Hey, Good Lookin’! Hello! howdy! aloha! shalom! hola! bonjour! salve! Welcome to the February edition of “Tits Up Big Apple” where we explore the multi-cultural, multi-talented and inclusive music of Manhattan. All are welcome, and always will be, to enjoy all that this muse-sical muse has to offer. I’ll never let you gentle readers feel “Alone and Forsaken” or so lonesome you could cry. This month we are going to take a look back at January and look to the future at the same time, like Janus the god of beginnings and transitions. Our adventure starts on Day 1 of 2025, January 1st, at the infamous Hank-o-rama!
Hank-o-rama 21, a tribute and celebration of Hank Williams, whose untimely passing occurred on January 1 more than 70 years ago, was held at the Bowery Electric. This phenomenal show would not have continued for as long as it has, since 2004, without the fine folk of the Lonesome Prairie Dogs, specifically Heidi Lieb and Steve Strunsky.
The show opened rather ominously with the reading of Hank Williams untimely demise and obituary by Jeff Ward bathed in the blue lights of the Bowery Electric, followed up a few delightful Hank Williams songs by the Lonesome Prairie Dogs. The Lonesome Prairie Dogs, with Lenny Kaye on pedal steel and the Lonesome Horns, holding down the stage, brought down the house with “Jambalaya” “Mind Your Own Business” and “Luke the Drifter” (Lenny Kaye on lead guitar) while also welcoming a broad array of talent to the stage. The stage was also blessed with the presence of none other than Stephanie Marie, the Tennessee MC, who also added her lovely voice to the mix.
The first of the guest vocalists was Jack Grace, who while living upstate, still travels to routinely perform throughout the boroughs at local watering holes. Other vocal local talents that evening include Alan Lee Backer, Tammy Faye Starlite, Jack Grace, Sean Kershaw, Boo Reiners, Elena Skye, Cliff Westfall, Monica Passin, Karen Hudson and Nikko Lieb. The night was brought to a close after over 2 hours of tunes, but only after the raffle winner had her chance to hop up on stage and warble “Hey, Good Lookin’” to an appreciative audience who all sang along with her. “I Can’t Help It” if I’m still in love with Hank Williams’ music and the annual Hank-o-rama showcase every year.
BUT this lady is the lucky one, because even though I didn’t win the raffle, I get to enjoy all the performers at Hank-o-rama again, ‘cause they all got gigs in the city, solo, with their own bands or as part of other ensembles. Here’s a few tasty tidbits:
Sean Kershaw, the one and only singer to be part of all 21 Hank-o-ramas, has a Johnny Cash Tribute Show on February 15 at the Bowery Electric. A chance to sing Folsom Prison Blues will be raffled off too.
The Jack Grace Band is setting up shop at the 11th Street Bar on February 18, and every third Tuesday of the month. Put it in yer’ calendars.
The lovely Tennessee MC Stephanie Hall has her second show, Serve the Song, a Songwriter Swap, on February 19 at Sid Gold’s Request Room. I think this is gonna be a thing and kudos to Stephanie!
And that’s just the local Manhattan festivities. There are other boroughs ya’ know beyond the isle of Manhattan. In fact, there’s a whole world of music and talent out there to be discovered. I hope everyone, musicians, artists, creative folk of all backgrounds are able to continue to feel welcome, as I have been welcomed by all of you. This may be a crazy ole world, but you can count on this muse to raise her fist and voice in defiance shouting for all to hear, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
With that I leave you my muse-ical friends, until we meet again on the streets of the Big Apple, between the pages of news or maybe even between the sheets, be well and be loved… It is February after all, the month to celebrate luv in all its forms. Sending you love, sweet candy kisses and may you get all you desire and more. I remain as always, your musical muse, Medea Hoar.
#bkmuses
Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery, NYC
Sid Gold’s Request Room, 165 W. 26th St., NYC
11th Street Bar, 510 11th Street, NYC
