Queen of Percussion

     When you think of percussion, usually images of drums start beating in you mind. The "Queen of Percussion" does not play the drums. Not that she hasn't tried. She just doesn't have the rhythm. Give her a tambourine, some maracas and a cow bell and it is a different story.
     Born Loreen Teresa Perkins on June 27, 1957 to Lyle and Audree Perkins, her friends know her as Lori. Lori's mom, in her youth was a female drummer, She paid to have Lori take drum lessons when she was sixteen. After a couple of lessons she was told to give it up. "As far as musical instruments go," they told me, "You have no rhythm. So, don't bother trying to play any." That didn't stop Lori. She picked up her brothers tambourine and found out she did have rhythm after all.
     Lori started playing with the Mike Burn's Irish band. Since then she has played as a guest performer with the Dave Steffen Band, Stringbenders, Iggy Rae Vicious and Rat Sass, Donnie Pick, Bobby Evans, Darryl St. John, Jeff Johnson, Gary Marg and Women in Music Minnesota.
     The Queen does not just stand on stage and tap the tambourine and shake her maracas. She dances with them. She puts a lot of energy and love into her music. Watching her perform is a show all by itself.
     Lori is a very humble person and thanks the Lord every time she can share her gift with fans. She is also very grateful to the musician friends who let her grace their stage.
     Lori is on Dave Steffen's Cd, Half a Million Miles. After her name is her initials backwards...PTL...Praise the Lord, which is what she does every day.
     Recently, Lori has started playing with a small church band on  Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. She has even listened to her friends and is adding vocals to her talents.
     When asked what else she is looking forward to she didn't hesitate replying, "I would like to be back in a band on a regular basis and get paid for it."  With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes she asked, "Do you know any bands hiring?"
     This is another example of a musician who loves what they are doing so much they didn't let any obstacles get in their way. "No rhythm?" Lori torts. "I showed them."

Survey

I'm trying to find out how we can get more people to see live bands. Could you please answer the following questions? Please feel free to add any coments.
Age                            Sex
Income                      Schooling
Marital status             Number of children
Smoker                      Income
Do you enjoy listening to live music?
Do you prefer karaoke over live music?
D.J.’s over live music?
What is your favorite type of music?
Favorite local band?
How often do you go listen to a live band?
Do you dance?
How do you hear about bands playing in your area?
Should bands have tip jars?
Would you tip a good band if no cover charge?
How important is the light show and big production ?
How do you rate a good cover band?
good musicianship or sounds like the original artist?
Do you prefer a band that plays popular songs in their
genre or original music?
What do you think of American Idol?
　
Do you think they deserve the notoriety over a musician who
has worked hard all their life to get the fame?
What do you think can be done to get more people out to listen
to live bands?




Thank you for your support.　
　
　

Websites

     I was trying to find out what bands were playing in the area and, of course, I went on the Internet. I tried some of the businesses that I knew had live entertainment. Here is what I found...
     Harmony Cafe
233 E. College Ave.                            1660 W. Mason St.
Appleton, WI 54911                           Green Bay, WI 54303
920-734-2233                                    920-569-1593
email: harmonycafe@gwicc.org
www.harmonycafe.org
Facebook
     They have a calendar of over 6 years, where you can check and print off their agenda by the week or the month. It is a very thorough listing of their activities and times.

     Millcreek
417 W. College Ave.
Appleton, WI 54911
920-738-7408
Email: info@millcreekbar.com
www.millcreekbar.com
     They have an event calendar listing dates through May 19,2011.

     The Bar
2435 W. Nordale Dr.                            825 N. Washburn St.                  606 Lime Kiln Rd.
Appleton, WI 54914                             Oshkosh, WI 54503                   Green Bay, WI 54305
920-954-0888                                      920-232-3566                            920-468-3564
www.meetatthebar.com
Facebook
     The website has a calendar of events with only a few bands listed for the next five months. Their Facebook has no schedule.

     Cimmeron Bar and Grill
W7170 Hwy. 10 /114
Menasha, WI 54952
920-733-3125
     I can not find their website or find them on Facebook or My Space. I did find them on www.witowns.com . You have to click on Products and Services Directory and go under Friday Night Fish Fry. All they say is, "Live music on Fridays and Saturdays. I know Cimmeron has open mic or bands on Wednesday nights but, there is no mention of this.

     Plan B
121 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920-462-4239
Facebook
     I could not find a website. They are on Facebook. I also, couldn't find a band or entertainment listing.

     Rock Island Cafe
303 N. Commercial St.
Neenah, WI 54956
920-722-0014
Email: contact@rockislandcafe.com
www.rockislandcafe.com
Facebook
     Under their events they have live music or open mic. Click on LM to see whose performing. Open mic is every Wednesday 7p.m. - 10p.m. You can sign up to play or just listen to find new local talent.

     Tap Haus Grill
121 W. 3rd St.
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920-759-9470
www.taphausgrill.com
Facebook
     Tap Haus has four months of music scheduled. Their Facebook has February and past events.
 
     The next two places I found through the Fox Cities' "Saving Cash Magazine". J.J. Maloney's advertises live entertainment Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. When I checked out their website they were not up to date. They had 2 bands listed for 12/31/2010 and 1/22/2011. I submitted my email address for up-dates but as of this posting I haven't received any.
     J.J. Maloney's
N1994
Maloney Rd.
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920-759-9520
www.jjmaloneys.com
Facebook

     The next coupon was for Tanners Grill and Bar. According to the Fox Cities' "Saving Cash Magazine", they have music every Tuesday and Thursday. The day I did my research they had two listings for up-coming bands on a Thursday and a Friday. No Tuesday listing. I clicked on 'See All Up-Coming Events' and nothing was listed there. One thing I did like about Tanner's web site is they do include the bands contact information.
     Tanners Grill and Bar
730 S. Railroad St.
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-788-7275
www.tannersgrillandbar.com
Facebook

     As you can see, some of these web sites you can't get the information you need. Would it help get more people to come listen to the bands if they were up-to-date? How else can these businesses improve their web sites? Contact these businesses and let them know what you think and what you would like them to include in their information.

Digging deeper

     I've have talked to some musicans this past week and asked them what they think might get more people to listen to live music. They had more questions than answers. I then turned to some fans and to people who really haven't gone out to listen to bands. I've been concentrating on these questions and have decided to write up a survey and see where it takes me. So to those who read my blogs if you have any questions or suggestions please let me know. I'll write up a formal survey and see if and where I can hand them out and go from there. 
     I have been so passionate about this idea that I haven't written a story for this week. I'll get back on track next week with bars websites and how they promote bands. I'm also have a story brewing on how to get people to hear musicians before they go see them. 
     So please give me your input and look for my blog next week. Thanks to everyone who is supporting me. Together I know we can make a difference.

Way to go, Packers!!!!

Too much partying for the big Packer win. I will post my blog tomorrow night instead.