October Gig Newsletter

I've got a really excellent line-up of shows in October, playing solo and with some really great musicians...wait, that doesn't begin to do it justice. I am not exaggerating at all when I talk about how amazing the musicians are in this area.  I know, because I am lucky enough to find myself part of a large community of players and singers who are all extremely talented, professional and just good people. It was brought home to me very powerfully a few weeks ago. 

Technicolor Motor Home had a crisis when a family emergency caused our bass player to have to cancel, with only one day before our show at the Recher Theatre. While our hearts went out to him, we didn't want to cancel the show.  Could we find someone available?  Would he be able to play two hours of Steely Dan songs with only one day to prepare?  We didn't think twice, we just picked up the phone and started making calls.  Within a couple hours, we had not just one but three people available that we were confident could do it.

We decided to ask Jay Dulaney, a masterful bass player I have shared the stage with many times over the last few years.  Jay also frequently gigs with TMH's drummer Mark St. Pierre, so it was a good connection.  Jay was miraculously available, and willing.  But could he be ready?  He was sure he could, and we simply knew we could count on him.  We were right.  The show went off without a hitch, and Jay not only played the songs well, but we all had a great time.  His willingness to not just help out, but to really deliver a top-notch performance of the highest caliber, and maintain an easy-going attitude, was nothing short of amazing.

Another example of this community is how musicians frequently come together to help out those in need.  This month, a benefit show has been set up to help support Debbie Gavazzi, who is battling cancer.  Debbie has been a part of the local music scene as a booking agent for many years, and an all-star line-up of local bands has signed on to play at an all-day event.  Local musicians have a lot of heart.

There are so many talented musicians in this area, doing their thing, making music, teaching, gigging around town.  I hope all you music fans will continue to give them the enthusiastic support and respect they deserve!  And thanks, people, for doing so.

This month, I'll be playing with a whole bunch of those aforementioned awesome musicians:

Elena Martin

Brian Comotto

Dave DeMarco

Technicolor Motor Home

(Baltimore's own 10-piece Steely Dan tribute band)

and a very special reunion with my old band Spectrum.

Check out the full schedule, below, and for more info on what I do, go to www.benshermanguitar.com.


Sat.  Oct.  1 - SOLO CLASSICAL wedding

Fri.  Oct.  7 - with TECHNICOLOR MOTOR HOME
at The 8 x 10, 8 p.m.
10 E Cross St, Baltimore, MD 21230 410-625-2000
www.technicolormotorhome.com 
www.the8x10.com 
Once again, we will be opening for Steely Dan's
touring guitarist Jon Herington!
http://jonherington.com

Sun.  Oct.  9 - SOLO CLASSICAL wedding

Thurs.  Oct.  13 - ACOUSTIC DUO with Brian Comotto
at The Still (An Poitin Stil), 9 pm
2323 York Rd., Timonium, MD 21093 410-560-7900
www.thestill.net 
My monthly get-together with the lovely and talented Brian Comotto!
www.briancomotto.com 

Fri.  Oct.  14 - with SPECTRUM at Greene Turtle Westminster, 9 p.m.
830 Market St., Westminster, MD 21157 410-871-1524
Another reunion show with Carroll County's
all-time favorite local band!
Like Spectrum on Facebook.

Sun.  Oct.  16 with DAVE DEMARCO and friends
at Surf City, showtime TBA
9654 Belair Rd.  Perry Hall MD 21236 410-256-7873
We'll be doing one set of some great classic rock as part of the benefit event for Debbie Gavazzi.

Fri.  Oct.  21 - ACOUSTIC DUO with Elena Martin
at Memories Charcoal House, 9 p.m.
400 E Ridgeville Blvd., Mt Airy, MD 21771 301-829-2264
www.memoriescharcoalhouse.com 

Sat.  Oct.  22, day - SOLO CLASSICAL wedding

Sat.  Oct.  22, night - SOLO ACOUSTIC at E.W.  Beck's, 9 p.m.
7565 Main Street, Sykesville, MD 21784 410-795-1001
A great restaurant and pub in Sykesville!
www.ewbecks.com

Fri.  Oct.  28 - SOLO ACOUSTIC at Serra Brothers Sports Pub, 8 p.m.
2021 Liberty Road, Eldersburg MD 21784 410-795-5600
Back in Eldersburg!
www.serrabrothersitaliandeli.com

Sat.  Oct.  29 - SOLO ACOUSTIC private event