Incoming

Graphic from Paul McCartney Official Facebook page.

Today is Paul McCartney’s birthday, and social media is justifiably overflowing with best wishes and smashing photos of him throughout his career. My wife Pam and I had such a great time seeing him perform a high-energy, three-hour concert on my birthday a few years ago, I want to express my admiration and gratitude. You never forget seeing a show like that. A toast to you, Sir Paul.

Another British musician who’s celebrating a birthday today is Mordecai Smyth. His music isn’t as well known as McCartney’s, so by way of introduction, I’ll say he fancies setting clever and occasionally creepy lyrics to catchy 1960s style arrangements. His music is available via the Mega Dodo label. Smyth once teased me on Facebook about listing so many local entertainment events on my blog, so I responded by naming him an unofficial citizen of my home town of Palatine, IL. I’m sure he cherishes that honor to this day. Happy Birthday, Mordecai.

On the subject of musician birthdays, the Chicago area Beatles tribute band The What 4 will celebrate McCartney’s birthday, as well as What 4 band member Casey McDonough’s birthday, tomorrow night at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. This Sunday will bring Phil Angotti’s Southside Birthday Bash at the Blue Island Beer Company in Blue Island. Angotti, who’s a member of The What 4, and is known throughout Chicago for his tribute shows and original music, will be performing hits by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and other British Invasion acts. Happy Birthday, Casey and Phil.

The Ravinia Festival in Highland Park will present well-known performers in its comfy outdoor setting throughout the summer. That includes Violent Femmes with the Chicago Philharmonic this Friday and Little Feat + Los Lobos on Saturday. See the official Ravinia Festival website for the full list of events. 

I’ll be pitching my YA paranormal/romance/rock and roll novel, and its sequel to literary agents this Saturday at the Writing Day Workshop in Chicago. I’ve been going to this event for a few years now, and highly recommend it to aspiring writers. The full schedule of classes and events is available online, and there are virtual and in-person Writing Day Workshops in other cities in America.

Sons Of The Silent Age, a terrific David Bowie tribute band featuring veteran musicians from the Chicago area, will travel to Milwaukee, WI to perform a concert this Saturday to perform at SummerFest.