Norman Nardini Gig Updates!

Gig Updates

Saturday, May 28, 2003 Tugboat's - Chalfont, PA
The 2 hour first set featured a guest appearance by "Will E. Try" on chromatic harmonica. He played a really cool version of the old Stevie Wonder song, "I Wish". Thanks for showing up Will and thanks for sitting in. Then Norm played a great version of the 6 month old song "Play" along with a hot version of "At The Bottom of This Bottle". After the break, everybody was ready to party. The hour and a half second set got everybody in the whole room up. They played the new song "Mr. Right Now" for the second time in public. It has yet to be rehearsed. They also played a new unfinished song called "Who Dat? Do Dat?" and a great version of the old standard "Nothin To Lose". The Rat Man made an appearance toward the end of the second set to show everybody what a real man looks like. See pics gallery for a nipple shot. He sang "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" by Freddie Fender and made sure that that night was not a wasted night. Special Thanks to Jerry and Dee, the owners, for havin us.
Notables in attendance: Will E. Try, Norm's sister Ann & husband J.P., The Rat Man, Mike, Tony & Joe DeLeo, Jenny (Tony's girlfriend), Dave and Carol, Young Eric, The JanMan & Gary, Marsha & Don, Paul & Lisa, T Wallace, Don & Paula, Bartenders Stasy & Tommy, Maria, her sister Gina, Paul Adamo and Tony "P"
Footnote: Happy Birthday to Lisa (with Paul) & Mike Deleo!

Sunday, May 25, Donzi's (Bike Night) Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA:
The floating stage is no longer there and everybody in the band was happy to be playing on solid ground. "The Intent" band opened the show and did a great job and they really worked hard. Just as Norman and the guys started playing, it began to rain so they had a little trouble getting the people up and dancing. Still, a great time was had by all in spite of the rain.
Notables in attendance: Dave & Carol, Michelle Williams of the "Hillbilly Three", Norman's ole lady, also of the "Hillbilly Three" (missing Lindie the third of the trio), also Rat and his lovely wife. Gary & "The JanMan". Keep your eyes open for the band to be back there a few more times this year.

Saturday, May 24, 2003 (Second Gig of evening) Excuses, South Side, Pittsburgh, PA:
Norm packed in 8 songs at Rosebud opening for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes before heading over to Excuses, South Side, Pittsburgh, to do to his Saturday night show and then played all night there. They were on a major roll. Lenny Ferrari, formerly of Lou Reeds's band showed up and played a couple numbers with the band, playing drums while Whitey got up and sang lead. Then, Lo and behold Shawn, Hood from "The Jukes Crew" Marco (drummer), Steve (bassist), Jeff (Keys), and Bobby Bandiera (Guitar) all showed up at Excuses at 1 a.m. and Bobby played the whole last set with the guys. Norman talked Bobby into singing Elvis's "Can't help falling in love with you" and ripped the whole house down. Jeff got up and joined the band and sang harmony on the Bob Dylan classic "I shall be released". The last song of the night featured Norman singing, Bobby on guitar, Marco on drums, Steve on Bass on a rippin' version of Chuck Berry's "Round and Around" You should have been there!
Notables in attendance: Patty & Ron, Debbie and Dale, Mike Lange (Pittsburgh Penguins play-by-play hockey hall of fame celebrity), who was sighted taking pics the whole last set. Terry, Angelo & a seldom seen Bobby Lamonde. Also, Wonderful Tom.
Side Note: We're sorry to say that Sandy, the ass kickin' waitress of 15 years at Excuses just retired. Norm, the guys and all the fans who know her are really going to miss her comically boisterous interactions to Norm's public flirtations with her over the past 15 years, as she served up drinks and wings at lightening speed to the audience.

Saturday, May 24, 2003 (First Gig of evening) Rosebud, Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA:
The evening started off with Norman saying " We're here tonight with Southside John and now it's time to get it on!" Kevin ( in-house sound guy) had just recently tweaked the PA system. Everything sounded phenomenal so it was an extra great night for the sound to a packed house. Norman got a request from "The Jukes" guitar player Bobby Bandiera of ( Hope concert fame featuring Norm, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springs teen, Southside Johnny and Gary U.S. Bonds), to perform a seldom played song called "Today I Stepped In Something That Reminded Me Of You". Norm has played that song with Bobby in bars in the Jersey area many times in the past and it got quite a few laughs. Everybody knows that when people are laughing Norman gets happy... and then he gets down! After 8 songs the band rolled over to Excuses, South Side, Pittsburgh to jam. While we weren't there at Rosebud at the time, we heard later that Bobby Bandiera did "An Old Cow Died With A Rag In His Ass" one of Norm's tunes you may have heard him do a million times. This happened when Bobby got up to do his feature spot. Then he sang his most famous tune " Come on Caroline". When he sang the "Old Cow..." song, Southside Johnny was laughing his ass off on stage.
Notables in attendance: Buffalo Bill, Mike Filosemi (Singer of 8th Street Rox), Dave & Larry (stage hands), Sue Bottoms & Marsha, Peanuts.

Friday, May 23, 2003 - VFW Turtle Creek PA:
What a fantastic night! Highlight: Local sensation Rat got up and sang Blue Suede Shoes, in full Elvis Ragalia. It was a great turn out. Norm and the band were smokin'. The hot dogs and kielbasa were appreciated by all.
Notables in attendance: Chooch, Rat, ( Pig was not there and was missed by all), Timmy & Debbie, Jimmy Clark. Thanks to Cathie and the staff for helping to put a really fun evening together.

May 17, 2003 - Cafe Supreme - Irwin, PA
The band played a broad mix of great tunes throughout the night. It's really cool how sometimes they'll play straight rock-dance jams and other nights a combination of stories, mixed tunes, etc. This night was mostly one kick ass jam after another. Norm later performed a new song for the first time in public without warning the band and it was an instant hit with the crowd entitled "Mr. Right Now". Whitey and Harry blended right in. It was Ralph, the owner's wife Adrian's birthday and we appreciate him having them play.
Notables in attendance: Jimmy Sinclair, Jim Wexell, a writer for the Steelers, Ray and Barbara, Dave & Brenda who brought some great musician friends from Ligonier including Jason and wife Jill (Jason, is a great guitar player from "Fat Daddy" and Jill an open stage singer) , Hugo from Florida (night club owner-possible booking in the works), Guy and wife, Pete Oddo (Norm's cousin) who sat in on drums while Whitey Cooper got up and sang several soulful tunes up front.

May 9, 2003 - Excuses - Pittsburgh PA- Excuses, South Side:
Norm featured Zack Weissinger on guitar who is fast on his way from teenage blues virtuoso to blues legend. Stay posted for the new CD Norm is producing of him due later this summer. Zack was on a roll and did great versions of "Bulldog" and "Nightclub" and also a great solo on "Bull Legged Woman".
Notables in attendance: Angelo and Terry from the now defunct Ultamatics, Leanne Regalla and friend

May 3, 2003 - Pittsburgh (Blawnox) PA - Moondog's:
Another one of Norm and band's regular stomping grounds. A great night it was indeed! For some reason since Norm's been playing so many great gigs lately his B.S. level was really on and the crowd was on a roll!
Notables in attendance: Dale & Birthday girl Debbie, brother Ron & Patty, Kim from Minnesota (formerly from Pittsburgh and missing it badly), Gil & Sue, Mary the bartender also a birthday girl!

May 2, 2003 - Columbus Ohio - The Thirsty Ear Tavern:
Cool opening act, can't remember their name, sorry guys...our bad. Norm got up and played for 3 hours straight and were on fire the whole night, saying he can't ever remember playing for 3 hours straight, but the crowd was on fire! So that's a record. Those Columbus folks must have big bladders and so must Norm and band! You should have been there!
Notables in attendance: Bruce & Charlie Nutt

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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