It's looking like a busy year for the Dudes. We kicked it off in grand style by playing the Northville Marquis Theater on the eighth of March. We turned out nearly 250 fans and by all accounts, a great time was had by all. We make a return to the UFO Bar on St. Pat's Day in the non-existent shadow of Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Trumbull on the outskirts of downtown Detroit. There are eight more dates already on the books including a return at the end of May to the Lexington Village Theater. Love that place. It's great to be returning for the fourth time. 

We're celebrating the 50 year anniversary of Katy Lied's release during our ‘25 dates. We’re cooking up a few treats in addition to the four tunes we already know from that record. Ever cautious, we don't play new stuff live until we're totally nailing it in rehearsal. Needless to say, we're not there yet. We keep plugging though and could surprise you with the fruits of our labors at any time. If that means you'll just have to suck it up and come to every one of our gigs, so be it. Kidding, of course…maybe.

Summer 2024 is winding down and with 8 gigs behind us, including 500+ (unofficial tallies) folks at return engagements in Farmington and Dexter in recent weeks, and with just a couple more scheduled for the remainder of the year, we take a minute to reflect. The band is sounding better than ever in our humble estimation and we're making slow, but inexorable progress on one of the tougher Dan tunes we want to add to the list, Babylon Sisters. Sure would be nice to play that one for the fans at our next gig. 

We want to be busier. Ten dates in 2024 is maybe half what we'd have preferred. We ain't the youngest cats on the planet but we have plenty more in the tank to deliver the Dan to wherever the peeps want to hear it - and that's pretty much everywhere, far as I know - more frequently. We've put the feelers out there. Here's hoping an individual or organization with a little pull will realize what a bunch of rockin' studs we are and put us to work with a bit more regularity. We're rarin' to go.

Oh, my. Someone has been extremely reticent when it comes to letting the good visitors of this site know what's happening with Major Dudes. That finger points directly at little old me, Paul, bassist and bandleader. Today, I decided to play around with the design of the web site (still deciding if I like it), and add our confirmed upcoming dates. It's going to be a busy year. We have six gigs already for the coming year and very much hoping to nail down another dozen or so. We're back at it on the first day of March at Road Rangers in Taylor. Hope to see you then, or at one or more of the upcoming shows.

Good news, the 2022 Detroit Music Awards presentation was Sunday, April 24th. And after being ineligible in 2021 having won the two previous years (that be the rules) we were up once again in 2022 and yep, another win for Major Dudes. Nice.

I see my last post was way back in September and was struck by a couple things discussed then. At the time, we had a show scheduled for Otus Supply where we were going to open for legendary jazz/rockers, Brand X. Turned out, the show was postponed and then cancelled altogether due to the untimely death of guitarist, John Goodsall. RIP. We actually had three shots at playing with Brand X. Covid blew up the first two and then the worst possible reason halted the last. Anyway, we're back at Otus Supply Friday, May 6th and we'll dedicate that night to John's memory.

Also noticed a mention of a Steely Dan medley in the works. Here it is, eight months later and what can I say...it's still in the works. It pretty much exists in its entirety in my head but that isn't helping the other band guys all that much and certainly doesn't get it any closer to the ears of our fans. It's coming though, dammit.

Busy spring and summer ahead. A number of great gigs on the books. We hope to see you at one or more of them.

Summer is pretty much in the rear view but we have some exciting dates coming up in the fall. One in particular we really want to mention is a show at one of our favorite places to play, Otus Supply, in Ferndale, MI. This will be our eighth or ninth appearance there but in this instance we will be the opening act for an incredible headliner, fusion pioneers, the legendary Brand X. They've had a couple lineup changes in the last year, but new members Ric Fierabracci (bass) and Greyson Nekrutman (drums) are superb players, undoubtedly capable of handling some of the idioms most challenging music. Original guitarist, John Goodsall, remains as does long time keyboard player, Chris Clark. 

Meanwhile, the Dudes will be using the time leading up to our next batch of gigs to work on an idea we've been kicking around for some time: a Steely Dan medley. No elaborating just now as to what that's about, and not even promising it will be ready to roll by mid-October, but it's in the works and will be way cool when finished.

Sure was great to see so many folks during the summer months. Gonna keep fingers crossed that we're able to play the rest of our 2021 schedule what with things getting a bit dicey once again. Stay safe, all.

Yikes, a year and a half since my last post?! Well, needless to say, some crazy stuff went down in the last year and a half. But after a whole bunch of musical nothing-burgers going on in 2020, we've been back at it with a vengeance since May of this year with our busiest month ever, August 2021, just kicking off. Seven dates, all outdoors and all free to get in, are on tap during the month (including 9/2...close enough for rock and roll), so if you're hoping to catch up with us to hear the best alternative to actual Steely Dan you could ask for, click over to our shows page and see what's up. Seeya at the gig(s)!

Holy smokes, it's been 8 months since we last had anything to say. Well, that's not true. There was plenty to say, we just didn't do it. So, just a few days into 2020 here is what's up. It's already shaping up to be a busy year. We're booking summer shows and it's looking like early in the spring we'll open a concert with two great progressive jazz/rock bands, District 97 and the legendary Brand X. Keep your eyes on our schedule (here and on Facebook) for an announcement on that soon. Not too far off from the nominating phase of the upcoming Detroit Music Awards. Can we make it 2 years in a row? Hey, anything's possible. That's pretty much it. Will try to do better at dropping a word or three in here a bit more often.

2019 is shaping up to be a big year for Major Dudes. Now that winter is finally in the rear view spring got off to a great start, first, with a packed house at Otus Supply on April 5th, where the band was hot and the crowd was with us every step of the way. We've had some great responses in the past for our shows but this one really took the cake.

Later in the month, Jim (drummer), Carl (sax) and I (bassist Paul, natch) attended the annual Detroit Music Awards. Why? Well, we were nominated for a second time in the Outstanding Tribute Band category and had to represent, even though we figured the result would be the same as in 2018. Nope. Surprise, surprise. We won! It really was quite the thrill. And unlike in 2018, where the tribute band award was presented before the main event, this time our category was presented during the big show at the Fillmore so the three of us climbed up on stage and all did a little bit of speechifying as we accepted our award. Fun. 

Coming soon (May 14th to be exact) is our big show in Allen Park opening up for one of the world's finest progressive rock bands, Chicago's District 97. The big night will also include a set of Dudes' guitarist Waldon Reed original fusion jazz. Should be a blast. And then...summer!

We had a great Friday night at the Waterfront in Wyandotte, MI. It was a packed house and very responsive for every bit of the Dan we delivered - the hits and the lesser known tunes. I mean when they go crazy for The Boston Rag either people are way hipper to Steely Dan than I ever knew, or we just played the hell out of the song. Maybe it's both. Not my call. Sure was fun though.

Most importantly, March 9th marked the first time Major Dudes performed as a six piece band. Carl Cafagna, our newest member, is just what the doctor ordered for a band that aspires to do the best job possible on Steely Dan songs with the fewest number of people. When ten to fifteen seems to be the norm, the Dudes get 'er done with half a dozen. Carl is recognized as one of the top saxophone/flute players in the state, is an excellent singer as well, and is also a fine drummer although we've yet to figure out how to use that particular talent. Give us time. 

Spring and summer are right around the corner and the band will be busy. Do come and see us every chance you get. We'll make it worth your while.

I wish I could remember the exact day I knew we had a band. All I know for sure is it was late October of 2015 when Jim, Danny, Waldon and I had our first practice and Dave joined us just a few months later. So we're well into our third year now and we're looking at being busier than ever in the coming months. As you can see, I played around with the web site design. Still needs some work but at least we have our cool logo (thanks Zach) front and center. Also, in a week or so we'll have a new promotional video that we expect to be instrumental in scoring a few gigs for us next year. Lots more news to share but rather than spill it all now, I'll instead commit to actually doing more frequent updates here on the site. Talk soon.