Chippewa comic publishes special edition; Mellencamp delighted

But why can't Yinzers remember the lyrics to “Jack & Diane”?

Nationally touring comedian Dan Rosenberg, a Chippewa Township native, released a stand-up comedy special on YouTube that garnered 20,000 views in its first three weeks.

“The show I did at the Lindsay Theater (in Sewickley) in April was a great rehearsal for this and I’m really excited to share it,” Rosenberg said recently.

The free 38-minute show was filmed at the Bainbridge Performing Arts Center in Washington, where Rosenberg lives, and is called “Finger Quotes,” a title that alludes to his dislike of people who use quotation marks in air signs.

Rosenberg's humor targets topics like technology, weight-loss advice, supermarket bathrooms (always in secluded areas next to an OSHA poster), and family dynamics through insights into his parents and marriage. His mother originated one of his best jokes when she noted that emergency medical care facilities should more accurately be called “terminal care.” Yes, it often takes a while to get treatment there.

The audience soaks it all up, including a joke in which Rosenberg asks if you only owe a waitress 15-18 percent when you divorce her.

Rosenberg mentions that he is from Beaver Falls and draws a parallel to Joe Namath.

But I don't want to give too much away, so if you're interested, check out his special on YouTube or danrosenberg.com.

Bob and John at Star Lake

Bob Dylan dramatically changed the rhythmic performance of his classic songs, and the people of Western Pennsylvania forgot an important verse from John Mellencamp's “Jack & Diane.”

In other words, last weekend at the Outlaw Music Festival at the Pavilion at Star Lake, everything was normal.

I thought Mellencamp delivered one of the best warm-up sets of 2024. The 72-year-old heartland rocker was good-humored and spirited, and his cigarette-swept voice lent grit to old hits like “Small Town,” “Pink Houses,” and set-closer “Hurts So Good.”

His band rocked raw, with fat drumming and loud guitars, and longtime violinist Lisa Germano brought poignant textures to songs like “Paper in Fire” and “Check It Out.” A razor-sharp electric guitar tone drove “Lonely Ol' Night.”

Mellencamp regularly pointed encouragingly at audience members who caught his attention. His most amusing stage gesture was a lasso-like motion over his head that accompanied several songs, including “Crumblin' Down.”

With a mischievous smile, he introduced “Jack and Diane” by calling it a “dumb” song he wrote as a young man. As the lyrics began, the Star Lake crowd sang along, but somehow forgot the “sucking on a chili dog” verse in their haste to get to the “oh yeah, life goes on” chorus. Amazingly, that same forgetful blunder has happened at least three more times over the past dozen years at Mellencamp shows in Pittsburgh and Burgettstown.

Come on, sing it with me, folks, so you don't forget: “I'm sucking a chili dog in front of the Tastee Freeze/Diane sits on Jackie's lap, he's got his hands between her knees/Jackie says, 'Hey Diane, let's run behind a shady tree/Let's drool out of these Bobby Brooks pants and do what I want.'”

Mellencamp is always a good verse when Pittsburgh-area fans skip this verse and pause in the middle of “Jack and Diane” at Star Lake to remind the crowd that there are things in songs called “verses” and “choruses,” and that in this case he had written two verses before the chorus.

Dylan, on the other hand, left no room for jokes, but sat at his piano, licking his fingers as he turned the pages of his sheet music while he and his great band played a series of hits and classics by the outstanding songwriter.

First came a chugging “All Along The Watchtower,” then “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” with a piano-led country-blues style that was softer than the violent, horn-fueled radio and album versions.

They really got going, playing a rocking cover of Chuck Berry's “Little Queenie” while “Mr. Blue” rang out in the warm glow of a double bass.

“A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall” received warm applause from the audience sitting in the pavilion.

For “Things Have Changed,” which appears in the Beaver and Rochester film “Wonder Boys,” Dylan increased the tempo of his singing.

Dylan covered Paul Davis' 1961 trucker anthem “Six Days on the Road” with great verve, earning applause again for the traditional opening line “well I pulled out of Pittsburgh.” (He sings this song every night.)

An hour into his performance, Dylan addressed his first “thank you” to the crowd.

The rearranged classics kept coming, with “I'll Be Your Baby Tonight” starting slowly before suddenly accelerating into a piano-driven romp and stomp. However, “Simple Twist of Fate” never reached the wistful romance of that gem, “Blood on The Tracks.”

Before his last song, I went straight to the bathroom. I was surprised by how many people I saw loitering around the concession stands instead of watching the show. I heard several fans grumbling that Dylan had not lived up to their expectations that night.

Dylan has been performing concerts with modified arrangements for decades, and while the results can be satisfying – for the open-minded – I understand the dismay of fans who expect a more straightforward performance.

Pittsburgh hospital featured in Max show

Western Pennsylvania residents who watch “The Pitt” on (HBO) Max next year will recognize local landmarks like Allegheny General Hospital, which serves as the fictional hospital setting of the new medical drama.

According to Warner Bros. Television, “The Pitt,” starring Noah Wyle (“ER”), promises a realistic look at the challenges facing the American healthcare system in 15 episodes from the perspective of the heroes on the front lines working in a modern hospital in Pittsburgh.

Special areas of Allegheny General Hospital featured include the North Side Pittsburgh Hospital's LifeFlight helipad, facility entrances, and the original main lobby.

Filming at AGH took place earlier this month.

While some scenes were filmed on location at Allegheny General Hospital, most of the interior scenes will be shot at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. This set will be designed as a replica of the AGH, with the creators paying special attention to the unique architectural and historical details of the more than 100-year-old hospital.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Allegheny General Hospital on 'The Pitt,'” said Michael Hissrich, a Carnegie Mellon University graduate and co-executive producer of the show, in a press release. “Pittsburgh is a city full of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, especially those serving on the front lines in a post-pandemic world. It's a blue-collar city that is also a center of medical excellence and technology – and AGH has been at the forefront of that innovation. We couldn't think of a better place to film 'The Pitt.'”

Luke Combs UK plays Jergels

Need more proof that Luke Combs is having a record year?

The Grammy-winning country star, who headlines stadiums, will now be recreated on stage by an international tribute act.

Luke Combs UK, a full band based in England, announced an early 2025 tour that includes a stop on February 15 at Jergel's Rhythm Grille in Marshall Township.

Luke Combs UK launched in late 2023 and has sold out venues across Europe.

Combs headlined Acrisure Stadium in April 2023. His 2024 stadium tour included several dates with opening acts Charles Wesley Godwin and his Beaver County backing band, Allegheny High.

Ticket details for Jergel's coming soon.

Pittsburgh hospital featured in Max show

Luke Combs UK plays Jergels

Similar Posts

6 reasons why I prefer Google Docs to Microsoft Word

PFF Classes: Florida at Tennessee

Leave a Reply Cancel reply