I jus wanna rock n roll

During the holiday season, many of us take time to reflect on our goals for the year, and what progress we've made in achieving them.

Sometimes, progress is there and we can really see how far we've come in this journey. Other times, we don't always recognize the bench marks for what milestones they represent. Progress is often measured in the small steps...and the goal is progress, not perfection.

All in all, we've had a good Westside year. We've performed live before new audiences and familiar faces. My home studio is a work in progress. The long awaited CD projects will be completed at last. We are 2010 nominees to the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame. And, knock on wood, I have good health.

As ever, I need to take the time to thank the man upstairs, my family, my friends, and my fellow band members and their families and friends, as well as all of you fans for your support. So, from me, to you, thank you, for all you do.

Whether your progress this year is in big steps or baby steps, take the time with me to reflect and say thank you this holiday season.

Peace and God Bless.

This week for Westside Band

Due to a scheduling conflict, the band is not performing this weekend ( Th 12/10-Sa 12/12) but we will see you all next week: Thursday at the Breakaway in Robbinsdale; Friday at Casa Vieja in St. Paul; and Saturday at Two Stooges in Fridley.

Due to the holiday season, the CD release party for December has been moved to Saturday, January 23rd at the MMC….and DON’T FORGET THIS IS THE WEEKEND OF JUNIOR AND TONY’S BIRTHDAY’S.

Reminder: The BAND is still playing at MMC on Wednesday, December 23rd.

WESTSIDE CD RELEASE PARTY 12/23 mmc

Westside's CD release party is moved from Wed. 12/23to Sat. 1/23 at the MMC (Minnesota Music Cafe).

We are performing a HOLIDAY concert @ MMC Wednesday, 12/23. This is a concert U won't want 2 miss. We have some Westside surprises 4 U!

Also, be sure to mark your calendars for our CD release party the (Jr. & Tony's birthday weekend) @ the MMC Saturday, January 23rd! Big party nite with Westside!

2010 Mid-America Music Hall of Fame

Westside Band Sponsorships Only $50

Hotline: 651-688-0329

Sponsor@westsideband.com

Sponsor Benefits:
Choice of company or personal name/logo listed on "Hall of Fame" T-shirt and 1-autographed "Hall of Fame" T-shirt in the size of your choice
12 month link on band's websites
25% off 2010 Mid-America Music Hall of Fame ticket for Westside Band performance nite
Band Prize @ CD release party WED. 12/23 @ Minnesota Music Cafe

Sponsor monies go to help defray expenses @ MAMHOF:
Rental of video equipment and production at event to produce MAMHOF DVD and MAMHOF CD
Booth Rental and Westside History display at Hall of Fame event
Display for Hall of Fame Museum
Advertising to support Mid-America Hall of Fame induction event
City Pages Advertising
News Media relations in support of the event

For more info or to set up UR sponsorship, e-mail us or see a band or crew member or merchandise sales at the next Westside gig.

FAQs
1. What if I want my name/logo to be bigger? You may purchase additional sponsorships @ $50 to increase the size of your name or logo
2. What color are the shirts? The shirts will be black with a white print on both sides
3. How can I be sure my shirt will be the size I want? Please indicate your shirt size on your sponsor envelope
4. How long is the sponsor program open? All sponsorships must be reserved and paid for by 10/31 -- DEALINE EXTENDED to 12/1!
5. When do I get the T-shirt? @ the CD release party or delivered by the band or crew member you purchased the sponsorship from

Dancin' Like James Brown

Drivin' in my car. Listenin' to the radio. And there he is James Brown. Man, I don't care how old that stuff is, the man rocked it.

Watchin' Tony Green @the MMC show, doin' some of his MJ moves to "Billie Jean" -- a couple of my friends said, ya know, Tony G dances all out like James Brown. And, he does. He flat out dances like Mr. Brown. But, he sings like the one and only Tony Green.

Tony my friend, you've got 2 new hips and UR dancin' like a 20 year old. My hat is off 2 U. U rocked the house at Minnesota Music Cafe Saturday nite. And, if U missed his performance - U really missed one, as TG would say *%@# HOT show.

Overheard after the gig: Love the new tails TG. Stylin'

If I could save time in a bottle

Wow. The past week has gone by in a flash. What seemed like an endless supply of hours to get busy in the studio is dwindling down to a precious few days. We've worked hard in our week and half off from performing and hope U will come on down and check out the show with our new addition, David Ross, @ the Minnesota Music Cafe this Saturday, August 15th. We're gonna party like its 1999.

Celebrations and changes ...

This past month we had a few birthdays 2 celebrate--Lauren, Arnie, Jeane. If U missed them, U missed a good, good partay!

We got to meet Blood Sweat & Tears as their opening act @ our 1st gig 4 Royal River Casino in Flandreau South Dakota (7/21-8/1).

Last week we performed at our neighborhood block party in Eagan and it was bigger n better than ever. Thank U Doug & Darcy.

Now, in the hot hot heat of the summer we have more celebrations and more changes.

Our good friend, the multi-talented, multi-instrumented, Lauren McArthur, is leaving Westside Band to spend more time with the myriad of things going on his life. We hope he will sit in with us when he is in town and wish him all the best. We're gonna miss U Lauren, and your lovely missus Debbie!

Our newest addition keys is, David Ross. He joins Westside with his first performance this Saturday 8/15 at the Minnesota Music Cafe on 7th & Payne in St. Paul. Let's give him a big non-stop Westside party welcome!

And, at Karen & Katie Palm's Minnesota Music Cafe this Saturday, Emma & Louie Trejo--Westside's number 1 fans and greatest supporters are celebrating their 57th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations mother & father Trejo.

We hope U can all join us Saturday to welcome David, and honor Emma & Louie on their anniversary.

While we're at it, Westside is coming up on ___ years! Established in October of 1981....we have a party comin' up!

MIchael Michael Michael

Your star burned the brightest. Your work, your legacy goes on.

Save Now

Randy Perez

Last week, my friends Lick and JB called to let me know our good friend Randy Perez had passed away.

We all had just performed at a benefit for him at the Minnesota Music Cafe, just a couple of weeks ago.

Although Randy told us about his terminal cancer, it just went so quickly.

Randy loved music and loved bands. He was a good friend.

Randy, we're all gonna miss U.

Below is the information we found on the Pioneer Press web site:

Perez, Randy C. Age 57 Of Stillwater Preceded in death by mother, Bettie. Long time employee of P.D. Pappy's. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Mary; as well as his children, Erik, Jolie, Scott, Cole; grandchildren, Kathryn, Amanda, Kayla, Spencer, Kristina, Lauren, Blake, Bryce, Skyler; father, Emil; siblings, Mark (Diane), Pamela (Robert), Dawn (Thomas); nieces and nephews, Darcel, Pook, Liscia, Corey, Mia, Travis and Jenny; other family and many friends. Mass of Christian Burial, 11 AM Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY, 111th & Hanson Blvd, Coon Rapids, 763-755-1020, with visitation 1 hr prior to Mass at church. Interment Epiphany Cemetery. www.methven-taylor.com 763-786-2127 Blaine

Steve Raiit - Celebration and DVD

In hornor and memory of Steve Raitt, we are dedicating today's blog to info about the Celebration of Life held last Sunday and the Tribute Video.

This is John Bam Bam Morgan,

I would like to thank all those who attended this wonderful heart felt event for the Celebration of Steve Raitt on Sunday.
It was truly wonderful seeing everybody again and gathering in spirit for a great purpose.

I am honored I could be a part of this event by producing the Tribute video, performing and just being there.
Every one did a splendid job for Steve and his family and friends.
Bobby and Sarah are amazing in spirit for making this all happen.

The Steve Raitt Celebration of Life DVD is now ready. If anybody is interested in a DVD copy, please send $20.00 which covers my time and cost, to the address
below and made out in my name.
PLEASE type to me in an email your mailing address, I need to be able to read it.

I can accept money order, cashiers checks, personal checks and Pay Pal. If you do pay pal please use this email address as my pay pal name.
mrfreezeface@hotmail.com

John Morgan
7297 Pontiac Circle
Chanhassen, MN 55317

As a special bonus feature which was not shown at the event, is a extra video track on the DVD, so if you let the video play after the tribute, it goes into the

introduction of a live
performance of Steve performing the song Too Funky in Here with the TC Jammers from 1998.

Please pass this email on to those you might know that would be interested in the DVD.

Peace & Love,
John Bam Bam Morgan

Steve Raitt - We Miss U Guy

Just learned that Steve Raitt, a friend from back in the day when Westside was starting out and our Star Search Days passed after a long battle with cancer.

Back then, if you wanted the best sound director, you called Steve Raitt. We were fortunate to have Steve mix for us a few times. He was known for bringing excellent musicians together. And, well known as a big part of the TC Jammers.

I am blessed to have known him, and counted him a friend. Steve, you will be remembered and you will be missed.

Counting My Blessings

My health is good. Better than good. I love what I do. My family is close by. I am very blessed.

My oldest daughter was married in Mexico last month, in a small family celebration.

This weekend the newlyweds are having a wedding party for friends and family back at home.

My band, Westside, is performing and I am looking forward to the concert, and seeing everyone.

April 1st, 2009

It's April 1st. And, I don't have a joke for the day.

Saw little Valerie Bertinelli on the front cover of People this week. Man, she looks about the same as in the 1985 photo from the "One Day at a Time" series. Did U ever watch that one with McKenzie Phillips and Bonnie somebody?

I always thought of her as more of a little sister type than the bikini pin up girl. Bertinelli's all grown up now and lookin gooood. She's going to tell the world how she lot 50 pounds and got in better shape on "Oprah" tomorrow. I just may have o tune in. Or not.

My celebrity crush was Farrah of the original "Charlies Angels" series. Her Ultra Brite smile is what hooked me. When her pin up was featured in John Travolta's bedroom in" Saturday Night Fever," I knew I wasn't the only youngun' who thought FF was hot back in the day. According to celebrity gossip, that particular touch was requested by JT, as in John Travolta, himself.

I'm spending time writing music in my studio and putting finishing touches on our long awaited LIVE CD. My mood is energized cuz I am loving what I am doing with my music.

No promises on whether I will blog daily. But I welcome your following me or just coming to my blog page anonymously. U can keep in touch by adding your comments to the blogs. I read everyone.

If U come out to see my band, please be sure to introduce yourself. I try to mingle, but sometimes, its easier for U to get to me, at some of the clubs.

Have a great April Fool's day, Jr.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye is one of Westside Bands' greatest inspirations.

He was totally under-rated in the Twin Cities. I remember going to music stores and mass retailers as a wee one in the late 60s and early 70s, and seeing bins of Marvin Gaye 45s in the deep discount piles. The big radio station of the day, KDWB did not play Marvin. I don't think anyone else with a signal beyond a couple blocks played him either.

April 1st 1984 is when Marvin Gaye died. It was a Sunday morning, a day before his 45th birthday, His father shot him at point-blank range after a violent argument. It was headline news, even in the Twin Cities.

This April marks the 25th Anniversary of his death.

Marvin got his start as a drummer and a piano player in studio and on tour for the Miracles.


Marvin styled himself as "The Midnight Lover" and conventional press labeled him the "black Frank Sinatra." And, Motown was a family affair for Marvin, he was married to Berry Gordy's sister, Anna.

Marvin Gaye's legacy lives on. Last year Rolling Stone ranked him No. 6 on a list of the greatest singers of all time. A film on his life starring Jesse L. Martin is in the works. On UTube Gaye's memory has inspired more than 8,000 video postings.

25 years later Gaye's music still matters. Alright!

Hello Mary Loo and JeaneBiz 2

Wow. Here we are, scions of the webuniverse, beginning our first real blog on blogspot.com. This is in addition to the blog on my www.westsideband.com message board I started last week.

This is going to be a lot of fun.

What am I doing? Right now I am on my way to the Parlay Lounge at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welsch MN or Red Wing (closest bigger city) for our Weekend gig during SPRING BREAK!