Norman Nardini Gig Updates! aug-2003

Gig Updates

Aug. 30 - 2003 Excuses:
The guys actually started playin at 10:30 sharp because of the good early crowd. "If I had A Child", into "How You Like Me Now"...Powerful! Great 2 hour and 20 minute first set. Norman tried to do a song he wrote Thursday afternoon but it wasn't working so he showed mercy and stopped the madness and kicked into something he knew would work, "the classic "Nothin To Lose" Very cool night to see the guys. Everybody in the joint seemed to be on the same page. A rockin 50 minute second set closed out a great night, ending with Pittsburgh rock n roll classic, "I Just Want To Rock You", straight into the embarrassing arrangement the guys do of the old 1950's song "Norman", but it sure seems to make Norman happy. It seems he's a little weird .
Notables in Attendance: Frank & Kathy Zarisnak, Nick, Gil & Sue, Mark the vet, Patty & Ron, Rat and Betty, and everybody's favorite hall of fame hockey play by play man, Mike Lange

August 29 - 2003 Donzi's: Norm with No Bad Ju Ju
A rainy night in Pittsburgh. Rain delayed the start of the set for half an hour. Then the guys got into a good one hour set and then there was another rain delay. Lightening is a scary thing when you're wired up. After the second delay, the guys got up and did another short set. Songs like "People Takin' Care", "Sick & Tired", "Yesterday's Gone", "The Man Who Loves You" put the soul into the first set. The short second set just kicked ass. "My Old Rock N Roll Guitar", "Mr. Right Now", "Red, White & Blue" and the old Pittsburgh rocker "Heat Of The Night" closed out the show. Pittsburgh band, "No Bad Ju Ju" followed the guys on stage and did a great job kickin' out some classic versions of old R&B.
Notables in Attendance: Alan & Debbie, Tom & Mary, Ted Thompson

August 29 - 2003 Mellon Square: (Lunch Time City of Pittsburgh treat!)
Friday, Labor Day weekend, announcing the end of the summer. Show beautifully kicked off with "Boilermaker", "How Do You Like Me now". "That's Enough About Me". Then, Norman engaged the crowd in a little shallow conversation. Where does he come up with his bullshit? Set closed out with "Mr. Right Now", "Red White & Blue".
Notables in Attendance: Ron & Cathy, Frank & Kathy Zarisnack, Jack Thomas, Kim, Kay, Larry, Shelly McCombe (Pics coming soon courtesy of Ron & Cathy)

August 14 - 2003 Mellon Square: (Norm featuring Zach Weissinger - Lunch Time City of Pittsburgh treat!)
Saw Norm & Zach W. at Mellon Square – ANOTHER great moment in musical lunch-time performances. Zach was truly impressive! Several of my friends from days downtown stopped as well and had only good stuff to say about the show! Norm & the guys were GREAT as always. I made sure to look around the park and EVERYONE in attendance (without exception) had smiles on their faces – quite an accomplishment among the downtown business lunchtime crowd, believe me!!!! Bravo N N (Gig update contributed by Kathy Zarisnak) Surprise appearance by Shelly McCombe who sang background on "Up Jumps The Devil".
Set info: Featured Zach Weissinger on 3 Norman instrumentals. Bulldog, Boilermaker, Nightclub. Could there be a CD project in the works?
Notables in Attendance: Kathy & Frank Zarisnak, Jack Thomas, Kim, Kay, Larry, Shelley McCombe, Weis & Charmaine.

August 9 - 2003 Lifesteps Summer Festival (Racing, Car Displays, Barbeque and Back in the Day Music) at BeaveRun
Just as the guys were starting to play, the rains came down. A 15-minute delay and the guys came out in full rain. Started off with "Boilermaker", "That's Enough About Me". Then Norman brought up Morry Martin, the ex-owner of great longtime Beaver Valley nightclub Morry's Speakeasy. Morry sang background on "Up Jumps The Devil". He was beautiful. Next Norm brought up Morry's grand daughter to bark on "Love Dog". She was beautiful too. It's all about family. Before you know it, the short 45-minute set was over. Then the guys turned the stage over to the fantastic Granati Brothers
Notables in attendance: Hal Martin & Family, Kathy, Erin, Frank & Zach Zarisnak, Jon R Gonzalez, Mr. & Mrs Herman Granati Sr. (Herman & Norma) & Tree (Jeff Allen)

August 8 - 2003 Moondog's - Blawnox, PA
For whatever reason, Norman was on a roll. First set they played "Rebel Rouser", "That's Enough About Me", "Play" and then a few of the old Tiger gems, "That Girl", "High Times". Two straight hours of Pittsburgh Rock N Roll. The second set featured a killer version of the old classic "Nothin To Lose" and a reggae version of the old Elvis song "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" and Norman's favorite cover song, the old Freddy Fender favorite "Who Where You Thinking Of"
Notables in Attendance: Janet, Alberta & Debbie, Tony Maggio, Patty, Art Nardini (Norm's brother), our good friend and news/schedule promoter, Maria from http://bluesbiz.com (Fantastic site!) and direct from Barcelona Spain, Xavi & Anna

August 8 - 2003 Northshore Park - North Side - Pittsburgh, PA
A cloudy but beautiful Pittsburgh afternoon and a powerful one hour set kicked off with "Lazy Bones", "Good Rockin Man", "That's Enough About Me" into four or five new songs, ending up with a crazy version of "Norman" & "Rebel Rouser". Short but sweet!
Notables in attendance: Martha, Marie, Steve Bodnar of "The Damaged Pies" and Mark Sheer of "Torn & Frayed"

August 2 - 2003 Monessen Italian American Club - Monessen, PA:
The first set featured great versions of "Rebel Rouser", "Red White & Blue", Harry singin Pots & Pans" and Whitey kickin' ass on "Shama lama Ding Dong". Noman was so happy to be with all those Italians. The night ended with Pags singin' David Allen Coes' "You Don't Have To Call Me Darlin", followed by a wonderful version of "That's Amore", featuring local Italians from the age of 21 to 60. Mamma Mia!
Notables in attendance: Pags, Mary Beth, Roman Gabriel, Tony Reno, Ron & Patty, Hal Martin & Family

August 1 - 2003 Moondog's - Blawnox, PA
Norman & Kathy were spotted at Moondog's watching old friend John Eddie who has a new album out that's gettin' a lot of play on WYEP. The second set Norman got up and played Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" and an old rock n' roll medley. The joint was surely rockin.

Stay tuned for the latest updates! Better yet, come to one of the shows and experience "The Manful Handful" himself, first hand!

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