November 1, 2015

Hello Music Lovers,

It’s “Autumn in New York” and on Delmarva. Did you bring out your warm sweaters and boots yet? I know I am a bit slow at getting around to composing newsletters, but that is because I want to be sure to include as many details as possible. So, forgive me, and read on.

Our website is the place to go when you need to plan a trip to Ocean City to hear us play, or when you need to know our availability for bookings.  Or you can email me through the website’s Contact Us page to ask a question. Our Facebook page, Apple & Britt, is another good source of information with posts about recent gigs and schedule changes. We have posted a few videos of us on the job. Be sure to “like” our page, and feel free to post your pictures of us or comments there. We would love to hear from you.

Dale Britt and I enjoyed another lovely season of good friends, great music and delicious food at Adolfo’s on the Ocean, located inside the Beach Plaza hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. This marks our fourth season playing for Kim and David Griffin, owners of Adolfo’s; fifteenth season playing in the Beach Plaza hotel; and sixteenth season playing together as Apple & Britt. And we expect to continue likewise for many years to come.

Adolfo’s on the Ocean is same restaurant that was formerly located down at the inlet in an old house. They have been in the Beach Plaza hotel since 2012. Here is their contact information: 1301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, MD. 

For Reservations Call: (410)289-4001.  www.oc-adolfos.com

The match has been perfect for their clientele and their notions about class and ambiance. At the piano bar weekly, Apple & Britt, and the other fine musicians employed by the Griffins, strive to enhance your evening with classy, upscale music. We are not here to upstage the chef or the beautiful view of the ocean or the majesty of the moon shining on the ocean on a warm summer night. I use the word “enhance” particularly to emphasize the team effort of the waiters, waitresses, bartender, kitchen staff, hotel staff and the musicians. We are here to allow you to relax and enjoy yourself without being intrusive into your conversations. And, Apple & Britt are especially geared to take requests off our 700+ songlist. Crazy as it may sound, we have recently added a few songs: “Hallelujah” from Leonard Cohen, “All of Me” by John Legend, “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor, “Someone Like You” from Van Morrison, and two love songs from George Benson. So, come on in and request a song, or two, or three. We aim to please.

            Dale will play solo on Friday, Nov. 13^th, while I attend my church’s ladies retreat in St. Michaels.  Otherwise, we will play Fridays through November, and New Years Eve and New Years Day.  Then, except for a wedding in January, we will be off until Valentine’s weekend. After that we will be off until we start playing Fridays again at Adolfo’s in late April.  We expect to add Saturdays to those Fridays starting Memorial Day weekend.

            We do play other venues, but have not received many invitations to do so lately. We are okay with that. Dale has done few solo and duo gigs without me. I have done a few Delmarvalous Dolls gigs without him. It’s all good. You can find out more about the Delmarvalous Dolls by visited Pam Miller’s website: www.pamsings.com/dolls.  It’s an Andrew sisters act that focuses on the Big Band Era and World War Two songs.

This year I am privileged to be invited to join the fabulous Todd Crosby and Gary Weber in their annual sold-out Christmas show the first week of December. They own the Blue Dog Café in Snow Hill, Maryland. Their website is: www.bluedogsnowhill.com, and they have a loyal following each weekend.  Gary takes the reservations while Todd bakes the desserts and is your singing waiter. It’s the kind of place that encourages audience participation, and singers get to sit in with the band. I have enjoyed doing so sporadically through the years. It is a lot of fun and the décor is straight out of a New York City cabaret room, which is fitting since Todd has sung in them.  I was especially honored to be asked to sit in for Todd—the singing part, not the waiter part—on Sat. October 10^th. I just happened to be off that night. So, call Gary at 410-251-7193 if you would like to make more information about their Christmas show, or want to make a reservation for dinner for any weekend. They do not ask guests to vacate their table for additional seatings, so you may sit there all night eating, drinking, laughing, and singing along with the band and singers. What could be more fun?

            Other than all that, Dale is pretty much retired, enjoying vacations with his wife and tuning pianos.  I am working as a secretary four days a week, learning about low income housing property management and entrepreneurship. I still serve at my local church on the worship team, as well.  We are healthy and living a blessed life here in beautiful Delmarva.

            In other news, I just saw the Salisbury Community Players production of “The Addams Family.” It was hilarious! I highly recommend seeing it if you get the opportunity. In fact, I encourage everyone to support local artists, be they visual or audio. Go to performances. Go to craft fairs. Become a member of your local art council or theater troupe. Take friends with you. Go to a local restaurant before or after. You can make a difference in your community and your local economy. Just do it. See you soon!

Rhonda Apple