Bryan Cole - RIP Brother

My long time friend and band mate, Bryan Cole, passed away on December 9th 2012 - due to complications from surgery to repair his Aorta damaged back in 2001. Bryan was given a "Celebration of Life" Day at Smith's Olde Bar this past Sunday Jan 13, 2013. It was a packed room with friends, musicians, and Bryan's family members - a great day for music and remembering Bryan...a day filled with LOVE!

Music started about 4:15 and ended around midnight. The lineup of bands and musicians was a virtual who's-who of the Atlanta music scene that spanned 5 decades...
 
The Luck Ones
Mike Veal Band
Boss Tweed
The Iciban Records Allstars
Randall Bramblett Band
Georgia Satellites
Java Monkey with Francine Reed

More info on this amazing day to come...!

Band X plays Festivals - Food, Arts, Music, Holiday, Season

There are many festivals of all types held throughout the year, all over the US...and the world for that matter.

 - Food Festivals, Wine and Food Festivals, Music Festivals, Dogwood Festivals, Flower Festivals, Holiday Festivals, Arts Festivals, Beer Festivals, Culture and Folk Festivals, Film Festivals, Nature and Earth Festivals, Seasonal Festivals, and many more...!

List of festivals in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Most of these festivals are based around food, music, art, and beverage - some festivals are sponsored by the local towns, cities, organizations, while others are sponsored by fund raising organizations to promote and raise money for their particular charity. Entertainment for all types of festivals is a big priority.

Music is a strong factor and sets the tone and proper atmosphere for all of these events...



Band X, being one the best party bands and variety bands across the US, provides the best live entertainment for any outdoor festival in all towns, cities, and local areas!

 Many good bands perform for festivals - but BAND X stands out from all the rest!

 

Information can be viewed at http://www.bandxlive.com

 

Bryan Cole Benefit August 19 2012

The "Java Monkey" band cranked the day of music off at 3:00 - playing for the Bryan Cole and Lisa Cole Benefit at Tavern 99 in Buckhead-Atlanta Ga., on Aug 19 2012.

All bands and musicians had a strong connection with Bryan and donated their time for the event to raise money...Bryan went through another open heart surgery (July 16) to repair his aorta, this follows many procedures and operations following his original 2001 aorta rupture and 4 operations to save his life...each time he's come through the events with enough flying colors to still be with us today!!

Joan Baez and Band 1990

1990-91' I played with Joan Baez, 2 US tours and 1 European tour...my old buddy Bob Babbitt (Funk Brothers) passed away this week. So sad. Bob was the ultimate bass player, just his approach to bass playing was remarkable and memorable...playing on hit records from his Motown days "Sign, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder, to Marvin Gaye, to "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladis Knight and the Pips...and on and on, more than you would imagine. And what a nice guy and a character, just fun to be around...we're all going to miss him and his amazing bass lines will live on for generations to hear.

The rest of Joan's band was Rick Shlosser on drums, Jamie Fox on guitar, and myself on keys. Joan Baez was a pleasure to work for and with...we had such a great time...and her voice is a national treasure, here in the US, but also all around the world.

Bob Babbitt you will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers to Ann and the rest of your family and all your many friends....love ya Bob!

Francine Reed and Java Monkey Swiss Tour 1996

1995 or 96' - Francine Reed took Java Monkey on tour with her to Switzerland - we played Ski Resorts for about 2 months. 5 or 6 different resorts plus Lucern...Great trip! Here we are playing in either Davos or Arosa, in their dining room/foyer area. Francine Reed (vocals), Marvin Taylor (guitar), Michael Bastedo (sax), Sean O'Rourke (drums, subbing for our regular drummer Bryan Cole), and me, Steve McRay (keys/key bass)

Big Coffee Records an Indie Record Label - Atlanta, Ga.

Big Coffee Records an Indie Record Label - Atlanta, Ga.

Please check it out from time to time and let us know your thoughts....thanks!!

Band Road Stories - too true to be made up...!

Mose Jones band - in the 70's, we had a gig at University of Alabama opening for Dionne Warwick, we had no money and no truck - so a friend of a friend rented us his Van...it "died" somewhere in Not-quite-big-enough-to-have-a-name, Al...so only thing to do was: (1) find and call a wrecker service to tow the van, (2) find a truck rental company and rent a Truck big enough to put the van into, and (3) find a location out in the country where a building had been torn down, leaving a loading dock that we could access with the wrecker and the van - so we could have a place to make the transfer....and in the picture,....that's what we were doing! We made the GIG!! - PRICELESS!