BlueStoneIvoryBlog

Temperatures have been rising...

2010-07-28T03:35:29-04:00

It's been a while since I've added a new post. This summer has been very busy for us all.

Most of you know that Rusty had by-pass surgery 4 1/2 weeks ago. He is healing great and hopes to be back playing with us soon. In the mean time the show must go on. BSI is very grateful to have help from a couple of dear friends Larry Brown and Randy Thompson. Between these two great sax players were are able to meet all of our engagements without a hitch.

Larry Brown (pictured to the left) has been a dear friend of BSI for several years. He has subbed for Rusty before so he was aware of the whole deal. Randy (above) played with us his first time in Wyoming. It's difficult to just step in and read all the music and play as a group. Especially without rehearsal. These two guys are really good and did the job great. Thanks guys!

This year has been an exceptionally hot summer. So we have opted to wearing our shorts at some of the outdoor gigs rather than sweat do death. Thank goodness we have the legs for it...well, good enough to get by with.

The extreme heat really effects us in many ways. We tend to get tired easy and we need to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Our equipment performs much differently in the extreme heat. Our large equipment will over heat and draw a lot more power than usual plus it is hard to stay in tune. There are so many variables to performing outside. But when we are in the middle of the show, the heat doesn't matter much as long as everyone in the audience is happy and enjoying themselves.

These young gals are really enjoying the moment in Mason during "God Bless the USA" waiving thier flags and dancing to the music.

The photo below is an awasome shot of the large crowd we had at Ault Park on the 4th of July. That was a great gig as all of them have been so far this year.

For our complete schedule through July 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

The kids at All Saints Festival...they have Rhythm

2010-06-11T05:10:39-04:00

We find all kinds of talent at Church Festivals. Last Sunday was no exception at All Saints in Kenwood. Youv'e heard of Air Guitar...well these kids are playing balloon guitars. They are blowup toy guitars with a twist. These kids really have rhythm.

It was fun watching the enthusiasm these kids had with our music. I especially like the little girl near the end of this video. She was really into Teds guitar Solo on "Make Me Smile".

WE will give it another try this Saturday in Liberty Township at St Maximilian Kolbe. We play from 7:30 - 11:30 Saturday night.

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

Young musician is the star at Jim & Jack's last Saturday night.

2010-04-30T00:45:56-04:00

This young lady is Katie Shelton. Saturday night she was introduced by Karen one of the employees at Jim & Jack's. She read some amazing things about young Katie.

Katie is a Junior at Colerain High School. Plays clarinet and flute in the concert and marching bands and excels at both. The amazing thing about young Katie is that she is blind.

Katie has been marching in the band since she was in the 8th grade and has been playing clarinet for over 6 years. She has learned everything by reading braille.

Katie's goal for this summer is to attend the Braille Summer Music Institute at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia. She was one of only 6 students in the entire United States chosen to attend this prestigious camp. The hitch is she needed to pay for her own transportation. She didn't have enough money to do that so Jim & Jacks passed the basket around and collected over $550.00. That will get her the transportation to Philadelphia and back home.

Saturday night before BlueStone Ivory took the stage Katie was a star for about 7 minutes. Here is the second number she played. It is a mozart piece written for the B flat clarinet.

Just click on the link below to hear young Katie's performance.

Katie Shelton playing Mozart on B flat clarinet

Playing clarinet myself, I know how tough it is with eye sight let alone learning to play this well blind. I can tell you, the clarinet is a challenge in itself and this girl has it going. I also find it amazing how she learned to march in the band. She had a senior mentor that wore a special sound marker on her leg and with that Katie would be able to follow the sound of her partner. She would work an extra 90 to 120 minutes each night after the rest were through with marching practice to prepare for the half time shows.

Here is young Katie Shelton with her favorite Rock-n-Roll band.

We would like to wish Katie all the best in the world. And would like to invite her to come back and play for us at Jim & Jack's again. Maybe after her summer in Philly.

Don't forget to pick the outdoor gig for flag sponsorship. This is your oportunity to publically wish someone a special thank you or honor a friend of family member who is or has served in the armed services.

Download BSI Flag sponsorship flyer 2 2010

For our complete schedule through July 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.co

Vacation Time!

2010-04-16T13:14:31-04:00

Each year a couple of the BSI members takes a couple of weeks to go out of town on vacation. What do we do? This past week Rusty was out of town on a well deserved vacation in New Orleans with his family. Well, the band also had a gig scheduled at Bar Seventy-One. We do have an ace up our sleeve. Chris Rotsching, a music major and graduate of music, presently band and orchestra director at Indian Hill High School just loves to play with BlueStone Ivory and we love to have him sit in as well. In fact Chris will be sitting in for Gary this Saturday at the Tavern Owners Ball. Gary will be performing with the West Chester Symphony Orchestra at their annual fundraiser at the Marriott on Union Center Blvd. and will join BSI a little later in the evening.

It is comforting to know that someone with Chris' talent is usually available to help us out when we are in a pinch. Chris has helped us in the past and will more than likely sit in again in the future. Thanks Again for your help on both weekends Chris.





The second photo features Gary and Chris who happen to have cousin Tenor Saxophones. They are probably the only two Keilwerth Shadow tenors in Cincinnati area. Gary's is an older Tone King and Chris has the newer version SX90. These are technical terms...yes. But it means a lot to Gary and Chris. They really love their tenor sax's and it is a rare occasion when they are together on the same stage at the same time.

One other obstacle popped up in Rusty's absence. Who will sing "Slammin"? It is a popular song with the band and fans sooo Ted elected Gary as the fill in vocalist. We think he did himself proud. What do you think? Rusty still has the advantage!

Here's the video of Gary's vocal interpretation of "Slammin".

Next weekend BlueStone Ivory will be at Jim & Jack's both Friday and Saturday nights. So mark your calenders.

For our complete schedule through July 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

BlueStone Ivory in concert

2010-04-08T17:19:25-04:00

Here is a clip from our most recent concert at Princeton High School. We had a blast performing on a real stage with a loading dock, flybars, dressing room, full stage lighting and theater seating with great accoustics.

We surprised everyone and had a great crowd Saturday night (the night before Easter). We were up against the final 4 in the playoffs also. But folks wanted to come out and dance and party more than sit around the TV set. GOOD FOR THEM!

Well, it's no secret. BlueStone Ivory is looking for a bass player. We prefer someone that can fill Lee's shoes and sing well too. So if anyone knows anyone that would like to audition for BlueStone Ivory have them call Gary at 513-777-2402.

We are also taking reservations to sponsor the American Flags for the summer shows in 2010. We have 12 different shows that you can pick from to sponsor. A few are already taken...marked SOLD. The dates in green are available. Just email or call Gary at 513-777-2402. Email Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com.

For our complete schedule through May 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

We had fun at the VFW last Friday night

2010-03-17T05:36:26-04:00

Last Friday night BlueStone Ivory played a "Pay It Forward" dance called the Cabin Fever Relieverat the VFW hall in Sharonville. We do this each year in exchange for the use of the hall to hold our monthly band practice throughout the year. They are so hospitable to us this is the least we can do. We had about 100 of our closest friends, family and loyal fans come out to dance the night away.

Speaking of Family...here is a video of Ted's brother Tim Donohoue on his birthday taking the stage.

Oh yes...the crowd was loud, not necessarily in tune but they all had fun.

The VFW Hall headed up by Sherry Franks provided a lots of snacks, cash bar with low drink prices, conducted a split the pot worth a little over $100.00 and gave away at least 30 door prizes. All in all, everyone had a good time.

Saturday night was a special night for our drummer.

Keith, besides celebrating his birthday also, with his lovely wife Julie celebrated their wedding anniversary at Carlo & Johnny's.

Of course BSI (with the fantastic baking skills of Mary Jo Rossignol) provided the traditional birthday chocolate fudge brownie cake...that was absolutely indescribably delicious.

Rusty and Gary put their heads together to beat out Keith's original birthday card from last year. It was so funny Keith is still chuckling over it.

Julie & Keith's evening was complete when Julie took the stage and sang "More Today Than Yesterday" with the band that she does soooo very well.

This weekend we are at one of our favorite clubs...Jim & Jack's on River Road where we always have a great time. So plan to stop by early for dinner. The food is excellent.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for next Saturday night March 27th at Princeton High School. BlueStone Ivory will be "in Concert" at Matthew Auditorium beginning at 7:00 PM. You can purchase your tickets on line at www.seatyourself.biz/princeton.

For our complete schedule through May 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

Who Shot the Bassman?

2010-03-04T02:17:00-05:00

If you haven't heard the story yet, its very simple. Mark is trying for the ultimate publicity a BSI brother has ever achieved. He went so far as to get robbed point-blank and shot as well. Think it's scary? So did Mark. And especially his brand new bride Andi.

As the story goes. Andi and Mark were suppose to be on a little getaway in NYC. A slight mix up with the airline tickets and they were left back in Indianapolis clearing out a few last minute things of Marks and finally call Newport KY home.

They ended up late and hungry so they decided to walk to their favorite neighborhood restaurant the Pepper Pod for a little late dinner. It's 1:15 am and they are walking home when out of nowhere this "Perp" snuck up behind them, demanded Marks money, grabbed him behind the neck by his collar and dragged him down this alley and the gun went off. The bullet grazed his neck, entered the top of his shoulder and made a clean exit out the top of his back.

What a lucky guy to have someone like Andi stick with him and not faint. They took a quick trip to the hospital, cleaned the wounds, gave their report to the police and went home. I listened to the news the next day. Channel 19 only mentioned an attempted robbery with a non life threatening gunshot wound a block from a local restaurant in Newport Ky.

That is about all the publicity Mark got...darn it! I'm sure he was trying for so much more than that. He was on stage with us the following night at Carlo & Johnny. What a trouper. We are all super glad this "Perp" was a lousy shot. This will definitely be a great story to tell the grandkids someday.

Is Everyone Ready for Spring?

We are. And to kick things off with a big bang BlueStone Ivory will be playing the annual Cabin fever Reliever Dance at Sharonville's VFW Hall at 3318 East Sharon Rd on March 12.

We play this dance each year as a BIG Thank you to the kind folks at the VFW Hall. They welcome us in to rehearse there throughout the year. Without the VFW hall we would have a very difficult time putting together all the new tunes that we bring to you each year.

You will be able to dance the night away beginning at 8:00 pm right up to 12:00 midnight. The VFW Hall will charge a modest cover of $8.00 that will include chips, pretzels, cash bar, low drink prices and door prizes.

So please come out and enjoy the night. Every dollar you spend helps say Thank You for allowing us to have a safe, clean accomodating facility to practice.

For our complete schedule through May 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

Good bye Tim

2010-02-26T01:01:50-05:00

It is with great sorrow to announce that our dear friend and loyal fan Tim O'Shea lost his battle with cancer on Sunday February 21, 2010.

His funeral of Christian burial will be Friday February 26 at 10:30 am at St Jude Church.

He has struggled for many many months but kept coming out to hear and dance to his favorite band BlueStone Ivory. In fact we have a video just a couple of posts back of Tim at Jim & Jack's dancing to his favorite song "Standing on Shaky Ground" just a few days after his last major surgery.

He was introduced to BSI by his brother Dennis and sister-in-law Tracy several years ago. Once he heard our music he became and instant fan and most gigs we could always count on looking out into the audience and see Tim.

We will greatly miss Tim as will all of his family and friends. He has many as evidenced at Radel Funeral home this afternoon. The place was packed. May God bless you and keep you forever.

On a lighter note...We would like to announce a special wedding that happened last Saturday afternoon somewhere in Northern Kentucky.

Our new base player and latest member into the brotherhood of BSI Mark Bertram married his love of his life Andrea (Andi) Feld.

They wouldn't tell us where the auspicious occasion was to take place for fear of all of us crashing the party...now where did they ever get that idea from? I didn't think he knew us quite that well. But Mark has some curious insight to many things and had us summed up rather quickly. That is why he fits in with us so well.

They left Cincinnati for New York City for a little jag away home before our crazy schedule begins starting in March. They are due back late on Friday in time for Mark to play at Carlo & Johnny this Saturday.

We are gearing up for very busy March and April. In fact we don't have any Friday or Saturday off in March. That's right! You will have plenty of opportunity to come out and see and hear BlueStone Ivory over the next 60 days.

We kick everything off playing at The Middletown Moose March 5 & 6. You do need to be a member to attend this engagement or you could be a guest of a member. If you find a member ask if you can join us one night that weekend.

Our next open engagement will be on March 12 at the VFW hall in Sharonville. This is an open dance from 8:00 pm till 12:00 am. We play this gig each year as a special thank you to the kind folks at the VFW hall for allowing us to practice there many times throughout the year. There will be an $8.00 cover charge that will include chips, pretzels, low drink prices and door prizes.

Then we will be back to Carlo & Johnny on Saturday March 13, Jim & Jack's on March 19 & 20, Guys n Dolls on the 26th and then on March 27th we play the concert at Princeton High School that got snowed out a few weeks ago.

For our complete schedule through May 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

Happy Birthday to You Crew...

2010-02-18T16:05:30-05:00

In the last week we had a couple of very special birthdays. Last Thursday February 11th Dave Kastrup our fearless Crew leader and expert sound engineer better know as "Mongo" celebrated his birthday. This past Tuesday February 16th Doug, our second in command celebrated his. We always do it up right amongst the BSI brothers.

We had a special fudge brownie birthday cake (prepared by Mary Jo Rossignol) and Rusty & Gary designed a special birthday cards for the two of them and presented this all to them last Saturday at Jim & Jack's. The brownie cake was really GOOD.

Here they are, Doug & Dave. The musicians of BSI have to admit...these two are the best road crew/technicians a band could ever ask for. They are responsible for how good our sound comes out to you and how we look, lighting wise on stage. No magic can make us look really good...but they do the best they can. They are the first to show up at every gig and the last to leave. They unload, setup, and maintain all of our sound and lighting gear, plus drive everything to and from in our BIG Truck "Moby Dick".

THANKS GUYS, And Happy Birthday

We are at Guy's n Doll's this Friday night. We play from 9:00 pm till 1:00 am.

The concert at Princeton High School was rescheduled for March 27th.

For our complete schedule through April 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com

Introducing our new BSI Group Photo

2010-02-11T04:06:14-05:00

Which one do you like? We have our favorite, maybe we can hear from you. Let us know which photo you like best using the comments button below. From top to bottom, left to right 1,2,3 or 4.

We all got together on Sunday afternoon and shot a whole bunch of photo's. Mary Jo did the pointing and shooting, I downloaded them and sent them all over to Rusty, He puts the final touches on them to make them look professional.

We are at Jim & Jacks this weekend. We do have a couple new and revised songs to play for you. Go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com for details.

Don't forget about Valentines Day on Sunday. If you haven't done it yet, Call Lutz Flowersand order something special for the loved one in your life. They are offering a 15% discount on anything in the store if you say you are Friends of BlueStone Ivory.

For our complete schedule through April 2010 & directions to our gigs, or to listen to samplings of BlueStone Ivory or view hundreds of photos & now videos from past gigs go to www.BlueStoneIvory.com

If you are interested in booking BlueStone Ivory for a party, dance or wedding call Gary Rossignol. Phone 513-777-2402 or toll free 800-670-2402.

Email: Gary@BlueStoneIvory.com