Reach out and touch someone, or something, for free, and that just might mean petting a dog:
— Imagine the freedom this free night will give you. You can pick pretty much any song you desire in a free
TouchTunes night at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday night, June 4. TouchTunes is the largest
in-venue interactive music and entertainment platform, featured in more than 71,000 bars and restaurants across
North America and Europe. A press release says the network supports a growing portfolio of location-based
digital solutions that encourage social interactions through shared experiences. (Wow that’s a mouthful). They
have the technology to highlight the songs, artists and search results that are most relevant. TouchTunes also
has renewed their exclusive jukebox license featuring The Beatles.
— Dogleg Left will return to play their folk, indie music and light rock at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Friday  evening.

They are known for being original, in both their style, tunes played and compositions. They are said to sound like

The Jayhawks and have been signed by the label South Channel. The bio of the Twin Cities band is informative, if

not satirical: “After touring the country for more than a decade and playing nowhere, Dogleg Left has returned

home to record their first work in years.”

— Also at Dick’s, participate in a “threesome,” although that much indulgence might be intoxicating. A set of
three flyers in a row advertise liquor in the forms of Surly on one side and Lagunita IPA on the other, each
featuring a leggy, scantily clad woman in almost exactly the same pose. The flyer in the Middle is for Jim Beam
(lucky guy). Only one of the women, however, is smoking a cigarette, (and I thought that came afterward).

Steel yourself for music on the patio, leading the way of music offerings during the Memorial Day entry-of-summer holiday:

— The Country Outlaws will play the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday evening, May 27, showcasing songs going back as far as the ’60s. They have a female singer, so they can cover tunes sung by both genders. The band even has some of the stuff from back a time, such as the old Merle Haggard, and are heavy on steel guitar, which band member and Hudsonite Paul Gavic took the patience to make a mission of and learn starting about six years ago.
— There is also a new offering at the Smilin’ Moose, music on the patio that was added late last year, going all three days of the holiday. There’s Todd Douglas on May 27, Brian Dickenson (no Iron Maiden singer relation) on May 28 and (Hudson’s own) Chris Lawrence on May 29. The first two shows are from 5-8 p.m. and the final one from 2-5 p.m.
— It’s much the same at Mallard’s in Bayport over the holiday weekend, just going a bit longer: Tim Butler on May 27 and Tommy Bentz on May 28 from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and Marcus Lere on May 29 from 2-6 p.m. The latter two also have a strong Hudson-River Falls presence and also will perform on the deck.

— They may be local, but the married couple and musical duo of Sarah and Eric VanValkenburg sometimes trek a distance to play in the St. Croix Valley, such as their Thursday evening gig at Season’s Tavern in North Hudson that can help you get an early start to your Memorial Day weekend. The acoustic duo goes under the band name Practical Goods, and features original music written by Sarah. The Americana/country duo plays not only around the St. Croix River Valley, but also Minneapolis and St. Paul — and as far away as Austin, Texas. They play at a whole variety of wine bars, pubs, restaurants, fairs and festivals around the community. Their wide range of rock, country and songwriter genres makes for a fun evening, they say. They most enjoy playing old country, and ‘red dirt’ Texas, Americana style music. You might hear some Rolling Stones, (much like the house band Thirsty Camel), Elvis or Ray Wylie Hubbard and originals at their shows.

— You can spin a wheel as a countdown to Country Jam in Eau Claire at — wait a minute — Dick’s Bar and Grill on May 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. There will be prizes, and tickets to the concert on July 21-23.

If you definitely dig Dick’s, the coming days may be your deal.
— There is a Sunday euchre tournament at the bar and grill, but it’s a requirement that you have a partner. So one might ask, what about Bob (Uecker) as in Mr. Baseball himself, as it’s that time of year. (Although with the performance of the Brew Crew and Twins, you might reconsider). Be that as it may, the tourney is free, and you’re in the front row, no need for even cheap seats. It starts at 1 p.m. and is billed as having great prizes.
— On Friday evening its Good Time Willy playing at Dick’s. (Always makes me think of the former bartender there by that name). They a straight-ahead Chicago influenced blues band, which seems to be a trend regionally and locally. Willy and the boys are backed by a tight rhythm section, and the occasional special guests.
— The beer of the month at Dick’s is Schlitz, and as the sign says about the brew’s heyday, “Life wasn’t watered down then … Neither was the beer.” It touts the “Classic 1960s formula,” and the art work harkens back to that era, showing what looks like a vehicle out of Speed Racer, with a woman posing by it similarly attired, with plastic suit, short skirt and big boots. Is it just chance that the night I saw this proclaimed, I ran into a friend with a T-shirt that said “Speed Machine?’
— And again, with summer coming and Jambo playing his trop rock quite often at Dick’s, it is fitting that they should be selling Citradelic Tangerine IPA, (Tune In. Hop Out). It’s also fitting that the tonic comes from the New Belgium company. A flyer goes on for 83 words describing in stream-of-consciousness-style — you know, kind of like HudsonWiNightlife — all the accolades of the drink and how they play out. And the special offered is in bottles, don’t have to worry about the notorious Buffett-style pop top.

Hop on the stagecoach for fun this weekend, bearing beer, and even karaoke and the jukebox:
— The group Stagecoach will play the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt for the first time in months on Friday night, May 13. Vintage art work to accompany the band’s gear includes stagecoaches and horses outside of old country billiard halls, full of skull imagery, often with a cowboy hat. Many of the songs fit into that decor: Harley, Son of the South, Iron Horse, Cherokee Princess, Outlaw Woman, Luchenbach Texas, Folsom Prison Blues and simply, The Ride.
— Karaoke is not dead in the area. The Village Inn in North Hudson is hosting it on the second Saturday evening of every month, and coming with it is a $2 Miller Lite special.
— And across the road at Kozy Korner, you can get the same beer via a slightly different special; they are calling there’s a Blue Yummy. And while there, cast your vote for the North Hudson Man of the Year, as the ongoing ballots that are tallied on weekends move toward the finals.
— Prince is gone, but his memory lives on via frequent jukebox airplay that remains. For example, the box at Buffalo Wild Wings recently pumped out four of five consecutive songs from The Purple One.

— The Northern Invasion heavy metal show in Somerset expands to two days, this Saturday and Sunday, and kicks off with a bonfire music party on Friday night. The sounds of the about 30 bands on the bill, from those at the north end main stage of the Northern Invasion, will spill hundreds of yards over the bowl-shaped natural amphitheater on Somerset’s west side. Headliners come from different ends of the musical spectrum: Rob Zombie and Shinedown on Saturday and Disturbed and Korn on Sunday. Tickets for the fest, which features both the nationally known and the somewhat obscure, are on-sale on the show’s web site.

The only thing small about Cinco de Mayo as served up locally is the price:
— Don’t take a siesta, but have a fiesta on May 5 with numerous dine-in food and drink specials at the Hudson Green Mill. The specials include Venice tacos and taco pizza and four different drinks that have Cinco de Mayo written all over them. And that don’t just run for a few hours, but are available all day — even during siesta — like their classic margarita for only $4 (rail pour only). For a buck less, just $3, get Corona and Corona Light and Modelo Especial.
All you have to do is be signed up to save some green at Green Mill during the holiday. Participants need to mention a publicized ad as well as be a rewards club member. Those currently not a rewards member can signup online at greenmill.com, otherwise at the restaurant.
As far as food, buy one pasta, get one free pasta of equal or lesser value, with purchase of two beverages. There also are half-priced Venice tacos, and taco pizza at $12.99 for medium and $16.99 for large (Pescara, classic and Old World only). Offers not valid with any other coupon, discount, Happy Hour offers, or reward certificate.
— Cinco de Mayo is all about somewhat exotic brews, so don’t go small. For example, you can get five Coronas for $12.95 at Dick’s Bar and Grill. However, to really do it up big, trek a little further, (north no less), and hit Acapulco restaurante Mexicano in Stillwater, which has things such as beer buddy shot with pint tap beer, tall Dos Equis XX and simply “the Cinco shot” from May 5-7. Not to be outdone, the true colors at the new Mexican restaurant at Ellie’s on Main are shown by a license plate on the wall that says “Corona,” that being the “Extra,” which is given a 2008 date, (I guess that means its well aged). Oh yeah, you can buy a 24 ounce Mexican beer for $3.50.
— It’s not your father’s root beer, nor would you want it to be, even though summer is fast approaching. At least three local bars have been making this sales pitch via their promotional signs, saying that added to the summery ale mix are alcohol (which is to be expected) and spices (not so much so). The drink is bottled by the Small Town Brewery.

Retro is as retro does … and sings … and drinks … throughout the tri-state area:
— Who knows, they may be the hottest act to come out of Iowa since Slipknot, although the genre is definitely different, and they get their name from a classic tractor built much nearer to Burkhardt, where they play the Willow River Saloon on Saturday night, April 30. The Minneapolis Molines are made up of various ages but say they are definitely retro country, playing songs from the 1980s and ’90s, the latter being their key influence. They hail from eastern Iowa and were formed, their online site says, in year “201.” Now that’s old enough to be way beyond retro, although they describe themselves as the hottest such quintet “in the tri-state area,” with four different people on vocals. Members include Todd Ellis on guitar and vocals, Joel Thielen on drums, Mark McGranahan on lead guitar and vocals, Bill George on fiddle, guitar and vocals, and Jimmy Welty on bass and vocals.
— The retro theme prevails with one of the liquor choices advertised at Dick’s Bar and Grill, the Lagunitas IPA that shows a retro-or-even-earlier dressed woman with jean shorts sitting on the hood of a classic car.
— The subtle haromonies of The Way Out will take over Dick’s Bar and Grill on Friday evening. An example given by listener Kim from their last gig here was a cover of Very Superstitious, where there obviously was no horn section, but it was replaced by funky guitar chords here and there. In the reverse of many groups, their sound got rockier in the later sets. There also was a keyboardist-guitarist who took over on bongos on occasion to provide percussion and some flourishes at the end of songs.

So much sand piled up that you almost need to be 8 Foot 4:
— How would you like to play in the sand with a singer like Mel Travolta, (after he’s done playing music?) And just maybe bury him in a makeshift sand castle? All while having a featured summer-ish drink that’s big on “roasted pineapple whiskey?” You can, possibly, do all these things at the spring beach party at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Saturday night, April 23. Travolta is on stage a little later than usual for bands at Dick’s, from 7-10 p.m., but then, hey it’s summer coming, and there is a shift in the attraction to the sand, sand, shifting sand that’s being brought in to fill the dance floor.
— Have they truly not been there before? You would think that because most of the players are homeboys to Hudson, literally, it would’ve happened before. But with that said, the band 8 Foot 4 announced online that they will be playing their first ever show at the Smilin’ Moose on Friday evening, April 22.
The band’s web page is more interesting than most. The way the name is presented on their home page is riveting to say the least, with different letters and numbers portrayed by using sheet metal pinned together with bolts. The site even provides a typical stage plan, showing where the different players will be positioned, including a deejay making sounds with a sampler!
— And, if you get too many empty carbs at a place like The Moose, you might want to wear them off at a place like the River Front Athletic Club, across the street from Pudge’s Bar, to which members have access 24 hours. While we’re not encouraging people to work out while they are tipsy, keep in mind that the summer swimsuit season is coming fast upon us, and this might give you — especially if you’re boaters on the St. Croix — the what’s-my-weight leeway to have that extra Bloody Mary downtown at a place like The Moose or Dick’s.
— The Smokedale four-20 sale, and we all know that that means, featured such a great demand they are extending it through Friday (that’s the day of this post, for all you stoners). Get 25-30 percent off all kinds of stuff, even ecigs, Hookahs and water pipes, and it has cool brand names such as Zombie Venom and Devil’s Touch! See them at their outlet on Coulee Road.

It’s not a Big Mac, but it brings the beef (two forms) along with special, secret seasonings and sauce:
— Now that Lent’s been laid dormant for a while, Season’s Tavern in North Hudson has officially resurrected its meaty Shepherd’s Pie, which you would know is heavy on the prime rib, of course being Season’s, and also on the ground beef, along with special seasonings that are so closely guarded that not many people other than the chef know them, (kind of like the secret sauce on a Big Mac). And to be certain, the Shepherd’s Pie has its own special sauce, a beef braise.
When I talked with Brad, the owner, it was 11:52 a.m. and the vegies were being freshly cut by that chef — they are carrots, onions and sweet peas, and the ingredients are then rolled into one with mashed potatoes and cheese, and put in the oven.
Right now, this is the chef’s special, which changes and varies every two or three weeks, depending on what the public is clamoring for. (That means that since Lent has ended, we have already been through one cycle). Get it now, for when summer comes, the chef’s special will evolve to lighter fare, Brad said, and that fare will often include house band Thirsty Camel, which just maybe needs quenching drink because the Shepherd’s Pie is so hearty.
— Back on bass for Buck Tucker, for a while now, is Hudson’s own Skip Ballard, showing an uncharacteristic scowl on their Facebook site. The band will play the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday evening, April 16. Noteworthy on their wideranging set list, which has more quality then quantity compared to some, are songs by Third Day, StainD, Sweet, Keith Whitley, Incubus, Craig Campbell and even former Hudson stalwart Tommy Tutone, although not all of these are typical of one of the group’s shows.
— Hot Wheels vs. Matchbox. Hmm… Maybe it depends who has the home track. That would be Dick’s Bar and Grill on its own Hot Wheels course this Sunday, April 17, when patrons will gather at 1 p.m. to “test their childhood skills” by racing the tiny cars, or trucks, which can be tweaked or redesigned, and thus be stocks or modified. Then stay for Jeff Loven and maybe win “a brand new car” to use for the next in the racing series. There will be cash prizes for fastest racer, first, second and third, and also door prizes, and a drink token for anyone who brings a car. However, all cars must finish to qualify for the prizes, so don’t bring a clunker.
— Also at Dick’s for all of this month, a new take on the Chicago style hot dog. You’ll get all the ingredients that usually come on it, but on top of a burger not a weiner, plus an Old Style beer, for $10.95.

With local polls now closed, should we take a poll on Donald’s hair, or is that too hair-raising (much like the rest of this hairy election):
— Maybe this is under the heading of Rock The Vote, in a fashion sense. One woman in North Hudson hit the polls decked out in high-heeled black boots, and tight black leggings with a wide white stripe up the front. Could she be sending a dark message in reaction to the candidates these days? And with her hot fashion sense, and long dark locks, is she trumping their bad hairdos?
— Speaking of that, a Trump Backer who rides a motorcycle displayed a placard not on his lawn, but on top of the handlebars, as the cycle was parked on Main Street just before bar time. Did I say Main Street and Trump in the same sentence?
— Switching gears to baseball’s opening day, Kozy Korner in North Hudson had a message on the marquee that advertised hot dogs and brats for the opener, not to mention four free Brewer tickets. Unfortunately, the Brewers got blown out, and hopefully the winner of those tickets will get to see a better performance. The message was still up last Wednesday, as if to provide encouragement to the Brew Crew and their backers who on that Monday opener were crying in their beer. And then as far as the Twins …
Across the street, at another sports bar, there has been a sign at the Village Inn’s patio that welcomes backers of the Packers, Badgers, Bucks and the Brew. Only in Wisconsin would you find such shorthand.
— Back to politics, bartender Sue at The Village said that in a way that’s been totally atypical in her long tenure, election day attendance was way down at the bar. I guess that with the huge voter turnout, they just hung around the polls. You’d think they’d want to drink instead.
— But as far as that vote, I personally back the Pizza Party, as shown by its very unofficial nominee, the Pizza King himself, Rich Raley. Despite the recent divisions in our country about politics, I think will all can agree on a well-cut pepperoni. And that’s with extra cheese — and not so cheesy as Donald Trump and his hairdo.
— And as far as name recognition, combining both local and national, there are presidential candidates Rand Paul, (much like the same-amount-of-letters-in-the-first-and-last-name Tall Paul, a bassist for the former local band Deviant Distraction), and Martin O’Malley, (the surnames of both the local alderman who was not too much in favor of rock concerts in the Lakefront Park band shell and their noise, and of a longtime bartender and now manager at Buffalo Wild Wings). At least in the Hudson area, the locals are less obscure than the candidates.
— And of course, there’s the hair. I told the bartender at Green Mill that her hair was much more presidential than that of the Donald, after a fellow patron had praised her locks. What did so think of such a comparison? “Ooh, no, no.” But like the aforementioned pizza, I think we all can agree to stump about Mandy’s mane.
— Across the street, a lawyer from Dublin wanted to talk U.S. politics, and its obvious from body language that the way its done their is different. Voting came up and the bartender said that like many servers who border hop between the two states as far as residence vs. workplace, it was difficult to find time and driving ability to vote. She still managed to do so before her shift, but said the long lines in Woodbury added to her time bind.
— Across town, the Vine Street reconstruction project may have an effect on night travel — as I’ve been told there is a good party or two to be had when going eastward on that road — but there are other ways to head out on the highway that also are chilled, (or are they?) Specifically when the big sign that says “road closed ahead” is turned at 90 degrees during the evening, it might make you think that historic Third Street is the one shut down.
— And speaking of degrees, at least on some very warm nights, the guys at the cigar store downtown are back into sitting outside their establishment late at night and having a puff, while listening to the music from the Smilin’ Moose bounce off the building facade on the other side of Second Street and bounce their way. And just of late, the interior of the store has been getting a big makeover, with workers going at it well into the evening, but cutting it off just after midnight — by coincidence about when The Moose lifts their cover on Friday nights. And two doors down, on the corner, a coffee shop is going in where the yogurt shop was. What coffee shop, you ask? The cuthead on a photo in the local paper gives it away. It reads simply: “Almost Dunn.”

Among the well over a dozen diverse bands that make up the Roots and Bluegrass Music Festival, which will be held in River Falls from April 8-10, are some new and fresh faces, music-wise, to the area. Here is a rundown, which also includes things such as workshops, musical contests and open jams:
— Thursday, 8-10 p.m., bluegrass trivia, at Juniors Bar and Restaurant.
— Friday, 5-8 p.m., Good Intentions as part of the annual beer and wine tasting event with more than 30 samples; 6-9 p.m., Tin Can Gin, Johnnie’s Bar; 8-11 p.m., Kind Country, Juniors; 10 p.m.-2 p.m., Dead Horses, Shooter’s Pub.
— Saturday, 9-11 a.m., Fish Heads, South Fork Cafe; 10:30-11:15 a.m., Any Knucklehead Can Play Ukulele! workshop, Brickhouse Music; 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., roots and bluegrass band competition, Juniors; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Singleton Street, Bo’s ‘N Mine; 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., banjo workshop, Brickhouse Music; noon-1:30 p.m., open jam with Fish Heads, Family Fresh Market; 12:30-1:15 p.m., percussion petting zoo, Brickhouse Music; 12:30-3:30 p.m., Pushing Chain, Riverwalk Square; 2-5 p.m., Middle Spunk Creek Boys, West Wind Supper Club; 2:30-4:30 p.m., singer-songwriter competition, Juniors; 3:30-5 p.m., open jam with Fish Heads, Family Fresh Market; 3:30-6:30 p.m., King Wilkies Dream, Lazy River; 5-8 p.m., Black River Revue, Johnnie’s Bar; 8-11 p.m., Art Stevenson and High Water, Juniors; 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Them Coulee Boys, Shooter’s Pub.
— Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Hand Picked Bluegrass, West Wind Supper Club; 2-4 p.m., Attic Treasures Appraisal, Riverwalk Square.