Norman Nardini Gig Updates!

Gig Updates

June 30 -2004
The Cellar Rocks: Youngstown, Ohio (click link for more details and map info)
The TANGLED UP IN BLUES CONCERT SERIES continues in cooperation with
BOB MARGOLIN & WILLIE "BIG EYES" SMITH with special guest Norman Nardini!
(former members of the Muddy Waters Band & W.C. Handy Award Winners)
8 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Wednesday
Cornel Bogdan of Radio 93.3 The Wolf Radio Station in Younsgtown, OH gave Norman a wonderful introduction. After he was done speakin, Norman said "I thought I had a lot of bull sh*&! "Hey Bartender gimme a shot n a beer!" ..."Boilermaker" that's right smoked! Then Norman started a rave about a record he used to listen to in the late 1970s which featured steady rollin' Bob Margolin and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith called "Hard Again" which is an album title by Muddy Waters. He spoke of a song on that record called "The Blues Had A Baby And They Named It Rock N Roll", then broke into "Rock n Roll City. He sent the next song out to the poor folk "White Trash Tragedy". He sent the next tune out to any young men in the audience who had trouble meeting girls..."Mr., Right Now". Then, the guys clobbered "Who Dat Do Dat" and "Gettin It". He then hit "Burnin' Up" and "Love Dog" for the longtime Norman fans in the house. Then on the spur of the moment they decided to play "Sick N Tired" to feature Whitey Cooper's wonderful falsetto vocals. Somewhere in the middle of the set a lady yelled out for Johnny Cash. So, the guys did a couple quick verses of "Fulsom Prison Blues". To close out the set he brought out his old slide guitar and kicked "My Old Rock N Roll Guitar" and crowd favorite "Little Things". The guys were smokin' on the rave up ending. Great set! Cornel Bogdan and the lovely Casey Malone (his co-host on the Tangled Up In Blues Radio Show), got up and once again were saying nice things about the manful handful. Mucho thanks for their support! Steady rollin Bob Margolin, Willie "Big Eyes Smith" and Mookie Brill took the stage and then took Youngstown to school on how to play the Chicago blues. You could see Norman, Whitey & Harry sitting on the side of the stage soaking it all up. What a night!

June 26 -2004
Birdie's Landing Marina "Rock on the Yough"!: 1000 River Road, Port Vue Cool outdoor party on the marina! 412-672-5733 for reservations call Amy, Al or Bob or get tickets at the gate. Only 200 available so may be best to reserve in advance at $5 per person cover.
Directions: Past Kennywood coming from Pittsburgh, make a left onto McKeeesport/Duquesne bridge, make first right off bridge. Then follow to Daily News building. Make left onto Walnut Street. Go to third red light, make right onto 15th St. bridge. First hard left off bridge, go across railroad tracks. Gig is quarter mile down road on right at marina. See ya there in shorts!
8 p.m. - 12 p.m. - Sat.
(Party kicks off at 6 p.m. People are coming in boats, by land, etc. It's going to be a blast!)

Two years in a row this has been a great party! The significant lesbian contingency carried the early part of the evening entertaining the audience and the band. Love it! A local girl named Abbey got up and sand "Me And Bobby McGee" and "Mercendes Benz"..she was pretty cool! Harry sand "Singin The Blues" tonight and Norman just drifted off watching the lesbians show off on the dance floor. Basically, the guys just played their asses off all night. Whitey sang great tonight singing "Shamalama Ding Dong" and "Sweet Soul Music". Norman once again sang "I Can't Stop Loving You" in tribute to Ray Charles and also his standard version of "Down By Al's Riverside". "Love Dog" by request, also "Freddy Fender's "Wasted Days & Wasted Nights" and it all just seemed so appropriate. Five hours of good rockin!
Notables in attendance: Bev & Patty, Gary, Al, The Betters Clan, Wayne & Ruth, Rat n Betty Lou, Tony & Josh, The Priest

June 25 - 2004
Dimitri's: (Cheat Lake) 2506 Cranberry Square, Morgantown 26508 • 304-594-0777 or 304-366-0734
Directions: 79 South to 68 East, take Cheat Lake exit, make right off exit. Dimitri's is around 1/4 mile down the road in the Cranberry Square Plaza. Click the Dimitri's link. Looks like a great place to eat and relax!
10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Fri.
It sure seemed like it wanted to rain tonight although it never did. What a beautiful place to have dinner, some drinks and see the manful handful. Norman did a lot of older songs tonight "That Girl", "Nothin To Lose", "Love Dog", "Burnin Up", "High Times". Of the newer tunes "Mr Right Now" and "Someone" stood out". The power for the lighting during "Who Dat Do Dat" went out. In the darkness while waiting for the lights to come back on, Norman talked about nothing so as to keep the natives from getting restless. "Proud Mary" was requested and the guys slapped it around, except it sounded like Norman could have sung it in a higher key. Towards the end, Norman kept playing one cover tune after another like he was having a blast..."Let It Bleed" ripped!
Notables in attendance: Joyce, Sue, Susan, Bruce & Stacia, Bobby Moore & Bobby's lovely mother Mrs. Moore, Mark

June 24 - 2004 Map
Parkway Tavern: 312 Center Rd, Monroeville, PA 15146 (412) 372-8199
8 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Thurs.
The parkway Tavern has always been a great and fun gig but I'm sure there are some nice bartenders who would like to work a Norman gig. The first set seemed a little scattered as the guys kept trying to get a flow going jumping from one groove to another. Highlights were "You Go Your Way", "Three Times Your Fool", "Heartbreak Shake" and "Mr. Right Now". Someone from the audience yelled out from the audience for "The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction". Norman immediately apologized, admitting he had forgotten that song. He swears he's going to go back and learn it again. Bud of 8th Street Rox got up early in the second set to sing "Honky Tonk Women" and played bass on "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Fulsom Prison Blues". Harry seemed to enjoy the break as he walked around socializing. "Red Hot Lover" sounded great closing out the night. Norman needs to call that song more often.
Notables in attendance: Nancy, Rat n Betty Lou, Bruce, Tommie & Mary, Dave & Carol, Mike & E.J.

June 20 - 2004 Map
The Boardwalk (formerly Donzi's): (Bike Night) 1501 Smallman St Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 281-1585
3:00 p.m. - till 6 p.m. - Sun.
Three o'clock in the afternoon start?! For Norman, that's a wake'n bake. The way the sun was shinin', Norman said his face looked like the roasted pig head at the barbecue stand. D.J., Flounder was bustin Norman's balls. So the manful handful had to throw him a beatin. Hey, sometimes ya gotta kick a little ass. Once again, just makin it look so easy. Harry Bottoms sang a great version of "Pots' n Pans". Then the band kicked into "White Trash Tragedy". Perfect music for this biker gathering. One shaved headed dude got up on stage, stuck two beer cans to the side of his head and danced. It was cool! Then, Harry Bottoms sang "Born To Be Wild" and you could hear all the bikers revvvin their engines in the background. Powerful Americana!
Notables in attendance: Higgy, Martha, Jizm John & Marky Lovett

June 19 - 2004 Map
Cafe Supreme: 200 Main St, Irwin, PA 15642 (724) 864-9766
Directions to Cafe Supreme: (couple ways) From Trafford, take 993 straight into Irwin, make right onto Main St., Venue is one block up on the right. Second way: From Rt. 30, Irwin Business District behind Dunkin Donuts, follow road to PA Ave, left on PA Ave, Right on Oak, go to third stop sign then turn left, Venue is on your left.
10 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. - Sat.
He talked of times when he was young and pretty. He talked of men like Conway Twitty, but mostly he just played the hell out of all his guitars tonight and sound man Ray's beautiful surf green telecaster guitar too! The slide work on "Little Things" was crushin. "Nothin To Lose" sounded like it was fresh out of the box. Like these guys haven't been doin' it for (count em)25 years. The inner play between Norman's guitar and Whitey's drumming was particularly strong tonight during almost all of the solos. Somewhere in the middle of the show someone screamed out "How far is the old log in?" He laughed real crazy like. Norman's sound man Ray Morreton got up to play guitar and sang Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane". He sounded great! Ray stayed up on guitar and local celebrity came up to sing "Long Haired Country Boy" with Norman and Harry doing the vocal harmonies. It was nice to see Jimmy in fine form. Jimmy's also an amazing dancer. He doesn't just dance to the music...he interprets it. If ya know what I mean. The night closed out with Ray doing a great guitar solo on the old standard "Route 66".
Notables in attendance: Jan Man & lady friend and other unnamed but often seen face friend, Barb & Gary, Moon, Jimmy Sinclair

June 18 - 2004 Map
Crazy Horse Saloon Steak House 28 S Main St, Ellsworth, PA 15331
724-239-3749
9:30 pm - 1:30 am - Fri.
Get off the stage and get in the truck! We'll stop at McDonald's in Canonsburg! It's great to see Norman in a real white trash, red neck bar. You know the kind that's out there where the owl f's the chicken? It's fun to watch the amazement mixed with total indifference. By the way, how does a band play a show in Pittsburgh and then jump in the truck and drive to nowhere Pennsylvania and play four more hours?! harry just seemed to cruise through it. Norman's nuts! Period! Whitey seemed to get stronger as he sang "Blow Me" and a couple of soul tunes at 2 am. Norman played a smokin' version of "Little Things" and a decent version of Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You". A cool local guy came up to the stage and sang "Ring Of Fire" pleasing the audience. Norman asked him his name and he said "everybody just calls me boner!" Norman yelled out "Let's hear it for boner!" and everyone laughed in a mad sort of drunken fashion. Two gigs in one day...manful!!!
Notables in attendance: Julie Toye & husband, Linda, Stitch & kathy & the kids. Let's hear it for boner!

ALSO that same day

June 18 - 2004 Map
Donzi's on the Boardwalk: Norman and the guys opening for Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers at Donzi's on the Boardwalk. 1501 Smallman St Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 281-1585
5:30 p.m. - till 9 p.m. - Sun.
Norman's show is from 6 pm. - 7 p.m.
Hey bartender! Gimme a shot and a beer! "Boilermaker", "Heartbreak Shake", then Norman introduced himself "Norman Roosevelt Aloysious Nicodeemus Amadeus Valentino Giovanni Romeo Raphaaael Nardini". The last true man, the beauty on duty. Then he shouted out "That's Enough ABout Me! What ABout You?!" "White Trash Tragedy" came rippin of the stage. Then a couple old classics "Love Dg" and "That Girl" seemed to reach the real Norman people in audience. Then the manful handful pulled out his Tiger guitar and banged out "That Ain;t Gonna Happen" and "I Seen Too Much", "Mr. Right Now" and "Who Dat Do Dat". I'll tell ya who dat do dat?! That little grease ball! Cool show! The beautiful Alleghebny River, a wonderful June evening. And Now ladies and gentleman, Joe Grushecky & The House Rockers..
Notables in attendance: Misty's mom & lady friend, Ann & Rena, Richie, his lovely wife and Joey Plimpton

June 12 - 2004 Map
Excuses: 2526 E. Carson St. (South Side), Pittsburgh, PA (412) 431-4090
10:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Sat.
At midnite Norman sang "Happy Birthday" To himself! But the fun started at 10:30 when the guys went to work. Norman played new songs "You Go Your Way" and "Million Tears" early. He also played a half-assed version of "What I Say" and "I Can't Stop Loving You" out of respect for Ray Charles who passed away this past weekend. "That Girl" showed up in the first set as did the old classic "Nothin To Lose". "That Ain't Gonna Happen" and "I Seen Too Much" opened part two. Then "Mr. Right Now" and "Who Dat Do Dat" which have both really been kickin lately sounded extra hot tonight. Old friend bass player "Jerry Stanick" got up and sang 2 numbers "Truck Drivin Man" and "Can't Help Fallling In Love". He got a great response from the audience. The second set flew by and ended with "This Ain't Gettin It" into "Help Me Make It Through The Night".
Notables in attendance: Gil, Lori, Janel, Bill, Terrible Tom, Gerry & Jen, Angelo, Patty & Ron, Dave & Carol, Misty & Lady Friend

June 11 - 2004 Map
Moondog's: Norman opening the show featuring a guest appearance from Mark Stutso singing. Then the World Class guitar legend Jimmy Thackery band will come on with Mark Stutso doing his day job with the band on drums. 378 Freeport Rd, Blawnox, PA (412) 828-2040
10:00 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Fri.
Before the show, Norman was overheard backstage saying that playing with guitar legend Jimmy Thackery was kind of intimidating. You couldn't tell. From the moment Norman and his guys took the stage they were in charge. The opener "Boilermaker" got a great response. Thanks to Glenn Pavone for recording the song and been playing it in the clubs for so many years. Best wishes to Glenn who hasn't been feeling well. Norman calls him "The Big Cheese" out of respect. Second tune "Mr. Right Now" just felt so appropriate. "Who Dat Do Dat" kicked everybody's ass as did a crushin version of "This Ain't Gettin It". At this point, Norman brought out longtime Jimmy Thackery drummer Mark Stutso to take over on vocals, who then proceeded to sing 6 Norman tunes in a row. Six! Count em. Could there be an album in the works? Stutso gave "Heartbreak shake" a shake, then got down on new tune, a belly rubber, "Down to My Last Million Tears". Norman that said, "we want to play a song about romance and delight"...the Latin rhythm of "Are You Feelin Me" really was romantic. Then my favorite song of Stutso's performance "You Go Your Way" oozed a great soulful feel. "Let's Burn Breakfast" had this real swampy thing goin on. "Three Times Your Fool" really seemed to please the audience as it had audience members applauding and hooting when Stutso was doin his soul shoutin. Powerful, Powerful performance! Stutso then called up Thackery bandmate Sax man "Jimmy Carpenter" who really sounded smooth on the old classic "T-Bone Shuffle". The set closed with another old classic "Work Together". Yeah, it was a great set. Ya should have been there and watched the guys work together. It was a sight to behold. As soon as the set was over, Mark Stutso and Jimmy Carpenter got ready to do their real jobs playing with guitar hero Jimmy Thackery. Three hours of some serious house rockin blues later. Everybody went home fulfilled. I love a happy beginning and ending. Between sets, club owner Ron "Moondog" Esser brought up a birthday cake to celebrate Norman's birthday. Moondog said "now I know why Norman's ole lady refuses to be seen with him in public". Earlier in the week, when Moondog & Norman were visiting Glenn in the hospital, Norman was just being his usual crazy self and told the nurses to take special care of that room because the big cheese was in there and also told the nurses that he didn't need the priest to show up because he'd already blessed it in the name of the church of rock n roll. Sheesh!
Notables in attendance: Mark the vet, Jill West and Posse, Grant, Bruce, Carol, Gil & Sue, plus a house full of good rockin' folks

June 5 - 2004 Map Driving Directions
Penn Monroe Grill: 3985 William Penn Hwy, Monroeville, PA 15146 412-373-1180
10 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Sat.
"Lazy Bones", "Good Rockin Man", "How You Like Me Now", "Play". Late in the first set old friend from Moondog's, Chuck, got up and did a strong performance from two old Elvis songs that got the crowd movin'. For you slide fans, Norman did a strong version of "Little Things" that ended the first set. The second set was all played on the Tiger Guitar (The Tele). "That Ain't Going to Happen", "I Seen Too Much", "Mr. Right Now" and "Who Dat Do Dat". Then Norman threw in the old Kris Kristofferson cover "Help Me Make It Through The Night". He seems to love doin that old ass tune. I told you he's nuts! The last set, "That Girl Must Be From Graceland", "You Go Your Way", "A Cold One And A Rolled One", "Red White & Blue" and a special request for "What The F*&$". Tonight was a nice relaxed sow. The guys made it look so easy. Towards the end, Norman decided to play a song he wrote this past Thursday. It was really cool. It's called "Down To My Last Million Tears".
Notables in attendance: Clark, Daneen & Susie, Saint Nancy, Roxy Diamond, Rat N Betty. Chuck & Anna, Jim and his lovely wife.

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