Howdy Friends & Neighbors-
 
Man, it's been a long time since we last sent out some news - July 2011, in fact! Sorry about that!   Of course, unbeknownst to us or anyone at the time, Irene hit at the end of August an' that was certainly an awful thing for many folks in the State.  We even had some fans get wiped out.  It was strange 'cause the day before we played a private party up in Walden an' it was sunny an' beautiful.  Funny how the weather can change that radical the next day!  We participated in a "VT Farm-Raiser" Benefit (for effected farmers) at Shelburne Farms (co-sponsored by them an' our friends at The Starry Night Cafe) in October an' that event brought in several thousand dollars.
 
Anyway, overall we had a pretty darn good summer an' fall with a bunch of outstanding gigs.  We played at our record label, Cow Island Music's (Northampton, MA) 5th Anniversary Party on October 9th an' also backed label mates Lil' Mo (Monica Passin) from NYC an' Miss Teri Joyce (a real Texas Bluebonnet gal!) at that gig.  You folks who follow our website calendar know about all these shows we worked in the summer an' fall an' we want to thank each an' every one of you who came out an' showed your support.  We really do appreciate it.
 
Speakin' of last fall - Big Al hit the Big 6-OH!  Billy will be hittin' the big 5-OH this fall (2012) an' Danny C will become Medicare eligible!   So that story of the patron who came to Red Square one nite an' asked the doorman who was playin' really rings true.   The door dude didn't know our name an' told the patron, "I dunno - just three old guys playin' country".  That's right, buddy, an' we're damn proud of it!
 
Boy, this winter has been SLOW (as bad or worse than last year)....an' darn little snow!  December really wasn't too bad for us.  We only did ONE "Holiday" Party (well, this was a Christmas one!) this Season, but that type of gig is few an' far between compared to what it used ta be years ago; probably because of the economy an' drinkin' laws!   We did have two great First Nite shows - Burlington & Montpelier.   January an' February were real thin for us, but things are pickin' up this month.  We had a real fine concert at the new Studio Three in So. Burlington on Mar 2, but very poorly attended - only 10 came!  It's a new place an' they need to work on better advertising - plus some folks thought there might not be any dancin'; however,  there's room around the sides an' in back.  Small venue, but a great place - kinda like a small Flynn Space.  Great sound, lights, stage, cabaret seating "up close an' personal".  The folks who attended will absolutely tell ya that it was one of the finest Starline shows they've ever seen and everything about the place is great - so the next time.....YOU BETTER BE THERE!   Also this month, we have a special concert down in No. Bennington (Sat Mar 17) at the Sage Mill (VT Arts Exchange) building, which should be great an' we'll have Kevin Maul join' us on steel guitar.  So if yer down thata way, don't miss this one!  And then...the big 10th Annual "Cabin Fever Reliever" at the Sheraton-Burlington Emerald Grand Ballroom with our man, BILL KIRCHEN, and special guests Elisabeth Von Trapp, Peter Riley, Leroy Preston (of Asleep at the Whell), Betsy-Dawn (BeeDee) Williams and Jeff Potter, on Sat Mar 31.  That is one great show an' not to be missed.
 
So here we are "Springin' Forward" with Daylight Savings Time.  Our summer is startin' ta shape up and we will be postin' what we have booked, but we still have alot of dates ta fill.  If you are scheduling a wedding reception or havin' a party, etc., please don't hesitate to call (802-223-5327) or emaiL: starlinerhythmboys@yahoo.com.  We'll work with ya on a price if that's an issue.
We're plannin' alot of our regular gigs (ex. Breakwaters - 4 of 'em booked) an' summer community concerts (a bunch of those already booked).  Unfortunately, our business plan - FULL HOUSE EVENTS - with Mississippi Bar-B-Q king, Jimmy Kennedy, and Scott Kerner of Three Penny Tap room, fell apart for various reasons so we are no longer able to offer that service (one stop shopping for music, food an' booze), but we can contact those boys if you are interested.
 
Finally, we're hoping to get back into the studio at some point this year with some new original an' cover songs - possibly to do an "EP" recording (6 - 8 songs) on Cow Island Music, our record label.  Plus, we expect to FINALLY have T-shirts available this summer an' they're gonna be cool!
 
That's it for now - gonna try to get a Summer "preview" newsletter out in May.  And we expect to be workin' with someone to really "tweek" out website to get it up to date and make some parts of it more visible an' easier to get around.
 
Thanks for your continuing support into our 14th (!) year together.  We appreciate you all an' love performin' an' entertain' ya.
 
All the Best,
THE STARLINE RHYTHM BOYS
 
 
 

Howdy Neighbors, Friends an' Fans-
 
It's was quite a while since we last wrote some news.  It was a long, hard winter what with all the snow, personal stuff an' a pretty thin booking schedule for us boys (one of the worst since we've been together for 13 yrs - probably due to the economy), plus clubs an' ski areas cuttin' back on gigs an' pay, but that's all way behind us now.  Anyway, we weathered it an' then the weather really hit.  This Spring was tough on everyone, but especially the folks (an' venues) over on Lake Champlain, as well as in Lamoille an' Washington Counties.  Well, all this past stuff kinda slowed the Starline machine down, but we got cranked back up for what is a pretty good summer, if weather cooperates.  As usual, we have a bunch of weddings, parties, but of more interest to you all, community concerts an' the like.  Keep posted to our website calendar on where we're playin' !
 
We did have a helluva show with our twangin' buddy, Bill Kirchen, at the 9th Annual "Cabin Fever Reliever" show at the Sheraton-Burlington back in March to benefit the Cancer Patient Support Program.  Our label (Cow Island) mates, Lil' Mo & her Monicats were on hand an' delivered a great performance - think they won over some fans up here.  An' our ol' buddy Leroy Preston (one of the founders of Asleep at the Wheel) also delivered a great performance sittin' in with Kirchen an' his Too Much Fun band.  Anyway, the whole shindig was one of the best ever an' there is gonna be #10 (!!) next year (Sat Mar 31 2012).
 
One major news announcement comin' out of this winter/spring - a new business:  FULL HOUSE EVENTS.  It's SMOKE, RHYTHM and BREWS and "One Call Brings It All".  What is it?  Well, we've teamed up with JIMMY KENNEDY, the Mississippi Bar-B-Q King and former owner of killer southern food restaurant, River Run, out in Plainfield, along the SCOTT KERNER of THREE PENNY TAP ROOM, a great brew pub in Montpelier.  It was actually Jimmy's idea.  This biz involves us bringing you FOOD, DRINK & MUSIC for ONE DISCOUNTED PRICE - cheaper than if you hired each component separately.   Jimmy's Bar-B-Q, Cajun & Creole food is to die for;  Three Penny Tap Room is top-fite with bar service, whether beer & wine selection or full bore with hard liquor.  An' you know us boys on the music end!   TO BOOK AN EVENT (Wedding, Private Party, Corporate/Business Function) CALL:  (802) 262-6098 or email us at: smoke.rhythm.brews@gmail.com .  We'll give ya the deal of a lifetime...plus, yer gettin' nuthin' but THE BEST!
 
We're supposed to be workin' on new material for an upcoming studio recording/release next year - it may happen or it may have to wait until 2013 depending on circumstances.  But down the road, there will be a new Starline release an' we're lookin' forward to it.  We're still on the Cow Island label an' owner Bill "The Trail Boss" Hunt is still 100% behind us.  He's even building a new studio at his place down in Northampton, MA.
 
We've also FINALLY started rehearsin' again (about time, Boys!) an' are hopin' to be hittin' y'all with some FRESH material over the summer. 
 
Big Al is comin' along after havin' two major surgeries last year (his hip and BOTH knees).  It's a slow progress, but Al's right in there doin' his all.
 
Our Fan Club Prez an' MySpace gal, J.E. Shockley, has moved back up to VT - Burlington, in fact, an' has a new job here.  She's a Dancin' Queen an' you'll be seein' her out at alot of gigs.
 
Al's daughter, Katy, continues to handle our Facebook an' we are so thankfull for that.  Katy's a great gal an', of course, a huge Starline fan - you also see her out at alot of our gigs.
 
Believe it or not, we actually had some NEW Hatch Show Print posters done an' we gotta 'em.  Only $10 an' they are real classic beauties.  Be sure ta pick one up an' we'll autograph it for ya!  These replace those old green & black ones that were hangin' off our speakers for years.   Boy, did we look younger in those!!  We are lookin' into gettin' some "merch" an' that may well be T-shirts once we've got a new logo worked out with design man Tom Pappalardo down there in Northampton.  He designed both the Live at Charlie-O's and Masquerade for Heartache CD covers & booklet.
 
We've got alot of great gigs comin' up so stay posted!
 
 
Until we see ya again, stay well & all the best from THE STARLINE RHYTHM BOYS