The Bungalow Inn in Lakeland always kicks off the new year with a series of singing contests dubbed Bungalow Idol, which continue to pick up steam and resume on Friday with the second to last qualifying night, even though the TV show after which it is patterned is having its swan song.
Although it has not been around quite as long as the American Idol series, which is celebrating its final season, Bungalow Idol still can boast a run of several years. With apologies to Jethro Tull, it still hasn’t bungled it in what can be the jungle of karaoke competitions. The train keeps rolling …
Over all that time, there have been scores of musical styles represented, and some of the singers are good enough that they could probably front a band, but they don’t want the hassle of touring. One commentator noted that participation levels were high and that the singers who did best, as numbers were pared down by judges, were those who chose numbers that were more current — though those covering Sinatra always stand out for their quality.
Some of those singers who are longtime karaoke stalwarts have tried for the coveted crown at The Bungalow multiple times, and they say really look forward to the annual January and February event, and talk about it between songs at other karaoke venues when the previous fall rolls around.
This all got rolling at the Bungalow when a longtime karaoke-meister, Lori, was at the helm, having gotten started in singing while a music teacher and building a reputation as a superior songstress. She would take the mic and do an introductory song or two, to warm up the crowd, then might do the same at certain junctures at other points in the night. There since have been other band leaders for Bungalow Idol, such as the current Chad, each bringing their own style and many times prompting people to hit the spacious dance floor. They would also get up and boogie during the competition itself.
This Friday, Jan. 22, and the next are the last nights to qualify for the finals, which will be held Feb. 5. The four qualifying rounds started Jan. 8. All the steps in the competition are held on Fridays, with things getting going about 9:30 p.m. and running until quite late when merited.
For information, call the Bungalow Inn at (651) 436-5005.
— Over decades, Howard “Guitar” Luedtke has built a reputation for what has been called a powerful, muscular blues sound in the electrified Chicago style, with some of the best guitar to be found from a Wisconsinite, as a rare genuine blues man. Indeed, Luedtke really seems to live the blues, not just pump out its tunes. You can judge for yourself this Friday evening when he performs with his band, Blue Max, at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt.
Though his solo shows have a toned-down acoustic essence, Luedtke’s Blue Max performances show high intensity and emotion he says people can feel.
Luedtke has maintained that energy built on bluesy guitar runs, often on slide guitar, over a run of nearly 35 years, most of it with Blue Max.
Though he and wife, as well as longtime bassist, Deb Klossner, have scaled back their number of shows, which have been as high as 150 a year, they still play as much as possible.
Their show usually is a mix of crowd favorites and 1960s-era rock and blues covers, mixed in with a bit of stuff that’s more recent.
— Great liquor is born not made, so if you want some “American Born Moonshine,” you can order it at Dick’s Bar and Grill for a mere $4, but that’s only good for the brand’s “apple pie” version. If just that, could be a lot to serve: I think Mom needs a raise! Be assured that despite the moonshine name, this is legal, as Dick’s has been open for business without interruption since 1860, both before and after prohibition and through all the travails where people have made their own. The fact the business has been around that long is celebrated as one of the things listed on their chalkboard, right alongside a drawing of their llama mascot and motivation for their Lucky Dog brand of house beer, which also has been around for many years. The llama on the drawing appears bug-eyed; I guess you would be too if you had been open for 156 years! And there is another prominent $4 special on tap for this bar that is billed as the oldest in Wisconsin, and lets you “get Surly” in the Badger State. Its Furious brand is now available here, not just in Minnesota, as the chalkboard also says. A like-minded sticker that is attached to the counter at the bar that you can flip up says this: “Arise Surly Nation.” All this could be seen as the reverse of border hopping as it compares to the recent New Glarus debacle, where Twin Cities bar owners came HERE to get Spotted Cow beer, because it isn’t available in the Gopher State. Bartender Matt and I joked about these things being regulated not by the FDA, but the FBA (Food and Beer Administration).