Jay's Blog

September 29th 2007 - Ellicott Creek Fire Hall

"There are nights when the band is on, and there are nights when the crowd is on.

This night at Ellicott Creek was no different".

Expectations were high as we sold out our fifth straight show there! Not knowingly, our "friends" and families in attendance were about to see a truly memorable evening. From struggling to overcome preliminary sound issues, to the lights falling from the sky, it seemed that that gremlins were in the works. Joe ironed them all out and we began the night with the help of our good friend Mark Novelli on the Harp.

As always, the "Jello Shot Girls" were there with the fruity specials and it was on. The dance floor was filled for every song and those of you who are still learning your steps, way to go!! You didn't miss a beat. Every one seems as if they've done this before judging from all the finger foods on the tables... Hmmmm?!

There are moments to just about every show, and this one had two! It first involved Dillon Kaspyrzyk, 11-year old son of Mike. He stepped up to the kit and rocked out on Hillbilly Shoes not missing a hit at all! The poise and confidence showed was so unbelievable that Kenny forgot that he was supposed to sing and just stared in awe. The emotion displayed afterward was absolutely incredible as the tears flowed through the crazy loud ovation reserved for real rock stars. Amidst the tears, Dillon had the presence of mind to raise his fists in salute. Proud pops and son in an embrace that should last forever in their hearts. Very cool to be a part of that!

Finally, it came to part of the show that WOTM dreaded......the announcement of Jan Krupa's retirement from the band. Sometimes you forget the work it takes to put on a show like we do. Saturday night, it all came back. From Confederate Railroad, to Kaye Arena, to the requisite shot after rehearsals (which has chased a few prospective players

away...weenies!) Who can forget the grass drags? We have come a long long way, my friend! I have learned much through our tenure together. Just over two and a half years and about eighty shows, you are a consumate pro! You will be terribly missed! As a testament to your talents, the people of E.C Fire hall saluted you with a standing ovation, as does WOTM. Thank you for your immeasurable talent, endless time, and yes, your enthusiasm for country music.

Thank you to the Ladies Auxiliary for hosting us time and again. You are a home crowd for us and we love you all for it. It is one gig that we truly look forward to and it seemed only fitting that in our favorite venue with our biggest supporters, we shared an unforgettable night together. A new chapter begins for us starting this week. God Bless Jan and his

future endeavors. Simply Awesome!

Stay tuned....

~Jay

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October 27th 2007

"Well......so far.....pretty damn good!!"

We started the month off with a brand new keyboard player. As we approached our first gig at the Buckin'

Buffalo Saloon, the gremlins were still running absolutely wild!!! The very best thing about the entire evening was Lyle got his feet wet with the band. moving on........

This past Saturday, we rode into East Aurora...a place called "Openers!" Very cool bar/restaurant. It was a small stage, but a pretty decent sized crowd. Our faithful again showed their support by traveling over 30 minutes just to see WOTM play. As we began, it was clear that we were going to have to play our best. There is something that goes on during a show, that is indescribable unless you are there doing it!

When you go to new venue, and they don't know who you are, and you don't know who they are, there is a feeling out period. It is so cool to experience if you can win the crowd and turn 'em on. By the end of our second set, which is where we typically come alive, so did "Openers!" Most of the bar toe-tappin and dancin', it made us feel at home. As I looked to my left, Lyle was playing his ass off and West of the Mark is reborn!!

Playing a club for the first time brings a level of excitement for the band and a nervousness that drives us to play better. Personally, I have missed that feeling for a little while. New music is on the way soon!!! ...up next...our return to JT Wheatfields!

We'll see ya when we get there!!!

~Jay

Jay's Blog

November 27th 2007

"Well, what can I say?!!"

It has been one hell of a time, these last few weeks. We started off with a double header, while I went off and decided to tackle a semi with my vehicle....I didn't win. We called in a substitute to save the show and for those who were there.......Whoa! Thanks to JB for filling in.

Off to JT's and a kick ass crowd for us once again. Time and time again, you all show up for us and seem to have one helluva good time. Ya'll have no idea what that does for our confidence and show. The harder you play, the harder we play. Period!! To Zack and the boys, you guys rock! To the man behind the scenes, Joe Fulmar, he is our soundman for those who do not know, thank you for sittin' in and tearin it up for a few. Very cool to finally hear you play!!

The BB was jammin like the old days. Was it just me or did it feel like we were on the road playing in a Boston club? Even though your team spanked ours, it was pretty cool to see you out Buffalo way and spending some money!!!! Country is country no matter where you are from. Dig it!

New material is on the way as long as we stay healthy!

"We'll see ya when we get there!"

~Jay

January 5th 2008

"Well, a new year has come and gone..."

WOTM has seen some changes in the band. Gone is Jan who is missed, but in has come Lyle who is fitting in with us quite nicely. We are looking forward to gettin' our giddy-up movin' to put out our new music faster than we are ordinarily accustomed to - yes we are working on it!

December left us with the show at Alexandria's which was fun as always. But the BB Saloon was jumpin' with all of the hometown friends returning for the holidays and visitors. It seems that we are at the club just in time for the majority of guests to show up in the city of Buffalo. Weird.... BB was back to the way that we remembered it being, loud and wild! The girls were up on the stage shakin and we played the best we have played as a new unit to date! I am very excited about that! A PERFECT WAY TO END THE CALENDAR YEAR!!!

We played more shows than we ever played this past year. 2008 looks to get even better. Already we are talking about bigger venues and more high profile stages. It's gonna be cool! Know that we could not do any of this without the continued support of you our friends and families! Keep checking the website for updates on different events. Some are going to be unique to WOTM. Stay tuned and keep it country.

...out on the road...

"We'll see ya when we get there!"

~Jay

February 3rd 2008

"What an awesome month for WOTM"

We started it off with our first real press coverage courtesy of Only Frank in NIghtlife Magazine. Hopefully most of you read it. Very cool!!! "Legendary" moment made there, right Joey?(read article)

First up was "Alex's" which was jumpin like I've never seen it before. The place was up all night and full of people of all ages. Great to see. JT's followed it up with a crowd that was even wilder and refused to stop dancing!! I was spent after the weekends shows, which is a good thing! We might have had the best damn country weekend WOTM has ever had. Fuel fed from the momentum of the review no doubt!

Next up was a road trip that was long overdue! Thanks to Buck finally getting his way and having the best damn vocal country band in WNY come out to the Roost in Henrietta. We had that nervous energy that a band can thrive on and it was a riot! A gracious crowd with the line dancing that we haven't seen here since that bar in clarence closed down live country. The band got to hang and reunite with extended family in tow. We are now ripe for the spring and summer months with more determination than before. We found the fun again!!! Thanks to all who came out and especially those who came to the Roost. It's a long way to support your band! Thank you and down the road we go!

"We'll see ya when we get there!"

~Jay

July 14th 2008

"It's been quite a month so far!"

There is talk of being in the right place at the right time. There is mention of being in "the zone!" We have been a band that is always on the fringe of the cool gigs. Not this time!!!

"this was quite a week!"

Varysburg, July 4th weekend! Camping was wild and we end up two sites down from DJ Matt of The Roost fame in Henrietta. Very cool. For anyone thinking of camping next year, absolutely. Joey and I with our new friends of course, didn't seem to want to go to bed. We were too busy pickin and a grinnin'! A little bit chaotic friday evening but we were stoked for Saturday. Band, we'll get it right one of these times.

What a cool venue looking from backstage. A beautiful garden leading up to the actual stage and a perfect view of the fifteen thousand strong in attendance. When we played, there may have several thousand, but when we finished there may have been five or six. Incredible feeling playing in front of that many people, but the stage and sound.....WHOA!!!

A cool reception with a bow at the end made us feel real proud. A long awaited vindication. The Oak Ridge Boys were very entertaining. You don't last this long for no reason, right? The fireworks.........gasp.....were entirely worth it on their own merit. Impressive!!! Only problem is that the show went by so fast, you don't get a chance to breathe it in!

As we settled down from the weekend, we had to gear up three days later to host Josh Gracin! We were eagerly anticipating the show on the beach as we have not played a venue quite like this one before. The scenery was NICE!!! I was referring to the Lake, people. Josh was dead on and the crowd was as well. We were all thinking how do we go on AFTER the national act. Typically it is before hand. Well, we hustled our Butts off to rearrange the set and as we were getting ready the lead guitar player for Mr. Gracin says to me, "Hey, thanks for letting us on YOUR stage!" I was like, yeah, ya know what....this is our stage, our gear and a ton of our people. You all came out strong to support us and that is an incredible feeling. The crowd sang just about every one of our first 6-8 songs and was rockin'. "Free and Easy" never felt so good. On a school night for us working folks, we still played an extra forty minutes, because ya'll would not let us leave. INCREDIBLE!!!

These two shows were worth the summer for us. Surprises they both were. And it is very cool to be asked. Let's see what the rodeo may bring next month...............

"We'll see ya when we get there!"

~Jay

August: brought us the Attica Rodeo which a long sought after gig. Very cool for some of the band mates to finally see their first live rodeo. Pretty neat event and a raucous crowd. We didn't know what to expect other than a couple really long days.

The Inaugural Warsaw Jam took place and after a pretty intense July for the band, we took the stage in front of Flynnville Train and Rhett Atkins. Crowd was suspect, but Flynnville Train was the coolest experience with a national artist (save Marty Stuart) that I have had to date. Joey and I chatted up with those fellas for quite a while and it made the whole night worth the effort of swinging an hour plus back to JT's for another show. Beautiful campgrounds and you gotta start somewhere. Flynnville was extremely complimentary and it feels good!

September: brought our return to The Roost and the coolest damn club owner we know! Buck sure does take care of his bands, I know that's for sure. We met some new faces and look forward to them coming out again in November. Thank you to all who do make that trek out to hang with WOTM. Amazing are you all. Summer is over and fall is here. New tunes are being plugged in rapidly now and we're gettin' after it again. Come check out what we're doing now. You might even have a Hell Yeah of a good time and...

"We'll see ya when we get there!"

~Jay

NOVEMBER, 2008

Lee Brice is a true entertainer and everything I expect a national country act to be. I mentioned it a while back about how Flynnville Train took the time. Not only did Lee and his band shoot the S%$# before the show, Lee took the time to educate me on the business for an hour plus afterwards. One on one does not happen very often and he is a class individual thick and through. That is what I love about country music and how I believe it should be, for the love of the art, not the money!!!

His level of showmanship is the best I have seen in a while in a very difficult situation. He turned a smaller audience into a party and gave all his emotion regardless. It was impressive and I know the band enjoyed it immensely. The guy can flat out entertain! He took me up on his bus and shared a few stories and talked abut the rigors of the road and Nashville. We have some common ground as he knows my cousin down there at Legends Bar and Grille right off of the Opry. I learned quite a bit from that encounter and am extremely grateful for the oppurtunity to have played in front of him. We always strive to be better and that show was certainly a motivational force. Thanks to Lee for a night to remember and the lessons learned on and off the stage! "Holler and Swaller" one for us!

REALLY looking forward to Luke Bryan in December also with Ransomville. Friends, we look forward to seeing you out there. Thanks again for those of you who take the time!

~Jay

December, 2008

Well..........there's goes! Another year gone by. We had the most successful year to date that West of the Mark has had, be it as a duo or full band in playing just under 60 performances!! I had set a handful of goals last year and we accomplished most of them. Very cool.

In february, we found out that we won an award for "Best country act" in Artvoice magazine which was really cool and exciting. We were the featured band profile in an issue of Nightlife magazine as well in February. Quite a month and we didn't think it could get much better for us at that point.

Then July came....and when we set foot on the biggest stage I have ever been on to perform at Jam in the Valley. What a very cool weekend. Four days later we are at the beach and hosting Josh Gracin in what may have been the most "up" crowd we played in front of all year! It started a run of eight national opens taking WOTM's total to 16. I am very proud of that, because we have had to work for every one of them. Nothing is ever seemed to be handed to the band, we earn them.

Not surprising, we did not win the Buffalo Music Award this year.........oh well. We have made some connections and have been pitched some original songs by some prominent individual(s) and are seriously considering doing so. We have certainly had our ups and downs, but it might be the first full year where there were no player movement. No trades, free agency or retirements this year. That helps out a tremendous amount.

To all the clubs that continue to hire us on a monthly to bimonthly basis, we say thank you! To the family and friends that have helped load out our gear and continue to support our endeavors week in and week out, We say thank you! The fact that you continue to come out and enjoy yourselves is what makes us go around every week. You are whom we play for!

For the upcoming year we will see. There are a few brand new bigger venued shows lined up already and you never know where that road will lead. Thanks for comin and for now, we're out and stayin' free and easy! Here's to a better 2009!

~Jay

JITV 2009 : Are you kidding me? Not only do we play one of our best sets, but the rain has to start coming down during it as well! Too cool the way we were treated from the crazy country music fans in Varysburg. With Gretchen Wilson watching all of the events go down, we take the stage and deliver, in our opinion. Crowd response was fantastic and loud. Perhaps the biggest ever in front of us.....5-6000 by the end of the set I would guess. The rain just added to the build up. What a feeling to play on that stage.

We finish and come up the scenic ramp and there she is in all of her stature, Gretchen Wilson, applauding Joey and I, along with the rest of the guys, as we come off. She was dancing around the whole time from what the staff was saying. Unbelievable that a National Act would actually applaud us for our talents. Way cool!!! Come to find out the John Rich was doing the same type of thing and had terrifc words for Kenny and Mike as well. Memories were built this past weekend that are unforgettable.

With the pouring rain while Big and Rich are playing "Holy Water", lights flashing and seeing all the ponchos and people soaked to the bone will stick with me forever. Country to the core. What a show they put on, not necessarily country, but good music in the soul, and that's what people want to see and expect from the music mafia!

To the local friends and the NEW friends, thank you so much for stopping by the campsite and saying hello and taking the time to tell how much you enjoyed us. That is why we do what we do. So....tell all of your friends about West of the Mark and stop on out, Check the calendar and get out. With the words of support from WYRK 106.5 FM, and Sonny Attea, Ms. Wilson, and Mr. Rich, we are primed for another Summer of National Opens, and are tickled to have y'all along for this ride!

~Jay

Soooo....., the end of summer has come and we have had the best one to date! Sounds repetitious, but it is true. We were able to experience some of the coolest shows I have ever taken the stage on, personally. I know the band has said the same. Having the poll winner be Jam in the Valley as best show of the summer, I am not sure I agree with that from the stage aspect, but I covered that one last time.

Langford posed one of the coolest experiences we may ever witness. Women on dudes shoulders just like the national acts see, and drunkards being ripped off the stage by the police to boot. It was crazy awesome. The sound wasn't terrific, but the hands reaching up to high five us as we're playing is untouchable. Looking out and just seeing what was probably a couple of thousand people, was truely an awesome event. Another night that we did not want to stop playing. Thanks to Tommy for stopping in from BB Jack sitting in on a few.!

Canalfest was maybe my favorite. Probably because I live minutes from the show. ALL of our "friends" seemed to show up for that one and it lived up to my expectation of being a wicked ride. When you looked at the stage and seen the carnival rides reflecting off the water on a completely perfect weather night (finally), very cool. The oats all moored together, partying and jamming to us.... The crowd was into it from song number one. It was the first show for my new Taylor acoustic guitar as well. Broke it in on a quite a night. The 700 (est.) people that may have been in front of us screaming for more, was an unimaginable feeling. I only wish that all of you could experience what we do on stage as performers. I felt at my best for that one.

Salamanca was yet another washout, but was a truely cool experience. Very light crowd but to be asked to extend another thirty minutes as an opening for a national act is unheard of. Perhaps Taboo, but we did it anyway! Meeting one of the finest guitar players to date in Bob Hartle out of PA was a genuine experience as well. He jammed with us for the encore. Awesome fun. I made sure to walk the rain soaked crowd and introduce myself and thank them for gutting it out. Have you ever seen line dancers holding umbrellas while dancing i the rain? LOL Great staff and treated us like gold.

The whole Mickey Rats thing......the best summer to date. Not our busiest, but definitely the quality of shows was there.

We have met a lot of new faces and new friends out on the road this year, and hope that they continue in the band's success to perhaps the Buffalo Music Award this year. We'll see. Ya never know. Stay warm as the band will be undergoing a dramatic unforseen change. Stay tuned...................

JAYS BLOG. 12-6-2009....

As I took the time to look at the pictures on the collages that Sue Nugent put together for Ken, I was taken back down memory lane. How far this band has come!!! From the original five, to Kenny who is not only the second longest tenured player with me, but only the second bass player I have known to work with! From our first night of rehearsal, you hear Kenny sing about getting drunk out by the school, or by the Marlboro in "As good as I once was". That is what we did! We have had many ups and downs since then, but we, up til now, were still playing together! What a ride it has been.

Coming from being the front man in his own band, to accepting the supporting role is not an easy task. He did so with grace, really. I respect him for that, letting me make my own mistakes. I have made them, of course. His rare ability to sing the harmonies instantly and teach them to those who may have needed it, will be incredibly tough to replace! Kenny was the driving force in trying to become the "best vocal country band in WNY!"

The last two years were fantastic as far as the band goes. We have played all the big events associated with the genre. We have opened for a slew of Nationals on big stages. We have been the asked to be the house band at two different locations. WYRK has been on board with us. I am grateful that Kenny has experienced this with us. Five years is a long time to play. But, I am not sure we could have had better years.

Long time friends of the band all showed up in the last two weeks for Kenny which is awesome. Former members of the band, Bruce Rounds, Frank Scarfone, and pseudo member Mark Novelli all came out. very cool! I know it wasn't our best performance of the year by any means, but that wasn't what the night was about. We celebrated the man. We celebrated his talent and his character. He is truly a unique individual. Those who left after the first set because it was way too crowded in there, we understand. Those who stuck around the heat and tight squeeze, we love you. Emotions were genuine at the end of the night, and that should never be thought of otherwise. Ken and I have had our battles, but it will never be the same off of my right shoulder. he knows it and I know it.

I do hope Kenny takes the time to get stronger and healthier. I will miss his presence and all of the above stated. You have been a strong part of WOTM which is a tremendous part of me. I owe you so much more than this blog. Thank you for your time, effort and pain that you have endured in our time on stage together.

A new chapter will begin this month, and it will take time to get the mojo back to where we expect it to be. We will work as hard as ever to maintain all your loyalties to WOTM. Ken, God Bless you, and Thank you. You are welcome on our stage anytime, my friend!

We will see you all down the road.

~ Jay

November, 2009

It was the time of year for the annual Buffalo Music Awards. Firstly, congrats to BBJ for winning their sixth consecutive best country band award! They were class acts to a man, all mentioning to me that we are more deserving of the award this year than they!!! Chris also mentioning in his acceptance speech WOTM. Very cool and much appreciated.

Now, to what is really important.......was I disappointed? Listen, we get told time and again by influential players in the industry what they think of our band. It is all incredibly complimentary. I go back to what Gretchen Wilson and John Rich had to say to us after Jam in the Valley. It don't get any better than that!!! I have learned to expect less and be ok with what we are and have done as far as accolades go.. WOTM has played every big "country'' show that is available to the local bands. No other band can claim that this year!

I am incredibly proud of what we as a band have accomplished and where we have come in the last five years and particularly the last two! I am proud of my boys! We work hard to have a good vocal sound complimented by their musicianship. All of them. I do not think that BBJ's comments were at all disengenuous. I respect those guys and that matters to me, the thoughts and respect of our peers on the circuit. I know my boys are disappointed and maybe frustrated a bit, but to them I say, it's allright! "We do what we do" and if we do that, we will continue to work and be successful! Country music is meant to be a family, and with Whiskey River, BBJ and I believe a few members from Ransomville in attendance at the award show last night, I felt that for the first time in a long time! I am grateful for that. It is a guild of musicians. I like it..........and I oh so love it, y'all!

Our acceptance speech would have read something like this: " First to Mark Rosenhahn and Ed Tabone of 'Route 66', you were the reasons this whole thing ever got started on the gym floor shootin' hoops! To all the wives who put up with our incessant whining and bitchin over silly, silly stuff and sacrifice our time away from home! To all of the people who support us and show up week to week, I STILL do not get it. But you are treasured. To the bandmates......what can I say? It is a priveledge each and every night to do what we do up there and share this stage with all of you! Thank you to everyone who somewhere along the road have helped us on this unwasted time!"