Bruce Reaves - Guitars, Kay mandolin, keyboards (including the vintage $60.00 Casio), electronic and acoustic drums, harmonica, vocals, all other sounds (including mistakes).
Jeremy Reaves - Guitars, Kay mandolin, vocals, good ideas, muscle.
E-MAIL BRUCE - breaves44@sbcglobal.net
ABOUT STEEL BRIDGE SONGFEST
In spring 2005, musician/songwriter pat mAcdonald and his sister, historic preservationist Christie Weber, decided to throw an outdoor concert for the bridge's 75th birthday. Local philanthropist Sheila Turner donated her venue: the historic shipyard at Great Lakes Yachts. mAcdonald's friend, Jackson Browne, offered to play for free. Thirty other musical acts fell in line, and the first Steel Bridge Songfest was born.
It was a bold undertaking, like nothing before tried in Door County, but hundreds of community volunteers pitched in, the public showed up, the weather held out, and the June concert was a success.
The money raised (over $50,000) paid for the event and created a fund held by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, earmarked for "all expenses relating to preservation and enhancement of the Michigan Street Bridge."
STEEL BRIDGE SONGFEST 2
Mr. Browne so enjoyed his first Door County experience, he signed on for a follow-up. Hundreds more from across the U.S took his lead. Early arrivals filled the HOLIDAY MOTEL (holidaymusicmotel.com) across from the concert grounds. Songs were written and recorded there, new bands formed, impromptu concerts happened all over town, and Sturgeon Bay bars and coffee shops reported record business.
Door County partied like never before. A beer-sponsored "Safe Rides" program and other temporary public transportation made sure people got home alright, and police reported an eighty-percent reduction in drunk driving arrests that weekend.
NEW BRIDGES
When the musicians disbursed, they left behind a fired-up local music scene and a wowed public. They also left over 60 songs immortalizing the bridge, the HOLIDAY MOTEL, the beauty of Door County, and the kindness of the community that so lovingly received them
Influences
MY GRANDMA REAVES, Buddy Holly, Everly Brothers, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Animals, Byrds, Free, Mountain, Santana, Thin Lizzy, Blue Oyster Cult, Timbuk3, Prince, Eric Bazilian, Mojo Nixon, Foster & Lloyd, Bottle Rockets, Los Lobos, Mitchell Froom , Daniel Lanois, Big Rude Jake, Brian Setzer, The Bobs, Stan Ridgway, Steve Earle, Josh & Comfy Chair, Morphine & Mark Sandman, pat mAcdonald, Jim Hall, melaniejane, Christie Weber, Jackson Browne, David Lindley, Warren and Jordan Zevon, Beck, Chris Aaron, The Dark Horse Project, Andy's Automatics, Anna Sacks, mo rose, Rocco (God bless him) The Holiday Motel, SBSF2
JEREMY R, MY MOM & DAD, MY LOVELY WIFE JAN, MY JBL'S & JESUS CHRIST (YOU FIGURE OUT THE ORDER)
HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAY MOTEL
The Holiday Motel was the first motel in Door County. Built in the Cubist Modern (or Modern International) design, it opened its doors on Saturday. May 31, 1952. The motel was designed and owned by William Paul, a local Supper Club (Nautical Inn) owner and his business partner Myron Krueger. According to newspaper reports of the time, the two emphasized the "modern" detail and amenities when including such items as:
"The ventilated phone booth just for the business traveler's calling convenience"
"Fire Proof and Chip Proof Simmons furnishings"
"Glass block windows"
"Photo-Mirrors"
"White Stucco and Cement block construction--the newest methods of the day"
"Tile bathrooms"
"Theater lit hallways and stairs"
The builder used the post Motor Court style popular at a time in American travel history when the on-site private parking lot at the front door of the guest room was a major attraction to travelers. In the early part of the twentieth century, there were few choices for travelers—most stayed at camp grounds, cottage courts or tourist homes. Business was good and a year later The Holiday Diner was added to serve a full breakfast menu.
The Holiday Motel was purchased in May 2007 by Holiday Motel Management, LLC, a group of musicians and music enthusiasts. This group came together while working on the Steel Bridge Songfest (SBSF), a benefit to raise money and awareness for the preservation of the historic Michigan Street Bridge. The motel sits at the approach to the bridge.
An electrical fire on August 5, 2007 did extensive damage to the motel and forced it to close for repairs. Seeming initially like a staggering blow to the fledgling venture, the blaze and the subsequent reconstruction required that improvements originally planned for a phased development be made in an accelerated time frame. The owners also opted to invest in making additional upgrades while construction was going on.
The renovation proceeded with three goals in mind:
"Going Green."
Preserving the historic integrity and classic 50's decor of the building.
Enhancing the motel's recording capabilities.
Christie Weber, president of Citizens for Our Bridge and co-founder of SBSF, is campaigning to get the motel listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She is also spearheading a drive for LEED certification for the green efforts used in the remodeling. Exciting new ideas are being conceived and implemented daily to further the motel's legacy of creative collaboration.
Local artists, and some Construction Zone participants, are contributing to the interior design. Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's, a talented interior decorator and 50's style enthusiast, was first to get on board and will have a specially designed room. Several other custom-designed rooms are in the works.
National recording artist JONATHAN SPOTTISWOODE has this to say about the CD KINDER and GENTLER: JUST PUT YOUR CD on. it's wacky! and good. kind of a cross between SYD BARRETT, JOHNNY CASH, NEIL YOUNG and the B52s. but very much it's own thing at the same time. the very end of the CD makes me laugh. i think my favorite song may be the piano one which is completely trippy. but there are a lot of other contenders too.
I really like the 'SONGS FOR BIG KIDZ*' CD. It's witty, cynical and sarcastic ---just what I'm looking for in entertaining music. I think 'Car Pool to Court' is my favorite song, but then I think I know those people. I listened to the samples on your myspace page and must have the new CD.(KINDER and GENTLER) If you find yourself playing any gigs in Arizona be sure to send an email. Keep up the good work.
Dale dale@cybertrails.com
'KINDER and GENTLER' is a great CD!
I've really enjoyed it. "Whores in Hollywood" and "Riding the Pine" are my favorites! And the production is great too. I put a five-star review on CDBaby this morning, it usually takes them a few days to post reviews so here's a copy:
Bruce Reaves is "Kinder and Gentler" on this CD, but his subversive wit is intact. I'm not sure how to categorize Bruce's music; cynical-folk music? Or maybe dark-cinema rock? Toss Stan Ridgway, Timbuk3, (I think you and Pat MacDonald are traveling the same road ---I still listen to my old Timbuk 3 albums) and a little Barenaked Ladies in a blender and out comes, Bruce Reaves! "Kinder and Gentler" has 9 new acoustic-storytelling songs with "Whores in Hollywood" as the standout. His Elvis-esque voice and clean acoustic guitar playing is front and center on this CD. And the production quality is excellent, bright and clean. If you're looking for music with meaning and storytelling lyrics that examine the underbelly of America with wit and a touch of cynicism, this CD is for you.
Again, thanks for the CD. I anxiously await 3! All the best ---keep writing & playing!
Dale O'Dell dale@cybertrails.com
About me:
Since 2006 Bruce has written, recorded and produced two internationally acclaimed cd's "Songs For Big Kidz*" and "Kinder and Gentler" at his studio, "The Dark Side" in South Bend, Indiana. His performing and recording skills include electric and acoustic guitars, Kay mandolin, cigar box guitar, keyboards (including the vintage $60.00 Casio), electronic/ acoustic drums, misc. percussion, harmonica, vocals, hoops and hollers.
Bruce is honored to be an annual performer at the Steel Bridge SongFest held each June in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Other performers include Jackson Browne, legendary singer/songwriter pat mAcdonald, Jane Wiedlin, (Go-Go's) Eric McFadden, (Animals, P-Funk) and Kim Mannning. (George Clinton, P-Funk)
"I am a somewhat positive, very alert singer/songwriter. I have been around forever, played in a bunch of bands, been hit on by your sister or brother, left duct tape in all your favorite haunts, (unless they mysteriously burned to the ground or became a "bistro") and now can be found in my cozy home studio or in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin where chicken wire, firearms and Tums do not exist. Not necessarily looking to be the next "big thing" but if someone is hell bent on making me rich, so be it. I ain’t dead
yet."
BRUCE'S NEW CD " is KINDER and GENTLER" AVAILBLE NOW!! FAST SHIPPING!!
FLAMING PIE PRODUCTIONS IN SAN FRANCISCO DESCRIBES THE MUSIC AS "COOL WEIRD, DARK BUT FUNNY, ELECTRO-COW CRUNK - flamingpie.net
WORK FOR MUSIC RECORDS IN CALIFORNIA COMMENTS: "TARANTINO SHOULD HEAR IT. I BET HE'D USE IT IN ONE OF THOSE DRIVING-THROUGH-THE-DESERT-ALONE SCENES". -workformusic.com
BRUCE'S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DEBUT CD "SONGS FOR BIG KIDZ*" IS ALSO AVAILABLE HERE!!
BRUCE ALSO HAS TWO ORIGINAL SONGS ON THE INTERNATIONAL RELEASE "SONGS FROM STEEL BRIDGE VOL.1" CD. OTHER ARTISTS INCLUDE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER JACKSON BROWNE AND LEGENDARY MUSICIAN/PERFORMER pat mAcdonald.
Hi from LA. Heading out to Joshua Tree to see Josh Hemingway Wednesday... then down to San Diego to see Layne Sterling and Jon Kanis. Tour has been good, I'm learning a lot.
colonel sanders is finger lickin' but i think fish is better than chicken....what the f*** does colonel sanders know? fish is fresh and chicken sucks, if i've gotten spend my hard earned bucks then fish is in and chicken's gotta go.....think i may have gotten a bit too much sun today....oops! :)
How's my Bruce? LOL. I have so much going on my dang head is spinning. I'll fill ya in in a message. Can you send some strength my way? I could use it. Oh, and a hug please!!! I hope all is well with you and that you didn't get the 18 bazillion flippen' inches of snow we got! Really? They said 2 to 4. I should have known better!
glad you like! we've had more snow here in the last couple weeks than i've seen in my life....it's krazy!! well, i hope all is well there....you have a very happy holiday!! ~~~~ angie
Hey Big Guy, just wanted to say thank you for the box of candy. It is sad that it is only a Christmas thing, but then again only being able to get it at Christmas protects the waist line....:) Hope you and your family have an amazing holiday!!!
