I Am A Groupie - Clapping with Red Meat!

I have always loved music. Since I was a child, I could never stand still when spirited music was playing. But somehow when I was growing up "I never got the memo" that I was supposed to have a favorite band, buy all their albums, and sell my first born child to be able to buy tickets to see them in concert.  I think I was born in the cusp between generations because my brothers, Chuck and Fred, are just 3 and 5 years younger than I and they were into bands in their teens...starting with the Beatles.  My own sons loved music, had posters of  KISS, Ted Nugent, Terry Bozzio and many others decorating their bedroom walls through the years and to this day, they still scramble obtain concert tickets before they sell out to see their favorite artists, currently The Avett Brothers.

The first item I ever bought on a time payment plan was a High Fidelity Record player. The first album I ever owned was a Perry Como Christmas album, 33 1/3 rpm...and I was president of the first Andy Williams fan club because my dad worked with Andy's brother when he was first starting his career.  But I was never what could be defined as a "groupie!"  That is until 2006 when Jay and I went to see my cousin, Michael Montalto perform with his band, Red Meat, at the "world's smallest honky tonk bar" The Cinema Bar, in Culver City.

After that first time we were hooked.  Their music is consistent, original, up beat, toe-tapping, humourous lyrics, together with some side-splitting stand-up comedy (even if Smelley is a little risque!)  We always grab the chance to see them live. Once, while on a vacation, we even were able to catch one of their shows in the San Francisco Bay area where they live. Each year they make the pilgrimage to Southern California, usually playing one night at the Cinema Bar, and we never miss it.

The group all hails from the Midwest and they have been performing together since 1993.  Michael, also known affectionately as "Monty," is the lead guitarist.

Michael Montalto 2012

Scott Young plays the guitar, the violin, the trombone and sings.  Jill Olson, bassist and vocalist, tries to keep vocalist and front man, Smelley Kelley, from becoming too outrageously ribald.  Drummer, Les James, and manager, Owen Bly, keep everything on an even keel.  Much of their music is original written by Jill and Scott, but they also play many country favorites as well. We have bought all their CDs, sing along with the lyrics in the car, and even bought the T-shirt.

Well, last night was the night for 2012. We headed to Culver City to the Cinema Bar and it was a family reunion for us.

Though Michael was just a little boy when we moved from Ohio, over the years I have been able to develop a nice relationship with this first cousin.

Patricia, Michael and Jay

  His girlfriend, Gillian, was also along for the trip and it was good to reconnect with her.

Gillian and Michael

All the band greets us as "Here's Montalto's cousins" and we feel right at home.  We even enticed another LA resident cousin, Michael Bove, to join us and we all shared beer, laughs, hugs and music.  Michael Bove, an actor and drummer himself, knew just how to help Les set up his equipment.

Michael Bove, the cousin and the "roadie!"

A drummer himself, he know how to set it up!

We stayed for both sets and got home around 2 am!

Red Meat performing

So today, though I woke up a little groggy from the late night, I was happy...happy to have reconnected with family and happy to have enjoyed a fun evening with great people.  Now I just have to get that song out of my head..."I have a 12 inch, three speed, oscillating fan..."

Yes, I am a finally a groupie.