Doobie Bros. keep on truckin'

The Doobie Brothers are anchored by founding
members Patrick Simmons, left, and Tom Johnston.

By STEVE SEYMOUR

Venerable California rock band the Doobie Brothers played their classic hits and new material at the Island Resort Casino in Harris last weekend.

My wife Sue and I along with our friend Wendy Pepin attended the May 20 concert, looking forward to seeing a band with 30 charting hits in the 1970s and 80s.

There were more than a few motorcycles in the parking lot and a number of folks sporting Harley-Davidson gear, evidence that the band's early fans remained loyal.

The Doobie Brothers were formed in San Jose, Cal. as a quartet in 1970 and both Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons remain from the original line-up.

Of course the band members weren't related at all and took their name from the slang word for a marijuana cigarette.

Now in their early 60s, Johnston and Simmons anchored the concert with their well-honed vocals and impeccable guitar playing.

Although many musicians have been featured in the Doobie Brothers recordings over the years, the two founding members composed most of the group's best-known songs.

For their local shows, the Doobie Brothers comprised John McFee (guitar, violin, harmonica, vocals), John Cowan (bass), Gary Allison (keyboards), Mark Russo (saxophone), and the drumming duo of Ed Toth and Detroit native Tony Pia.

The eight-man band began with "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me)." A big hit for the Doobies in 1975, the song was originally recorded by rhythm and blues singer Kim Weston ten years before. Featured on the "Stampede" album, the song was written by the Motown team of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland.

Simmons, his long gray hair flowing out from a black cowboy hat, shared vocals with Johnston on the opener.

Concert staple "Jesus Is Just Alright," a Top 40 hit from 1973, slotted next. The band delivered a faithful version of the song which was the last chart entry for the Byrds in 1970, showcasing their soaring harmonies and Allison's keyboard work.

The Simmons composition "Dangerous" followed as the singer and guitar player led the band through a powerful rendition of his song. Originally released on the 1991 studio album "Brotherhood," the track was included in the biker film "Stone Cold," starring Brian Bosworth. As Simmons sang about the dangers encountered by a Harley rider, McFee added some tasty dobro licks to the track,emphasizing its swampy southern rhythms.

For the next song it was Johnston's turn in the spotlight, as the group performed his hit "Rockin' Down the Highway," another road anthem. The song first appeared on the flipside of the "Jesus" single. Johnston stepped to the edge of the stage for a guitar solo to the delight of the audience.

"Thought we'd come by and play a little rock and roll for you," Johnston told the crowd.

Simmons provided the vocals for "Clear As The Driven Snow," a track included on the "Captain and Me" album, released in 1973.

Next, the band highlighted four songs from 2010's "World Gone Crazy." Their first new studio album in ten years was produced by Ted Templeman, who worked with the Doobies during their hit-making years. (Making a cameo appearance on the long-player is Upper Peninsula resident and Little Feat member Bill Payne, who played a B-3 organ on a number of tracks for the Doobie Brothers in the 1970s.)

The group played an embellished version of Johnston's "Nobody" from the fresh CD, although the song originated years ago. An earlier version of "Nobody" was released as the band's debut single, but failed to chart. The song became a moderate hit when it was re-released in 1974.

"Far From Home," featuring McFee's violin, and the album's title track followed.

The psychedelic "Chateau" completed the brace of new songs and served as a salute to Chateau Liberte, a California biker venue the band played during their early days.

Concert-goers seemed to appreciate the new offerings.

The Doobies returned to their hits with "Takin' It To The Streets," a favorite from the 1976 to 1983 era when singer and keyboardist Michael McDonald was in the band. A No. 3 hit, the McDonald composition brought about a hundred fans to the front of the stage.

Bluesman Sonny Boy Williamson II received a nod when the band performed his 1955 song "Don't Start Me (to) Talkin'." Williamson's take was a No. 3 hit on the R&B chart. Simmons told the crowd, "To get rid of the blues, you have to play the blues."

The band remained in the 1950s with "Little Bitty Pretty One. The song was a hit for R&B singer Bobby Day in 1957 and as long been a concert staple for the Doobie Brothers.

With lots of original material remaining, the band stayed with their own songs for the rest of the program.

The audience cheered with the first notes of "Black Water," the chart-topper from 1975. Simmons sang lead on his signature tune, about the band's love for New Orleans. At one point he substituted "Michigan" for "Mississippi" in the song's original lyrics. The crowd sang along to the tune's familiar refrain: "I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland, pretty mama come and take me by the hand."

Johnston's "Long Train Runnin," a Top Ten from 1973 followed. McFee added a harmonica break while Russo played a catchy sax solo.

The band kept the energy level high during a three-song encore.

Fans cheered and clapped along as the band broke into 1973's popular "China Grove," another track from the "Captain And Me" album.

Johnston, Simmons, McFee and Cowan stood at the edge of the stage at one point during the hard-rockin' "Without You" which often receives extended treatment in concert.

To end their program, the Doobie Brothers returned to the beginning by playing their first hit, "Listen To The Music." When released in 1972, the song soon entered public consciousness, provided a blueprint for future hits and remains relevant to this day.

The 17-song set concentrated on the band's 70s hits and skipped over such 80s favorites as "Minute By Minute," "Real Love" and "The Doctor." Their second No. 1, "What A Fool Believes," was also missing in action.
Still, the band has too many hits to squeeze into a 90-minute show.

On tour this year to support "World Gone Crazy," the Doobie Brothers-- with a long history behind them-- show no sign of letting up.
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Interest in MC5 spans decades

Formed in Lincoln Park, the MC5 had a
brief career, but long-lasting influence.

By STEVE SEYMOUR

The first article I wrote about the MC5 appeared on the front page of the May 18, 1971 edition of the Bay Beacon student newspaper.

The five young men who were the subject of the article comprised not only an incendiary rock band, but were at the center of a political movement as well.

Students at Bay College weren't the only ones interested in news about the MC5.

Shortening their name from Motor City Five, the group had a brief and controversial lifespan but a large and lasting influence.

Formed in the Detroit suburb of Lincoln Park, the MC5 consisted of Rob Tyner, lead vocals; Wayne Kramer, Fender guitar; Fred "Sonic" Smith, Mosrite guitar; Michael Davis, Fender bass; and Dennis Thompson, drums.

The band made some national commotion when they played a free concert during an anti-war demonstration at the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968. Their "Kick Out The Jams" single made some noise the following spring, despite-- or maybe because of-- the use of a curse word.

The band was "guided" by Detroit poet John Sinclair, who disliked the term manager. He got the MC5 a gig as the house band at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, owned by Russ Gibb. It was there they recorded their debut album before a live audience on Oct. 30 and 31, 1968.

By the following summer, Sinclair was sentenced to 10 years in prison after giving two marijuana cigarettes to an undercover narcotics officer.

Sinclair was sent to Southern Michigan State Prison in Jackson and later transferred to Marquette Branch Prison in the Upper Peninsula to serve his term. His relationship with the MC5 fell apart.

In a prison interview with Peter Steinberger, Sinclair said his imprisonment was the "best thing that's ever happened to our organization," referring to the White Panthers, Sinclair's group of counter-cultural white socialists looking to further the civil rights movement.

Separate from his political activities, Sinclair listened to music on a record player he bought from another prisoner and reviewed records for Jazz & Pop Magazine. According to his book "Guitar Army," Sinclair's record collection included jazz masters John Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders and Archie Shepp; blues icons John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Paul Butterfield, plus Michigan staples like the Rationals, SRC, Bob Seger, the Up and of course, the MC5.

"Music really keeps me alive, you know?" Sinclair told Steinberger.

As Sinclair put in his time at Marquette, the nation's political climate continued to simmer.

Political activist Lawrence "Pun" Plamondon, who founded the White Panthers with Sinclair, went underground when he learned he was being charged with conspiracy in the bombing of the CIA office in Ann Arbor. Listed on the MC5's first album as "minister of defense," Plamondon secretly returned to lower Michigan after traveling to several foreign locations.

On July 23, 1970, he headed to the U. P. where he planned to hide out in the remote Keweenaw Peninsula. Traveling with two other White Panthers, Plamondon was arrested on US 2&41 near Naubinway, 50 miles west of St. Ignace, following an earlier stop for littering. Their vehicle was filled with guns.

According to his autobiography, "Lost From the Ottawa: The Story of the Journey Back," Plamondon was arrested and taken to the Mackinac County Jail before being moved to Detroit where he was charged with conspiracy and bombing government property.

Sinclair's fortunes improved on Dec. 10, 1971 when the John Sinclair Freedom Rally was held at Crisler Arena on the campus of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The protest and concert featured ex-Beatle John Lennon and Yoko Ono, among others.

Sinclair was released on appeal bond three days later and his conviction was overturned. He had spent 29 months behind bars.

Plamondon eventually spent 32 months in prison, but his conviction was also overturned when the government admitted to wiretapping without a warrant.

Of Ottawa descent, Plamondom today is a respected tribal elder who speaks to high school and college students about the radical politics of the 1960s and 70s. Sinclair moved to the Netherlands, but recently talked about Michigan's medical marijuana law in an interview in "Big City Blues" magazine.

The MC5, meanwhile, played their last gig on New Years Eve, 1972, at the Grande Ballroom. Both Tyner and Smith died in the 1990s. Surviving members have held reunion shows in recent years.

Their three original albums stand as achievements to the MC5's musical greatness and provided the blueprint for the 1970s punk movement.

Many people continue to be fascinated by the band.

Film-makers Laurel Legler and David C. Thomas have spent years putting together a feature length documentary about the band, "MC5: A True Testimonial."

The pair collected photographs and silent film clips of the band, including surveillance footage shot by the U. S. government during the 1968 demonstrations in Chicago, and synched it to the band's music.

The documentary was shown at various festivals around the world from 2002 to 2004, drawing praise from critics and fans. However, the film became entangled in a lawsuit over publishing rights.

As one last hurtle to get the film released, Legler and Thomas needed to raise $27,000 to acquire a synchronization license to use the MC5's music in their documentary.

Just weeks ago, they put out a call for financial help with the aid of veteran Detroit music producer Freddie Brooks.

Brooks said he believes the MC5 documentary is "an absolute masterpiece and the film-makers deserve high praise both for their creativity and for their valiant struggle to make this tremendous film a reality."

My wife Sue and I offered our pledge to the effort. Despite more than 100 pledges, the funding goal was not reached.

For now, "MC5: A True Testimonial" will remain unissued, but people close to the project say they will find a way to release it.

I hope so. I would love to see it. Besides, the film provides the musical and visual background for that newspaper article I wrote four decades ago.
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Gladstone starts festival season

Minnesota-based blues artist Paul Mayasich
will perform at the Rockin' The Bay Music Festival
in Gladstone on Friday, June 18.

By STEVE SEYMOUR

A dozen music festivals will take place around the Upper Peninsula this summer, with Gladstone's Rockin' The Bay launching the season.

Now in its third year, Rockin' The Bay Music Festival is scheduled for June 17 & 18 at the Gladstone Yacht Club.

Friday's entertainment includes Red, White & Blues, a blues band from Amasa; Gladstone rockers Uncle Ugly; and Paul Mayasich, a blues act from Minneapolis. Saturday's line-up includes classic Gladstone rock band Feedback; Suns of Memphis, a rockabilly and country band from Menominee; Nate Miller & Unstoppable Company, a blues and rock outfit from Minneapolis; and Greg Waters & the Broad Street Boogie, an Appleton rock band.

Tickets are $15 in advance for both days or $10 per day at the gate. The yacht club sponsors the event as a benefit for the Gladstone Youth Wrestling Club.

Other regional festivals you may want to attend:

Jam Dam Jamboree, Wilson, June 24-26

Returning to this year's event are favorites Monte Lee DeGrave and Grassfire. Further details have not been released.

U. P. Hog Wild BBQ & Music Festival, Kingsford, July 15-16

Two tribute bands will be featured at the 7th annual event, staged at Lodal Park in Kingsford. Bad Animals pays tribute to the rock band Heart, while Cavern Beat owes its inspiration to the Beatles. Those bands and Lock-n-load will play Friday. Performing Saturday will be Oil Can Harry, the top cover band in Wisconsin for 2010; Next Myle; and Feed. Advance two-day tickets are $10, or $15, day of event.

Aura Jamboree & Old-Time Dance, Aura, July 15-16

Marking its 35th anniversary this year, Aura is the longest running music festival in the U. P. Held at the Community Hall and surrounding area, the event features Finnish, country, bluegrass and various types of folk music. A rural Finnish farming community, Aura is located 12 miles northeast of L'Anse. For more information, go to: aurajamboree.com

Copper Peak Christian Music Festival, Ironwood, July 22-23

Grammy-winning Christian music star Ashley Clevelend will be featured at the Copper Peak event. Other acts set to perform include Big D & the Good News Blues, Yooper Men, Power 3:10, CityPrayz, Farsighted and the Sisters. Tickets are $3 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. For more information go to: copperpeakmusicfestival.com

Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival, Marquette, July 22-24

Featuring traditional music styles such as bluegrass, old-time, Cajun, Celtic, acoustic blues and folk, the 33rd annual Hiawatha Festival will be held at Tourist Park in Marquette. The line-up includes Le Vent de Nord, John McCutcheon, Beachley & Scott Band, Cane Creek Cloggers, Ebony Hillbillies, Harmonious Wall, Big Ron Hunter & Ironing Board Sam, Top Drawer with Joel Mabus, Jerry Mills and Tree featuring Lindsay Tomasic and Jesse Fitzpatrick. For more information, to go: hiawathamusic.org

Woodtick Music Festival, Hermansville, Aug. 4-7

The 18th annual Woodtick Music Festival presents acts on two stages. Billy Shears, known for their version of "Eleanor Rigby," tops this year's schedule. Also signed to play are Feed, Stella, Bad Axe Rodeo, Neon Detour, Crossroads, Big Dudee Roo, Runaway Train, Bordertown, Midnight Highway, Total Khaos, Norton & Chartier, Acoustic Khaos, Sawdust Symphony, Grassfire, Willow Ridge and Gary Elson. Described by Brian Whitens as a "homegrown Upper Peninsula-style shindig," Woodtick takes place on grounds located on County Road 388 between Hermansville and Powers. A four-day pass is $45. Tickets are available at the Wildwood Truck Stop in Hermansville, LaBelle's and Sidetrack in Powers, Music Tree in Iron Mountain and Record Rack in Escanaba.

Bayside Music Festival, St. Ignace, Aug. 6

The Bayside Music Festival will be held at the Public Marina in downtown St. Ignace from 4 to 10 p. m. The event includes "great music, food and fun," according to organizers, and ends with fireworks at dusk. Admission for adults is $2.

Grand Marais Music & Arts Festival, Grand Marais, Aug. 12-14

The 31st annual event has been scheduled but the line-up has not yet been announced. Music genres should include bluegrass, blues, classic rock, Americana, rockabilly jazz/rock, acoustic and more. For more information, go to: grandmaraismichigan.com

Mackinac Island Music Festival, Mackinac Island, Aug. 16-18

According to Mackinac Island musician and festival director Mary McGuire, the 7th annual event will feature music from Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" album. Staged at Mission Point Theatre, an ensemble of musicians will present "Delta Lady," "The Letter," "Cry Me A River," "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" and other songs from Cocker's classic 1970 LP. For additional information, go to: mackinacislandmusicfestival.org

Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, Ontonagon, Aug. 26-28

Marking its 7th anniversary, this event takes place at the Ski Hill and Chalet area in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Ontonagon. Signed to perform this year are Guy Mendilow Band, Grasstowne, Rita Hosking & Cousin Jack, Hoots & Hellmouth, the Red Sea Pedestrians, Ray Bonneville, the Pines, Sista Otis, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, Charlie Parr, Bathtub Mothers, D. B. Rielly, Roma di Luna, Alison Scott, Kaivama, Conga Se Menne, the Back Room Boys, Black River John, Rory Miller & Dale C. Miller, Doris & the Day Dreams and Yvonne Blake. Tickets are $90 for the weekend or $35 each day. For additional information, go to: festival@porkiesfestival.org

Marquette Area Blues Fest, Marquette, Sept. 3-4

The 8th annual Marquette Area Blues Fest will showcase ten blues acts at Mattson Lower Harbor Park on the weekend before Labor Day. Performing Saturday will be Red, White & Blues; Madcat & Kane; Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Mac Arnold & Plate O' Blues; and headliner Joanne Shaw Taylor. Sunday's line-up consists of Mike Letts & the Marquettes; Gas House Gorillas; the Rusty Wright Band; and headliner Shemekia Copeland. A seven-time Blues Music Award winner, Copeland is the daughter of blues icon Johnny Copeland and records on the Telarc label. Recording for the European Tuf label, Taylor is British guitar master who now lives in Detroit. Adult weekend passes are $40 each, while daily passes are $25 at the gate. For more information visit the Marquette Area Blues Society website.
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Omo the Hobo published book

Delta County's Omo the Hobo spent his life as a
traveling troubadour and wrote about his adventures
in an autobiography.

By STEVE SEYMOUR

Delta County's Omo the Hobo spent his life as a traveling troubadour and wrote a book to tell about it.

After spending more than three decades on the road, the eccentric "outsider" musician penned his own story in "The Life and Times of Omo the Hobo." I met Omo after he retired to Escanaba in the late 1980s, but I was unaware of his autobiography.

Not long ago retired Escanaba Public Safety Officer Walter Deneau told me about Omo's tome and let me borrow his copy. Omo autographed the book and gave it to Deneau in 1994, along with a long-playing record album.

Featuring a black & white photo of the author on the cover, the 166-page book was self-published in 1980.

The volume may have been a birthday gift to himself as it covers the period from Omo's birth on Oct. 3, 1917 as Wellman Wiley Omohundro, to his 62nd birthday. In his book, Omo included reminiscences of his childhood, family pictures, sheet music for many of his songs and stories about his nomadic life singing and playing guitar to make a living.

Omo was born on the family homestead farm in Fayette to Brigham Iley Omohundro and his wife Geneieve Martha Jones.

The pair moved to Fayette from Missouri shortly after they were married in 1913. Omo was their third child; two others died shortly after birth.

Farm life didn't agree with the young man so he left home at 18. Omo spent the next 13 years as a hobo, doing odd jobs to get along, and even a hitch in the Army during World War II didn't last.

After the war Omo learned how to play the guitar from Bob Alexander in Grants Pass, Ore. Omo said he practiced because he wanted to sound like Gene Autry, known as The Singing Cowboy. His boss at the time laughed at him.

Later in Miami, Fla. Omo got the idea to play in bars for tips and performed for the first time on his 31st birthday.

Hunger gave an anxious Omo the courage to play to a bar crowd, not knowing what to expect. But, patrons clapped for him, he remembered. They passed a hat and Omo left with about ten bucks.

Omo started learning songs from old 78 rpm records. Early on he only knew two songs: "Little Brown Jug" and "Pretty Red Wing."

In Miami, Omo teamed up with another traveling troubadour Happy Bill Pishquer. Pishquer taught Omo more songs and they toured the country together, finally arriving in New York City. There they auditioned for Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour television program and were accepted.

Omo writes in his book that they played "Just Because" and won third prize in July, 1950. They called themselves the The Sunshine Troubadours. They got a summer job offer "and a couple of girlfriends out of it," Omo recalled.

Omo and Pishquer played in Escanaba and at Pavolot's Tavern in Manistique and stayed a few nights at the Omohundro place in Fayette.

Pishquer married soon after and Omo continued on his own. However, he became ill and decided to visit a health ranch in California. There Dr. Bernard Jensen put him on a fast to heal a medical ailment and encouraged Omo to be creative and write his own songs.

In 1958, Omo met Bob Cavanaugh in Tucson, Ariz. and they teamed up for about a year playing high schools in the area. Omo began writing his own songs in Tucson in 1960. The first original songs he composed were "I'm Broke Today" and "You Had Your Way, Now I'll Have Mine."

Sheet music for "I'm Broke Today" is included in the book, copyrighted by Smiley Joe Omohundro, the name he used at that time.

Omo returned to Miami, where he placed a classified ad looking for a female country &western singer. That's how Omo met his future wife Joan Thompson.

They left Miami to travel the country as a duo. In Nashville they played a birthday party for Little Jimmy Dickins, a C&W star known for his humorous novelty songs, earning $25. They also got to meet Ernest Tubb, nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, at the Grand Ole Opry.

Omo and Joan were married in Houston, Texas on Dec. 18, 1961 before they moved on to Los Angeles.

Eager to get some of his compositions on vinyl, Omo used $50 his father sent him to record four of his songs with a band. Omo sang "Shut That Gate," while his wife, billed as Baby Doll Omohundro, sang the others.

Country star Jerry Wallace, famous for "Primrose Lane," was in the studio advising Omo when the songs were recorded.

Omo had two other songs in the can, so they were able to press three 45s on the Accent label. His father had actually sent the money to Omo and his wife to help them return to the Upper Peninsula where the elder Omohundro wanted the two to help run his laundromat in Gladstone.

Not cut out for the laundry business, they returned to the road, with their infant son Tyrone in tow, but marital problems developed. Omo and Joan separated and later divorced.

Back in Los Angeles, Omo met a wealthy widow named Antoinette "Ann" Dewitt. He moved into her late husband's room and wrote another batch of songs. "She gave me lots of ideas for tunes and words," Omo said. "I have her to thank for helping me with writing and paying for some of my records and albums."

In early 1970, Omo met Juanita Ruby Wood at a bar in Compton, Cal. She also worked with Omo on a number of recordings and performed with him. They were married on Nov. 9, 1979.

Before he died in 1996, Omo released at least 150 singles and played in 48 states, Canada and Mexico. He also released a number of long-playing record albums, 8-tracks, cassettes, joke books and calendars.

Omo counted folk singers Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger among his musical idols.

"I set up many a night writing songs that I thought would make a million but haven't made me a dime so far off of them. God knows I tried. The way it is I survive from day to day playing in clubs and bars trying to make people happy," Omo wrote.

While he rambled from place to place, the narrative in Omo's book also tends to ramble. He can change the subject several times in a single paragraph, making the book difficult to read.

"I'm no writer and don't pretend to be," he wrote. Still, he tells some fascinating stories.

Omo spent over a year cobbling his book together. He paid for a small press run and sold the book for a $5 "donation." Few copies survive.

Today, Omo the Hobo's book stands as rare testimony to the adventurous life of a traveling troubadour.
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