As the organizers say in most of their release materials, where else will you find 19 bands playing in 11 hours?  Well, just yesterday, it was in downtown Binghamton at the downtown end of the Washington Street Bridge at Blues on the Bridge.  Hopefully, some pics of the day will show up on this blog as my camera crapped out on me and wouldn’t work.

First, let me say the weather was definitely in favor of the event.  When I got there about 1:30 or so – yeah, I had to be a good mother and make my kids go to Mass with me first, the sun was shining and the music was blasting.  I don’t know how hot it got but I was too warm in the sleeveless shirt I had on as it was a bit dressy and I should have put a cotton one on.  I even managed to get some color yesterday, which is virtually unheard of in Binghamton in September.

Next, the music was not only wonderful but non-stop.  There were 19 time slots listed with one band playing twice.  Well, as we all know, it is hard to do non-stop music as every group has their own set up.  In between major groups, artists of the Songwriter’s Showcase at the Cyber Cafe West played.  It was absolutely amazing that the music was always on.  I don’t even know if my kids’ high school, middle school or elementary schools can do that.

My 17 year old son and I arrived on Memorial Bridge just as Scuttle Butt was finishing up.  I think Jamie Osterhout, from the Songwriter Showcase, may have been who came on while others reset the stage for Last Call.  Ben said he was sure he had heard Last Call before.  I know they play all over so I was sure he had also.  Then, it struck him.  They had played prior to the Outlaws at Magic City in August.  He said their set was just like the beginning of what they played there.  The sound was wonderful – which is hard to do outside.  Thankfully, there was a soft breeze so no wind making noise in mics – a big downfall of outdoor events.

The Parlor Cats took the stage next.  I have to be honest, I know someone from the Songwriter Showcase played betweent Last Call and the Parlor Cats but do not recall who.  Brian Potenziano’s red suit and mouth organ skills are amazing.  They sounded wonderful. 

Another Songwriter Showcase artist – I think in all we heard, while we were there, the following artists in this group – Marian Tewksbury, Pinecone Fletcher, and Jamie Osterhout.  I am sure I forgot someone.

By now, my son had found his normal blues concert partner – his father – and we were hanging out in one place on the bridge.  It was a wonderful location for people watching.  I was getting a huge kick out of the News 10 Now reporter who had about 25 takes on a voiceover part at one point in time.  All seemed to be having a blast – some dancing, some drinking, some just taking it all in.

The Blue J’s were up next.  It was great to hear a female lead singer.  The had some issues with one of the groups guitars so Sue – said lead singer – loaned Jake hers.  She then made a plea for a guitar she could play.  All ended well as one of the other bands loaned her a guitar she could play.  I absolutely loved their sound and am now a lifelong fan.  I can’t wait to hear them again.

Up next was Bad Weather Blues.  Ben has met the band as his father knows Hop.   On top of everything else, they were playing a double header – going out to Cubestock ’08 after Blues on the Bridge.  They sounded wonderful.  I love their sound and could listen to them for days on end.  I wanted to head for Country Pines to hear them again as soon as they were done here but I didn’t.  I did hear them a bit from my house later in the evening, though.

Ben and I headed home after Bad Weather Blues as he had a pressing engagement at the American Civic Association with his girlfriend – swing dancing.  It is always a successful event when you can entertain the guitarist and the vocalist in the family – the mother and the child.