B.O.B. all set to offer a whammer jamming good timeTuesday, November 12, 2002By TIM DISELKOEN | ||
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Dennie Middleton is hanging up The Hype and donning a new persona.
Whammer Jammers is a piano lounge Middleton will run on the second floor of The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids. "We're trying to make it a kind of peanuts-and-draft-beer attitude," Middleton said. "People can expect a lot of traditional songs and beer drinking party favorites." The lounge will feature the Dueling Pianos theme. Middleton, who will serve as the emcee, said headline performers from across the country will stop by for the Thursday through Saturday shows. Rod Norman, keyboard player for Looking Glass, which had the hit single "Brandy You're a Fine Girl" in 1973, will open things this weekend. Kevin Villo, member of the local group Trilogy, will perform on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Others will come in through the end of the year, when some decisions will be made. Based upon crowd interaction and comments, some of the touring players may become regulars. Whammer Jammers may also expand from two to four piano players on weekends. "We'll probably decide that after the first of the year," Middleton said. |
The format relies heavily upon crowd participation, through sing-alongs and requests. There will also be some comedy and parody thrown in just for the fun of it. The shows are targeted to anyone from 21 to 95.
In an effort to clarify the process, Middleton explained that suggestions come on napkins, requests are written on five dollar bills. Audience members are also invited to "stump the thumpers" by offering suggestions they may not know. Be forewarned, however, as Middleton himself can accommodate requests for such non-traditional piano offerings as Judas Priest or songs from Punk Rock icons. "We try to cover all requests," Middleton said. "I've even played `I Wanna Be Sedated' by the Ramones." The idea came about with the demise of Tinseltown, the former dueling piano bar located in the Grand Plaza. B.O.B. owner Greg Gilmore approached Middleton and asked him to devise a floor-plan for the themed bar. Now, a couple of years later, that vision is set to open. Also on tap is the Whammer Jammers New Year's Eve Party, which will feature the dueling pianos and a special performance by The Hype. Reservations are now being taken. Local musical maestro Dennie Middleton will play his trade in leading Whammer Jammers. � 2002 Advance Newspapers. |
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