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Hey Daug, perform some jazz or prominent karaoke:
— At the Willow River Saloon on Saturday night, July 20, it’s Blind Dog, a little old country rock band that’s become quite big, and well-known regionally with a great following. “They’re really fun,” said a bartender, adding they’re widely renowned from the Twin Cities on over for that attribute. playing 70s, 80s and 90s music. On the previous night, a Friday, its Load Center, which plays classic rock, blues, originals and “5 country songs.” You’ve got to love it when a band’s bio is that precise.
— On Saturday, July 20’s celebration of the “fifth annual grand opening” of the Kozy Korner grill and bar in North Hudson, there will be at least that many ways to enjoy yourself, the owners point out. A bean-bag-toss tournament will be held using multiple boards, with registration at 12:30 and action at 1 p.m., Darren Caster will play a solo acoustic guitar show (think giving the Who’s Behind Blues Eyes a new, bluesy treatment), the joint’s trademark pizza will be sold in slices, and 16 ounce beers such as Michelob Golden will be on sale for $3.

— There is a reason JazzSpring has been asked to play on the patio at Pudge’s Bar each Thursday and Friday night through the end of August. Pudge’s owner Michael Murphy says that he regularly is contacted by bands, often inexperienced,  that want to play gigs at his bar, but he knew right away that this jazz duo was something different and special — and has become the only band he’s hired. Music by these veterans of jazz starts at about 7:30 p.m. each night.
— Each Thursday night, it’s DJ Chad hosting karaoke at Bo’s ‘N Mine in River Falls, with the added feature that patrons itching to sing can put up their request via their Smart Phone. Down the street each Wednesday night at the Corner Saloon, its the karaoke of S&S Power, which has the added attraction of seeing your name in lights, as you or your alais and the song title will be listed in order of appearance on a TV screen. That’s how I got my singing alias of The Count. Don’t ask me why that name, I haven’t a clue.

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