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On tax day during a rainy full moon lunar eclipse........ Kevin Costner's Band Rocked Annapolis by Marci Lynn McGuinness
Teddy Morgan, lead guitarist, writer and producer, played blues in Austin's Antone's, has albums of his own and a music studio. Larry Cobb, drummer, traveled with several rock bands including Coinman's. He produces local song-writers in his Southwest Musicians Cooperative. Park Chisolm joined the band in 2008 after Teddy Morgan produced his album. He grew up picking up deals on pawn-shop guitars, touring with bands, and did a three-year stint in the Jeff Foxworthy Show house band.
Several fiddle players join the band when they can, and on this particular night we had a special treat. Lilly Costner, Kevin's daughter, was the opening act. She has a voice I will not soon forget. She covered one of her father's early tunes, “The Porch Song,” and told her audience that when she and her brother were young and their folks went out, they practiced the song all evening. All that practice was evident by her performance. Oftentimes, when I mention Modern West to people, they say, “I didn't know Kevin Costner had a band.” My thought is always that I need to get them to come to Pittsburgh. Steeler fans would love the band's genuine, strong, heartfelt, fun songs, “Alive in the City,” “Let Me Be the One,” “Cleo's at the Wheel,” and “We're the Lucky Ones”and get behind them like no other fans can. Annapolis is one of my favorite cities, so I really looked forward to seeing Kevin Costner and Modern West there. I requested and got approval for a meeting with Costner for this article. As Lilly sang, I spoke with John Coinman in the lobby and then, Costner, on his tour bus. When I met his public relations agent in the lobby, two others joined us, Bonnie and Eric, who had won a “Meet & Greet” with Costner from a Facebook contest. A few minutes later, Bonnie, Eric and I were ushered onto Costner's bus. Costner stood smiling in the aisle. I shook his hand, introduced myself, and thank him for his time and for making music. We chatted, and Glenn Miller, the Rams Head photographer, took photos, as did Eric. I had a new camera which I had not learned how to use yet. “Push the button,” Costner told me. Oh, the memories! Costner was as I expected a man interested in history, acting and music to be; funny, humble, intelligent, talented, pleasant and patient. We left the bus just before his appearance onstage. Before we departed I gifted him my Speedway Book collection and Bonnie gave him a handful of guitar picks. It was a moment I thank him for. But on with the concert! Seating only 300, Rams Head On Stage offers a wonderfully intimate concert experience. Although the band does play large venues, Costner enjoys playing in smaller clubs so he can share the music and interact with fans. At my table sat with six women, including me. One was having a birthday, and three brought a banner that said, “Let us be your Bodyguard.” Having told Coinman about the banner earlier, I helped them hold it up throughout the show. During the concert, I was able to stand and dance. Costner twice asked the management to turn on the lights so he could see the audience. He talked to the audience and made everyone laugh countless times. Then he said, “I hope you don't mind if I sing a song with my daughter. She is here on her own. Won't hear of taking help. Tended bar. Does this on her own. I am proud of her.” And so are we, his fans, and now hers. At the end of the evening, the band covered “Mr. Tambourine Man,” during which time he asked us to stand, stretch, and sing along. We did. This is one fun band. Having worked in Annapolis at Spin Sheet Magazine, I was familiar with the lodging and made a reservation at the Scotlaur Inn. It is one block from Ram's Head and above one of my favorite diners, Chick & Ruth's Delly. I went into the tavern after the show and listened to more live music while enjoying a Fordham Baltimore beer. As I headed out the doors to the street, Costner's buses started up, and I gave thanks for a memorable tax day. "If you are a Kevin Costner fan, you will love his band. "Like" them at www.facebook.com/kevincostnerandmodernwest ~ Mention this article and ask him to come to Pittsburgh!" Listen to Kevin Costner and Modern West and check their schedule at: www.kevincostnermodernwest.com . Like them at: www.facebook.com/kevincostnerandmodernwest Marci McGuinness is the author of 31 books and hundreds of articles. She resides on the Monongahela River in Southwestern Pennsylvania, specializing in local history early board-track racing, and murder mysteries. www.uniontownspeedway.com ~ www.facebook.com/marcimcguinness  Are you a film buff and need a place to worship? This Sunday March 9th, the Parkway Theater will start the first of many Sunday morning film viewings. We kick things off with "The Boondock Saints" Coffee and a movie for $4 (drink choice is negotiable). All are welcome to stick around and have a film discussion after each service. Upcoming Sunday Morning Movie Service films: Sunday 3/9 - Boondock Saints 11:00am Sunday 3/30 - The Sandlot - 11:30am Sunday 4/13 - The Passion of the Christ - 11:15am Sunday 4/27 - The Fugitive Kind - 11:15am The Cinema Coffee shop, (located in theater lobby), opens at 8am on Sundays The Boondock Saints is a 1999 American vigilante film written and directed by Troy Duffy. The film stars Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus as fraternal twins, Connor and Murphy MacManus, who become vigilantes after killing two members of the Russian Mafia in self-defense. After both experience an epiphany, the brothers, together with their friend (David Della Rocco), set out to rid their home city of Boston, Massachusetts of crime and evil, all the while being pursued by FBI Agent Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe). Like us on Facebook - "The Parkway Theater" About Community Reel Arts Center: The Community Reel Arts Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the cultural vitality of the Stowe Rocks community and surrounding region through the art of film. Our vision is to contribute to local economic vitality with an eye toward growing stability for the Stowe Township business district. Located in the former Parkway Theater at 644 Broadway Avenue in Stowe Rocks, this theater exists to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film, art, and music. Get Reel About Supporting Community Theaters! Aaron Stubna President Community Reel Arts Center 412-766-1668 The Parkway Theater 644 Broadway Ave. Mckees Rocks 15136 Looking for more things to do? Find events in the Pittsburgh area on our Events page! Check out our Explore page to find area attractions, museums, casinos, amusement parks, and more! Do yinz speak Pittsburghese? View Penguins, Pirates and Steeler info and take our Trivia Quiz on our Sports pages! Purchase Pittsburgh related items on our Shop page! View gorgeous photos of the Pittsburgh area by local Photographers! Check out these other pages: Pittsburgh Attractions......... Pittsburgh Restaurants.......... Pittsburgh Neighborhoods....... |
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