 Congratulations to Amy and John Billings on the opening of Wine Down Nashville, a new music and event-based establishment in Nashville, Tennessee. John has been The Monkees' bass player since 2012 and also performs with Micky Dolenz. He resides in Nashville with Amy, who has long dreamed of opening a wine restaurant. "Wine Down Nashville is a boutique wine bar created by musicians but made for all," John relayed to the Live Almanac this weekend. "It reflects both of our histories, some of our adventures, and especially our love of wine. We are open for all walks of life, but we're putting an emphasis on local events, corporate meetings, parties, and Amy's favorite pet project: meet and greets by some of our favorite musical artists, creatives of all walks, and a glimpse into Nashville's musical studio and touring force. Stay tuned!"  John and Amy at Wine Down Nashville     John also alerted the Live Almanac that a special treat awaits Monkees fans inside Wine Down Nashville. "I'm displaying and selling some of our favorite behind the scenes photography [of The Monkees] that I've taken over the years. I haven't previously displayed or presented any of it, but with Amy's help, it's going to be part of our boutique wine bar." John shared photos of his work that currently adorns the walls of Wine Down Nashville:  (Photos of Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz)  (Photo of Peter Tork onstage in 2014)  (Photo of Micky's drum kit on the 2014 Monkees tour) Stopping in at Wine Down Nashville to give his seal of approval was Wayne Avers, longtime Monkees guitarist and musical director:   Wayne and Amy Wine Down Nashville is located at 2720 Old Lebanon Road #111 in Nashville, Tennessee. Be sure to like the Facebook page and visit the website. And best of luck to Amy, John, and their staff from The Monkees Live Almanac! UPDATE 10/16/2019:
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Photos: "The Mike & Micky Show" live at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia on June 15, 20196/17/2019  (COPYRIGHT: CARBIE WARBIE — Photo used BY PERMISSION — with Carbie Warbie) In a post on Facebook yesterday, Michael Nesmith talked about The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, site of the recording of his 1977 live album and the current stop on his tour with Micky Dolenz. Nez ruminated about his band then and now, the slide guitar work of son Christian, and one of his best loved solo cuts, "Grand Ennui." Long ago memories include the "Live at the Palais" album I made here on the stage of the Palais. Quite a different venue it was in 1977. It has been remodeled and from the pictures I see is now a stunning reincarnation of the original. When I go to soundcheck I will listen for remnant noise of that concert -- although I doubt I will hear anything, really. Just see a low smoke from a dying fire burning my eyes. Here is the set list from last evening's performance by Micky, Michael, and the band, which included "Grand Ennui" in the second act, at The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, courtesy of Andrew Sandoval:  Monkees photographer extraordinaire Sherri Hansen has shared with the Live Almanac her photos from Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith's performance at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan on March 12, 2019. As many of you know, Sherri's photos are first-class and they have appeared on this website and many, many other outlets over the last several years. You'll also see pictures of the band in this slideshow - enjoy! Last evening Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and their band brought "The Mike & Micky Show" to a packed house at The Beacon Theatre in New York City. Thanks a lot to Renny Simno for sharing his photos from the show:     Here's a photograph of the merchandise table at the Beacon. Most of the items that were previously sold during the June 2018 shows are still available:  Thanks also goes to Wis Byron for sharing his video and photos from New York City with the Live Almanac:   The set list:
And here's a sampling of videos from last night's performance in New York City courtesy of Paula Carabell and Otom Izot on YouTube:  (Photo courtesy of Rediffusion)  (Photo courtesy of Cal Strummer)  (Photo by Andrew Sandoval)  Probyn Gregory is the newest member of The Monkees' troupe, joining Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and the rest of the stellar backing band as a utility player on "The Mike & Micky Show" tour when it resumed earlier this month. Probyn plays guitar, banjo, and trumpet during the current live show. Probyn is a Los Angeles-based composer and musician who for many years has been a member of the Brian Wilson Band. He has performed and recorded with The Wondermints, The Beach Boys, The Eels, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and numerous other artists in the L.A. power pop scene over the last three decades. Probyn played guitar on King For A Day, the 2010 album Micky Dolenz released as a tribute to Carole King, and he also appeared on three albums by Monkees archivist and tour producer Andrew Sandoval: Million Dollar Movie, What's It All About, and From Me To You. A day after Peter Tork passed away, The Washington Post published a piece by Probyn that talked about Peter and The Monkees' legacy. In it, he also revealed how he became a Monkees fan as a kid: "My own fascination with the band dates to 1966, when, at age 9, I was hit amidships by the TV show. Like many kids my age, 'Meet the Monkees' was my first album. To me, the Monkees were the zenith — the vibe, the songs, the zany humor, everything about them made me and everyone I knew the target demographic of the era. I ended up following a musical path and have, for the past 20 years, been a part of Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s band." Welcome, Probyn, to the Monkees family! Be sure to catch up with the other members of The Monkees' touring band in this previously published post.  Dan Mapp, Probyn Gregory, Alex Jules, Michael Nesmith, Pete Finney, Circe Link, Donna Dolenz, Micky Dolenz, John Billings, Rich Dart, Wayne Avers, and Christian Nesmith (Photo courtesy of Circe Link) Gemma "Coco" Dolenz (Vocals)
Peter Tork, Gemma Dolenz, and Micky Dolenz at the Troubadour in Hollywood, September 1970)
John Billings (Bass Guitar)Rich Dart (Drums)Christian Nesmith (Guitar)Circe Link (Vocals)Sandy Gennaro (Drums: 1987, 1996-1997, 2001-2002)
Watch Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and their backing band perform The Monkees' classic "Circle Sky" during "The Mike & Micky Show" in 2018:
(Footage courtesy of Ed Heffelfinger)
"The Mike & Micky Show" returns to the road in the United States this March and later in June in Australia & New Zealand!
 (Photo by Sherri Hansen)
John Billings shared some backstage moments before last night's show at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada:
In this video, Circe Link, Christian Nesmith, Alex Jules, and Coco Dolenz harmonize on the Beatles classic "Nowhere Man" before the show at the Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton, California on June 8. They are joined for some comic relief by John Billings:
Last night, Micky, Nez, and the band performed at The Grove in Anaheim, California. The set list from the first several shows was slightly rearrranged in Anaheim, most notably by moving "Steppin' Stone" from the second set to the first, while dropping both "Steam Engine" and "Grand Ennui."
Good Clean Fun
Last Train to Clarksville Sunny Girlfriend Mary, Mary You Told Me For Pete's Sake The Door Into Summer Steppin' Stone You Just May Be the One Some of Shelly's Blues The Girl I Knew Somewhere Birth of an Accidental Hipster St. Matthew Porpoise Song Circle Sky As We Go Along Me & Magdelena Acoustic Set: Papa Gene's Blues Randy Scouse Git Nine Times Blue I'll Spend My Life With You Different Drum Take a Giant Step Auntie's Municipal Court Sweet Young Thing Goin' Down Daydream Believer What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round? Pleasant Valley Sunday Encore: Listen to the Band I'm a Believer
Thanks a lot to Kevin Barry for submitting some nice photos from the show:
(Photo by Kevin Barry)
(Photo by Kevin Barry)
(Photo by Kevin Barry)
(Photo by Kevin Barry)
(Photo by Kevin Barry)
And thanks as well to Jeff Gehringer for sharing two photos from soundcheck:
(Photo by Eddie Beasley)
Last night, Micky, Nez, and the band performed at The Orpheum in Los Angeles, California. The set list was the same as opening night. Below you'll find some footage from the show courtesy of various Facebook and YouTube sources.
On a side note, the Live Almanac is looking for high quality photos and videos from the first two stops on the tour. If you would like to share, please contact me!
"Joanne" was one of the songs performed during soundcheck in Los Angeles:
Los Angeles soundcheck (Photo by Aubrey Winter)
(Photo by Thomas Schnauz)
(Photo by Thomas Schnauz)
(Photo by Tracey Fuller)
(Photo by Tracey Fuller)
Wayne Avers, Micky, Nez, and Christian Nesmith (Photo by Elliott Marx)
(Photo by Elliott Marx)
(Photo by Elliott Marx)
Thanks to Facebook live feeds by The Monkees' official Facebook page and Valerie Kairys Venet, you can listen to Micky, Michael, and the band at yesterday's dress rehearsals, which included performances of "The Door Into Summer," "I'm a Believer," "Different Drum," "Steppin' Stone," "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?", "Some of Shelly's Blues," "Birth of an Accidental Hipster," "St. Matthew," "Steam Engine," "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," "You Just May Be the One," "Mary, Mary," "You Told Me," and "For Pete's Sake."
UPDATE 5/31/2018: Valerie Kairys Venet has deleted the live stream videos originally posted on her Facebook page, and as a result, those videos previously embedded below have been removed.
Nez can be seen below playing a Gretsch sunburst guitar that Andrew Sandoval gave to him in 2013 to have as an alternate to Michael's blonde Gretsch. He'll be playing both on the upcoming tour! Photos of today's rehearsals are courtesy of Videoranch and The Monkees Tour Facebook page.
Micky, Paul Kramer, Alex Jules, John Billings, and Nez
Nez, Rich Dart, Pete Finney, Coco Dolenz (behind Finney), Circe Link, and Christian Nesmith
Micky (and Wayne Avers in the background)
Paul Kramer, Nez, John Billings, Rich Dart, Pete Finney, Coco Dolenz, Christian Nesmith, and Circe Link
Paul Kramer, Alex Jules, Micky, and Rich Dart
John Billings, Nez, Rich Dart, and Pete Finney
Circe Link photographs rehearsals of "The Mike & Micky Show" (Plus potential set list spoilers)5/24/2018 The photos below emanate from Circe Link's Instagram account and show Micky, Nez, Christian Nesmith, and Wayne Avers during this week's rehearsals at Videoranch for the upcoming tour.  Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Christian Nesmith (Photo by Circe Link)  Micky Dolenz (Photo by Circe Link) The next photo shows Wayne and his music stand with a list of songs. In the event you don't want a preview of some of the songs being rehearsed for the tour (and just to note, there are more songs being rehearsed than what is seen below), you might want to quickly scroll past this photo and the text that follows it!  Wayne Avers (Photo by Circe Link) Here are the selections that appear on Wayne's music stand above: Good Clean Fun Sunny Girlfriend Salesman The Door Into Summer The Girl I Knew Somewhere Steam Engine Love Is Only Sleeping Birth of an Accidental Hipster St. Matthew Circle Sky Me & Magdalena Acoustic: Papa Gene's Blues Randy Scouse Git Nine Times Blue I'll Spend My Life With You Different Drum Take a Giant Step Auntie's Municipal Court You Told Me What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?  Christian Nesmith (Photo by Circe Link)  Wayne Avers (Photo by Circe Link)  Nez and Christian Nesmith (Photo by Circe Link)  Micky Dolenz (Photo by Circe Link)  Christian Nesmith (Photo by Circe Link) Please note that the Comments option on the Live Almanac's blog is currently not functioning. I have alerted my host company and they are currently working on a fix.
Micky, Michael, and the band continued rehearsals today at Videoranch, and you can listen to a run- through of "You Told Me" below. Don't forget to check out yesterday's piece in Rolling Stone about the upcoming tour along with more rehearsal footage (including "Auntie's Municipal Court"!).
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