BlueStoneIvoryBlog

Princeton Concert CANCELLED for tomorrow...

We will be rescheduling the Princeton High School concert for another date TBD soon. The weather got the best of us this weekend. We certainly didn't want to play to an empty theater and no one would expect you to come out into this bad weather for a show.

Belated birthdays are fun...at least I think they are. I'm proud of my age. My kids think I'm getting old but I still play Rock-n-Roll music and I don't let them forget that. So at 58 I'm doing really good.

Last Friday we publicly embarrassed Carol Schilling. She is one of our most loyal fans. It is a rare occasion that she miss one of our performances.

Her birthday was actually last Saturday January 30th but we weren't gong to see her then so we brought her on stage and announced it and gave her a special present from her favorite band.

And now here we are doing it again. We love you Carol. You keep coming back. In fact the funny thing is she was going to miss this concert. Her granddaughter was giving a very special recital and Carol needed to be there for that.

 

Next weekend we will be back at Jim & Jack's, one of our favorite places to play. So plan on coming there and having a nice dinner and then you can dance the night away to the Rock-n-Soul, Rhythm-n-Roll sounds of BlueStone Ivory.

For our complete schedule through April 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs 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

Merry Christmas from BlueStone Ivory

We would like to wish all of our friends and fans a very Merry Christmas. We hope to see you all at the Marriott on New Years Eve. If you haven't made your reservations you can call the Marriott New Years Eve reservation line at 513-645-4607. There are a few packages still available.

Here is a video of BlueStone Ivory performing on Fox 19 WXIX TV on Christmas Day 2008.

 The contest winners of the New Years Eve packages are: Don & Cindy Chalfant (half package), David & Chris Loucks (half package) and Rick Ervin the Full package. Congratulations!

 For our complete schedule through April 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

New Years Eve is near...Make your reservations NOW!

Our spotlight will be on Doug Shicks family this week. Doug is one of worlds greatest crew persons a band could ask for. You will see Doug running spotlight for us. He and Dave Kastrup are responsible for how we sound and look. They show up first and unload the truck and set up the stage at every gig. We couldn't do this without them. THANKS GUYS!

First of all a Happy Birthday to Debbie, Doug's wife. She celebrated her birthday at Bar Seventy-One on December 5th. They had cake and we played one of her favorite songs "Locomotive Breath".

 

Next a BIG THANK YOU goes to Dave Soete, Doug's son-in-law. He is the artist that designed our Caricature.

With the most recent changes in BlueStone Ivory it was necessary for Dave to make a few updates. He added Mark on bass and shaved Gary's mustache to match his brand new hairless upper lip look.

This is really a fun photo. We have a blast using as often as we can. As a matter of fact, everyone attending the New Years Eve Event at the Marriott Hotel this year will be receiving our 2010 magnet calendar with this photo attached. You will be able to display it on your refrigerator and mark all the BSI gigs on your handy calendar.

Time is running out...

to make your reservations for our fabulous New Years Eve Event 2009. You have until this Friday at 12:00 noon to make your reservations through our website www.BlueStoneIvory.com  to be entered into the drawing to win ONE of THREE GRAND PRIZES. We will be giving away One full package worth $325.00 and Two half packages worth $162.50 each (tax and gratuity not included).

It will be unbelievable again this year with the Marriott's deluxe room accommodations, dinner, dancing and open bar all night long, late check out the next day with breakfast buffet. All this for only $325.00 per couple. You will not be able to beat this party or price anywhere in the Cincinnati area.

You can pay an additional $75.00 and stay an extra night. That way you can watch the  play in the Sugar Bowl, Ohio State in the Rose Bowl and all the other bowl games that day with all your friends in the fantastic bar on New Years day. The Marriott will provide free Hors d'oeuvres in the afternoon. You don't have to go anywhere for the time of your life.

So don't wait. The reservations are flowing in. We have the party 70% sold at this time. If you wait till after Christmas you may not get in. We have sold out each year for the past 3 years.

 For our complete schedule through April 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

 

 

Introducing Mark Bertram

Last Saturday night at Jim & Jack's was the first time Mark played with BlueStone Ivory. The general consensus is He did great! Actually better than great. He will be a definite benefit to the BlueStone Ivory family. Check out the video...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com   you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in  Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!   It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?  Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you.  Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do.  We can never say enough thank you's. 

Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

From all of us in BlueStone Ivory we wish each and everyone of you a Blessed and safe Thanksgiving Holiday. We will see you all on December 5th at Bar Seventy-One.

Don't forget to register for our fabulous New Years Eve Event 2009. It will be unbelievable again this year with the Marriott's deluxe room accommodations for two, dinner, dancing and open bar all night long, late check out the next day with breakfast buffet. All this for only $325.00 per couple. You will not be able to beat this party or price anywhere in the Cincinnati area.

Not only that but if you register through our website www.BlueStoneIvory.com. You will be entered into the contest to win one of three grand prizes. One complete package for two and 2 half packages for two. (excluding tax and gratuity) So don't wait. The reservations are flowing in. We have the party 20% sold at this time. If you wait till after Christmas you may not get in. We have sold out each year for the past 3 years.

For our complete schedule & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs 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

 

BSI on the move...

New Years Eve packages are ready
You can make your reservations NOW!

We are really on top of things this year. You can go to our website www.BlueStoneIvory.com and follow the directions to make your reservations for New Years Eve 2009 and be entered into the contest. The Grand Prize is a FREE full package. The second and third place prizes are packages at Half Price.

Another extra bonus this year is the second night for an additional $74.00. You can make it an extended stay and enjoy all the amenities of this grand hotel on New Years Day.

As most of you know. Lee Heftel our bass player, vocalist and very dear friend is leaving BSI at the end of October. His last official gig will be Halloween at Bar Seventy-One. We will really miss Lee. His shoes are going to be hard to fill. We are holding auditions for his position Thursday night October 22. We have 3 possible candidates to look at. We hope one of them will work for us. We plan to debut our newest member to the BSI brotherhood at Jim & Jack's on November 20th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some memerable moments with Lee over the past few years.

For our complete schedule & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs 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.

It's about time...where have we been?

We've been quite busy this summer. Hard to believe it's almost over. Where has the summer gone?

BSI has played 3 parish festivals, 6 concerts, 2 Blast of Brass shows, on our way to our 2nd time at Coney Island this year, a couple of our favorite night clubs and we played at the grand opening of the Cincinnati Premium Outlets Mall.  Whew! that's a lot of gigs for one summer and we are now at summers end.

Be watching your email. We will be posting some video's from the summer gigs somewhere on the website and we will let you know when and how to view them.

        

Please be sure and mark your calendar for this Friday night at Moonlite Gardens. We are going to have a blast at the last Garden Party for 2009. Then the Friday night fun will move to the brand new Guy's & Dolls in Cold Springs Kentucky. JD Hughes will be there most Friday nights along with BSI from time to time.

We will have our annual Halloween Dance at Guy's & Dolls on Friday October 30th.

On a lighter note. One of our members Lee's daughter Catrina Heftel and her horse "Penny" won best in Showmanship at the 2009 Butler County Fair. WOW! That is quite an accomplishment for a very young lady like Catie. Lee says he wasn't able to put in as much time as Catie's mom Becky who was with her every step of the way.

Catrina's Mom Becky gets up with her at 4:30 AM and goes and gets "Penny" (her horse) goes to shows all over Ohio...driving the truck and trailer with a messed up ankle! So you can see it's a mother/daughter thing and  a huge commitment for both of them. However it paid off. That's a very nice trophy.

 

 

For our complete schedule & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos from past gigs 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.

 

 

What a Gala event! and Veterans Day today.

Those who attended the Yearlings Gatsby Grandeur Gala event last Friday really had an enjoyable time. BlueStone Ivory performed for some very influential people. Famous folks like Steve Raleigh from Channel 9 news, Dick Gregory owner of Montgomery Inn Boathouse and Sheriff Simon Leis.

There were many Flappers & Gangsters and a few BSI regulars in attendance. 

Our dear friends Karen, Sandy and Carol were there dressed for the occasion and dancing up a storm. The place was packed and the Yearlings raised a lot of money for their many charity organizations.

Tuesday November 11 is Veterans Day. That means the Banks, Schools, Post Offices, and Government buildings will be closed in honor of our veterans past and present.

Ted has designed a beautiful web page in honor of our veterans for your enjoyment. Feel free to go to it and leave it up on your computer throughout the day. The patriotic music will play all day for you.

Just go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com and click on the Veterans emblem.

May God bless each and everyone of you and especially our veterans.

From all of us in BlueStone Ivory...THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIVING AND SERVICE FOR OUR FREEDOM

Proud parents soon to be....?

Rusty and Diana Bird are two very proud parents. They will be attending a very special reception this evening hosted by their son Greg's army post at a reception hall somewhere in the Sharonville area. The purpose is to say good-bye for a short while (50 weeks) to their troops including Greg who will be leaving tomorrow morning for Afghanistan.

Greg and his wife Lindsey live in Louisville Kentucky and have just told Rusty and Diana the great news...They are going to be grandparents. That's right Lindsey is pregnant and due in April 18th 2009. Greg may not be home at that time unless the army gives him a special leave to come home for the birth of his first child.

Let's hope and pray that the army gives Greg a week or so to come home for that. In the mean time Rusty and Diana are on cloud nine. Rusty says "I'm ready to be a grandpa...I can't wait".

Greg has been following BlueStone Ivory for many years. He and Lindsey always enjoy coming out to hear his dad play, especially during the summer...they like to come to the outdoor concerts and church festivals.

Here is what we need from everyone. Take a moment today and say a prayer... God, watch over Greg to have a safe trip and journey in "Your Speed" to come home to his loving wife Lindsey, his new baby, his loving mom and dad Diana & Rusty, his two sisters Laura and Kristine. Please God watch over Greg and grant our prayers. Amen

You can send a special greeting directly to Rusty at Rusty@BlueStoneIvory.com. He will pass on any messages to Greg and his family.

Gary Puckett opens for BlueStone Ivory at Jim & Jack's

Many of you were with us this weekend...so you know how much fun we had. Do you know how much work goes into a gig like doing the Gary Puckett show?

First we had to convince Ennie Jim the club owner that this would work. Gary Puckett is Ennie's all time favorite entertainer and this was a dream come true for him. However he had to put up the money $$$ and we would like to thank him for that. Next was taking care of Gary Puckett and the band as well as if not better than they would get on a regular concert tour. They rarely play night clubs and that was a hurdle. Lee Heftel our bass player and a long time friend of Gary Puckett personally took care of Gary and his small but mighty group, Woody (bass player), Billy (drummer), Mariano (keyboards) and of course Gary. If it wasn't for Lee this concert would not have materialized. As it turned out Lee who toured with The Gary Puckett show a couple of years ago got to sit in and play a song with the Gary Puckett show Saturday night.  

                                                                          The concert went off without a hitch. However there was a tremendous amount of planning and preparation involved. CODA (Cincinnati Oldies and DooWop Association) hosted Gary Puckett and his show. WDJO 1160AM radio the original oldies radio station in town took care of all the publicity.

BlueStone Ivory had a large hand in pulling this concert off in high class, style and grace. Thanks to Dave Kastrup and Jim Kastrup for their preparation and tenacity through the 3 hour sound check. Gary and his group was absolutely blown away at the preparedness and professionalism portrayed by the Kastrup brothers. Most people have no idea of the time these two gentlemen put into prior to setting foot in the club on Saturday afternoon.

We must also thank Mark Walker for lighting the stage at the appropriate times. Doug Schick for handling the spot light. These two also had to work double time to clear the stage and get BSI set up in record breaking time to start playing dance music for the concert attendees at Jim & Jack's.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     The Gary Puckett concert was played through the BlueStone Ivory sound and lighting systems. We had to bring in a lot of extra gear to comply with the Gary Puckett show requirements. We needed extra monitors, and house speakers to accommodate that size crowd.

A BIG thanks goes to Ted Donohoue for the use of his two guitar amps that Gary Puckett played through. Keith Clifford for letting Billy play his drum kit. And Rick Schmidt for letting Mariano play his electric piano. And Jim Kastrup for the use of his keyboard.

As I said it was a full joint effort on behalf of everyone involved. I would also like to thank Rusty Bird and Amy Schmidt for taking these photos during the concert.

BlueStone Ivory has really done a lot this year. We are so grateful to you our fans for all your support. So Thank you for being there for us. If it wasn't for you ...all these shows, concerts, rehearsals wouldn't mean a thing. You are why we do all this.

Here is another reason we do all this. This video clip was taken by Jo Donohoue at Keehner Park. You will find it to be self explanatory.

Just click on the link to watch and listen.

Download 25_or_6_to_4_bsi_jacksonmed.wmv

For our complete summer schedule & directions to our gigs, 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.

A BSI Quiz!

What does Gary Puckett, Coney Island and Keehner Park have in common?

...BLUESTONE IVORY...

That's right. It's time to get serious and buy your tickets to the greatest night club concert in Cincinnati for 2008. On July 19, 2008 You will be entertained by one of the greatest recording artists of the 1960's. Gary Puckett recorded these hits :      "YOUNG GIRL"
"WOMAN WOMAN"
"LADY WILLPOWER"
"OVER YOU"
"THIS GIRL IS A WOMAN NOW"
"KEEP THE CUSTOMER SATISFIED"
"DON'T GIVE IN TO HIM"
"HOME"

The show will begin at around 9:00 PM with Gary Puckett and his fantastic band taking the stage. They will mesmerize you for the following 90 minutes or more.

To round off the evening, directly after Gary Puckett finishes his performance and a small set change, BlueStone Ivory will take the stage and play for you until 1:00 AM.

There are only 65 regular tickets left at $35.00 each. Call and make your reservations to come early.  Jim and Jack's will be open and serving dinner before the show.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Call Jim & Jack's  3456 River Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45204 513-251-7977 as soon as you can and reserve your seats for this once in a life time event. Make checks out to CODA.

 

Remember...tonight is the big night at Coney Island's Moonlight Gardens. We really look forward to this gig. It is one of our most favorite gigs to play each year. Why??? Because we get to share the stage and evening with Mr JD Hughes of WGRR 103.5 FM and WARM 98.5 FM Radio. JD will start playing your favorite tunes at 7:00 PM as the doors open. BSI will take the stage at 8:00 PM and you know what we will do!!! JD will spin more tunes on our next two breaks. Therefore you will be getting continuous music from 7:00 - 12:00 midnight. You can't beat that for $8.00 per person. We always have a great crowd that loves to dance the night away to the Rock-N-Soul, Rhythm-N-Roll horn driven sounds of BlueStone Ivory.

This Saturday night is another of our favorite places to play. This will be our 8th year back to Keehner Park in West Chester. We always have a great crowd. Families come with the kids and pets and picnic baskets and make an evening of it. West Chester Cable TV is always there to video tape the performance and they will play it back on the local West Chester cable channels over the following few weeks.

So mark your calendars for this Saturday night beginning at 7:00 PM at Keehner Park in West Chester Township off of Barrett Rd.

For our complete summer schedule & directions to our gigs, 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.