The Sugar Daddies came about from two guys trying to form bands that placed ads. Dave Jackson (Who had just finished a three year stint with a country band called Six Shooter) had placed an add that read:
Experienced Akron/Canton GUITARIST looking to join/form toe-tappin', fun-lovin' rock band based in boogie, blues and grooves (Stevie Ray, Black Crowes.)
Bobby had just wrapped up a stint with a band called "Buzz Monkey." He was looking to form a blues group. Phil Ra had called on Dave's ad, and Dave was impressed with Phil's attitude. Bobby called on Dave's ad, and asked him if he would like to join what was left of Buzz Monkey (Rick on bass, Jerry on Rhythm guitar, and Bobby on Vocals). Dave explained how he thought he had found a drummer with a great attitude. They both wanted to meet each other before going and further. The following are brief descriptions of some of our escapades (as remembered by Dave Jackson).
March 24th 1998
Met Bobby tonight. Nice guy. Cool voice (sang right there in the middle of the restaurant). I've just joined a band that I've never heard.
April 10th 1998
Bobby, Rick, Jerry, Phil (drummer who called on the ad) and me practice for the first time. Not bad for a bunch of guys who have never played together. I thought we sounded good, it's just a totally different vibe.
April 28th
Colin Cook a keyboard player joins and the band starts to meld together. He's young and inexperienced, but has potential. He's never been in a band and plays an electronic piano that is in Phil's basement. He keeps playing the beginning of "Old time rock-n-roll." Rick has since bought a 5 string base that is very nice. We're getting used to playing with each other. It's starting to slowly gel. Bobby is working on adding some planned improvisation.
May 1998 - Jerry leaves the band due to personal reasons, and is replaced by long-time friend of Bobby, Ryan Neuman. Ryan is a talented musician. He has just wrapped up a stint with a punk band called "The Prom Dates."
June 27th 1998 - Scorchers in Stow
The gig actually comes off pretty well except for Dave's wireless checking out in the middle of the show, and Ryan popping a string. Luckily Dave has brought an extra guitar.
July 12th Cancer Gig
The band travels to Elyria to perform at a Charity Gig for Cancer. The band will be the entertainment for the folks that are walking around a track to raise money for cancer. The band is using it as another way to get our chops in gear.
There was no real sound check. Being that's it an outdoor show, the sound just disappears. Phil can't hear anything. Bobby is shouting the words so he can hear himself. We are awful. Dave's guitar has two settings: silent and feedback.
Ryan, Dave, Colin, Rick, Phil, Bobby in front. Click on thumbnail to view actual size .
August 11th The Marriott in Chagrin
A private party for a bunch of doctors and nurses at a hotel ballroom. We play from 6:30 until about 7:30. We play a bunch of slower type of tunes. It's strange as we can see our audience. The stage is pretty big, but not really enough to jump around on..
We sound ok. It was a different gig. We had to stop in the middle and let a magician do his 30 minutes. We also had to repeatedly let the guy who hired us (Chris) get up and give away Indians tickets. He also told really interesting jokes. One of them ended with a polish woman making love to a thermos.
The band plans to complete their demo tape this week, so we can market to the bigger places. We really need to work on our endings as we had a few that were pretty terrible.
Cleveland - Rock Bottom Brewery
Another private party to get our "chops" up. The party itself was kind of boring. However, the bar is a two-story structure with a hole cut out so you can see the first floor. The band watches as the people on the first floor start to Jitter Bug on the dance floor. As Bobby puts it, "Too bad you guys didn't book us for the gig."
Saturday August 29th, Back at Scorchers
The Rick crew was in full force. In between songs they would chant "RICK, RICK, RICK!" Phil's mother and brother were in from Florida and New York. Phil's mom walked around with her fingers in her ears. As we are setting up, Ryan finds out that Jerry's amp has a blown tube. Speaking of Jerry, he wants his stuff back. Shelly Jackson (Bobby's wife) sings two tunes, and does very well.
Later one of the bar maids takes a fancy to young Colin.
October 11, 1998 - Rick Leaves the Band
Rick quits due to a better paying job that will stop him from having a consistent schedule. Ryan will take over on bass, as the band places an ad for a keyboard player.
February 6th –Scorchers in Stow without Phil
Phil wins a trip to New Orleans. The band tries to find a fill-in, but can't. Bobby sits in for Phil, and Ryan and Dave take on a few songs. It turned out to be a fun gig. T-shirts were made and some of the die-hard $ugar Daddy fans snatch them up. This will probably be Colin's last gig, as he has enlisted in the Navy.
February 16 - Gentle Ben
Bobby meets a guy at Scorcher's who plays keys, and trumpet. He talks him in to an audition. Ben comes over and fits like a glove. He (like Ryan for example) is just a well rounded musician. He plays keyboards, trumpet (He majored in Trumpet at Kent before switching to piano), and guitar. We will be able to use in many different areas. Oh yeah, he can sing as well. His two word plan is simply: "Let's Rock." We liked him so much that we offered him the job on the spot! In fact everything happened so fast, I didn't even catch his last name! Welcome to the Daddies Ben!
The Summer of '99
The boys hit the road and expanded their territory. We finished off the last day of school in Kent at Mugs. We partied down on Labor Day with the folks at the Top Shelf in Cuyahoga Falls. While you might expect an "uptight" crowd at a yacht club, the people at the Western Reserve Yacht club in Mentor were a blast (hey Ben thanks for giving us bogus directions!).
In August we ventured west to Wadsworth and watched the Browns win their first pre-season game with the folks at Long Fellows. Somewhere in there, Phil thought about quitting, but realized he was having too much damn fun, and changed his mind.
We ventured south and Played Pal Joey's in Canton (even though Phil was stuck in Kansas City) with Bobby on the drums (during that show Dave’s amplifier began a 6 week hiatus). Thanks to Chuck at Canton Electronics (for fixing it) and to Seth Jenkins (an old Six Shooter buddy) who let me use his amp.
We dedicated another show at the Top Shelf to the memory of Ma Jackson as she passed on earlier in the week. Those in attendance saw one of the best shows Bobby ever did.
Dave had an interesting night at the King Cantina when a drunk man started throwing money at him. That place rocks every time we play there (and Jo Ann finally got her T-shirt). After months of knocking on the door, Dave and Bobby got to play their hometown of Akron when we rocked The Northside (even though most everybody was home watching the Tribe win yet another playoff game).
It was a great Summer filled with fun. Thanks to all who came out and boogied with us.
October 22 1999 King Cantina - New Light Show
Jerry from the Calla Club and Amy the Singer (not the manager) from the Northside follow us to the King Cantina (wow! how cool is that? - I feel like Jerry Garcia). The $ugar Daddies kick off the show with their new light show. The placed ROCKED! If you haven't seen the $ugar Daddies at the King Cantina, you are really missing out.
January 7-8 2000 - A weekend without Phil
Due to some last minute business, Phil will not be able to make the shows this weekend. The band scrambles to see if Bobby can play drums (like he has done in the past) or find a quick "Fill-in" drummer. We luck out and find Erik Diaz. He's a professional studio drummer, and after sitting with us for maybe 90 minutes, knows enough to make it through our gigs.
Erik does a fine job, and through a mutual friend, we meet Larry Spencer. Larry also sits in and does a fine job. The band has a lot of fun at the Rockwell Cafe (our first appearance), and call it a night. We play the Calla club the following night with Erik and Bobby's friend Jason playing drums. We meet some new friends, and have a great night. This weekend could have really sucked, but due to some extremely talented guys, we were able to pull it out.
January 14th - Goodbye Phil - Hello Larry Spencer
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During the
fall, Phil moved to Medina, and the drive seems to be getting longer ever day.
Phil has a great family (four of the sharpest kids you'll ever meet), and the
decision is made to part ways with Phil. After meeting Larry Spencer at the
Rockwell Cafe, we decide to have him come over and try out. He's a real nice guy
who has been playing for 20 years. While we'll miss Phil, (one of the nicest
guys you will ever meet), but it's exciting to have new blood in the band.
Welcome Larry!
UPDATE: Phil has moved to Boston and is now an instructor for his company. |
January 29th - PSYCHE!! At Scorchers
The bar owner booked us to play way back in October. Sometime between then and now, he accidentally booked another band. Unfortunately, this band was driving quite a distance to play, and had already left. Consequently, they got to play. We felt bad, but there was nothing that we could do. Hopefully everyone can make it to our next gig.
February 4th - Larry's First Appearance
Larry Spencer debuts at the King Cantina. As Larry's been playing for 20+ years, he does fine.
February 18 - Couldn't Stand the Weather
The $ugar Daddies make there way through an ice storm to play to 5 people at the Rockwell Cafe.
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The $ugar Daddies are voted "Band of the Month" at giglist.com |
May 19, 2000 - Lookin' Good
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The $ugar Daddies premiere their new sunglasses. |
August 2000
We make our first appearances at Crawdad's in Akron, and the Burkhardt Brewing Co in Medina.
September 9 2000: Colin Fills in for Ben and Gets Arrested
Colin Cook (the original keyboard player) fills in for Ben who is in a wedding as we play Longfellow's tavern. Colin gets a parking ticket. Wadsworth's finest run his plates, and find he has a warrant for his arrest in Brecksville. Colin is hauled off to jail 5 minutes before show time. The band pays his $350 bail money to do the show.
October 2000: The $ugar Daddies (mainly Bobby) raise almost $2000 for the Susan B Komen Breast Cancer foundation. (www.komen.org).
November 4th - Goodbye Larry - Hello Erik Diaz
On November 4th Larry and The $ugar Daddies went their separate way citing "musical differences." Larry is a great guy, and phenomenal drummer, and we wish him all the best.
December 7th
The $ugar Daddies perform a stunning set to the folks at Cleveland's Fat Fish Blue for the first time. When we start in March of 1998, this was one place we definitely wanted to play.
January 2001
The boys play Mugsy's in Green and The County Line in Rittman for the first time. The same week Ben does a wicked spin out on route 8 and ends up with a scratch on his bumper (whew!).We also share the stage with Michelle Beight, and Juan Markovic (Vibrogroove) as well as Jeff from the Topcats at various gigs.
March 2001 NEW T-Shirts
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The $ugar Daddies unveil their new T-shirts.
Order
yours today!
$10.00 (Plus Shipping). |
May 4th 2001 - Screwed By a Weasel
While not all bar owners are weasels, the one running Vaneta's Blues Lounge in May of 2001 surely was (this bar later went out of business and is now reopened by a GREAT bar owner - You should see the place!). We were booked, sent out special coupons to avoid paying the cover, and show up with all our gear to find the place is closed, and sold (thank God) to a new owner.
June 24th, 2001 - The Bootleg Horns
The bootleg horns (Ed Kline and Roberto Iriarte) are introduced on Bobby's birthday at a gig at the Northside.
June 8th, 2002 Erik Announces his Leaving
After being the "permanent fill-in" drummer for two years. Erik's
original band the Sons of Ernesto becomes so popular that he is forced to choose
one band or the other. With our complete blessing, Erik has decided to move
forward with "the Sons." It's been a pleasure, and we wish you all the
best.
June 15th Welcome Adam as we play the Hide-a-Way for the first time.
Adam Abrashoff makes his drumming debut with the $ugar Daddies. Without
having the chance to practice with the band, Adam is hired, and plays a gig
without knowing many of the tunes, but pulls it off nicely.
July
4th 2002 Headlining The Northside Blues Festival
The $ugar Daddies headline a blues festival. The festival features the
Nightwalkers, Blues Sisters, Hot Sauce, and Lucky13. When darkness sets in we
discover turning on the stage lights makes the circuit breaker pop. We have to
move inside where it is easily 95+ degrees. Dave verifies that he lost 4 pounds
(which means Bobby probably lost 8 in his full suit).
July 6th 2002 The $ugar Daddies play Bourbon Street in Akron for the first time. We actually attempt to play some "dinner music" (per the request of the owner). It was "different". Great room, nice place. Adam announces that his other band is picking up steam, and he will need to phase himself out of the band.
August 2002 ONE BUSY WEEKEND
We start off with a fun night at the Northside. We wake up and make our first appearance on the MAIN STAGE at the Crooked River Festival in Cuyahoga Falls. This is the biggest stage we've played to date. What was fun, was the stage was black, and out on the front of the stage it was like playing on the beach (very hot on the feet). We end that show at 02:30, and pack up to make our first appearance at the Cuyahoga County in Berea by 08:00. Here we play "down breeze" from the Pony rides, and poultry barn. Nothing like the smell of... um "the fair" to bring us back to reality (and the sound of a guy guessing your weight all night). Nat and Shelly will never forget my "not so little" pony. Finally we end the night at 11 pm and pack it to drive back home to Akron and crash. We end Sunday night in Richfield playing the "Homes Days" festival for the first time. Bobby has no voice left, Dave's amp falls of the stage, but we all survived, and cant wait to do it again next year.
September 7th 2002
The band makes their debut at Legends in Green with new drummer Rob Lowman.
October
2002 Goodbye Mr. Lowman
Due to a scheduling conflict with his new job, Rob Lowman decides to leave
the $ugar Daddies. Rob was with them when they got to play the "Big
Room" at Tangier's in Akron for a Breast Cancer Fund Raiser. The band does
get one piece of publicity when it is listed that the crowd "listened to
Sugar Daddies" music. Not "the", and not "$ugar," oh
well. It was a great cause.
November 8th 2002 Jim Graham makes his first gig as the new Drummer.
Yet another teacher from the Hudson school system, Jim happen to walk into our lives at just the right moment (as Rob was leaving the group).
December 21, 2002 Ryan Pops the Question
On the one year anniversary of their meeting (at the Northside), where they
decided to go on a date (to the Northside), Ryan sings "Wonderful
tonight" while the horn sections ushers Liz (chair and all) on to the
stage. At the end of the song, while the band held the last note, Ryan got on
one knee and asked Liz to marry him. SHE SAID YES!
December 31, 2002 Ben Pops the Question
First Bobby celebrates 10 years of marriage on the Northside stage, Ryan Pops the question at the Northside. Ben tops them all by popping the question in Europe!. Congrats to Natalie and Ben. With the outbreak of engagements, Hudson officials decide to test the water.
What a great year! First of all NOBODY QUIT!. Second we got to play to the
greatest fans in the world. We got into some new clubs like Kevin O' Brian's,
Bocassio's, and
The Bing, (but um... we don't play there any more....). Rob went of to Europe to
tour with a symphony during the Summer. We had some embarrassing moments like
when our "Fill in" drummer forgot to show up for a gig (God bless Alan at
Chicago's for being soooo understanding). We did have LOTS of great shows. We
opened for Blue Oyster Cult and the Crooked River Blues Festival in Cuyahoga
Falls. However, by the end of our set, the rain soaked crowd started to remind
us that they were there to see B.O.C. It was fun as we've never been heckled
before. Ryan broke a string, and luckily Jason from Nobile Images saved us by
letting him borrow a bass sting. The following gig when WE headlined River fest
in Cuyahoga Falls we got to play their new amphitheatre. It was a great stage,
great sound, great crowd, and one hell of a night. Vehicle was one of our new
songs we added, and it was voted one of your favorites. We also added "Couldn't
Get it Right' and it was voted one of your least favorites (hey they all can't
be slam dunks!)
....
September 2004 - The End of the Bootleg Horns
With priorities shifting with new jobs, fiance's, and kids, (along with a
general disagreement with band management) leads Ed Kline and Roberto Iriarte to
leave the band. Jimmy Graham (who had missed many of his appearances playing
with other acts, and other work priorities, and other issues) also parts ways
with the $ugar Daddies. They are replaced with Tim Coyne and Mike Wyatt.
October 2004 John Gill Blinks in and out of the
band
One of the nicest guys ever, John Gill joined the band on drums. Then the
government pulled some drug John was using to battle extreme arthritis. To make
a long story short, John physically could not do the job, and after trying
multiple treatments graciously gave us the OK to find a new guy.
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