Thursday night kicked off the Steel Bridge Songfest 2010, hosted in Sturgeon Bay, Door County for the 6th year in a row. It was listener Appreciation night so admission to the venues was free. So much music going on, where to start? I needed a cup of coffee to get me going so I headed to Glas Coffee house where the Hollands were hosting the night of music. They were finishing up their first quick set of songs and gave the stage up to Laura Sovaskos. Laura now resides in Nashville TN, but has roots up on Washington Island. After Sowaskos, Randy Bruce got up and played a little country for us all. He switched it up a few times with a banjo and a mandolin. From there, Katie Dahl took over backed by Rich Higdon on upright Bass. Craig Greenberg showed up with Wally Ingram on percussion and belted a few songs out before I decided to head off to 3rd ave and check out what else was happening in the area.
Across the bridge (The Concrete one) I went over the the Company Store Cafe. It was a packed house as Adam Mackintosh hosted the nights event there. Too crowded for me and my big camera bag so I hung outside with a fellow photographer and listened to some tunes as I snapped a few pics.
Onward down 3rd Ave. to Poh’s Elliot Goettelmen was doing his job and guarding the door while Curtis McMurtry played his medley of tunes. Time for the Door Man to get up and play! Elliot took the stage and entertained us for a great group of songs he wrote. Many more musicians were lined up, but my friends from Little Marsh Overflow were headed to Cherry Lanes to see what was happening over there so I followed, Right Rongly was just getting started when we arrived. A rockin Duo of guitar, vocals, and drums. Scottish McMillan, the lead man used a set of loop pedals and effects for a very unique sound that will not disappoint.
Onward to the next venue, The Ladder House. Abnormal Cattle was finishing up there hard and heavy set with head banggin and dreads tossing about. The talented, Geri-X was next in line. Wally Ingram and Eric Mcfadden backed her up for a pleasing set of songs that were learned on the spot. The night was still young, but off to the final venue of the night, The Red Room.
I had been looking forward to this all week long. My friends, The Dirty Deuce are back in the county for a stint this summer. Last fall they moved to Austin TX for the winter where they took their sound to a new area. Rob Atwood and Jamey Clark are the Dirty Duo. You will not find a bigger sound than this from a duo. Jamey keeps a hard and steady beat throwing in vocals to accompany Rob’s powerful and entertaining guitar and lyrics. Great music, big crowd, lots of fun! They rocked it and got everyone hot and sweaty.
Then came the closer for the night, Toivo. The night prior, The Nick’s played at Husby’s backed by a good portion of Toivo. I was fortunate enough to have sat in with them for a few songs on bass and got a taste of what was to come for Steel Bridge. They did not disappoint ! Hard rockin jams with some slow sexy songs got everyone up shaking their tails and raising their hands in the air. “Time to GO!” yelled the bartender and the night was finished.
What a night! A great start to a weekend of music. So much was heard and more was missed. What’s on the list for tonight?
Door County Half Marathon
Dan,
Just wanted to say thanks for the shots and the little write up on your site. Sure was another fun week! Take care – hope we can hang sometime this summer….