Sherry

The main story about the latest Phantom Band gig is that it was for the 60th Birthday Party of Sherry Eck. It was held at the Turner Club in Tallmadge, Ohio, and it was thrown by her husband Jerry, who's Jerry's Corner web page is on the Geezers Nite Out website.

Jerry knows most of the Geezers, and the band. So he asked us back in March of 2013 if we would be interested in playing. He then confirmed in August  that he was serious about it.

Unfortunately, two of our members were not able to make the gig. So "Big Daddy" Dan Minier, and I (Joe Buz) had to find two other musicians to fill in. This is not easy as most musicians who are still active are just that. They are booked.

We were lucky enough to find two musicians, Jack Bishop and Chuck Lyons who are still performing. After much deliberation from Jack, and begging by me they agreed to do it.

This is one of those stories that they make movies about. Because Big Daddy, our drummer, has recently had knee surgery. So playing the drums was out.

However, Jack and Chuck play in a band with a third person, a female singer, Cheryl Clatworthy, who used to sing with the original...Phantom Band. Jack and Chuck also play a duo called Overboard for summer gigs out on the Lakes. So we were not strangers.

Jack joined the original Phantom Band, and changed the name to The Oldies But Goodies Band. We played in that band with Jack for a number of years before we parted ways. But we still kept in touch, and when some of the original Phantom Band got back together for another try, Jack would stop by once in a while with Phyllis, his wife, to hear us, and sit in. The current Phantom Band played for the Goodyear Christmas party during the holidays, and now and then for special occasions.

But what is so "Phantom Band" about this is that the original Phantom Band never had a "regular drummer"!  The Wednesday before a weekend gig we had to go dig one up. My cousin Rick Cincurak, was the original drummer. And Big Daddy would play whenever he wasn't playing with Tony Fanizzi & The Good Sounds. We also had an array of others. A drummer by the name of Phil Gable, another one named Erin. Then there was Terry Ray, who I played with at the Kove in Kent back in the 60's by the name of The Sudds. The list goes on and on.

What was so ironic is that Big Daddy was available, but could not play due to the surgery. But he was there to sing his songs, which he des many.

So what worked out perfect with Jack and Chuck filling in was that Chuck not only plays keyboard, but he also sequences the drums, and bass guitar. So we lost big Daddy's drums, and Dougie's bass guitar, and Hank's lead guitar, and vocals. But with Jack and Chuck there we had it all with only three instruments.

Everything worked out fine, and Jerry and Sherry were pleased with our effort. But it all goes back to that old saying that "Some things are just meant to be."

Dan Minier, and I want to thank Jack and Chuck for bailing us out!

Check out some pics below! (Hopefully more to come)

  

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This page was last updated: November 2, 2013