I encourage you to come out to the Woodland's on Friday May 18th from 6-9 pm. Meet Maureen and learn for yourself why she is such a worthy candidate. The Lonely Bones will be playing a set from 7-9 pm.  The show is FREE and Dan's Four String Brew is only $2.00 until 9pm. All are welcome. It's only rock n roll afterall.  

If you are lame and cannot make the show, you can learn about Maureen Reedy here  Please take a moment and check it out. - Colin

The show is 18 and up. Both the CD and the book will be available for purchase at the show at a special combined price. This will be the ONLY place to purchase a hard copy of the new CD in Columbus.

Also on the bill are Yellow Light Maybe w/ Erica Blinn & Bicentennial Bear 

tickets are only $10 and available here

The Bluestone (formerly BOMA, formerly a Baptist church) is an incredible space to see a concert and the perfect venue for this special event. Please check it out here  It is located at 583 E Broad Street, across from the Columbus Museum of Art with plenty of parking. Doors 7pm. Show will run from 8pm-midnight.

Many hotels are within walking distance of the Bluestone. Click here to find a room and make a night of it.

We need your help to spread the word and get people out to the show! For more details and other tour dates please visit our Kickstarter page  here    See you soon!  watershedcentral.com

Originally, I was going to use this space to review the latest Bruce Springsteen release "Wrecking Ball", and explain why I would give it 2.9 stars out of 5. But after seeing the Boss perform at the Q in Cleveland Tuesday April 17th, I realized the new CD was only a small part of the big picture. At 62 years of age, Bruce played the best full band show I have seen him do since the E Street reunion tour in 1999. Q: How is this possible?

The answer lies in the Seeger Sessions project Bruce released in 2006. I caught the "Seeger Sessions" tour in Columbus shortly following the CDs release. Playing a 20,000 seat amphitheater in front of maybe 3,000 diehard fans, Bruce played mostly old folk covers with his large but largely un-electric band. There were no Marshall amps pointed towards the sky, yet with the various instruments and most importantly, the entire band singing behind him, it was sonically, as powerful as an AC/DC concert. I left shaking my head telling friends, "I've never heard anything like that". Pound for pound, it is very well the greatest show I have ever seen. If not, certainly hearing the trilogy "Mrs McGrath", "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times" and "Jacob's Ladder" was a lifetime highlight. Something that might flash across my mind moments before my time comes.

watch "Jacob's Ladder" here 

 While it was obvious watching the Seeger show Bruce had tapped into something important and was having a ball doing it, the reality is and was, Springsteen's manager Jon Landau needs to keep the big money coming to please the shareholders at SONY music. Landau has become a master at tolerating a little "Nebraska" or "Tom Joad" here and there , as long as the E Street Gravy Train ramps back up soon after to keep the product and merchandise flowing to the bottom line. 

Bruce + Clarence = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

So Bruce dutifully returned to E Street with the impressive "Magic" (2007) and toured the world and elsewhere with Clarence back as his right hand man. Maybe Bruce was feeling mortality creeping in, or more likely, the pressure to have new "product" ready for purchase before his Super Bowl halftime appearance in 2009, "Working on A Dream" appeared uncharacteristically quick, right on the heels of the "Magic" CD and tour.

And..."Working on a Dream" was a disaster. The worst Springsteen album ever. Sure the tour and shows were excellent, but Bruce is always great. The E Street band reunion had run its course. Bruce surely knew "Working" was a mis-step and did what he does best, fearlessly moved in a different direction adding new players, producer and sound to record the admirable, if uneven "Wrecking Ball".

It's obvious listening to new tracks such as "Shackled and Drawn" and "Rocky Ground", Bruce was trying to find some of that Seeger Sessions magic he loved so much in 2006. The problem is, his fans love the E Street band and by extension, Clarence Clemons so much, they would never accept a substitute band. At least not an arena full of Springsteen fans anyway. So Bruce was kinda stuck. His instincts were pushing in a new direction, but "market forces" as it were, demanded he keep throwing hunks of E Street red meat to the masses.

What to do?

Well, Clarence Clemens, Bruce's loyal sideman stepped up and solved the problem. Look, I am not trying to make light of the Big Man's passing in any way. He was a musical legend and a hell of a good guy on top of that. Nobody wanted to see him go. But the very reality of his "Bigness" meant no one person could replace him. That would be an even "bigger" outrage than Bruce going on tour without E-Street and doing another Seeger Sessions tour.

So with "The Big Man" being too big to replace, it opened the door for Bruce to revamp the entire line-up and combine the Seeger Session band with the E Street band. The results in Cleveland were stunning. Jumping between bar room stomps like "Light of Day" and "Ties That Bind" and soaring spirituals like "The Rising" and "My City in Ruins", the "new" E Street band could play either style powerfully. It became obvious after only 3 songs that Bruce had a new energy, that he was slightly tired the last couple times out. Just a click slow mind you, but with Bruce, he is never too far from greatness. This huge new sound allowed him to do less running around and more singing. I think Bruce is singing better now than at any point in his career. What other 60+ year old can you say that about? Is Robin Zander 60 yet?

With the house lights still on, Bruce took the stage with a near riot inspiring "Badlands" and didn't let up for 3 hours. And this was no retro greatest hits show. No sir. Check it out:

Badlands  (watch it live in Cleveland here )
We Take Care of Our Own
Wrecking Ball
The Ties That Bind 
Death to My Hometown
My City of Ruins
The E Street Shuffle
Jack of All Trades
Trapped
Youngstown
My Love Will Not Let You Down 
Shackled & Drawn 
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Racing in the Street 
Apollo Medley
Because the Night
The Rising
We Are Alive
Light of Day (including You Can't Sit Down) 
* * *
Rocky Ground (with Michelle Moore)
Out in the Street
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

After "Badlands", Bruce goes 13 songs before returning to what I would consider another "can't miss" in "Promised Land". Bruce doesn't spoon feed his audience, he jams what he is cooking right down their throat. To Cleveland's credit, they ate it all up and deserve the title of being one of Bruce's 4 biggest cities (NY-NJ,Philly,Pitts,Cleve) I've seen Bruce a number of times in Columbus and it never feels the same as the North coast. In Cbus people are sorta wonder, "when is he going to play the hits?". In Cleveland they just scream "BRUUUUCE"

or put another way, remember that record "Born in the USA"? The one with 7 top ten singles and sold over 20 millions copies? He played exactly one song off of it, "Dancing in the Dark" and it was #24 of the 25 song set.

or...of the 25 songs, 12 were off the new CD or B-sides not to be found on any Springsteen releases proper. Could you imagine the Rolling Stones doing a set like this? 50% new songs and outtakes?

Do you know what I find most excting about all of this? Though"Wrecking Ball" isn't a classic by any means, Bruce seems to have found the thread and I wouldn't be surprised if his next CD was a classic. At the very least, I wouldn't bet against it. In fact, I would never bet against Bruce Springsteen.

Colin Gawel plays in the semi-legendary midwestern rock band Watershed who have a new CD and Book about them being released June5,2012. He also fronts the Lonely Bones, is a husband, father, and moonlights as a coffee shop owner. Sometimes when he drinks to much or spends too much time riding in a van, he writes silly little essays like this one. He did get invited by the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame to be the only performer at the opening of the Springsteen exhibit and even had a beer with Bruce once. He wrote about that too. read it here  www.watershedcentral.com www.colingawel.com

 Though I am a sucker for any kind of competition involving a ball, baseball has always been my favorite sport. Not exactly sure why, as it is boring most of the time, but here goes nuthin'...

1) Growing up in Worthington, Ohio, we would  visit my grandparents in Baltimore, MD quite often. They lived in a one bedroom apartment with a small balcony overlooking a small courtyard. Looking back, it wasn't glamorous, but a candy dish and a bag of UTZ potato chips is a great masking agent to a young boy. Every evening, my grandad would retreat to that balcony with a small transistor radio and listen to the Orioles game.

Even at a young age I thought, "that looks peaceful". Though I never found the same feeling at mass on Sunday morning, i still carry a small radio with me to listen to Reds games during the summer and it brings me peace.

2) I grew up with a paper route and back in the pre ESPN days, those baseball box scores (along with a couple comics) were the ONLY thing that mattered in the paper. Before we would rubber band anything, we would rip open the sports page to see who hit a HR the night before. I still remember the excitement the year George Foster hit 52 home runs for the Reds. 50 bombs? Oh, that was just crazy. To this day at the coffee shop, a morning without box scores is a gloomy morning indeed.

3)Bill James. I have no idea how we got turned on to Bill James back when we hit drinking age, but once we got our hands on the Bill James Baseball Abstract, many late nights were spent with cans in hand, Replacements in ears debating who was a better hitter: Ted Williams or Stan Musial. Even more, Bill's fanatical writing style helped me find my writing voice, for better or worse.  (see:" My Obession, Ranking the Songs of Cheap Trick" in the archives)

4) Fantasy Baseball. Fantasy sports were invented by baseball fans. Obviously. Who else would crunch numbers like that? NFL fans? I think not. I joined my first fantasy baseball league back when the commissioner would keep track of the standings by hand and SEND YOU A PRINTED UPDATE IN THE MAIL!! Try to imagine that. 

Since those heady days, the NFL have dumbed the whole thing down and now the masses enjoy a skilled match of fantasy football every week during football season. Fantasy Football is king as well it should be. But if fantasy football is a 5k charity run, fantasy baseball is a marathon. Despite countless hours of preparation and one league title (2010!), i've been a second division player 15 out of 20 years. What can I say? The numbers don't lie, I'm just not that bright. Funny. I make the fantasy football playoffs virturaly every year with no preparation. Not sure what that means but you get the idea. I'll post my fanatsy draft in just a bit

5) Baseball Literature. so many great books/writers. I'll spare you a list but "The Glory of Their Times" and anything by Thomas Boswell is a good start.

6) Baseball Parks. For some reason they matter more than football stadiums/ basketball-hockey arenas. I've been to old Yankee Stadium a couple of times but not the new one. This pains me and it must be rectified. Yet, I couldn't care less to revisit the "new Meadowlands".  My favorite ballparks: Wrigley Field- this is why baseball is popular: Friends, beer and sun. If the game is exciting, that is a bonus. Camden Yards, Pittsburgh, Fenway Park, Great American Ballpark. 

6A) Huntington Park in Columbus. I grew up going to old Cooper Stadium on the West side and though I have many fond memories there (Marshall Brandt autographed baseball, Hello!) the "New Coop", is a baseball Mecca. It might be my favorite place in the whole city. It's construction was a life changing event. Similar to the Columbus Zoo, it's damn near perfect and Kids get in for $3. Go Clippers, ring your bell.

7) Playing catch. Field of Dreams sort of mushed up the concept, but what is more enjoyable than a good game of catch? I would throw with my Dad in the backyard and now I throw with Owen. Watershed brings mitts on the road and throws between soundcheck and show time. 

 Fantasy Outlook 2012!

After twenty years of trying, I finally captured my first fantasy baseball title last year. My secret? Lots of luck and great pitching. Kershaw, Haren, Sheilds, Nova, Kimbrel, Feliz were throwing seeds all year. How did I respond to my first championship? In typical fashion, partying hard through the off season and showing up to this year's draft unprepared and out of shape. I did spend a number of hours coming up with a new team name which i feel good about. (W O P R - You know, from War Games "Would you like to play a game?" get it?.) In retrospect, I should spent 30 minutes to learn who was closing for each team. Alas..  The grisly results are as follows:

Read the original Pay The Rent essay here to get in on the ground floor: here

Though I hope you start your day at Colin's Coffee, the North Market Coffee Roast is also on Saturday and features a whole bunch of local roasters featuring their delicious cups o' joe. 9am-2pm and admission is only $5

and in other local business related news, I am pleased to announce the cool new phone App, "Ua All The Way", is now available for your smart phones and androids. I'll spare you all the technical details since I have no idea anyway, but the upshot is that with this app, you can order directly from your phone to a number of Upper Arlington restaurants. Even better, 5% of your order goes to a local charity of your choice. If you are interested in trying it out, stop by Colin's Coffee Saturday March 31st before noon, use the app and receive a free/and or really cheap coffee.

But really the best way to check out this new up and coming app is to visit the website or download it for free now...U.A. All The Way website here

Watershed News - Thanks to all you generous souls who have helped to get our Kickstarter program off to a promising start. Every "brick" helps us build something real for all of us to enjoy. We are beyond excited for everybody to hear the new CD, "Brick and Mortar", read Joe's new novel about the band, "Hitless Wonders" and come see us live as we tour the Eastern USA in June. To get all the details and show info, please click here 

Friends, Fans and savvy Business owners, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take two minutes to visit our Kickstarter program  here  to  see what we are offering and view the tour dates so far.  Thanking you in advance - Colin

In the meantime- why not visit the archives here at Colin.com? Lots n Lots to catch up on. In fact, if you scroll all the way to the bottom, you can read the 3 part essay I wrote back when I was selected (and the Bones) to be the only act playing at the opening of the Bruce Springsteen exhibit at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Did that really happen? wow.

and, if you feel like discussing the new Bruce CD, the upcoming baseball season or March Madness ,I play 5:30-7pm every Thursday at the World of Beer and..

Brian Phillips (CD102.5) and myself host Reelin'and Rockin' at the Gateway the third Wednesday of every month. March 21st we are screening "It Might Get Loud". It is an awesome flick and I highly recommend to all music fans. Hit the Fbook link to find out more.

To be continued.....'

"Pay The Rent Saturday" is a Worldwide Movement for people to give the little guy a shot one Saturday a month. Additionally, February is way to short when it's comes to the rent being due so of all months, small business really needs your support Saturday February 25th! Make plans now.

Please read below for the original essay that started this Global Initiative to rally support to independent businesses twelve days a year. it begins.........

Announcing a new World Wide Movement: "Pay The Rent Saturdays!" a plan to support local business. (originally posted January 2012)

Ok people, I'm not going to bullshit you. Things get a little tight around the coffee shop this time of year.  More so, there is this guy called "the landlord" and this thing called "the rent" and together they can be a real drag. It seems like almost every month he is all, "yo, give me some money" and I'm like,"dude...I ain't got that kind of scratch handy", so I need some friends to come in and buy a drink or sandwich and help us "Pay the Rent".

We all know buying local is much better for the planet, economy and our collective well being but let's face it, who hasn't sat in a drive-thru burning gas just to get one sweet taste of Starbuck's overpriced Beelzebub blend? I know I have. Say what you want about the Devil or McDonald's, but if they know one thing it's: location,location,location!

It's not like I'm are asking for a huge favor. We have great coffee, mocha, lattés and all that jazz you can get at all the big places. Don't like coffee? No problem, hot chocolate, breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese and tomato soup etc. Free WIFI. Come hang out. Study. Stalk your ex on Facebook perhaps? Good times.

"But I really like big corporate chain stores?"- you say?

Once again, no problem! Here at Colin's Coffee, we aim to please! On "Pay The Rent Saturday", we will have a jar out where you can just give us money and you do not have to order anything. You can support local business and then walk across our parking lot and choke down some crappy Mc Yuks swill. It's a win-win!

                                                     One Day a Month!

In all seriousness, we live in a world where corporations are not just king, they are considered "people". I stare out the windows of Colin's Coffee every single morning and watch the McDonald's drive-thru line overflow down the street. And I get it. That's just how it is. People are busy and while we all agree "buying local" is the right thing to do, it just isn't always convenient. So here is what I propose: Just one day a month, the last Saturday of every month go patronize a local business. Colin's Coffee or whomever. Try a small local restaurant, or grocery store, or record store or bar. or go see a band or whatever. Go to the Clairmont...Oh wait, too late. Everybody misses the local place when they read about them closing in the paper/online but the best time to miss them is while they are still in need of your business. Pay that place a visit one day a month.

Write in in your calendar and plan in advance. Like researching a local vacation. The last Saturday of every month is when you give the little guy a shot. Just asking 12 days out of 365. Not only will it improve your community, I guarantee you will be glad you tried it.      (If you agree please share, duh)

In the meantime, See you at Colin's Coffee Saturday January 28th (though I have to leave for a bit to take my son Owen to his 2nd basketball game ever- that's how you roll at a small business).

Thanks for reading this and if you agree, please share the sentiment (duh)- Colin

Colin Gawel is best known as the founder of the worldwide, "Pay the Rent" movement. Additionally, he plays in Watershed, the Lonely Bones, and once ranked every single Cheap Trick song in a 29 page essay. He is a husband, father, songwriter, fantasy baseball player. He moonlights as a coffee shop owner. colingawel.com 

Just to give you the heads up, we will be hitting the road for a number of shows to promote the new CD and book. Here are the confirmed gigs for now with more to be added. All of these are headlining shows so you will get the full rock and/or roll treatment. Exact details TBA but you can start saving the dates now. Please pass the info on to your friends. Do not come all alone. We need your help.

Wednesday June 6th- Joe Oestreich Reading "Hitless Wonders", Wexner Center, Columbus, Ohio

Friday June 8th, CD/Book release party @  Bluestone, Columbus, Ohio

Sunday June 10th, Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland w/Skydragster

Monday June25th. Mercury Lounge, NYC

Tuesday June 26th, DC9 Washington, DC

Wednesday June 27th, Club Cafe , Pittsburgh

Thursday June 28th, Small's, Detroit.

More dates TBA

Please spread the word!!  www.watershedcentral.com 

You know Ricki C.  He's the guy who has forgotten more about rock n roll than you will ever know. Oh, you saw The Doors movie? Ricki saw the fucking Doors start a near riot at Veterans Memorial in Columbus, Ohio. You own the AC/DC box set "Bonfire"? Ricki C had lunch with Bon Scott. Ricki is the guy who tried to kill himself twice but the Rolling Stones saved his life. You remember that don't you?

 Ricki is the guy who plays guitar not because he wants to, but because he has to. The guy who saw The Who, MC5, The Stooges, Hendrix BEFORE they were on anything other than AM radio in half empty clubs. He who tuned guitars, kept groupies away from other girlfriends and moved gear for Willie Phoenix and The Buttons and the Shadowlords and Flower Machine and True Soul Rockers.

   He's the guy who gets on stage and asks if you want an encore. The guy behind the merch table. The guy on CD102.5 doing "Invisible Hits" with Curt Scheiber. The guy who works at Ace in the Hole records when Pep isn't there. And he never plays any jam bands in the store. He's the guy playing rock n roll all alone on his acoustic guitar at the comic book store. Don't you dare call him a singer-songwriter. Them's fightin' words. Ask Rick Ocasek.

Ricki C, I know the guy. I've spent countless hours sitting next to him in a van. He inspires me to be a better person/rock n roll fan. We once even witnessed a Too Live Crew concert together in a park in North Caorlina. That's a brotherhood. Ricki C. You know the guy. He can't shut the fuck up about Mott the Hoople, Hamell on Trial and The Whiles. Yeah. That guy. he doesn't drink or smoke but he hangs out in rock n roll clubs 3 nights a week. He does a great meringue too. You know the guy. .

all bullshit aside "The Bathtub" is the greatest rock n roll story ever told. read it and tell me i'm wrong.

 Read it here 

"Ok Colin, we get it. Rock n roll saved Ricki's life...blah.. blah.. blah.. Big Deal x 2. Enough with the rock n roll stories. How about some sex and drugs stories involving Watershed?"  

 fine..... Ricki has those too.

 drugs:    

  sex:   

please pass on the info to Ricki's blog to all intelligent people who love rock n roll. 

http://rickic614.blogspot.com/2012/01/part-one.html