April 12, 2015 Update

Hello Music Lovers!  Are you enjoying the spring flowers and warmer temps as much as I am? I know the pollen causes havoc for allergy sufferers, but thankfully, it usually doesn’t bother me much, leaving me to thoroughly take pleasure in the radiance of colors bursting forth while donning fewer layers during my daily dog walks.  Apple & Britt had the winter off, with the exception of Valentine’s Day weekend at Adolfo’s on the Ocean.  Our regular Friday nights will begin again April 24^th, 2015.  Dale Britt will play solo piano at Adolfo’s until Memorial Day weekend, when Rhonda Apple will join him on vocals. We will play Sunday, July 5^th, instead of Saturday, July 4^th, due to the extreme traffic and lack of need for music to draw business that night. Apple and Britt play at the Piano Bar in the classically designed Beach Plaza hotel for the Adolfo’s on the Ocean restauranteurs Kim and David Griffin. They have a loyal local and regional following that enjoy good Italian food and the Great American Songbook.  The ocean view and Apple & Britt enhance your dining pleasure by supplying an ample supply of Jazz Standard classics from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Barbra Streisand, the Carpenters, the Beatles, and Roberta Flack. We take requests from our 700+ songlist, which has an eclectic mix that would easily be found on an Easy Listening radio station.   Adolfo’s on the Ocean is located in the Beach Plaza Hotel (formerly called the Phillips Beach Plaza hotel), at 13th street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland. There is free parking in the hotel parking lot, as long as you get your parking stub validated right before you leave. The food is rich, and I love it. I highly recommend making a reservation for dinner, and letting them know you want to sit where you can hear the music. And, if you don’t want to have dinner, you don’t have to. It is perfectly acceptable to simply sit at the piano bar sans beverage. The regular bartender, Tom, will be happy to wait on you at the piano bar, or not. It’s your choice.  So, don’t let the lack of funds or no appetite keep you away. Just come and enjoy the music.  Make requests. It’s not as crowded as you might think, most of the time, especially around the piano bar.  By the way, what’s the big deal about sitting there?  People act afraid to sit there.  I do not understand this.  Let’s change this.  Here’s their website: http://www.oc-adolfos.com.  Their address: 1301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, MD.  For reservations call: (410)289-4001 .  This year they are going to serve breakfast, and have music seven days a week during the heart of the summer. Please support this restaurant any way you can. You can even order a drink at the bar from Tom, and take it out on the veranda and enjoy watching the passersby on the boardwalk while sitting in one of the rocking chairs.

Always remember to check our gig dates on our website before planning your visit to come hear/see us.  We do take vacations from time to time.  On Sat., May 2, Adolfo’s will be closed to the public for a wedding. Apple & Britt will be playing for these special guests. The second weekend in July Rhonda will be absent to attend a family reunion, and Dale Britt will hold down the fort playing solo jazz piano.

Apple & Britt are available to play your special function! Just check our calendar first to make sure we are not already booked, and then call Dale Britt to make your inquiry: 410-546-3027.  We can play background music or do a show for your guests.  We are flexible and want to cater to your needs.  We can even compile specific songs to be played while we are on break, such a Big Band, Disco dancing music, and more. Book us now for best availability, because prime dates do get booked far in advance.

Apple & Britt CDs are available from us at our gigs, and on www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RhondaAppleandDaleBritt . You can hear samples and post a review of our music at this site.  Our Facebook page has a section that links directly to these, as well.  Furthermore, Dale Britt has a NEW jazz piano solo CD and DVD available!  Recorded last November 2014 on a beautiful grand piano before a live audience, Dale gives excellent performances of some of his favorite jazz classics and originals.  You can buy these from Dale at our gigs, or call him and request one: 410-546-3027.  He is known as Ocean City’s legendary jazzman for a reason, don’t you know.

In other news, I (Rhonda) recently did a World War 2-themed show with two local singer friends of mine, Ev Cook and Pam Miller.  Pam booked us as the Delmarvalous Dolls at the Chincoteague Island theater, operated by the Chincoteague Island Arts Organization.  http://chincoteagueislandarts.org .  Accompanying us was the very talented and uber patient David Zipse on keyboard, Jim Miller on trumpet, Rob on sax, and David Gladding on drums.  Pam composed a script for the whole show, which was read by the director of programming for the arts organization, Karen Muth. The band did several instrumental numbers from the era, as well. It was well attended and we had very positive responses.  We hope to do this show again in other local theaters and venues. I’ll keep you posted on the website gig calendar.  Our Facebook page will also contain details as they become available.

As always, we are very grateful to our fans who keep us working. Without you we would probably be home most weekend nights, and our talents would go underutilized, especially Dale’s.  At least I get to use my gifts at my church each week. In fact, I’d be extremely honored if you came to hear me at my church, Sonlife Community church.  We have one service a week, 10am on Sundays. I co-lead worship with my sweet girlfriend, Sally Choquette.  And sometimes I get to sit out and enjoy our youth as they lead worship!  That is what happened today, actually. It was a good thing to just be in the congregation and enjoy the youth using their gifts on the platform.  They brought two new songs that blessed my socks off! The church’s website is www.sonlifecc.org if you would like more information.  We are on Facebook, as well.  Dale and I know where our musical gifts come from, and we thank Him often. 

Until we meet again, here’s to you and good music!

Rhonda Apple