Saturday
Early birds arriving at Keenan's Irish Pub Saturday AM, found the main entrance still locked. A little noise, brought Event Coordinator, Tracy File, to the rescue. The bands were setting up inside, and someone simply forgot to open the door. It was a beautiful N. Wildwood, NJ, morning, so nobody minded the three minute delay in hitting the bar for a morning start on their liquid refreshments.
Inside, Dani Hoy, who's new CD, "TropiGal", introduced here on The Shore, was a big hit at the festival, started off the day. She was joined, then followed by, Nicky Fabbz. Nicky Fabbricatore is the teenage singer/songwriter, Trop Rock phenom, who has taken the East Coast Trockin' scene by storm. He received the now usual, warm reception from his early-day fans, as he played songs from his 1st CD, and other T-R favorites.
The rest of the day held many high points, and no discernible low ones. Parrot Heads and Trop Rock mavens, expect their performers to be down to earth, crowd friendly, "one of the family" types. The SP-4 performers all proved to be just that. Before and after their turns on stage in the big room at Keenan's, the entertainers could be found mingling with the attendees, and anyone arriving would have been hard pressed to pick out the players from the fans. When there was no one on the big stage, there was someone playing in the adjoining bar area, so there was never a lapse in the music. That's the way Trop Rockers and their followers like it, so it worked out for everyone.
At Noon, the Susquehanna Rum Runners band took the big stage, and stirred up the already sizable crowd. Brian and the boys left it all on the stage, and the fans were already in frenzy by the time Jimmy Maraventano and his Jimmy and the Parrots band, began to play. JAP were, as usual, over the top entertainment wise. It's easy to see why they are so popular with the Trop Rock crowds and promoters, alike. Their show is outrageous and fan friendly, at the same time. It vacuums you into the wild vortex created by their enthusiasm and showmanship.
Chris Sacks Band, John Friday, Dave McKenney, Davey Werkheiser, "Tiki" Thom, and Mike Mangum, all displayed outstanding ability and left every fan satisfied, as the day progressed. The Young Rebel Goombas rounded out the evening with their very professional show. Their music is tight and polished to a high gloss. Richie Saccente and Cosmo Mallardi's vocals carry the Goombas to a super star quality level. The SP-4 screaming crowd was clamoring for more, and they were not disappointed.
There was a near disaster when Jimmy Maraventano discovered his beloved banjo was missing, after the band left N. Wildwood, for another, same day, gig. A major search of the city was conducted by numerous volunteers, and the venerable instrument was not found. Sunday AM, everyone was jubilant when news arrived that a fan had located the wandering banjo and it had been returned to a very grateful Jimmy. Disaster averted!
So ended day three of Spring Phling IV, as everyone went off either to their beds or to one of the many de rigueur "After Parties" around N. Wildwood.
