Bob Michalski the Sax Player
Instrumental music, a few vocals, and a lot of good jazz.
By Bob Michalski
For a Friday evening there was quite a crowd! Although the function was not booked as “Break In A New Dance Floor Dance Friday” that is just what we did. These are the dancingest people I’ve seen. Folks danced the night away on the beautiful , new vinyl- wood fineished dance floor. The facility looks fantastic. Even the restrooms look nice. We look forward to gigs like these. There is no wedding director to please… no special songs to learn… and NO TUX! Actually we do enjoy weddings. Us old guys have to let our hair down every once in a while by doing dance gigs. They are a lot of fun.
Look for the Epics To return to The Capital Senior Center, Columbia South Carolina soon!
By Bob Michalski
I met Pastor Earnest Barnes at The Grand Affair back in January. It turns out we had a another grand affair at Columbia Free Will Baptist Church t0night. I shared my music for the communion service. This is Good Friday, a very significant day for Christians. We had a half hour of music and then communion. But it didn’t stop there. Scripture was read from the book of John explaining how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Guess what? The ladies washed feet at their side of the room and the men washed feet at their side of the room. How Awesome!
The congregation at Free Will Baptist Church illustrated humility – it was sincere. I will forever remember this evening. I am thankful for my new friends at Columbia Free Will Baptist Church.
I am especially Grateful for Jesus Christ who took every sin and sickness you and I are associated with all the way to Calvary. Thank you Jesus.
By Bob Michalski
Forth grade was very significant to me. It was 1969 when I was introduced to the Bb clarinet. It was love at first sound. Since that day, I have watched very little television. It has been a life filled with music. Many of you don’t know that “Bob the sax player” is actually a closet clarinetist. All my sax playing is self taught.
This is why career day at Claude A. Taylor school in Cayce SC is something I look forward to every year! These forth graders are very dear to me. They asked some of the most intriguing questions about music and what it’s like to be a musician. In this picture you see me trying to explain what a licorice stick is. The students got to hear selections from the clarinet, tenor and soprano saxophones. They all clapped during Yakety Sax.
I trust that some of these children will join the middle school band. It would bless my heart to see one of these special ones out in the market place years from now finding out they chose to play a musical instrument.
Thanks to all that made today possible – especially Mrs. Cox who familiarized the students in jazz. What a cool school!
By Bob Michalski
Mr. Wayne Blair loves his wife: it ‘s clear. That’s what this event was all about. We desperately need a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. The Campfire Singers kicked off a successful event to help raise awareness and funds to make this nasty disease one step closer to history. The food was great. The music was great. I understand bout 700 dollars was raised. What a great start. Much much more is needed. If you feel that MS is something that you would like to see wiped off the face of this earth, I encourage you to give. http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=2122449&pg=personal&fr_id=16316&s_tafId=187173 Pray about how YOU can help. Thanks so much and thank you Blair family for having The Campfire Singers as just a small part of something so hugely important.
By Bob Michalski
Donnell Edwards can make Kenny G sound good. Dupre Percival can make The Blue Marlin taste good.
It was the Collins and Lacy Law firm Founder’s day celebration. To my right is the awesome Bose tower. To my left is the talented Donnell Edwards, music teacher at Bradley Elementary School. What a player! Not only is Donnell a great musician he is a great person. Gina Percival added some vocals and man was it a special evening. Of course the food was a hit too. Dupre Percival is the man! This man can cook. It was so nice to see the children at the event. Kids are special and this group knows that. I met some of the nicest people at the Collins and Lacey law firm Friday night. If you need a defense attorney call them. http://www.collinsandlacy.com/
By Bob Michalski
I’m angry because I forgot my camera. I will use the excuse that I have an excess of pollen in my head. This causes me to think a little differently like being more forgetful.
Tom Brannon and I were planning this fine luncheon over breakfast when Mr. Brannon asked me if I ever played along with a pianist. Of course my answer was yes! I prefer playing with real musicians rather than my computer. However I have some pretty incredible tracks on my computer.
John McCullough”s name came up as a piano player I have played music with. John got me my start in music in the early 8o”s. John produced “Amazing Grace”, my latest CD of hymns. John is the man! As it turns out John McCullough attends St. Andrews Baptist Church. Now we’re talking.
A lunch time program was planned over the phone between John and I. It was decided what we would play in less than five minutes. ”OK Bobby, we’ll start with Closer Walk.” I agreed – strong start. Folks loved it! Five Foot Two, Strangers On The Shore and of course John’s famous Peter Jennings joke.
Thank you first of all to Tom and Sandra Brannon for the invite. St. Andrews Baptist Saints Alive needs to know John and I hope to be back. Little Pigs Barbecue- I skipped breakfast just so I could enjoy your fine food on an empty stomach. Little Pigs served phenomenal food! A special thanks to Mom, Irene Michalski my special agent. Mom worked the CD table. Thank you Linda for the prayers. I was not feeling well and somehow God gave me the strength to get through.
I think John and I might be on to something. We`would love for you to consider us for your next event. Just ask the Saints Alive. They may lie a little bit and say we were good.
Gotta go – having another sneeze marathon.
By Bob Michalski
Jeff Becraft is a well respected man by the youth of Columbia SC. I felt so good about the younger generation after learning about what the Youth Corps is doing. They are turning out real leaders. These kids are fantastic! They are learning teamwork, respect, business practices,self esteem and my favorite – leadership! Thank God for all of the folks that help out with Youth Corps.
Memory Lane (another band I’m in) played music for the annual luncheon held at The Columbia Conference Center. The band consists of John McCullough (piano),Larry Welch(bass),Steve Lansburg (drums) and me. Jeff Becraft is next to me in the picture. He is an incredible man.
If you feel that you would like to help out with this fine organization please do so now. This generation is going to be under a lot of pressure in the coming years. They will need leaders. You can ensure that leaders will be birthed by giving. Please pray about giving to Youth Corps. I guarantee this will be a great investment – promise!
Please visit http://www.youthcorps.net/index.htm
Thank you!
By Bob Michalski
It was all about the parade float. As the band (me on clarinet) played When The Saints Go Marching In, residents were parading throughout the building celebrating Marti Gras. That is until the float wouldn’t fit through a doorway. It was a little too wide.
We had a blast!
I was honored to be the entertainment for the Fat Tuesday pancake dinner. The residents enjoyed jazz and jokes as I performed some great jazz standards with my computer based band.
If you want to meet some folks that are very nice, the Presbyterian Home is the place to visit. I didn’t want to leave.
Please visit http://www.wellness.com/dir/2509227/nursing-home/sc/lexington/presbyterian-home-of-south-carolina–columbia-home
By Bob Michalski
The Joy Club does it right. I was honored to perform music for the Valentines Dinner. Everyone looked beautiful (and handsome) in their red wear. The Southern Skillet was enough to bring me joy but it didn’t end there. Trinity Baptist Church has some very special people to include Mary Sharpe and Jim and Bobbie Griffin (my in-laws).
Mary did a wonderful job organizing the event. Of course I had to behave with my in-laws (and Linda, my wife) in the house and I did just that. I did agree to learn Love Letters In The Sand for my Mother in-law. The payoff is that she has to promise to sing a Donna Summer song in church choir this Sunday.
Last year when the same event was held we drove home in 8 inches of snow. This year was quite different. The coast was clear.
I’m still full from the wonderful meal. If you’ll excuse me I’m going to take a nap.
God bless Trinity Baptist Church.
By Bob Michalski
If you’re a local in the greater Columbia SC area you owe yourself a visit to The Flight Deck Restaurant in Lexington. This was the destination for this evening as I played a little music for The Lexington Lions Club. I did some research on The Lions Club of America and had no idea what an awesome organization this is.
Not only did I walk away with a great dining experience I picked up a lot of good comedy material from these guys. This is a very funny group. Kudos to a great group of big hearted people that believe in helping their neighbor.
As my buddy Ted from The Flight Deck would say – God bless!
For a Friday evening there was quite a crowd! Although the function was not booked as “Break In A New Dance Floor Dance Friday” that is just what we did. These are the dancingest people I’ve seen. Folks danced the night away on the beautiful , new vinyl- wood fineished dance floor. The facility looks fantastic. Even the restrooms look nice. We look forward to gigs like these. There is no wedding director to please… no special songs to learn… and NO TUX! Actually we do enjoy weddings. Us old guys have to let our hair down every once in a while by doing dance gigs. They are a lot of fun.
