sprizzo’s tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. 

“My mom, who was a music teacher and church music director, started me in music when I was very little, so I've been singing in front of audiences for almost as long as I can remember,” Story said.  “Music has been a part of my life since the beginning, and I've had musical ambitions on some level since I was a kid. My senior year of high school is when I decided I wanted to be a musician for the rest of my life.”


Matt Story

Inspired by singer/songwriter James Taylor, Story takes his audiences through some of the best musical ‘stories’ from the likes of  Taylor, Neil Young, Paul Simon, and Jim Croce. 

Story is accompanied by a limited edition, Ovation guitar.

“The one that seems to connect with Friday Night Live audiences the most is Taylor's ‘Fire and Rain,’” Story said.

Story has written several of his own songs that he performs on occasion, including his favorite one, “John.” 

“ It's the story of a boy who leaves home to sow his wild oats, gets a little older, decides the wild oats aren't what they're cracked up to be, and goes home to settle down with a nice girl,” Story said.  “No one ever settles down in rock songs, so after I got married and started to settle down myself, I wrote "John" as kind of an anti-rock song.”

What can audiences expect tomorrow?

“If you like the classic singer-songwriters of the 60’s and 70’s, you'll be a big fan of my outdoor shows at Freeman Friday Night Live and the Waukesha Farmer's Market,” Story said.

Joining Story at Sprizzo that night will be The Drugstore Cowboy.

At the other stages, Barefoot ‘N’ Bluejeans return to The Steaming Cup stage, Elliot Dennison and Buffalo Al tag-team the stage outside of The Waukesha Antique Mall, Mike & Kathy Gallenberger play at Martha Merrell’s/Cuddles, and The Notebenders will fire up the Rockin’ on Broadway stage.  Pat Dermody will do an acoustic set adjacent to Generations at Five Points and Rath, Pelrine and Stevens play the Sounds on Sound stage.

Freeman Friday Night Live is a rain or shine event and sponsored by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association, ProHealth Care, Today’s TMJ 4 and The Freeman.  For more information, call 262.544.8030 or visit gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.

 
Local singer/songwriter Pat Dermody to play Freeman Friday Night Live

By Tom Badger
Special to TimeOut
08/02/2010

WAUKESHA – Freeman Friday Night Live has been called many things over the years from fun to fantastic to just plain cool.

Leave it to local singer/songwriter Pat Dermody to come up with perhaps the best description yet – “organic.”

 “It's nice to have the opportunity to be apart of something so organic right in my backyard,” said Dermody, who makes his Freeman Friday Night Live debut at the Generations at Five Points stage starting at 6:30 p.m.  “It has the feel of a community-based event where a lot of hands are making it possible. I have been living in Waukesha for the past five years and love the opportunity to walk downtown and see live music on the streets.”

Friday night, Dermody will ‘be’ the live music.  He is scheduled to perform a solo, acoustic set without his Burgundy Ties band, which plays over 100 shows each year.

And going it alone often has its advantages, he says.

“It's been a healthy way for me to try out new material, as well as have the freedom to play sets that are not preconceived,” said Dermody, 31, and a Waukesha resident.  “I'm a singer/songwriter with blues/rock/folk tendencies and I've written most of the songs for my band.  The show is like an unplugged version of the band's songs and some tasty covers along the way.”

The ‘unplugged versions’ come from the Burgundy Ties’ 2010 release, “On The Other Side,” and new material from an upcoming second album. Dermody’s web site, www.burgundytiesband.com, has several short clips available, including “Broken Heart,” “Merry Go Round” and “Leeway.”

The ‘tasty covers’ are from Dermody’s musical influences Willy Porter, Paul Cebar, Eric Clapton and Tom Petty.

“I'm also what you'd call a music freak and am influenced by a wide spectrum of music,” he said.  “I like to play different sets every night, but I am usually keen to play whatever is new.”

Also scheduled to appear Friday is guitarist Ben Kammin at the Sounds on South Street stage, Waukesha’s Joey Leal at The Steaming Cup stage on Main Street & Clinton, Rick & Peter D’Amore at the Rockin’ on Broadway stage, Chad Witty and Buffalo Al inside the outdoor patio at Sprizzo Gallery Café, 363 W. Main, Mike & Kathy Gallenberger at Martha Merrell’s/Cuddles site while Brian Olson plays the Waukesha Anitque Mall on Bank Street.

Freeman Friday Night Live is organized by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association and is a rain or shine event.  In case of inclement weather, the performances move inside at each stage location.

For more information, call (262) 544-8030 or visit gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive


El Rey and the Night Beats return to Freeman Friday Night Live

By Tom Badger
Special to TimeOut
07/29/2010

WAUKESHA – Ray “El Rey” Ojeda has been performing in and around Waukesha for over 50 years. It’s no wonder that the leader of El Rey and the Night Beats easily recalls the start of Freeman Friday Night Live.

“We were the first band to play for the Freeman Friday Night Live series a few years ago,” Ojeda said.

In August of 2004, The Freeman hosted a special night with El Rey and the Night Beats on a Friday night inside the Rotunda Building in downtown Waukesha. Six years later, the well known Waukesha-based band returns to the popular weekly music series at the Rockin’ on Broadway stage beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

Due to a large anticipated crowd, Broadway will be closed off to traffic between Main Street and Gaspar, as will Main Street from Barstow to Maple. It is suggested that attendees bring their own lawn chairs.

Friday’s booking was six months in the making. 

At a special edition of Freeman Friday Night Live in January during Waukesha JanBoree, Kathy Garcia saw “El Rey” and some friends enjoying music at El Ranchito Restaurant on Broadway.

Garcia put aside her nervousness and approached the leader of the band.

“As El Rey is a well known hometown Waukesha band, I decided to ask him if he would play this summer at our stage,” said Garcia, owner of Poppin’ on Broadway and Rockin’ on Broadway stage co-sponsor. “I thought that the band might be out of my league. He has been around forever and has a large following. I was so nervous. 

“Without any hesitation, he replied, ‘I will give you one date.’ So, after the show, being in disbelief, I asked him again and he replied again, ‘I will give you one date, just call me and we will figure on a date that will work.’ I was so shocked, happy, and I could not believe it.”

As it turned out, “El Rey” had never been asked to perform at Freeman Friday Night Live.

“We are a big group with eight band members and two sound and light guys so no one ever asked us (to play a Freeman Friday Night Live) because they know what are fee is,” Ojeda said. “All of my guys agreed that it would be fun to play downtown Waukesha again, so I said we would be happy to play.”

Both sides agreed on tomorrow night.

Joining “El Rey” on stage are regular band members Terry Thuemling (guitars), Gene Schiller (bass, keyboards), Jeff “Duffy” Wage (drums), Jack “B.J.” Gebhardt (guitars, keyboards), Rich Gonia (guitar), Ray VonGunten (sax, keyboards) and Jim Cappozzo (trumpet).

What’s been secret to the band’s longevity?

 “We kept our day jobs even 53 years ago when we thought we might become ‘rock stars,’” Ojeda said.  “We enjoy playing and watching people have fun partying and dancing, some of whom have grown older with us.  We have fans from 16 to 86 years old.”

Many of them likely  remember “El Rey and the Night Beats” at the Rotunda at the first Freeman Friday Night Live six years ago.

Also appearing Friday is Theiss & O’Connor outside Martha Merrell’s Books/Cuddles, Finian McCoy at The Steaming Cup, Hotdamn at the Waukesha Antique Mall, Joey Leal on the Sounds on South stage, Alexa Grey adjacent to Generations at Five Points restaurant and Drugstore Cowboy and Buffalo Al in the outside patio at Sprizzo Gallery Caffe.

Freeman Friday Night Live is a product of the Waukesha Downtown Business Association.  In the event of inclement weather, the music moves inside at the host stage. For more information, please call (262) 544-8030 or visit gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.

 

Barefoot 'n' Bluejeans will do both Friday night

By Tom Badger
Special to Time Out
07/15/2010
 

WAUKESHA – It’s a sure bet that Tim McNulty, Steve Hollister and Megan Hintz will be wearing blue jeans for their performance tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. at Freeman Friday Night Live.

Also scheduled to perform this week at Freeman Friday Night Live are guitarist Ben Kammin outside The Steaming Cup on Main Street and Clinton, Jessie Voelker and Friends at Sprizzo Gallery Caffe’, Matt Story and Buffalo Al at the Waukesha Antique Mall stage on Bank Street, Alexa Grey at the Generations at Five Points, Ben Weiss at the Sounds on Sound stage, Rosewood & Steel at the Rockin’ on Broadway stage.

Musical sound brings Spring City Grass back each year

By Tom Badger
Special to Time Out
07/08/2010
 

WAUKESHA – Some music just seems to sound better in the good ol’ summertime.

Perhaps that’s why Spring City Grass is invited back year-after-year to Freeman Friday Night Live.

The Waukesha-based bluegrass band will start the pickin’ tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. outside the Waukesha Antique Mall on Bank Street.  The popular free music series in downtown Waukesha is in its sixth week.

Waukesha Antique Mall stage manager, Jeff Fisher, sets up a cozy spot right near the fountain at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus Commemorative Plaza.


Spring City Grass has played at various venues throughout the state,
including Freeman Friday Night Live, where they are schedule to appear tomorrow night.
 

“We don’t get the biggest crowds, but I’ve been told by a lot of people that we have the most comfortable stage on Fridays,” said Fisher, owner of Waukesha Antique Mall.  “We have seating for 50 to 60 people, as well as many other spots nearby. Last week, we had a large group watching right from the Bryant Bridge.  Being right near the fountain, the audience area seems to be a bit cooler, too.”

In other words, the perfect spot for bluegrass music?

“The sound of Bluegrass seems to touch all human emotions and it’s filled with life’s lessons,” said Harlan Pilon, the band’s co-founder. “You can tell when the audience is really getting into it when they clap in rhythm, hoot and holler.  The fans, like those at Freeman Friday Night Live, seem to bring out the best in the band.  When the band is having fun, the audience is having fun and visa-versa.”

Spring City Grass has been a regular at Freeman Friday Night Live for many years.  The group also played for the Badger Steam and Gas show in Baraboo, Plainfield Thresheree, Strawberry Fest in Cedarburg and, for the past seven years, the Waushara County Fair in Wautoma.

Spring City Grass, now in its 28^th year, is seven members strong: Pilon, Bob Laitinen (mandolin), Lynda Pilon (vocals), Kim Knutson (fiddle), Tom Nowlin (banjo), Emily Knutson (bass) and Clark Speck (guitars).

Pilon said the hootin’ and hollerin’ is at its loudest during the band’s renditions of “Orange Blossom Special,” “West Virginia” and “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

Fisher added there is plenty of free parking near the stage.

Joining Spring City Grass this week is Apple Jam at the Steaming Cup, Pete Llanas outside Poppin’ on Broadway/ El Ranchito restaurant,  and Don Linke, next to Generations at Five Points.  In addition, Elliot Dennison and Buffalo Al double-team the Sprizzo Gallery Caffe site,  Rath Perline and Stevens triple-team the Sounds on South stage and Theiss & O’Connor return to the ProHealth Care stage outside of Martha Merrell’s/Cuddles on Main Street and Gaspar.

“Join the hundreds of guests who come every week to enjoy themselves in Historic Downtown Waukesha and Riverwalk,” said Roger Igielski, the president of the Waukesha Downtown Business Association.  “Although there is a lot to see at eye level, make sure you also look up every so often at the incredibly beautiful historic architecture that we’re famous for.”

Freeman Friday Night Live, sponsored by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association, is a rain or shine event.  There are seven stages featuring the area’s top talent.  For more information, call (262) 544-8030 or visit gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.

 

Singer/songwriter has an appetite for music

By Tom Badger
Special to Time Out
07/01/2010
 

WAUKESHA - Perhaps you've already seen the 'skating' food runners at area drive-ins, but tomorrow night, you can see the 'singing' food runner as part of Week 6 of Freeman Friday Night Live.

That's when 18-year old singer/songwriter Alexa Grey performs outside the Generations at Five Points restaurant, where she is employed.

"I started off as the busser and then they (Generations) found out I could sing and asked if I wanted to start playing Thursday nights and I said 'yes' right away," said Grey, a Waukesha resident.  "Recently, I was promoted to food runner - and I love it. So, I guess, I'm their official singing food runner."
 

Grey's musical menu includes both cover and original songs. On Friday, she will be accompanied by local guitarist Jamie Ellinger.

"I am inspired by any artist who sings and writes with their heart and with emotion, like Tracy Chapman, Colbie Caillat, Tyler Hilton and The Band Perry," said Grey, who lists one of her song list favorites as "Kiss the Girl" from Disney's The Little Mermaid.  "I write from my experiences and things that happen to me or my close friends.  By sharing myself with others through music, people can relate and they can feel like they're not the only ones to feel a certain way."

Grey got her appetite for music at the age of five from her grandfather.  Through the years, she honed her singing voice in choirs, at weddings and for friends.  Five years ago, she began playing the guitar.

To date, Grey has finished 13 original songs and "10 more are works in progress." She is hoping to record her first single by the end of September.

"On the outside, I'm just a silly girl who has a passion greater than herself and whose dreams may seem far out of reach," Grey said. "By having fans, and people who come back to see me or just stop and listen for a short time, tells me that little bits of my dream are getting closer and closer."

The next little bit starts tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

Elsewhere, Ian & The Dream make their only Freeman Friday Night Live appearance this year at the Rocking on Broadway stage.

“When the neighborhood kids were playing outside, I sat inside dissecting Beatles’ songs,” said Ian Abrahamson, the band’s front man.  “The Beatles have been the greatest influence on the band’s sound. As others have noticed, Ian & The Dream has an arresting, immediately recognizable sound as the Fab Four did.  Also, like the Beatles, we can play a piano ballad or a hard rocker and still sound like the same band.”

Ian & The Dream band members include Chivo on bass, and Dan Budziszewski on drums.

Also scheduled to perform are The Lonely Hearts on South Street & Clinton, Mike & Kathy Gallenberger at Martha Merrell's/Cuddles stage on Main Street and Gaspar, Waukesha's Richard Holly brings his rhythm and blues sound to The Steaming Cup on Main and Clinton, while Chad Witte and Buffalo Al are at Sprizzo's Gallery on E. Main and Hot Damn headlines the Waukesha Antique Mall stage on Bank Street.

Freeman Friday Night Live is sponsored by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association.

For more information, please call (262) 544-8030 or visit gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive


Expect a ‘dog gone’ good time with classic rock trio
The Water Dogs’ range of music should add to festive event

By Tom Badger
Special to Time Out
06/17/2010
 

 WAUKESHA - If you want to compliment The Water Dogs tomorrow night at Freeman Friday Night Live, don't wait until their show is over.

Do it 'during' their show.

"For us, the best compliment is going into a new club or venue and getting the crowd up and dancing," said John Kosmatka of The Water Dogs, who will be playing Freeman Friday Night Live for the first time tomorrow. "Having played at the Nice Ash (downtown Waukesha) several times, we really like the vibe of downtown Waukesha from the outside dining, interesting shops and of course, live music. I think the Water Dogs will add to the festive atmosphere."

The Water Dogs are part of Week 3 of Freeman Friday Night Live, the popular live music series in downtown Waukesha.  The weekly event is run by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association.  Seven stages throughout downtown Waukesha showcase the area's best talent.

 The Water Dogs includes Kosmatka on vocals and guitar, Ken Korducki on bass and Rob Riley on drums.

"We played together when we were in college in the mid eighties, which puts us in our mid-forties, and we remained friends," Kosmatka said. "We decided to get back together about three years ago and now we do a show about once a month.  If you like classic rock, played with energy and style, you'll like the Water Dogs!"

According to its web site (www.waterdogsrock.com), the band's ‘primary focus is on material that is slightly off the beaten path, yet instantly recognizable. The band covers a genre-crossing range of artists like Ray Charles, Roger Miller, The Clash, Elvis Costello, AC/DC, the Beatles, any many others.’

"That's what the people coming down to Freeman Friday Night Live can expect from us, as well - a rocking show with some favorite songs and some they may not have heard in a while," Kosmatka said.  "All of our songs are covers and our anthem tunes would have to be 'Jumpin Jack Flash' or 'Fortunate Son.'  We've been doing those songs forever and they always seem to get the people going."

The Water Dogs will try to get 'em going at the Sounds on South stage, near the corner of Clinton and South Streets.

Also playing Friday is Tom & Barb Webber at Martha Merrell's/Cuddles stage, guitarist Ben Kammin outside the Steaming Cup, Jesse Voelker at Sprizzo Gallery Caffe’, Elliot Dennison at The Waukesha Antique Mall, Alexa Grey returns to the Generations at 5 Points stage and Rosewood & Steel play the Rockin' on Broadway stage.

Freeman Friday Night Live is a rain or shine event.  Each individual stage has an indoor location in the case of inclement weather.  For more information, call (262) 544-8030 or visit gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.


Show No. 500 tomorrow night at Sprizzo, Freeman Friday Night Live

By Tom Badger
Special to The Freeman
 

WAUKESHA – The Dirty Boogie has played at nearly every music venue in southeast Wisconsin.  You name, they’ve played it, including Miller Park, Summerfest, and Wisconsin State Fair.

What about Freeman Friday Night Live?

Tomorrow night – and for the very first time – the Dirty Boogie will play the popular weekly music series as part of Sprizzo Fest, the 13^th anniversary party at Sprizzo Gallery Caffe,’ located at 363 W. Main Street.

According to Ben Janzow, the band’s front man, Friday’s appearance will have special historical significance as it marks the Dirty Boogie's 500th show.  The group of Janzow, drummer Tom Hagen and bassist Robb Syverson, hooked up early in 2006 – or about 230 weeks ago.  That translates to over two gigs per week for four and one-half years for the Waukesha trio.

 “I played the first early years of Friday Night Live as a solo and always have thought it was a great idea,” said Janzow, the band’s lead singer and guitarist. “Now to see hundreds of people up and down the streets each week is amazing.”

The Dirty Boogie plays dance rock music from the 1970s, 80s and 90s.  Janzow said listeners will hear covers by Journey, Queen, Prince, Cheap Trick and more.  Most recently, the band has added “Hey Soul Sister” by Train, “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas, and “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5.

A complete song list and sample tracks are available at www.dirtyboogie.net.

“Sprizzo is an upbeat venue featuring great food, drinks, art, and live music,” Janzow added. “We love playing there and being our 500^th show makes it that much more special.”

Opening for the Dirty Boogie at 6:30 p.m. is Hotdamn Buffalo Al.

Elsewhere, Don Linke plays at Generations at 5 Points stage, Waukesha’s Joey Leal performs outside The Steaming Cup on Main Street and Clinton, the father-son duo of Rick and Peter D’Amore returns to Freeman Friday Night Live to team up at the Rockin’ on Broadway stage, while Crystalis hits the Sounds on South stage, near the corner of Clinton and South Street.  The Waukesha Antique Mall will announce its performer later this week.

Freeman Friday Night Live, organized by the Waukesha Downtown Business Association, is a rain or shine event. Alternate indoor locations are used in case of inclement weather.  For more information, call (262) 544-8030 or visit www.gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.

 

Freeman Friday Night Live kicks off the summer season

By Tom Badger
Special to TimeOut
06/02/2010

WAUKESHA – Fans of Freeman Friday Night Live will be in ‘seventh heaven’ this summer as the popular free music series on the streets of downtown Waukesha returns Friday night.

-The Steaming Cup on the corner Main Street and Clinton;

-Martha Merrell’s/Cuddles at Main Street and Gaspar;

-Waukesha Antique Mall on Bank Street near the Fox River;

-Poppin’ on Broadway on West Broadway near the Five Points

-Sounds on South stage, near the corner of South Street and Clinton.

For more information, please call (262) 544-8030 or visit www.gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive.