Our own dear Jim Martin (James Ralston Martin – architect) has suddenly and unexpectedly passed in his sleep this past Saturday night, 11 July 2015. He was out in Wyoming visiting his daughter and brand new grandbaby. There are many who plan to come “bury him at the bar” tonight… We’ll sing for him so bring your best voices. He had requested of me the song Life of a Leaf at several music social gatherings and so I may pull that out early in the evening.  Sail on to your next adventure, Jim, we’ll see you soon enough.

The last photo of Jim, holding his new grandbaby Svea Lace Bronsan. A fitting photo.

Jim Martin

Jim lived with enthusiasm, adventure, and love,
He has been called Home in Heaven above.

He has left behind family, friends, and dreams.
Sadness fills the air. In due time, happy memories will beam.

Thank you, Jim, for your joy of life, music, nature, and the Sea.
Rest in peace dear friend, in safe harbor you will forever be.

{joe brown}

Darling Stacy alerted me to this… Really well done!  Kinda what we say when we’re singing the bawdy stuff but not trying to insult anyone… And not singing “Wild Rover” when the frat boys insist on it… But when we get the pirate chick backstage <heh, heh>

‘Cause HO is disrespectful, yo!

I have just been informed that this Monday, being July 6th, is National Kissing Day!  Oh, this’ll be good… So says every webpage I’ve been directed to but Facebook which insists it’s the 7th… Facebook loses, it seems.

Other holidays to prepare for this month – Tuesday the 14th is National Nude Day, and Monday the 27th is National Bagpipe Appreciation Day.  Just saying…

Recently Requested Songs

• Going Home Song
• John Kanaka

And 2015 is half over!  Amazing how it flies by when you’re in company with us and singing along, pint in your hand…

Of course every Monday night we’ll be at the Gris, but on Saturday 11 July we’ll be at Fort Rodman, New Bedford, MA to entertain during their weekend “Pyrate Invasion”. We’re to be on stage at 11a, 2p, and 4p.  Some of our followers have vowed to be there all attired in their pirate best… This is another time when those of you from the Boston area and Rhode Island might more easily see us!

Then on Wednesday, 15 July 2015 at 6:30 pm, Rick will be at The Noble and Cooley Center for Historic Preservation at 42 Water Street in Granville, MA presenting his historical program “To End All Wars: Songs of the First World War.”

For those of you who enjoyed this most recent Survivor’s Night, here are photos of the event in the Covered Bridge Room of the Griswold Inn.

And last night we received word of a dear friend and supporter having passed – Steve Messelt was a regular on Monday nights for many and many a year going back almost as far as when Cliff put the band together.  While in more recent years his retirement saw him less often in the tap room his was a friendly face and warm reminder of happy days.  Fair winds and a gentle hammock in Fiddler’s Green.

• 11th – 14th – Annual Sea Music Festival, Mystic Seaport, CT.  We’re not playing this year, but you really need to check it out if you have a love for the music!  Then, when it’s done, we host our annual…

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  click on pic for full size

• 15th – Monday – SURVIVOR’S NIGHT @ the Gris wherein various musicians and groups come to perform in turn on our “stage” in the back “covered bridge” room.  This is a concert format rather than a regular tavern night, but we plan to have a speaker in the tap room for those of you who wish to chat and not overpower the singer-guests.  Look through our photos to see the previous years’ events!

Song lyrics recently requested…

• De Boatman Dance
• My Husband’s a Mason
• Round Cape Horn
• The Last Thing on My Mind
• No Deep

We had an active May but here comes June!  In addition to our regular Monday evenings, we have –

• 5th – Friday – The International Cruising Boat Show being held at Brewer’s Essex Island Marina, Essex, CT.  We’re playing during the Friday clam bake, from 5 to 9p.

click on pic to see in full size.

• On 7 June 2015 Sunday Old Saybrook, CT  3:00 pm Rick will perform one of his historical presentations at the Grace Episcopal Church, 366 Main St, Old Saybrook as The Old Saybrook Historical Society presents “To End All Wars: Songs of the First World War“.  Following the presentation there will be a reception at the General William Hart House, 350 Main Street in Old Saybrook, where an exhibit of WWI posters and memorabilia will be on display.  For information please visit here.

click on pic for full size

• 11th – 14th – Annual Sea Music Festival, Mystic Seaport, CT.  We’re not playing this year, but you really need to check it out if you have a love for the music!  Then, when it’s done, we host our annual…
• 15th – Monday – SURVIVOR’S NIGHT @ the Gris wherein various musicians and groups come to perform in turn on our “stage” in the back “covered bridge” room.  Look through our photos to see the previous years’ events!

A reminder for the remaining half of the month…

Saturday the 23d – we’ll be at O’Rourke’s in Warwick, RI. from 1 – 4 p.  Another opportunity for those of you further east to see us closer to home!

Rick will be playing 26 May 2015 Tuesday, Niantic, CT  7:00 pm
The East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road in Niantic, CT presents “Historic Songs of Outlaws, Villains and Rogues” at 7:00 pm.  The library’s website is here.

We are always grateful to our friends who come down and share a bit of their talent with us… Thank you to Rodney, Courtney Jean, and Brian!  You certainly make our own experience that much more enjoyable!

And per a request – I have posted the lyrics to the song Cliff pulled out last night: The Last Thing On My Mind

The first of May being in the middle of the week between two of our shows, we’ll not bother with it this year.  But we have several happenings for you…

Rick will be off on the 4th so Stuart Markus will fill in!  Come show the man again that you like his style!

Stuart Markus. Photo by Donna Goodspeed

Later in the month – Saturday the 23d – we’ll be at O’Rourke’s in Warwick, RI. from 1 – 4 p.  Another opportunity for those of you further east to see us closer to home!

Rick will be playing 26 May 2015 Tuesday, Niantic, CT  7:00 pm
The East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road in Niantic, CT presents “Historic Songs of Outlaws, Villains and Rogues” at 7:00 pm.  The library’s website is here.

Good May songs for ya!

• Hal An Tow
• I Like To Rise
• Let Your Back And Sides
• Pleasant and Delightful

This month doesn’t seem to be too busy a month for us aside from every Monday, but you still have options!

On Tuesday 21 April, in Columbia, CT, Rick will be giving a presentation on “Historic Songs of Outlaws, Villains and Rogues.”  It starts at 6p, and you can get further details on his website – www.catfeather.com   Any updates to his schedule is also there!

I have received several inquiries about older recordings that Cliff is on, and to answer that I recommend that you go to his site – http://CliffHaslam.com  I put up a post about it – I’ve uploaded a few MP3s of his older recordings no longer available but for getting your hands on those old, out of print records.

And on Saturday the 25th, Cliff and I will be playing a short show at the Company of Fifers and Drummers in Ivortyton, CT.    Tim and Rick may join us, pending their schedules!

Click the pic for full size… And keep a weather eye out on any updates here and on our schedule!

This evening I received a text about an article regarding us and The Griswold Inn.  Nice write up and quite the honour!!  Give it a read a post a nice comment, then share it with everyone you know!

The Jovial Crew leads the Tap Room in sea chanties on Monday nights. (Nick Caito, Special to the Courant)