I Want Rock N' Roll!!

More to come!!  Stay tuned!!  Here's a little tease.........

xo
Michelle

Tribute This! Guns N' Roses

Hey folks!!  It has been a very long time!  This old girl has been busy finding herself, quitting her 9-5 and getting real with what's real.  I've rid myself of the demons in the corporate world who were just sucking the creativity out of my brain and I am back in the game once again.  Happy to be here so let's get this party started!

I'd heard about this show a few months back, it was a double billing with KISSTORY, an absolute ruler of the Kiss tribute band community, and Tribute This! Guns N' Roses, a Guns N' Roses tribute that I really wanted to see.  Dumb luck put this gig at the tail end of my vacation and I was pretty bummed that I'd miss it.  I knew what KISSTORY was all about-- I used to travel with them as the band photographer so I was assured a top notch performance with those guys.  I'd heard of Tribute This! Guns N' Roses and I really wanted to check them out because I'm a GNR fan and, well, Slash IS a musical genius and I was really hoping that the "tribute guy" could pull it off.  Long story short, I came home early and I was heading straight for the South Shore Music Hall!!!

I planned on getting there at 8pm when the doors opened but my GPS had other ideas.  The freaky thing had me doing donuts in an intersection a stone's throw away from the venue for at least 30 minutes.  Dizzy with it all I finally asked for directions.  I felt like a complete idiot as this total stranger pointed to a building directly behind me.  What can I say?  Par for the course.

By the time I got there Tribute This! Guns N' Roses had already taken to the stage.  I walked in on Used to Love Her and just stood there as the band came into view thru the crowd.  Wow, they really look like the real deal and they sounded as awesome as they looked! 

I worked thru the crowd and found my table of friends.  The place was already packed and it was clear that people were having a great time--even better, I was having a GREAT time!!  They played a full set of fan favorites including My Michelle, Knockin' On Heaven's Door and Sweet Child O' Mine.

I made it backstage after their set and met a few of the band members.  I wish I had had time for more chit chat because they really seemed like a great group of guys!!  Band members include....

Jim Cipollini as Axl Rose....

Mike DeAngelis as Slash......

Jesse A. as Duff.........

Dave Tibodeau as Gilby Clarke.....

Mike A. as Matt Sorum...........

Missing from tonite's lineup was Daryn Ostresh as Izzy Stradin......

This show was awesome but seeing them once was just not enough.  Word is that their next gig is on September 7th up in Acton, Maine at IronTails Saloon.  It's definitely worth the road trip to see these Rockstars!!!

See you at the show!!!

--Michelle

Booking information

 Tribute This! Guns N' Roses

Mike A.  978-767-0577

tributethis@verizon.net

+Michelle Morrissette Cucchiaro

+I Shoot Rockstars

Tribute This- South Shore Music Hall

Stay tuned!!  More to come....

xo

Michelle

+Michelle Morrissette Cucchiaro

+I Shoot Rockstars

Holiday Reflections, Fa la la la la and All That

The egg has been nogged, presents wrapped and unwrapped and spirited merriment has been made.  The whirlwind is over and its time to reflect back on the haze that was the holidays.  Besides happening upon my new favorite cocktail, clementine vodka (Svedka if you please), I've been forever changed by my latest discovery, international song sensation Kevin McManus.

Somehow I finagled the coveted invite to a holiday party hosted by local real estate tycoon, Amanda Armstrong of Sotheby's By-The-Sea, and attended by Rockport's finest.  I was absolutely giddy over the whole thing but I did my best to remain inconspicuous (ha!), well-mannered and composed. Inconspicuous was tough as I moved thru the elbow to elbow crowd with a gigantic camera around my neck.  Oh well, I wasn't arrested so I'm fairly certain I conquered "well-mannered".  Success!

While I expected entertainment at this little soiree, I had no idea of the caliber.  McManus was easy and smooth.  He had us swaying and swooning and rockin' and rollin'.  He played the guitar effortlessly and took requests from the crowd.  It was a perfect start to a perfect holiday season!!

While I'd love to tell you that Kevin McManus is easily booked here in the States, you'll have to wait in line.  McManus resides in Sligo, Ireland full time with his lovely wife Clara.  For booking information Kevin can be reached via Facebook just follow the link to the right or you can always shoot me an email at ishootrockstars19@gmail.com  and I'd be happy to put you in touch with the rockstars!!

See you at the show!!

New Blog Site Coming Soon!!

NEW BLOG SITE COMING SOON!!  Stay tuned for "Baked Stuffed Life"!!!  www.bakedstuffedlife.blogspot.com check it out!!!

Quick Pic from the Back Page

I took a quick ride up to Lowell tonight to see the Mike Payette Band featuring Cassandre McKinley. The Back Page is a great little underground spot in an alley just off Kearney Square adjacent to the river.

It was a foggy night but it made for a cool pic.....

Loved the decor inside too...........

The music was great!  Smooth and easy..........

Cassandre McKinley

Check it out sometime!!  

See you at the show!!

John Paul's ReminiSing

Forgive my A.D.D.....stay with me now....

He's jazz and opera, he's rock-n-roll, blues.  He's classical, bohemian, all manner of purpley hues.

He's one fish, two fish, he's 50 shades of blue fish.  He's master and maestro and, no, he's not jewish.

He's Monster Mash and Applehead.  He's teacher, brother and son.  He's man giggle and boy laugh.  He's lovely and lyrical and fun!

He's Johnny, Johnny P., J.P., just John.  He's Daddy.... seriously now, H.R. Pufnstuf?  Come on!!

Uno's 4-cheese, Tiki bars and Drakes.  Lost in Space, Mikey, Wella Balsm breaks. 

ReminiSing, ReminiSing
Come on down, we're ReminiSing
ReminiSing, ReminSing
Come on down, we're ReminiSing!!!!

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!!

John Paul

Clever segue if I do say so myself!! This blog is long overdue.  In my own defense, it's been the most difficult to write so far.

How do you write about tenacious perfectionism?  How do you write about musical genius and even begin to scratch the surface of the greatness of it all?  I don't feel qualified to adequately comment on it.  It must be experienced and that is exactly what I'm going to urge you to do.  Go live ReminiSing.  Go out and spend some time with these creative talents, both in this band and in the other bands they are affiliated with.

John Paul's latest band is ReminiSing.  He's assembled some of New England's finest musicians for this multimedia throw back to the 60's, 70's and 80's.  The members of this psychedelic crew include:

Mike Payette on upright and electric bass and vocals....

He can really hit those high notes!!

Dave Ayotte, percussion and vocals.....

Chris Lussier on keys, guitar, vocals, puppetry and various sesame street sounds......

Brian Butler on drums and vocals.....

Last, but certainly not least, the always effervescent, 
John Paul............

A striking rendition of "Menamena" and the crowd goes wild!!

These guys take you back to an easier time when music was vinyl or cassette and sometimes even 8-track.  We were barefoot, carefree and drinking from the hose back then and life had never been better.

You'll know every song, be encouraged to sing along and I promise you you'll be talking about ReminiSing at the water cooler for weeks to come.  Their harmonic perfection and expert musicianship are worthy of their already door-busting following!  In Dr. Pepper style, wouldn't you like to be a groupie too?

I saw them up at Whippersnappers in Londonderry, NH and I guess you are guaranteed to find them there on the last Thursday of every other month.  Mark your calendars for October folks and get there early if you want a seat!

He lives love and gives love, we're lucky to have him, that's all.  You'll want to know him, so get to know him, that awesome man, John Paul!!!

See you at the show!!

For booking information contact:

John Paul Productions
john.paul17@myfairpoint.net

Or you can always contact me and I'll put you in touch with the Rockstars!!

Michelle Morrissette Cucchiaro
Ishootrockstars19@gmail.com

It's Such a Paul Thing To Do..............

Mick's Pick of the Week, Volume I Lost Count

Stevie.....

The Mighty Mystics Hit The Spot!!

The road took me to Providence, Rhode Island to a hidden gem called The Spot Underground.  I'd seen this venue advertised in various places and I'd been wanting to check it out for a while.  This place breathes creativity and it's got to be one of my favorite venues yet.  

The unassuming exterior of this place gives nothing away to what you'll find through that front door.  

Not only does The Spot have music 7 days a week, they also exhibit art from local talents.  The art is not confined to canvas, it takes various forms and you'll see it on the walls, behind the bar, hanging from the ceiling--pretty much everywhere you look.

When you walk in, you pay the expected cover and make your way toward the stage.  There are multiple floor levels (not multiple floors, but floor levels--stairs, ramps, etc) and you are underground so you get that speakeasy feel that is brought current through the artistic expression that is virtually everywhere you look.  There's a dance floor and several lounging "nooks" with comfortable seating of various types..........

This is my kind of place.  The picture is a bit deceiving.  We got there early so the crowd was just starting to fill in.  Believe me, they can pack 'em in this place, and they do!

Top billing this night went to The Mighty Mystics, a reggae band with an all-original set list.  

By the way, that's the thing that makes The Spot such a gem.  If you want to play there (and believe me, if you are a worthy musician, you do) you've got to play all original music.  Cover bands and tribute bands need not apply.  All genres welcome.

Personally, I'm not a reggae follower but I like my island music at the right time and place.  These guys were good and I was swayin' and head boppin' with the rest of  'em.  They drew a crowd and obviously had a following.  Unlike a night of metal, the atmosphere was just all so easy. I was in the mood for easy and The Mighty Mystics delivered!

The Mighty Mystics.........

This was an all around A+ evening and I can't wait to visit this musical haven again soon!!  As for the music, The Mighty Mystics are rockstars!!

See you at the next show!