MEB Year In Review 2006

As we finish up another wonderful year with the Mike Estep Band, we'd like to take a minute and reflect back on all the thrills and chills we've shared with all of you. It's been a great ride, and we want to thank you for hanging out with us the whole time.

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MEB Selected for Compilation Disc

In February we received notification that our song "Borders To Share" had been chosen for "Discover The Next Original, Volume II," sponsored by Pilsner Urquell beer and the NPR radio program World Café. We are surrounded by incredible artists like Steve Winwood, Emmylou Harris, Jamie Cullum and more. Unfortunately the CD was never put into national distribution, but it was an honor nonetheless. Read more here.

Get Off The Stage, Bo, We Need To Rock!

After waiting hours for Bo Bice to finish his soundcheck, we had a great opportunity to share the MEB gospel with the folks at the Jamesville Balloon Fest 2006. We got to hang around with 93Q's Ted and Amy backstage in the meantime, and all the bands put on a great show (93Q photo gallery here). And when Bo did take the stage later, he had the crowd begging and pleading and swooning for more. It was crazy, like Elvis or The Beatles, man.

Oh, and Steve enjoyed his meeting with the hotness of Frankie J.

  

Our New Friend Jill and Mommies For Miracles

In June we played McGhan's in Victor, and met a bunch of great folks, including Jill and Vinny Orologio. Jill heads a great fundraising organization, Mommies for Miracles, and we were happy to help when she asked us to perform at their benefit Dancin' In The Streets in August at Nathaniel's Pub in Rochester.

The weather didn't co-operate much, but we still had great time with Jill, Breanna, Kim, Melissa and all the other folks.

Going forward, we're working with Jill to get us more bookings in the Rochester area and we're happily donating a portion of our fee to Mommies For Miracles.

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot on Paper Mill Island

We got the chance in July to perform at the Budweiser Amphitheater on Paper Mill Island as an opener for the U2 tribute band Elevation. It must have been 150º on that stage, staring directly into the setting summer sun. Copious bottles of water couldn't keep us hydrated, but we just kept going and had an incredible show.

Unbeknownst to most of the crowd, Steve had an emergency in the middle of our set that required him to dash off stage for a few minutes. The other 3 of us played a tune without him, so it looked like we planned it that way. But wait, it gets even stranger! While hanging out with the guys from Elevation over at Lake Effect after the show, we find out that their drummer had the exact same issue and also left the stage during their set - twice! Way too weird.

Endless Summer

We had a great time playing the Block Party Thursdays at Coleman's this summer, and an anniversary party on the river for Jim and Lani Beardsley. Unfortunately, weather and other circumstances kept us from an outdoor gig at Hooligan's in Liverpool. And nothing is better than a summer Friday night on the Brae Loch Inn lawn in Cazenovia with our friends Jim and Val and our erstwhile harmonica player Tyler.

Fall Into Something New

Besides our regular stops at Wacky Wyatt's, Greene's, Coleman's, and Shifty's, we hit a few new places this fall. Our friend Bobby Paice hooked us up with a show at LeMoyne College hangout The Shire. We spent a very interesting evening partying with some servicemen just back from Iraq. And we also had a very successful evening at the iconic Fireside Inn in Baldwinsville. Looking forward to more from these places in 2007.

Cranking Away In The Studio

All throughout the year, we've been heading out to GFI Studios in Ontario, NY to record tracks for our next CD. It's been a wonderfully successful and creative process, and we really like what we've put down so far. 5 tracks are almost done, and there is more on the way. Look for a release of the new music sometime in early 2007.

Propping Up a Sick Dinosaur

For the first time ever in the history of the restaurant, the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Syracuse had to close because hundreds of staff and customers became sick. It was eventually determined that a norovirus was the cause of the outbreak, but it still cost them an entire weekend of business and an intense and complete sanitation process.

Once they reopened on Monday December 4, we were the first band to take the stage and help usher in the resurgence of the Dinosaur. It was a great night, with lots of our friends in attendance and the food, drinks, and good times flowing freely. Welcome back!

Lots More Coming in '07!

2006 was a lot of fun, and we can't wait to show you even more good times in 2007!