My journey to Grady's 66 Pub and beyond

     The dog days of winter are here.  Yesterday was the blizzard here in Chicago land. It starting snowing and the forecast was dead on!   I heard yesterday that this was one of the five largest snow storms the US has ever seen.  I hope everyone stays safe and warm inside.  It really doesn't look too appealing out there to be driving around in, so again, stay warm inside.  I arrived home yesterday as it was biting our car in the ass as my husband drove along 1-55 near Springfield, IL.  He couldn't drive fast enough.  But once we got home it stopped and, then started again. 15" later.

     I didn't stock up or go to the liquor store, or even get milk.  I always have those types of things on hand for the most part.   I'm just not worrying about too much right now, except the families that are dealing with this awful war. My heart goes out to them. All of them, the active, the wounded, the missing, and sadly, the dead. From this day forward, I'm going to suck up every complaint that comes into my head and think of what they're going through.  Suck it up for them. Thank you Michelle Obama for opening my eyes. 

No long hot summer day on the Illinois River.

     This past weekend I managed to do a lot of what I do best: living, loving and laughing.   I was coerced, hahaha, into a journey to Oklahoma City with some family to pickup a piece of farm equipment. I was told that Mike McClure Band & amp; The Turnpike Troubadours would be playing at the Wormy Dog.   So I started making the arrangements, the little travel planner that I am.  Plans were pretty much set, the day after he coerced me.  I guess that's why I now call myself a music gypsy.  I rarely say no to a musical adventure and I take the planning kind of serious. Hate me, it's ok.   Guess I want everything to be the best it can be.  Right side of my brain is thinking Grady's 66 Pub, Yukon.

I heard about a "new" pub on this route!





     Like the forecast stated it was 75 degrees as we arrived in Oklahoma City.  My husband with the knowledge he has, said, "I hope this warm weather won't lead up to a bad storm."  He is a very smart man.  Neither of us gave it much thought after that, since we left Peru at 24 degrees and snowing pretty badly. We were ready for the warm weather that was in store for us, not to mention the music.



Sunny skies for OK City Jan28th





                                                                                                                                                                            
     Once we arrived the men did what the men needed to do, unload a 16' trailer and what not. So the girls did what the girls needed to do to. Jacuzzi and wine.  We thought about swimming, but it wasn't going with the wine as well as the jacuzzi did.  So we sipped and chattered for what seemed like a couple hours.  It was great, absolutely great.  Thanks, sister Mary.  I think we girls have to stick together and get away.  It was about as healthy a move as I could have ever made, if that makes any sense?  I was able to decompress, express and just simply be me.  After our crew was ready, we rolled across the street to the Wormy Dog and met up with some local friends.We visited a while before we took a walk down to the front of the stage.

     Seth Candan was the opener for McClure. I learned through the course of the evening that McClure produced Seth's new album, "The Aftermath."  My red dirt daughter* purchased it and will share it with me as I was too busy getting reacquainted with Seth.  He was one of the guys making music on the Big Music Cruise '09.  I remembered him instantly on stage.  Small world, I suppose.  I look forward to hearing his CD.  He was quite enjoyable as an opener, even as eager as I was to see the Mike McClure Band. 

At some point fairly early in the evening my friend VTS whispers, "McClure is playing tomorrow at Grady's.  Skinner told me."  I was like "What?, WHAT?, that's the surprise at Grady's?"  I am speechless, this is fantastic news.  

     The Mike McClure band played for quite a crowd.  I was happily tucked at the very front along with my husband and my red dirt daughter*. There was some pushing and shoving going on, per the usual. Bachelor party.   But I had a little comfort zone. So I stood and listened to the band play, I prefer not to talk during their musical performance. Occasionally I update here or there or share an unbelievable picture,  I confess. But how is it that people just flat out talk when the man is singing "The Skies are turning RED"? Alcohol, I imagine. Can they even hear each other?

     Mike's music is mesmerizing to me. To a lot of people. I find myself thanking my lucky stars that tomorrow I will hear him again. Now I'm in this pretty cool venue, The Wormy Dog, listening to him sing.  He and his band did a damn fine job up there pleasing the crowd. I couldn't tell you exactly how long they played or all what songs they sang. I was maybe in some sort of awe of the whole evening.  After the show, I was able to see Mike and Eric and thank them for the great show. I didn't see Tommy Skinner come out, but I had already given him a big ole hug when I arrived.  He is true-blue, one of the best. I managed to purchase yet another "band" shirt from the merch booth.  I knew I needed the Winged Guitar Shirt.  It was life or death.  Doing so, I met the woman behind the man.  Scottie McClure was gracious as we met, agreeing with me that the music level just got really loud.

     Loved that, after the live show, the music changed to dance music.   That is definitely a smart move on the WD's behalf.   Get everyone dancing so they can dance off the booze.  I had a hard time shifting between the two types of music;  my ears were a little confused. I wasn't in the dancing queen mode, probably due to lack of sleep and I was a bit hungry.  I will say that it ended a Perfect NIGHT @ IHOP.

Get out to Yukon and see Grady or maybe Garth. kidding

 

     Woke up Saturday morning after only a few hours of sleep.  After breakfast I took a walk outdoors and ended up joining "my people" at Tapwerks. After one draft beer, I was a little giggly. 7% alcohol and it was just 11:30. Instead of grabbing lunch, we headed over to Yukon to catch up with Grady Cross at his new pub, Grady's 66 Pub. 444 W. Main Street Yukon, OK. 

Grady and Robin's new home away from home!

     I bellied up to the bar and Robin greeted me right away with "Hello" and "Does Grady know you are here? Go tell 'em you're here." After grabbing some beers I headed outdoors to the beautiful 70 degree afternoon. Within a minute or two, Grady was standing there looking at me in a bit of disbelief.  He says "What the?, what, what are you doing here?. You came all this way." We shared some hugs and laughs and he got back to the business at hand. Introducing his first live act on the patio at his new pub, Kyle Carter.

Thank you all for coming out today

Jackie Diamond

Kyle Carter

     Shortly after, I got settled along the fence line, in the sun. A gentleman walked up to me and says "Are you the one  from the Chicago area?" I answer 'yes' and he introduced himself as Grady's brother, Nathan.  Gave my group a warm Grady's 66 Pub welcome and said Grady was really happy to have us and left me with several "free" drink chips.

     The opener, Kyle Carter, started entertaining us right at about 1:30.  He kept us entertained until Jackie Diamond showed up.    Mac/Diamond went on at about 3:00 sharp.   Once Grady got some things situated, he came over again and just said "I can't believe you guys are here. I just can't."   More hugs, more "free" beer chips and my kindred spirit was off to run his new and much different life.  My blessings to him, Robin, Shannon and Nathan. Thank you for everything.  I'll do anything I can to help spread your word.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Grady's 66 Pub

What would you like to hear Grady?

     Mike put on an incredibly interactive acoustic performance.  Grady had a really good crowd.  My brother in law who lived in OK for many years said, "I can't believe there are this many people in this bar in Yukon on a 75 degree Saturday, I'm shocked".  I said, "Grady Cross and Mike McClure could do it every time."

     Mike played some great stuff asking the crowd over and over what they wanted to hear.  Someone even said "Carney Man" and he obliged.  Crowd participation took over and everyone seemed to be having a large amount of fun. He sang "Nowhere Woman" into the video camera for a fan in Denver.   He was a riot, making faces and enjoying himself.  I loved the fact that the crowd knew him well enough to know to only buy him waters.  Goosebump moment, when I saw that. At one point he had 3-4 waters beside him on the stool.

Mike McClure

      After playing for an hour and a half, Grady asked him to play a little longer and he did. But mentioned he had another gig he had to get to.  They joked around and then Mike finished up his second out of three gigs he would play in twenty-four hour period.  Thank you Mr. McClure. You've outdone yourself again and you must be tired.  Grady having you as the host was about the coolest thing ever. I think you've "found your thrill" right out of your own backyard. Literally close enough to let the dog out.

Gotta run home and let the dog out.

     As we walked, he told me he had a funeral that morning for a friend and that he just didn't know how his day was going to go from there.  But when he saw me, it changed everything.   It made all the difference and he knew he could now get through it. I'm sincerely touched by that compliment and will probably never forget it. Thank you, Grady. 

     We had plenty of time to catch up before I headed out of Yukon, then back to the city for another night of music.   He's on the upswing, so get out to Yukon and show him some LOVE & amp; SUPPORT. I know I'll be back, I'm pretty sure they had a Hampton in Yukon, this gypsy has STANDARDS. 

More about my weekend, coming soon.


I need to pay attention to my husband, he is getting cabin fever.

Peace & Love

xxmusicgypsyxx

*Alison Bleich-Red Dirt Daughter to Mike and Jacque Urnikis

SHOW DATES



February


10th Turnpike Troubadours-Knuckleheads-Kansas City, KS
        Wade Bowen-Lucky's Bar-Osage City-KS
         Justin Townes Earle-Metro-Chicago, IL
         Gretchen Wilson-Joe's-Chicago, Il.
11th Wade Bowen-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il-8:30pm $8
         Justin Townes Earle-Six Strings-Bloominton, IL
         Lyle Lovett/John Hiatt-Rialto Square Theatre-Joliet, Il
12th Wade Bowen/John D Hale-Off Broadway-St. Louis, MO
         Marshall Tucker Band-Watseka Theatre-Watseka, Il.
         Emma King & The Heartsets-Six Strings-Bloomington, Il
        Jason Boland/Acoustic-The W-Hutchinson, KS
 18th Red Wanting Blue-Rathskellar's-Indianapolis, IN
        Phil Vassar-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il.
        Old 97's-The Pageant- St. Louis, MO
19th Red Wanting Blue-Britton Tavern-Noblesville, IN
        Old 97's-The Vic Theatre-Chicago, Il
24th Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Whiskey Roadhouse-Council Bluffs, IA
25th Mike McClure Band-Otis Campbells-Washington, MO
26th Robert Earl Keen-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il. 8:30pm $25
        w/ Josh Abbott
       Randy Rogers Band-Beaumont Club-Kansas City, MO
        Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Dirty's Tavern-Coffeyville, KS
        Turnpike Turnpike/Reckless Kelly-George's Majestic-Fayetteville, AR
27th Josh Abbott Band-Old 36 Inn-Riverton, Il
28th Rodney Crowell-Blueberry Hill-St. Louis, MO

March

4th Band of Heathens-High Dive-Champaign, IL
5th Band of Heathens-Off Broadway-St.Louis, MO

6th Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses-Vaudeville News-Des Moines, IA
17th Chris Knight-Off Broadway-St. Louis, MO-FULL BAND
18th Willie Nelson-The Chicago Theatre-Chicago, Il
26th Gary Allan The Venue @ Horseshoe Casino-Chicago
30th Hayes Carll-George's Majestic Lounge-Fayetteville, AR

31st Hayes Carll-Cains Ballroom-Tulsa, OK

April

2nd Hayes Carll-The Bottleneck-Lawrence, KS

5th Hayes Carll-Varsity Theater-Minneapolis, MN

6th Hayes Carll-High Noon Saloon-Madison, WI
8th Hayes Carll-Schubas-Chicago, Il
9th Hayes Carll-Beachland Ballroom-Cleveland, OH
14th Randy Rogers Band-George's Majestic-Fayetteville, AR
21st Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Granada Theater-Lawrence, KS
30th Todd Snider-The Shed-Maryville, TN
        Dierks Bentley-UIC Pavillion-Chicago, Il

May

1st Reckless Kelly Softball Jam-Dell Diamond-Round Rock, TX
7th Todd Snider-Ellen Kennedy Center-Cascade, IA
      Red Wanting Blue-Kemp's-:Lexington, Il

20th Whiskey Myers-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il

JUNE
2-6 Reckless Kelly is hosting Fest out West - Lajitas, TX-www.festoutwest.com
3rd Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Lee's Liquor Lounge-Minneapolis, MN
       Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyle-Aurora
4th-Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Geneo's Wild Ride Saloon-Evansville, WI
       Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyle-Downers Grove, Il.
18th Eli Young Band-Joe's Bar-Chicago, IL
        Blackberry Smoke-Legacy Harley Davidson Festival-Effingham, IL
23rd Wade Bowen-Country Stampede @Tuttle Creek State Park-Manhattan, KS