— This is a case where a birthday is really not a bad thing. Band leader Tommy Bentz on Saturday is having his third annual celebration of the birthday of both himself and George Harrison of the Beatles, the iconic group whom he plays tribute to with his own band. Bentz, the River Falls musician who much like the Beatles has a history of playing six different instruments, will be at Shooters Pub in River Falls on Feb. 23.
— Maiden Dixie is back at the Corner Saloon in River Falls on Saturday, bringing it on with their style of country that includes rock influences — to this venue that often leans more toward heavy metal. The group, which draws rave reviews from the bartenders at the Corner, has a wide range of life experiences from which to draw, since two are Iraq War veterans and one a former Division I college basketball player.

No matter where they were in the area, these bands had similarities:

— A band put together by Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductees in 2007, singer-songwriter John Garden and guitarist John Northrup, named the Rhythm Roosters, also is teaming with other Hall of Fame members who specialize in R & B — even those on the horns. Unlike many other bands who come here, the Rhythm Roosters on their web site list themselves as hailing from western Wisconsin, as well as the Twin Cities. So, they will play the Village Inn in North Hudson on Saturday night, Feb. 16. They’ve also graced the stages of places such as the Bayport Blues Festival, and even former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura’s 25th wedding anniversary! The various members of the band, some of whom are award winning, have been on the same concert bill as 3 Dog Night, Tommy James and the Shondells, and Johnny Rivers.

— The Corner Bar in River Falls also has Saturday music, from the Ben Johnson Band, that the bartender described as “simply amaaazing!” Their style is much like that of Eric Church, Josh Thompson and Dierks Bentley.

— The Chimney Fish will play Shooters Pub in River Falls on Saturday, using techniques that range from self-described “slap acoustic,” and also power strumming guitar which has flurries of high-note picking and even use of tapping on the guitar board. They are not afraid to apply this style to groups like the Beastie Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd and even Jet. The Chimney Fish, which are also a staple at Guv’s Place in Houlton, get their name from “smoking like a chimney and drinking like a fish,” a name that they say took them all of 30 seconds to concoct. (Gee, do they write songs that fast?) One other item of interest: Their logo is of the Statue of Liberty, complete with goatee.

Of Super Bowls and other hot air …

— When doing the Super Bowl, you have to do it big. Which is why you might want to consider a $50 fee at Ellie’s on Main that will get you all you can drink until 10:30 p.m., excluding all shots but including Apple Pies, and an entree from their new kitchen and an appetizer.
— As has happened for many years in conjunction with the Hot Air Affair — which by the way actually saw many different balloons go up this year and many visitors at later dance venues — is the Sunday chili cookoff at Dick’s Bar and Grill. It starts at 2 p.m., and more than two dozen cooks who fill two rooms with often decorated crock pots will tastefully strut their stuff. The ingredients cover the gamut of all the food groups and can be very creative; think seafood. And best yet, you can go taste, along with the judges — who in fitting with the often quirkiness of the Hot air Affair are decked out in hair that looks like something out of ancient England.
And by the way, there will be another chili contest held on Sunday, at Pudge’s Bar at the halftime of the Super Bowl.

— The band Lady Luck is on for the Willow River Inn in Burkhardt on Saturday, Jan. 12, and you can consider yourself lucky if you catch their guitarist’s inspired fills and their beautiful and talented lead singer, who has been known to appear on stage dressed in a shawl like that worn by Stevie Nicks. In fact, visual and musical imagery of Fleetwood Mac and even Motorhead abound, with the stage often graced by an Ace of Spades symbol.  This reviewer thought the original treatment given to the classic Heaven and Hell by Dio’s Black Sabbath, in particular during the guitar solo, was particularly striking.

— A bountiful fundraiser, Taste of Hudson, to benefit the local girls and boys traveling to a PeeWee international hockey tournament will be at the Hudson House Inn this Friday, Jan. 11. Knotty Vines pairs with nine other local establishments to offer an evening of all you can consume delicious foods, wines and beers. Additional beverages will be available at the cash bar provided by Hudson House, and there will be a silent auction and raffle from our community businesses. Food and beverage will come from Mama Maria’s, Green Mill, Winzer Stube, Shanghai Bistro, Willow River Inn, Carbone’s, RJ’s Meats, Knoke’s and Buffalo Wild Wings. A live auction is at 8 p.m. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for raffle and auction items. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door, which opens at 5:30 p.m. Participants of proper age will be given a glass of wine at the door. Sponsors note this would be an ideal girls’ night, date night, or evening to meet new people. Hudson has a long history of involvement with, and even hosting, these international tournaments, which are large in scale and require a lot of planning. They offer many benefits, which include seeing differing styles of play from around the world, forming lasting friendships, and experiencing with those new friends the community amenities from either at home or abroad, depending on the location of the tourney.
— Members of the instrumentally gifted Ashwood family — from parents to adult children — are hard back at it with a band called Quasimofo, “an all original, energetic jazz trio with a Punka-tude,” that also plays Gospel and funk, and at times really rocks out. The band, which consists of keyboards, bass and drums, is at Season’s Tavern in North Hudson at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
— Beverage makers of all types, but usually big national-brand beers and spirits, often have two or three of their hospitality models offer samples and a smile, but this party at Woody’s in Bayport is a bit more unusual. Regional Schell’s beer, along with Grain Belt varieties, is having their models make an appearence on Friday, Jan. 11 from 9-11 p.m. One of the beers being hawked is Snowstorm, a French Christmas ale with hints of white pepper and citrus. The event also is billed as offering “tattoos” and prizes.
— It’s a bit of a departure from their usual venue of choice, but the local members of hard-to-pigeonhole New Skinny think that playing the Willow River Inn, which is known for country performances, is a good fit and drummer Brando for one is looking forward to it. The gig is set for Friday, Jan. 11.

It’s time to stay out all night to see — and hear — some old friends.

— Junior’s nightclub in downtown River Falls is having not one but two music acts on New Year’s Eve, the Chris Silver Band and the Nasty Habits Brass. Both have local roots but have expanded their scope well beyond River Falls. They each will go on for about two-hour stints starting at around 7 p.m. The Chris Silver Band will open, playing their Americana, Indie-styled and jam band music, and the Nasty Habits will follow. My favorite recollection of the Nasty Habits from last New Year’s was a version of “Play That Funky Music” that also turned into an extensive, several-minute jam with the horn section and featured a sax solo. But this New Year’s Eve at Juniors, there is a special holiday menu to go with the free champagne toast at midnight.

— This whole weekend at Dibbo’s, it will be reunion time with band members who several years ago played the club several times a year. On Saturday, its 8 Foot 4, whose drummer Dan also was in Third Degree back in the day, and has invited some members of that veritable band to join in that night. Also noteworthy is that one of the longtime guitarists, Rick, is the son of former Minnesota Twins great Tony Oliva.
— Then Sunday night at Dibbo’s, its Paint Them Alive, whose frontman Craig held that same role for many years for Toybox, and he’s invited some of those musicians who also used to grace the Dibbo’s stage. They include instrumentalist Brian and Craig’s wife, Brooke, who was lead singer. (The band stopped playing actively when the two got married and decided to start a family, but they’ll be back in true form for this particular night). Also making a return is Brian Stevens, a drummer who also was in Lasher, Scarred By Metal, which performed frequently at Dibbo’s, as well.
— Then on Monday, Dibbo’s is open all night with no closing time for New Year’s Eve, and has the seven-piece band Epic 5, who has one member who looks just like someone from ZZ Top, (which is perfect for New Year’s, as is anyone who on this party night would play LMFAO). This is the first time in recent memory that the club has had bands for three straight nights during the year-end holiday.
— Other bands playing around the area on Monday night include Flashbacks at Willow River Inn in Burkhardt (again, a perfect name for all the memories you might have of past New Year’s Eves), Ed Sheet Rockers at Uncle Mike’s Em Pour E Yum in the town of Hudson, and one man band Oly, who comes well recommended by the people at Hefty’s Roadhouse in Bayport.

Play it back, as longtime faves show … or don’t
— The five-member band Playback will play back at Dibbo’s on Saturday, featuring their blend of party rock, dance and pop music that includes songs by Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Kid Rock and Katy Perry. The guys and lead singer Nancy also will be sporting a little leather as they churn out favorites from the ’80s and ’90s.
— A longtime favorite in the area, the Tommy Bentz Band will be at the Corner Saloon on Saturday, playing jams, rock and southern rock. They are known for winning a contest a few years back for portraying the Beatles, and are a big favorite of my friend Liz Jones, who has run for Senate and the School Board in this area and now has taken her many skills that include being a volunteer extraordinaire to Texas. She says there are few jam bands that play this tight.
— Speaking of Idol, (in the Notes on the Beat), one man who made it into the Sweet 16 and farther has at times been part of a New Year’s Eve show at the Phipp’s Center for the Arts in Hudson, but apparently his star has risen enough so he won’t be there this year. However, family members of Reed Grimm that include prominent singer Colleen Raye will put on an all-woman show that night, with classic songs of the ’60s. Shows are at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Of the good, the bad and the ugly …
— The Wolf River Band is on tap at the Willow River Inn in Burkhardt on Friday, Dec. 14. The band has opened for stars like Loretta Lynn and George Jones, to name a couple, and has been nominated for Native American Music Awards and Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards. They had a No. 1 hit in Europe for their rendition of Honky Tonkin’ by Hank Williams. The band members range in age from the early 20s to the mid 50s, and it shows in the diversity of their song mix, which includes mostly traditional country, fiddle music and ’50s and ’60s rock. The Wolf River Band does songs by Brooks & Dunn, Ernest Tubb, Willie Nelson, Box Car Willie and Elvis, to name a few.
— The number of patrons who are again frequenting Guv’s Place in Houlton has picked up tremendously in the last few days, as the Stillwater Bridge has finally been reopened after over two months of repair. The project was completed more than a week earlier than forecast, and it couldn’t come any more soon. Guv’s is celebrating this fact with a bridge reopening party on Friday, Dec. 14, which will feature music by Kyle Kohila with his vigorous finger picking style, and prize giveaways in conjunction with the Boots ‘n Bears campaign, of which Guv’s is one of the places around the area taking the lead. Patrons are asked to donate clean and lightly used or new items — footwear or teddy bears — for children of any age. Big wrapped boxes that look very festive have been set up as collection sites at various venues including Guv’s through the St. Croix County Tavern League, and can be loaded full of gifts through Dec. 17. Guv’s has set up a decorated box that’s five feet high for the collection. The event is co-sponsored by a bar in Baldwin. Guv’s will give you a free
drink on Friday night with donation, and there are $3 Cherry Bomb specials and holiday wrapped mystery prizes.
— The Bad Girlfriends Band will play at Dibbo’s on Saturday night, Dec. 15, with their area-favorite “Girl’s Night Out Party” music, current and classic rock, a little country and all your favorite dance tunes. The musicians are former members of veritable bands Gridlock and The Pearl. Longtime patron Bill, who is in his 50s but known for his devil-may-care approach to trying wacky activities, says the band is simply the Best in the Valley and explains: “First their was Phat Pearl, then the Pearl, and now Bad Girlfriends.” The band actually is made up of equal numbers of men and women, one of whom is noted for picking up a tiny, pulled-in violin for Kashmier by Led Zeppelin. Lead singer Lori is known for really showing her pipes on vocals, and also her bawdy showmanship. (Or is that show-woman-ship?)
— You thought yours was bad? Well show it! (Redux). On Saturday, Dec. 15, Green Mill becomes the second establishment this weekend to host an ugly sweater contest, from opening time at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., and the winner will get a $40 Green Mill gift card. You need not be present at the time when they make the decision to win — and who would want to be, looking like that! Everyone showing up in an ugly sweater, (management decision is final in what truly qualifies as ugly, although they’ll be pretty liberal), gets a free drink.

Of bears, boots, bridges, bad sweaters and big drums …

— The Stillwater bridge is now open, but yet another reason to frequent the suddenly more accessible Guv’s Place in Houlton is the Boots ‘n Bears campaign, of which Guv’s is one of the places around the area taking the lead. Patrons are asked to donate clean and lightly used or new items — footwear or teddy bears — for children of any age. Big wrapped boxes that look very festive have been set up as collection sites at various venues by the St. Croix County Tavern League, and can be loaded full of gifts through Dec. 17. The event is co-sponsored by a bar in Baldwin.
— You thought yours was bad? Well show it! On Friday, Dec. 14, Woody’s in Bayport is hosting an ugly sweater contest, just in time for the holiday where it gets colder and people wear ones with weird reindeer and obtuse elves and the like. In this event, the first of a few that will be held in the area in coming weeks, prizes will be given for the most obnoxious sweater at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and there will be drink specials, especially for those brave enough to show up dressed despicably.
— Rhino is back yet again at Dibbo’s on Saturday, Dec. 8, bringing their trademark rock sounds, which include the well-known line of four or five kettle drums — with the band members abandoning their usual stations to pound away on the percussion instruments as a group for just one song. The act has drawn comparisons to the Blue Man Group. Another highlight of their act are the inspired Purple Rain vocals, with fog machine to compliment the Prince song. A favorite moment for me was last year at this time, when in what has been a theme at Dibbo’s a few weeks running, a man briefly got up on stage, and stole one of the band member’s Aussie-styled big brim hat that’s just fitting considering the band’s name. The patron then got on his knees to play air guitar in front of the real guitarist, before exiting stage right.

To start the list of who to see this weekend, you have to find some “Common Ground,” on which we all can agree is musical quality. So here goes:
— My friend Jake is the lead singer for the group Common Ground, which plays Dibbo’s on Saturday, and says they are steering more toward modern rock with new songs added to their set list. That’s big for a group whose singer Jake used to be a bit more of a headbanger when with “Lasher: Scarred by Metal,” even to the point of pulling off songs like The Trooper by Iron Maiden.
Common Ground, of course, is more about the ’90s and today, and they’ve had some interesting facets to their performances at Dibbo’s of late, which have been many and well-received. They get my kudos for originality in their song choices by tearing through Tie Your Mother Down by Queen, and Jake has played a double lead with the guitarist on his keyboard, and even soloed, to songs such as Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith.
Like the group Mock Star two weeks before them at Dibbo’s, Common Ground gets the audience involved. When a request came for Girls, Girls, Girls, the band members said they knew parts of that Motley Crue song, but not others, so they asked the women who asked for it to come onstage and help out. They did, and gave a respectable showing. At one other show, they rewarded two women who had danced all the way through a set with a couple of drinks — ordered via Jake over the microphone in his role as frontman.
— At Hefty’s Roadhouse in Bayport at 8 p.m. Saturday is Timbre Creek with Dale Martell and Pat Cutler. They will do not only Irish songs, but folk, rock and bluegrass, and Martell — who also does music lessons and production — has even been known to pick up the mandolin and fiddle and venture into other diverse genres of music such as Old Time, country and jazz.
— Irish music, of course, is not new to the area. The Mouldy Figs have played the Village Inn in North Hudson, sometimes to warm up the crowd before Packer games, and at Paddy Ryan’s the groups playing that style of music have included Todd Menton and also The Langer’s Ball.