The Jerrys Debut New Live Show

My bandmates and I debuted our new live show on November 17 at Mama and Me Pizzeria in Homewood, Illinois. In all, we played 36 songs, including original music going back to Pop Go The Jerrys, as well as covers of songs by Chuck Berry, Herman’s Hermits, David Bowie, the Kinks, and others. In addition to playing a lot of songs live for the first time, we debuted our new drum head.

It was not our first time playing at the venue. On September 28, we played just over an hour after a rousing set by The Big Boppers. That evening, we played mostly original songs, but did include a few covers, including Tommy James and the Shondells’ 1966 hit, “Hanky Panky.” Originals included three songs from The Jerrys’ new six-song EP, The Wind Cries Jerrys: “Chicago USA,” “Ms Wonderful,” and “Anna Marie.” Watch “Ms Wonderful” live at Mama and Me Pizzeria below.

For the record, field-testing of my new Fender American Elite Telecaster guitar is now complete. Not once during the entire show did any string slip out of the nut. My repositioning the string guide to the “1960s Telecaster” position was the simple solution to a big problem. After a proper setup, the guitar should be ready to play for a long time.

The Jerrys at Mama and Me Pizzeria and More

The Jerrys drums logo by ScottyRocks

It’s been a busy summer! As we welcome this first day of fall, here’s the latest news regarding The Jerrys:

  • On September 28 at 8:30 pm, The Jerrys will play at Mama and Me Pizzeria in Homewood, Illinois. Join us Friday night for music and fun!
  • Following the release of The Wind Cries Jerrys (6-song EP) earlier this year, The Jerrys will release a new single in the next several months. Details to come.
  • It’s official: The Jerrys will release a live album sometime in 2019. Preliminary work has already been done for this new release, recorded live during multiple appearances at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM.

I look forward to sharing more music from The Jerrys soon. Until then, happy fall!

Social Media Strategies Summit Chicago

Slide from Social Media Strategies Summit in Chicago

Last week I attended the Social Media Strategies Summit in Chicago. I enjoyed the conference, which was held at the Union League Club. Summit sessions focused on evolving and developing social media strategy, content creation and storytelling best practices, and video strategy and marketing best practices.

Presenters represented brands that included Microsoft, Walmart, Kickstarter, The Hershey Company, and American Family Insurance. Several sessions deserve mention for being better than the rest:

  • “Case Study: Best Practices for Storytelling when Working with Influencers and Partners” (Sarah Scroggins, Advocate Health Care)
  • “Lessons in Unconventional Innovation” (Ryan Riess, The Hershey Company)
  • “Predicting the Future of Social Media” (Ian Beacraft, Epsilon)

So, would I recommend attending the summit? You bet. The conference is a great way for social media and digital marketing professionals to get up to speed on what some of the big players in the field are doing to take their brands to the next level. I’m glad I went, and I got to meet some cool people besides–now on to all of those notes I took!

New Single: Chicago USA

Cover art for "Chicago USA" by The Jerrys

My new single, “Chicago USA,” is now available as a free download. The song is a tribute to two of my favorite childhood songs, “Downtown” and “I Know a Place” (both made popular by Petula Clark), as well as my contribution to songs about Chicago. I’ve nothing against “Sweet Home Chicago,” but it’s time for a new Chicago song, and this is what I think it should sound like:

 

Chicago USA

There’s a place I know
where you can go.
Every time you go there
you feel good.
It’s a real cool place to be.
It’s the kind of place for me.
It’s where I want to be–
always something
to be found
always something
going down wow!

Chicago
Chicago USA
Chicago U-S-A!

There’s a place I know
where you can be
anything you want to.
It’s all good.
It’s such a sight to see!
It’s just right for me.
It’s where I want to be–
always something
downtown
always something
going round wow!

Chicago
Chicago USA
Chicago U-S-A!

Music and lyrics ©2016 by Jerry Schwartz

Go ahead. Give it a listen!

Chicago Songs

Chicago at Night

Many songs about Chicago and songs that mention Chicago have been written and recorded over the years, and as one might expect, there’s a huge list of Chicago songs on Wikipedia. Among those about Chicago, here are the ones that stand out to me:

  • Back to Chicago (Duke Tumatoe)
  • Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town) (Fred Fisher)
  • Chicago Bound (Jimmy Rogers)
  • Chicago (Sufjan Stevens)
  • Lakeshore Drive (Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah)
  • My Kind of Town (Chicago Is) (Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen)
  • Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson)
  • We’re All Crazy in Chicago (Jonathon Brandmeier)

As a songwriter, I’ve always wanted to add to the list, and I’ve done just that with my upcoming single by The Jerrys, “Chicago USA.” Not just another Chicago song, the tune is also a tribute to two of my favorite childhood songs, “Downtown” and “I Know a Place”—both written by Tony Hatch and made popular by Petula Clark. Stay tuned.

The Jerrys to Play on WZRD

WZRD Wizard

My band, The Jerrys, will play live in the studio at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM on Thursday, April 21, at 10 PM. Joining me that evening will be Robert Porche (drums and vocals) and Jim Losby (bass guitar and vocals).

Here’s how to listen to the show:

Radio
If you live on the north side of Chicago, tune in to WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM on your radio dial.

Computer
Listen to the live stream.

Phone
Use the Tune In app, available at iTunes and Google Play.

In addition to original music by The Jerrys, we’ve got a surprise or two in store, so grab your favorite cold beverage, kick back, and enjoy the show!

ABOUT THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE
Every Thursday night at 10 pm, WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM welcomes a new live band to the station to play a set. In true freeform fashion, you never know who you’ll hear on the Wizard. Tune in on Thursday nights for live music!