Tag Archives: local band

Apples and Music, Yes Please!

Posted on September 29, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Before my dog rescue adventure yesterday, I had a lovely time at Windy Hill Orchard in Cassville, NY. I had thought about going as soon I heard that my favorite band The Posers was going to be there. Then my friend Jerry posted on Facebook that he was going and was looking for people to join him. Naturally I volunteered for that. Turns out, Jerry wanted to go to get apples, being a long time patron of Windy Hill, and only after he thought of going found out about the Posers. Needless to say, we both greatly enjoyed both music and apples.

We should have had either Jerry or me standing next to the sign.

We got there while the band was doing their sound check. Food was available, so I got a hot dog while Jerry got sausage and peppers. Soon the band was playing. I had to get up and dance. Nobody took a picture, which was probably been just as well.

They Rock!

We ate and listened till Jerry’s daughter and son-in-law joined us. Then we got bags and walked into the orchards to gather some apples.

I got some good walking in at the time.

Jerry had told me there was a beautiful view at the end of the orchard, and it did not disappoint.

I’m afraid my camera does not do as good a job as a fancy camera.

There was a photo op area, so I asked to get a picture of my friends.

Every adventure is better with friends!

Full disclosure: I did not get any apples, but the others filled two bags. This was conservative. Jerry said he went a little crazy last year and got almost 40 pounds of apples. He made apple pie, apple sauce, apple crisp, and he still had too many apples! I must say he behaved himself on Saturday. While they went to pay for them, I went back to hear more music.

This is the shot where you can kind of sort of see the bass player.

I took a couple more pictures. I always feel bad that I can see the three front men pretty good but rarely get a good shot of the bass player and drummer, who are also awesome.

This one almost shows the drummer.

Jerry danced with me for the last song we were there for. It was a lovely time, and a lovely drive there and back. And if Jerry makes any apple pie with the apples he gets, maybe he’ll save me a piece.

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Posted in area attractions, humor, local business, personal and tagged apples, blog post, blogging, Cassville NY, friend Jerry, local band, local musicians, Mohawk Valley adventures, music, orchard, The Posers, Windy Hill Orchard. Bookmark the permalink.

A Little Local Music for Me

Posted on August 26, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier tonight I made a short top at the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, the weekly food truck festival in Meyers Park, to hear a little bit of K.O. Grainger. It could only be a short stop, since I had to attend the Ilion Village Board meeting, but it was worth it. For one reason, I got a hot dog from The Corner Office. Yum!

They rock!

I first heard Matt Grainger playing acoustic guitar at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort (you may have seen a couple of my blog posts mentioning him). K.O. Grainger is a two-man band with him and his brother, and they are awesome!

A closer view.

I sat at a picnic table and ate my hot dog, tapping my feet. I had to get up and dance to one song. Nobody joined me, but at the Chowdown, people don’t judge (that I can see). The audience was enjoying the tunes, clapping and singing along.

There are not many weeks left of the Downtown Chowdown, which runs Mondays in Meyers Park, starting at 4 p.m. According to their Facebook page, September 1 and 8 are the last two this year. If you like food truck food and live music, I suggest you check it out!

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Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, food trucks, Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, herkimer ny, KO Grainger, local band, local music, local musicians, Matt Grainger, music. Bookmark the permalink.

A Little Posers Is Always Nice

Posted on July 31, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tuesday I was a little bummed to hear that my favorite band, The Posers was playing in Mohawk, NY, because I had a Town Board meeting to cover in Frankfort. However, I was able to stop by and hear a couple of songs after the meeting.

My pictures are not the best, but they will have to do.

The concert was sponsored by The Village of Mohawk Recreational Committee and took place at Tutty Field, which I had never heard of. I was easily able to find it, though, thanks to directions on The Posers’ Facebook page. They even put a sign on the Fishing Access Site post to help (I wish I had taken a picture of that!).

Turn around, Rick!

This was the first picture I took, and my good friend, Rick, the bass player abruptly turned his back! Not on me, of course; I think he was fiddling with something technical. I don’t know from band equipment. I was happy to dance and sing along to the classic rock.

I might as well use all the pictures I took.

I did not stay long, although I could have gotten something to eat from one of the food trucks there. I bet some of those people on the picnic tables would have been nice enough to let me sit with them. However, I wanted to get home and start writing my story on the meeting I had been to. Rick saw me as I was leaving and waved. I waved back and blew a kiss. I hope The Posers play soon at a time when I can be there for longer.

As a matter of fact, I heard they were going to be at the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown on Monday, Aug. 11. Unfortunately I will have an Ilion Village Board meeting to attend. Perhaps I can stop by again for a short time. At least enough for a blog post!

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Posted in humor, local music, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, Classic Rock, friend Rick, local band, mohawk ny, music, The Posers. Bookmark the permalink.

The Posers at Brass Tack

Posted on August 23, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I heard that The Posers, my favorite local band, was playing at The Brass Tack in Frankfort, NY, I got all excited. Then, due to the weather forecast, they changed the date from Wednesday to Thursday. Rats! I had someplace I was supposed to be on Thursday (nothing blogworthy). However, after I fulfilled my commitment I managed to stop by to enjoy a little music.

OK, not the best shot.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I could hear them playing one of my favorites, “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” I danced as I walked up the ramp to the entrance, which was right behind them. At least the audience saw me. I paused at the bar for a glass of wine then made my way out to the porch where a number of people were enjoying the tunes. I found a place to sit down, asking a couple at an adjoining table if I would be in their way. They said I would not.

Alas, my good friend Rick, the bass player, was not there. He recently got a full knee replacement and was not able to play. What is it with knee replacements? One of my favorite actors can’t be in the murder mystery because he is getting one, too! Come to think of it, one of my knees has been really hurting lately. Oh dear.

Different angle, not much better.

Perhaps if I would have stayed longer, till the sun had dropped a little lower, I could have gotten better pictures. However, the band took a break when my wine was quite low in my glass, so I snuck away, pausing at the exit to wave, so it was not really so sneaky. At least I had done what I could to support local music.

The next time I go to the Brass Tack, I hope to order some food. I know they are a really good place to eat. They are located at 4258 Acme Rd., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-7996.

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Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, Frankfort NY, local band, local music, local musicians, The Brass Tack, The Posers, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

About That Party…

Posted on October 30, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess workday mornings before work are my times to make blog posts these days as my Tablet continues to foil me and my body rebels from sitting up at the dining-room-table-top. What’s up with that, body? My mind seems to be giving me a few problems too. Just now the word “sitting” was underlined in blue and it took me a few minutes to figure out where the extra “t” was (I had typed “stitting”). Then I left out one set of “in” in “dining room” and I had to ponder which “in” it was, the one in “din” or the one in “ing.”

Be all that as it may, here is some semblance of a post to try to start my week on the right foot. In my last post, I was requested to share pictures of my costume from Friday, when my friend Kim and I went to a Halloween party featuring our favorite band, The Posers. I had a little problem there and this is the best I can come up with this morning.

I think it is a kind of a cool shot.

This is my shadow in the parking lot of Ilion Elks Lodge, before we went into said party. You can at least see that I am wearing a cape and have a bat on my head. I only got one picture of the band.

They are awesome, yes!

We had a fun time at the party, dancing to a lot of great tunes. I had not brought my Tablet with me, because I did not want to worry about it when I was on the dance floor (it is still taking OK pictures for me at least). I had my phone in a little bag looped on a scarf around my waist.

And I see I am up to 300 words (more with this paragraph!). I call it respectable for a Monday morning. Once again, I will strive to improve as the week wears on.

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Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, computer problems, dancing, friend Kim, Hallloween, Halloween costumes, Halloween party, Ilion Elks Lodge, late post, local band, local musicians, tablet, The Posers. Bookmark the permalink.

Mid-Week Music in Mohawk

Posted on August 31, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just got back from Mohawk American Legion where I enjoyed listening to my favorite local band, The Posers. I took a couple of pictures with my phone, but they did not come out very well. I wonder if I have some other pictures in my Media Library.

Not the best picture, but it will have to do.

This is a picture taken at the Mohawk American Legion a few years ago. You can’t see the band members very well, I’m afraid.

Another venue, another view.

Here is a better shot, taken at the Herkimer Downtown Chow Down last summer. The Posers’ gig there got cancelled because of weather this year. I believe they are supposed to try again before the summer is over. I will try to be there.

You can see my buddy Rick DeJohn in this one!

As a matter of fact, The Posers were supposed to be at Ilion Food Truck Frenzy this evening. It was cancelled due to weather, so the band played at the Mohawk American Legion.

I had a delightful time this evening dancing and listening. I even made a couple of new friends by sitting down at a table that was only partially occupied.

It was a different Wednesday night for me, since I usually go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food, but I still enjoyed some wonderful music.

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Posted in humor, music and tagged blog post, blogging, Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, Ilion Food Truck Frenzy, local band, local musicians, Mohawk American Legion, mohawk ny, The Posers. Bookmark the permalink.

My Cinco de Mayo

Posted on May 6, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I inadvisedly decided to do something for Cinco de Mayo, a holiday which for one reason or another I have never marked. One reason was that I read that Matt Grainger was playing at the Saalty Dawg Saloon. I have not heard him in a while.

I started out in some trepidation, because I have been to the Saalty Dawg once, and that time my cell phone told my friend Kim where to drive. I no longer have a cell phone and I have never had a very good sense of direction. Hoping for the best, I drove through Ilion till I got to the sign that said “Saalty Dawg” and pointed up Barringer Road.

And drove and drove. I had it in my head that the Dawg was not actually on Barringer Road, but I had foolishly not written down the address. I took two wrong turns, turned around in some dumb places, and had just about decided that I had gone too far when I found it.

Imagine my disappointment when I found out Matt would not start playing till eight. I had a margarita and some chips with queso dip while I was there. I admired the view and worked on a letter to a friend.

I didn’t mention that the Saalty Dawg is next to a golf course.

By this time it was after six (still too long to wait for eight), and I remembered that the Phil-Ins were playing at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort. This is a band with Phil Arcuri and friends. They would start at seven. I drove there with no false starts.

Geno the bartender greeted me as I came in. I sat at the bar and ordered Sauvignon Blanc and a slice of cheesecake. I never have room for dessert so thought for once I would get some. I did not have long to wait for some good music.

They were great!

Unfortunately, my stomach soon let me know that the queso dip was a big mistake. I confess to having some fears when I saw the peppers but of course I ate it anyways. In my defense, yum. I hoped the cheesecake would help. It sounded soothing.

I fear it is a symptom of getting old that my stomach did not settle down. I enjoyed some music but felt forced to head home. I stretched out on my bed (by this time it took some effort to get there) and proceeded to feel miserable for a few hours. That is why I did not make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.

On the brighter side, before I left Fratello’s, Geno read me some of their upcoming musical entertainment. Matt Grainger plays on Wednesday!

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Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, Late and Lame, local business, personal and tagged Cinco de Mayo, Fratello's Pizzeria, lame post, late post, local band, local music, local musicians, Matt Grainger, Mohawk Valley adventures, Phil Arcuri, Saalty Dog Saloon, The Phil-Ins. Bookmark the permalink.

More Music on Wednesday!

Posted on December 1, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Regular readers may have wondered if I was ever going to return to my Wednesday Night Thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food. Well, tonight I finally did. I had the best time!

I got there between 5:30 and 6:00, and noticed a bald, bearded man setting up equipment. I asked who the musical talent was. The bartender, Kimberly, told me it was Justin, at the same time the man setting up told me, “Justin!” I said, “What’s your last name, Justin?” He told me Smithson but I could put “Smithsonian.” I told him I would put it in my blog post, and he acquiesced with Smithson. Another patron told me Justin was the lead singer with Showtime. I have heard of that band but never seen them, so I was interested to hear this Justin.

Great guitar!

I was not disappointed. He opened with “Layla,” followed by “Peaceful, Easy Feeling.” He asked for requests, so after a couple other numbers, I asked if he knew “Sister Golden Hair.” He looked up the lyrics on his IPad, saying he would rather cheat and do that rather than cut the song short. He did a wonderful job on the song.

“Looking up lyrics on your IPad isn’t cheating,” I told him. “It is research!” He liked that.

I like the hockey pennants you can see in the background.

I greatly enjoyed my evening. I even stayed for one more song than I intended, dancing with another patron. It was a friendly crowd at a friendly venue with a friendly, talented singer. How I have missed my Wednesday Night Thing!

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484. They are open 11 a.m. to 10 pm. Monday through Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Local music is featured other nights than Wednesday. You can follow them on Facebook to find out more.

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Posted in humor, local business, music, personal and tagged band, blog post, blogging, Frankfort NY, Fratello's Pizzeria, Justin Smithson, local band, local music, local musician, Showtime. Bookmark the permalink.

We Chow Down in Herkimer

Posted on August 17, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I have been wanting to go to the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown for a while now. Tonight we finally made it.

We enjoyed the music from the band while we scanned the food trucks, deciding on our repast.

I must return next week to purchase a t-shirt. I chatted with Melody Couchman, the volunteer selling them. She graciously allowed me to take her picture. She told me the band was called Last Left. We agreed that ’70’s and ’80’s music was great.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the band.

We really enjoyed Last Left. Another local band to watch for! When I walked by to take a picture, I saw that Herkimer High School Class of 1983 was the sponsor of tonight’s event. I think my high school class ought to sponsor something!

We both felt full from dinner. However, after looking at some of the stuff offered by the Mad Batter Bakery (don’t you just love that name?), we reconsidered. Steven had a chocolate filled finger, and I had a plain donut. Then we were really stuffed!

I could have sat and listened to the band longer, but we needed to get home. For one reason, I wanted to make this blog post. I was happy to see so many people out enjoying the evening and the event. We also saw a lot of cute dogs. Altogether a very enjoyable time.

The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown is held every Monday, June to October, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Myers Park in Herkimer, NY.

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Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, food, food trucks, Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, herkimer ny, Last Left, local band, local musicians, Mad Batter Bakery. Bookmark the permalink.

Late Post about The Posers

Posted on August 11, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have mentioned our favorite band, The Posers. The best Friday night we had in a long time was the night we went to see them at the Mohawk American Legion.

The event took place in the parking lot. Food and drink was available. I had some salt potatoes while Steven had a hot dog. But of course the main draw was the music.