BlueStoneIvoryBlog

BSI Fan of the Month

Each month we plan on featuring one of our loyal fans as Fan of the Month. We will, with their permission of course, tell you a little about them and why they were picked fan of the month.

For the month of June 2008, our Fan(s) of the month are Carol & Kevin...

Carol has been a BSI fan since the Tavern Owners Ball in 2001. She met Kevin in 2002 and introduced him to BSI at the Tavern Owners Ball of that year. They have both been loyal fans ever since. In fact there is rarely a gig that their smiling faces aren't in the front row. They especially like Keehner Park and St Johns (outdoors) and Jim & Jack's (indoors).

Carol has another secret passion...that is to follow #22 Sean Casey - now with the Boston Red Sox. She had her picture taken with Sean in the Cincinnati Enquirer and Kevin had it enlarged and got it autographed in 2007 spring training. WOW!   

Kevin's two favorite hobbies are music and sports. He especially likes music. So much so that he has attended 231 concerts since 1976. Kevin says "I love all types of music except metal, hip-hop and opera."

Kevin's top five national acts are: 1) Yes, 2) Rush, 3) David Benoit, 4) Michael Buble, 5) Ambrosia.

Kevin says "For local acts - I think there are 2 acts to see: BlueStone Ivory and Erich Kunzel"                                                                                                                                               

Carol says going to see BSI at the end of the week is such a great stress reliever after a hard week's work. She loves to hear Ted on "25 or 6 to 4" Gary's flute solos on "Colour My World" and "One In A Million", Rusty's sax on "When A Man Love's A Woman", Rick's vocals on "Nasty Habits" and "Sweet Home Chicago", Lee's vocals on "Domino" (and his Rush appreciation); Multi-Tasker Jim - always playing two instruments; and Keith's drumming and musical ideas for the band. And as far as the band crew: Dave (aka Mongo) - How do you do it all??? regular job, sound man, and honey-dos; Doug - You're a true friend, someone I can count on; Mark the young one...your youth inspires these gentlemen :>) Keep up the hard work.

Kevin says "Personally I have been stuck in the 70's - and think that's some of the best times and music. That's why I really enjoy BSI. I've seen this band become very 'polished' over the years. Their set list keeps getting better and better. It's great to see them keep adding more selections to their shows. Each year you see the same festival asking for BSI for their next year's show- this really says it all."

Over the years, we have met new BlueStone Ivory fans - and have seen more and more regulars. I truly enjoy BSI for their talents, selection of music and dedication to their busy schedules. "Keep On Keepin' On.

Thank you BSI fans for your thoughts and prayers

Ted says "Thank you" for all the thoughts, emails and especially all the prayers. The doctors were very pleased with the operation. They found only one node and removed it. He is now to rest the next couple of days and not speak for at least 4 days and the doctor says NO SINGING for two weeks.

Well, that is tough for Ted to take. We say follow the doctors orders. We don't want any future damage to that golden throat of yours. But Ted communicates that he will see what the doctors say on his follow up exam before the 3rd of July. He is hoping he can sing at least a couple of songs at the Blast of Brass in Fairfield.

I'm sure you all agree...we have enough material to give Ted a break for a couple of gigs. But we will leave that up to Ted and his doctor. I just thank God everything went well.

If you want to send any messages to Ted you can go to the end of this post and click on Comments and leave us all a comment for Ted. Or you can email him direct: Ted@BlueStoneIvory.com. Not being able to talk leaves him with not much to do. So he really enjoys all the emails. So bring them on.

Speaking of the Blast of Brass... Both groups, Second Wind and BlueStone Ivory are gearing up for the final two rehearsals. The two rhythm sections will be together tonight Wednesday to iron out the four songs we will be doing together. Then on Monday June 30th all 17 members from both entire groups plus the BSI crew will gather together to work through all the logistics of the set-up on performance day and run through the four songs together...just one last time.

This will be a show you will not want to miss. We are so psyched up about it we cannot stand it. Lee is a nervous wreck...this is his baby. It was his fantasy, turned to a dream becoming a reality. So be sure to mark your calendar for July 3rd. You will want to be at the Red, White and Kaboom. Fairfield Independence Day Fireworks Celebration at Village Green Park beginning at 6:15 with the Fairfield Idol finals, The Blast of Brass, Second Wind, more Fairfield Idol finals, BlueStone Ivory, another dose of Blast of Brass with the big finally and Rozzi Fireworks at 10:00 PM. WOW!!!

For our complete summer schedule, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory. To view our hundreds of photos from past gigs or to listen to BSI on the Gary Burbank show just go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com.

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402. email Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com.

Ted needs some prayers on Monday morning

My dear friend for many years needs all of our prayers. He is a little shy about announcing such an ordeal...so I will do it for him. Ted has been struggling with his throat and voice for many weeks now. He has continued to carry a small sore throat that seemed like a cold or allergies.

He visited a nose and throat specialist a couple of weeks ago and the good news is that it isn't allergies or a cold. What they told him was he has several small nodules that need to be surgically removed. They seem to be harmless except for the continued irritation that effects his speech and more so his singing ability on occasion and becoming more frequent as the weeks go on.

Therefor with BSI off the next two weekends Ted was able to schedule the out-patient surgery for Tomorrow morning Monday June 23rd at 8:30AM.

We all need to pray for the surgical team that will be operating on Ted to guide their steady hands through the surgery to be successful and ask God to help Ted heal swiftly and painlessly. Help him follow the doctors orders and not speak for 3 - 4 days to allow his throat the proper time to heal so he will be able to communicate with his family and friends and especially to allow him to continue to pleasure us with his beautiful singing voice again very soon.

I know Ted would appreciate all the prayers we can give him. So if you will, go to the bottom of this post and reply with the comments button in your words of encouragement to Ted or wish him well with your special prayer.

Or email him direct to Ted@BlueStoneIvory.com. He cannot talk for several days but he can read and he will be reading his email.

Thank you and God Bless you.

Chicago & Doobie Brothers...great concert

Tuesday was the date, Riverbend Music theater was the place for the Chicago & Doobie Brothers concert. It was a real treat to say the least. Nicola Congiu a young Italian love ballad singer opened the entire evening at 7:30 and played till 8:00. Then the Doobie Brothers came on and rocked the place for about 1 hour.

After intermission we were charmed by the familiar tunes of Chicago who opened with one of my favorites from their first album Chicago Transit Authority "Introductions" and then went into a medley of several other hits. After dazzling the audience for over an hour they took a very short break to reset for the huge Encore...Chicago and Doobie Brothers together on stage playing 6 more favorites. 3 Doobie Brother songs and 3 Chicago tunes with the grand finally "25 or 6 to 4". WOW! This was a concert to remember for weeks to come.

                                                                    I took these photos with my Blackberry Curve PDA camera phone.

BlueStone Ivory will be back at it again this weekend. You don't want to miss seeing and hearing the horn driven sounds of your favorite classic rock band.

Saturday night we will be in Reading Ohio at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart parish festival, 177 Siebenthaler Rd. from 7:00 PM till 11:00 PM.

This is our second time to play this festival. Last year was a blast and this year should be even better.

Sunday evening from 6:00 till 8:00 PM BlueStone Ivory will perform at the Sycamore Township Concert series in the North Recreational Facility at 11797 Solzman Rd.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  So bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music at this special 2 hour concert. 

Go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com for our entire summer schedule, times and directions. All our summer concerts and festival performances are free admission.

What a week we had

BSI survived the busiest week of the year. Thursday's Art Museum gig was a lot of work because we had to haul our equipment from a loading dock to the center of the museum in the outside garden. We had some help from Museum workers. David the security guard and Alma the elevator operator. They were both a great help.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Friday in Wilmington for the Banana Split Festival...well, we got wet. Just a little. We had plenty of plastic on hand. And the Show must go on.   

Saturday was a beautiful night and a great crowd at St Gabriel's Parish festival in Glendale.

Sunday brought us another day of great weather for the St Michael parish festival in Sharonville.The Children's choir started things off that afternoon...then we got to Rock the people, after being introduced by our friend and fellow class mate from Moeller High School, Greg Pitchiano who works at a radio station in Atlanta GA.

We were attacked by Cicadas...that Jim loved and then suprised by the tatoo lady Carol.

We do Weddings GOOD! Plus a busy week ahead

Hi everyone...did you miss us this weekend? Well, we played at a wedding reception Saturday night at the Western Hills Country Club.   Here are some highlights.   

WHCC was a great place for the wedding reception. The Bride & Groom, Hilarie and Mike were totally thrilled with the entire party. They said it was more than perfect. Little did they know that BSI had to jump through a bunch of hoops to pull this performance off. Those of you who follow BSI know we are a fairly large band. Many times the people who hire us and the the hall management don't realize exactly how much space we need.

I made a visit to the WHCC two months ago to mark off the space we need. Yet as expected management attempted to fit all the extra RSVP guests into the ballroom by adding tables and chairs with little regard to where the entertainment will fit. However we made it happen regardless of how little space we had to work with. Everything turned out good as you can see from the photos. Of course Rusty charmed the Bride & Groom with "When A Man Loves A Woman" and Jim was the perfect Emcee. We all dressed up and enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the Country Clubers in attendance. Even Keith and his Chico Marx impression. From my vantage point right behind Lee and Ted next to Rick we all had fun and WHCC wants us back for other functions.

Then on Sunday we ventured to Mason for their second of year Sunshine Concert Series. Many of you were there and know how much fun that was. (click on thumb nails to enlarge)

                                                                              We had a great time Sunday. It was taped by ICRCTV so if you are interested in watching our performance later this week just click on the link and enjoy.

The flags in "God Bless the USA" were sponsored by Gary Rossignol of RE/MAX Unlimited...that is why he had his RE/MAX balloon hovering along side the stage. If anyone is interested in sponsoring the flags at one of our gigs just call or email Gary at 513-777-2402 or gary@BlueStoneIvory.com.

We are getting ready for the busiest week of the entire year. We start playing on Thursday and play 3 more dates in a row.

Thursday night June 12 we are at the Cincinnati Art Museum for their annual "A Taste Of Duveneck 2008". It is open to the public. Tickets are $75.00. It is their annual fund raiser. Great food and drinks. Fantastic auction items and Cincinnati's best classic rock band from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Friday night  June 13 we are in Wilmington Ohio just 15 minutes north of Kings Island at the Banana Split Festival. This is our 3rd year back to this super fun event. We are all in it for the dessert. We play from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. Entry to the festival is FREE and all the food and goodies are well worth their price. Did you know that Wilmington is the birth place of the Banana Split?

Saturday night June 14 we are in Glendale, Ohio. 48 W Sharon Ave.for St Gabriel parish festival. We will be performing from 7:00 pm till 11:00 pm. It is a great festival with all the booths, food and beer you would expect at a parish festival. We have played here many times and we always walk away fulfilled that we had fun and so did you.

Last but not least...Sunday night June 15 we will be at St Michael parish festival in Sharonville. We perform from 6:00 pm till closing (10:00 pm). This is our second time to this festival. This festival is very special to Ted and me. St Michael school is where Ted and I met in the first grade. Yep, we attended grade school together at St Michael and then we were off to Moeller High School together. I am still an active parishioner at St Michael.

For all the details, times & information on these gigs plus many other items of interest visit our website at www.BlueStoneIvory.com. We hope to see you many times this week.

Mason is the place this Sunday night

BlueStone Ivory in Mason Sunday for our second outdoor concert this year.

                                         We will be at "Mason Sunshine Concert Series" This Sunday June 8, 2008.   Located at Corwin Nixon Park, 6249 Mason Montgomery Rd. behind the swimming pool and recreation area. Our concert begins at 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. We suggest you bring your lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. (These photos are from our Mason concert we played in 2007.)

The city of Mason has been promoting our concert on 700 WLW The Big One. (click to listen)  ICRCTV will be video taping our performance and will be broadcast on Warner Cable in the future. We will let you know where and when you can tune in to watch us on TV.

Thursday night we have full band rehearsal to put the finishing touches on several new songs we hope to play for you Sunday.

We do have a gig to play before Sunday...however it's for a wedding reception. Yes, we will play wedding receptions. So if you know someone, son or daughter, cousin, brother or sister, friend or co-worker getting married consider BlueStone Ivory for the reception. We can do it all. In fact this bride and groom has requested many special songs to be played. Dave our sound engineer maintains a huge repertoire of songs from all genres on his lap top computer. Therefore we will be able to play exactly what they need at the precise moment they want it. And of course BSI will provide hours of familiar Rock-N-Soul, Rhythm-N-Roll horn driven dance music.

For our complete summer schedule, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory. To view our hundreds of photos from past gigs or to listen to BSI on the Gary Burbank show just go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com.

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for your wedding, party or dance call Gary Rossignol phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402. email Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com.